Page 108 of Vega

“Then why you so invested?”

“Because watching women mistake attention from you for intention annoys me.”

Bishop rose a hand. “All right. Enough.”

Milan grabbed Rain’s arm. “Come on.”

Rain tried to pull away. “No, he got me fucked up. You’re not that important for me to care about who you’re fucking over.”

“Then stop acting like I am.”

Bishop pressed a hand to Wise’s chest. “Back up.”

Wise looked at Bishop, then at Rain. Rain was breathing harder than she wanted anybody to notice, and Wise looked too satisfied that he had caused it.

Milan pulled Rain back. “Rain, let’s go get a drink.”

Rain’s eyes stayed on Wise as Milan guided her away.

Wise called after her, “Tell your friends to stop catching feelings after I give them this dick!”

She flipped him off without turning around.

I shook my head and took a sip from my cup.

Bishop looked at Wise. “You happy now?”

Wise picked up his cup. “I was happy before your women showed up.”

“She’s not my woman.”

“She comes with yours. Same burden.”

Bishop sat back down, shaking his head. “You and Rain been doing this for almost ten years. I’m ready for y’all to kiss and make up.”

Wise cut his eyes at him. “Keep practicing law, motherfucka.”

Bishop just laughed.

I looked toward the bar where Rain stood beside Milan, still mad, still glancing back like she hadn’t gotten enough. Then I looked at Wise, who was pretending not to notice her.

That wasn’t hatred. But it wasn’t my business yet, so I drank and let him keep lying to himself.

PRODIGY MORETTI

I lived in the neighborhood of the home Novi was staying in, so passing through that block was part of my regular route. Still, I couldn’t ignore the way my attention lingered a little longer than usual as I approached her street.

The last time I’d seen her, I had enjoyed sitting there with her more than I should have. I enjoyed making her laugh. I enjoyed watching the tears slowly leave her eyes until her smile didn’t look like it hurt as much. I left once she seemed okay.

I had been looking for a reason to see her again since I left her couch. Then I spent the rest of the night worrying about her.

When I turned onto her block, she stood outside near the curb with her phone in her hand, looking down the street, then back at the screen. She had on a workout set and sneakers. Her blonde hair was pulled back from her face in a ponytail.

I pulled over beside her and rolled the passenger window down. “Get in.”

Novi looked up from her phone and smiled weakly. “Hey, Prodigy. My Uber is five minutes away.”

“Cancel it.”