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“That stunt you pulled when you saw me talking to Sierra.”
She releases a hard laugh. “God, Maliki, it’s time for you to say good-bye to your little sorority-girl fling. She won’t be with someone like you long-term. Stop wasting your time. She’s been friends with my sister since they were kids. I’ve seen the guys she dates, the ones she’s brought over for group dates in my parents’ basement. They aren’t you. You’re a rebound.”
“You need to leave,” I grit out.
She reaches out, brushing her hand over my arm, and I jerk away in disgust. Her face falls. She’s not used to being turned down.
“Come on, Maliki. We had something—good times, hot sex.”
“That was in the past. You were afling.That’s it. I want a relationship with Molly, but you? I want nothing to do with. I’ve been nice, but you’ve played nothing but games. All I want from you is to be mature and co-parent with me.”
“Molly needs a stable home, and my grandparents are returning this weekend. There’s not enough room for the two of us there without being too cramped.” It’s as if she didn’t hear what I’d just told her.
“If you feel you can’t provide somewhere for Molly to stay, she can live with me.Only her. Not you. If you need a place to live other than your parents’, I can help you find an apartment, but you’re not moving in with me.”
“You have a guest bedroom.”
“It isn’t available for you.”
* * *
I hug Molly good-bye,knock back a shot of whiskey, and return to the bar. I’ve left Liz long enough to deal with the craziness tonight and feel like an asshole.
I immediately shoot my attention to Sierra.
She’s at the same table with her douche-bag roommate.
He holds up his shot glass and gestures to Sierra with it. “She’s coming home with me tonight, gentlemen!” he drunkenly slurs. “Be jealous!”
I charge toward the kitchen, open the door, and yell inside, “Mikey! You’re on bar duty!”
I leave without waiting for a reply. Mikey needed extra cash, so I told him he could work in the kitchen. Thank fuck I did that and can bail from this place.
“I’m out of here,” I tell Liz.
I can’t make a scene here. Can’t punch a dude in the face here.
I’m a business owner, a father. I have to change my mindset about shit.
The asshole kisses her cheek next.
On second thought,fuck this shit.
35
Sierra
“Oh shit,”is all I hear Chloe say before Maliki captures my elbow, hoists me up from my stool, and hauls me outside, the crowd watching with curious eyes.
“What do you think you’re doing?” he snarls, unclasping me when we make it to the edge of the parking lot.
What does he think he’s doing?
“Enjoying my night,” I fire back.
“Bullshit.” Temper flashes in his eyes. “You’reenjoyingmaking me miserable.”
Yes, that, too.
