She gave me an under-eyed look and licked her lips. “Mm hmm,” I said as she stood.
She gave me another look then walked away to go back to my mama. This shit was gonna blow up in our faces if I wasn’t careful. But shit, it almost didn’t matter if I was careful if she wasn’t. My mama was a smart woman, and it wouldn’t take her long to figure shit out if Yolanda got caught looking at me like she did a minute ago. Instead of focusing on her, I pulled my phone from my pocket.
Going to the text thread between Sandrene and me, I opened it to send a text and saw the bubbles like she was about to text me. I waited for a moment to see if she would say something, but then the bubbles disappeared. I typed out my message.Hey, Sandrene. I hope you’re good, baby. I miss you. For real.
Before I could hit send, her message came through.Hi, Jamel. Thanks for the flowers. They’re beautiful.
I thought she would say more, but she didn’t, so I hit send on my message. Then I sent another.You’re welcome, beautiful.
I could see that she saw the messages, but she didn’t say anything else. I bit my bottom lip and slid my phone back in my pocket. I was ready to go now. I was here earlier than usual because I hadn’t been sleeping well. Last night, I lay in my dad’s room and just stared at the ceiling. I read that letter over and over.
“What’s up, bruh? You good?”
I turned to see Dylan sitting next to me. I swallowed hard then asked, “How did you know Skyler was the one?”
He smiled then sat back on the couch as we both stared at the TV. We used to run together all the time. It seemed like it was nothing for him to just stop. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t just lusting after Obsession. I stopped chasing pussy before I even spoke to her, so I’d been feeling like she was supposed to be mine. However, in light of recent events, I was nervous.
“From first sight, I was gone. I’ll never forget the day. It was in the backyard… the same way Dad and Mama Nissa met. Even with all the shit I had going with Chanell, I couldn’t focus on anyone but her. She was all I could think about. After only a couple of weeks, I knew that I loved her. We had barely been knowing each other a month before I put a baby in her. I had it bad, man.”
I nodded repeatedly, knowing that was exactly what I felt for Sandrene. He nudged me and asked, “Why? You tryna settle down?”
“Yeah,” I said as I pulled at my beard. “I fucked up though.”
“Who is she?”
I was shocked that he didn’t already know. Everyone seemed to know already. When I looked over at him, he smirked. “Nigga, yo’ ass already know. Quit fucking with me.”
I chuckled, and he did too. “So how did you mess up?” he inquired.
“I was about to fuck this nigga up in the club for calling her a bitch and talking about how he would have her swallowing his dick.”
“To her face?”
“Naw. She didn’t hear him, but he was sitting next to me. He saw her staring at me as she performed. He was intentionally fucking with me.”
“So she mad?”
“Yeah. I punched him in his jaw and got put out the club. Then I told her I wouldn’t be able to be there anymore. We spent last weekend together, and I loved every minute of it. Our chemistry feels right in every way. But that shit happened Wednesday. She texted me a minute ago to say thank you for the flowers I sent to her Friday, but this was my first time hearing from her since Wednesday. I haven’t been able to sleep.”
“So have you fucked anybody else?”
“Naw. I don’t even care to have anybody else.”
“That’s how you know then, man. You don’t need me to validate what you’re feeling. Lust is temporary, and nothing would stop you from lusting for someone else and going get fulfilled.”
I nodded again. Sandrene had me… all of me, but if she didn’t want me anymore, what was I supposed to do? “So, if she doesn’t come back to me, then what?”
“You have to respect her decision. That’s all you can do. When Skyler left, I felt dead inside at first. We weren’t even really a couple. It was our first date. I bought flowers and food, but she was receptive.” When he saw her approaching us, he said louder, “Plus, you see all this Nupe swag in front of you? She couldn’t resist this shimmy, nigga.”
He rolled his shoulders as I rolled my eyes. Skyler pushed him in the head then fell on his lap. He kissed her cheek, and she got up. “I love that shimmy. Y’all need to give us a show today.”
“Only if you, Alexz, and Joyy participate,” Dylan responded to her.
“Ugh! Let me see if they will. Joyy and Zay just got here.”
Dylan patted my shoulder. “It’s gon’ work out, bruh. You’re an honorary Berotte. It gotta work out.”
I chuckled. That nigga was so cocky at times.
