Page 30 of Love At Close Range

I had already spent enough time in one relationship wondering what the hell happened. I wasn’t doing that shit again.

12

Lennox

Ipulled up across from Reiana’s business a little before five and waited. I wasn’t going inside because whatever conversation we were about to have didn’t need to happen in front of her employees, and I damn sure wasn’t trying to embarrass her at her place of business. I just needed answers, and I needed them from her.

Almost twenty minutes later, I saw her come through the front door with another woman walking beside her. I waited until the woman went to her car before I got out my truck and headed across the street to face my past.

“Reiana,” I called as I got close enough for her to hear me.

She stopped dead in her tracks like she was trying to figure out if she was hearing shit or not. When our eyes locked, she just stared at me like she couldn’t believe it was me she was really looking at. For a split second, I saw the love that she had for me housed behind the pain she tried to hide. That didn’t last long because all of that was replaced with nothing but pure hate.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Reiana snapped as she stood in front of me. I couldn’t lie and say that I wasn’t stuck for a second because Reiana was always beautiful, but it seems like over the years the shit enhanced. Shaking my head, I had to remember why I was here.

“You got something you wanna tell me?” I quizzed as I peered into her eyes. She gave me a look I knew all too well, and she was about to go off on my ass.

“The fuck would I have to tell you Lennox? Huh? What could I possibly have to tell you now after eight years that you all of a sudden want to here? Huh?” I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was hurt, but it didn’t overtake the anger that was there.

“You know exactly what the fuck I’m talking about Ree, so stop fucking playing with me,” I grit, getting pissed that she was trying to play in my face right now.

“I’on have time for this bullshit with you,” she scoffed as she shook her head. She turned toward her truck, but my words halted her steps.

“Is Rhyse my son?” It seemed like everything around us went silent and we were the only two muthafuckas that existed.

“What did you ask me?” She squinted in my direction.

“I asked you was Rhyse my son,” I replied as I stepped closer but kept enough distance between us.

Reiana stared at me like I had lost my fucking mind before her expression hardened. “Don’t you dare worry about my fucking son now. You didn’t want him, so keep that same fucking energy,” she snapped.

“How the fuck could I not want a kid I didn’t know about?” I frowned. This girl really had me fucked up right now.

“Cut the bullshit, Lennox,” she started. “Don’t stand in my face acting like you didn’t know I was pregnant. Even after you broke up with me out the blue, I still felt like you deserved to know… so I called both your mama and sister to let them know I needed to talk to you. After not hearing from you… I texted you.” I stood and looked at her for a moment, trying to see if she was lying, but I didn’t see any signs of deceit.

“I’ain get no text from you about a baby, Ree,” I explained, purposely leaving out that I ignored the messages my mama and sister gave me.

Reiana shook her head and looked away from me for a second before turning back. “See, this is exactly why I’on have shit to say to you.” She started to get into her truck, but I grabbed her forearm to stop her before she yanked from my hold.

“Get the fuck off me,” she damn near growled.

“I’m asking because I’on know what the fuck you’re talking about,” I replied as I watched her. “You’re saying you told me, but I’m telling you I’ain know shit about you being pregnant.”

“Yes, Lennox,” Reiana snapped as she stepped closer. “I told you I was pregnant. So miss me with this whole confused act like you just found the shit out today. It’s been eight years. Eight. Fucking. Years!” She yelled.

I stood there trying to remember any time that I received a text or even a phone call from her saying she was pregnant, but there was nothing.

“I never got a text from you saying you were pregnant,” I told her as I shook my head. “I didn’t know shit about a baby,” I answered honestly.

“You really standing here lying to my face?” She spat.

“I’ain lying, Ree,” I replied. “If I knew you were pregnant, I wouldn’t have been finding out about my son eight years later by seeing him with you and some nigga walking out a fucking restaurant.”

“Wait… what do you mean you saw me and a nigga? You’ve been following me?” She asked.

“Nah… don’t worry about that,” I countered.

“Whatever, Lennox. I’on know what kind of game you’re playing, and I’on care. You made your feelings very clear eight years ago. I just want you to keep that same energy and leave my life… again.” The pain in her voice was evident, and that fucked me up a little, but she did this… not me.