Page 37 of He Snatched My Soul
“Well, let’s pull up on that nigga and see what’s up.” Jayla was always ready to fight.
“Hell no. I ain’t trying to seem desperate. It is what it is. I’m just going to keep it pushing. It was fun while it lasted,” I told her just as my phone rang on the coffee table. I looked down at the screen and saw that it was Ryan. I rolled my eyes. I had his ass blocked since that phone call from his mama. I unblocked him because I had planned on calling him to come and get his shit from my house. He didn’t have much here. Just a few articles of clothing and his laptop.
“Is that Jamian?”
“No, Ryan. I got the right mind to call his mama and cuss the bitch out. Now, that’s who I don’t mind running down on.” I cackled, and Jayla did, too.
Jayla and I continued to talk and sip on our wine. I didn’t want to discuss anything Jamian-related, so she switched the conversation. I let her convince me to go out tonight to some lounge. I figured, why not? I had two more days before I had to be back at work.
Icouldn’t believe Anastasia was back in town. That bitch did me dirty. She was the reason I was a dog-ass nigga in the first place, fucking on these hoes to get my dick wet and bounce. I never wanted to see her ass again. I put that on my life. Everything was good until I got that phone call from my mama on the jet. In my mother's mind, finding out that my ex was back was going to make a nigga happy. All that shit did was put me in a fucked up mood and brought up old feelings that I had hidden for four fucking years.
Taking a heavy pull off my blunt, I sat outside of my parents’ crib in my ride, contemplating on going inside or pulling the fuck off. Not even this strong-ass weed that I was smoking on could calm me down. I was ready to blow the fuck up. I knew if I went into my parents’ home on some shit, I’d have to hear my father's mouth. Besides, neither my mother nor my father knew the extent of the situation between Anastasia and me. They didn’t know how fucked up I was when she left; how anigga damn near turned into an alcoholic, drinking to cope with the hurt of losing the only woman I ever loved. I kept my true feelings to myself.
That was until I met Modesty. She was the first woman since Anastasia that I ever felt something for. The only woman that I didn’t see as just a fuck. Spending time with her in Jamaica and getting to know her on another level had a nigga ready to wife her ass. No cap. And it wasn’t because she had some of the best pussy I ever had the pleasure of tasting or swimming in. Nah, Modesty is the whole muthafuckin’ package. She’s beautiful, smart, headstrong, and she’s on her boss shit.
I know I was wrong for giving her the cold shoulder on the jet. I had been pulled back into a dark space, and when I get like that, it’s hard for me to function. And there was no way I could tell Modesty the shit that I was dealing with. As a man, my pride wouldn’t let me. Not after the three weeks we spent together, and especially not after I basically told her that she’s my woman. And I meant that shit. Confronting my past is the only way I could give Modesty what she deserves, and that is all of me without the extra baggage.
Before stepping out of my ride, I made sure to spray some Febreze fabric spray over my clothes to knock off the weed smell. I jogged my high ass up the porch steps and rang the doorbell. To my surprise, my dad answered the door. Normally, I was greeted by Ms. Paulette.
“Hey, Son. Welcome back.” My dad pulled me into a hug, which surprised me. Not that he never showed me physical affection, it’s just been a long time since he did that.
“Hey, Pop.” I walked past him and into the foyer.
“Your mom is in the kitchen fixing lunch. We gave the chef and Paulette the night off. But before you go in there, I just want to tell you how proud I am of you for the job you did with the newresort. I heard the soft-grand opening was a success.” He smiled proudly as he held his right hand out to me.
“Thanks, Pop. But I can’t take all the credit. Modesty put together everything. All I did was set up the systems and shit.”
“I know. I talked to her. She’s great at what she does. I’m happy to have her on the team.”
“Yeah, you only called us a million times.” I chuckled.
“Yeah, well, you know how I am. I also noticed that every time I called, y’all were together. Is there something you want to tell me, Son?” His eyebrows hiked in the air.
I wasn’t sure if I should tell my father the truth or lie to the nigga. I decided on the truth. Hell, he would find out eventually.
“I know you don’t like for Julius and me to fuck around with anyone that works for the company, but I’m feeling Modesty. I promise I’m not on no bullshit with her.” I let him know, and his head tilted to the side.
Slipping his hands into his pocket, he said, “What about the situation in the kitchen?”
“There isn’t one.”
I left it at that and headed through the living room and into the kitchen. When I walked in, I could hear my mother and that voice that I had never forgotten, laughing like they were long-lost friends. My eyes landed on the figure standing next to my mother at the kitchen island, and my feet got stuck in place. Anastasia was the first to notice me. My heart started to beat wildly in my chest when our eyes locked. Frustration and confusion hit me like a ton of bricks as I stared at the woman that I had fought so hard to get over. As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn’t deny that she was still as beautiful as I remember. Her chocolate complexion glowed under the kitchen overhead lights. Her slender frame donned a pair of blue skinny jeans and a pink body shirt. Her hair was still long, and she wore it down her back in its natural curly state.
“Hey, baby. You made it.” My mother pulled me in a tight hug, but my eyes remained on Anastasia. “Look who’s back in town. I can’t believe it. It’s been ages.”
“Hey,” Anastasia spoke nervously.
“What are you doing here?” I spoke through my gritted teeth, snapping out of the temporary dazed.
“Baby, what do you mean? She is here to see you.” My mom looked surprised.
“Nah, I’m good on her. She shouldn’t even be here.” I felt myself getting angry.
I knew what I said outside in my ride, but actually seeing Anastasia only made me want to choke the shit out of her. I turned to leave. I needed a fucking drink because, obviously, the weed wasn’t fucking helping. I walked outside to my ride, ignoring Anastasia walking out behind me, calling my name.
“Jamian, please don’t go. I just want to talk to you.” She reached for my arm.
“There’s nothing for us to talk about, shorty.” I took a step back. I turned around and hit the locks on my ride.
