“Alright,” she mumbled.
For a while she sat on the toilet, wishing she didn’t have to carry the burden of Dough’s death on her heart. There was a bond shared between the two. A love that was once genuine until Hurricane Lo came in and wrecked her entire being.
“Lord forgive me,” she whispered.
Despite the news she’d learned, Bria had a class to teach so she placed her grief to the back of her mind. After showering and putting her hair in a bun, Bria got dressed and booked a car. Grabbing her Alyak duffle bag, she exited her hotel room. She checked her messages on the elevator ride to the lobby. Stepping off, she headed toward the exit until her feet came to a sudden halt.
Lo stood, walking toward her piercing her with a pensive stare. He was in different clothes. A white Dolphins jersey, orange shorts, and citrus Jordan 11s to be exact.
Seeing him reminded her of Dough’s murder. She knew he had done it, but she couldn’t ask him about it. There were certain questions she couldn’t bear to let release from her mouth. This was one of them.
“Why are you still here?” she asked. “I don't want to be around you.”
Especially, after what you did to Dough…
“I got a room here last night. Look, I know shit is fucked up right now, but I need you to give me a chance to fix it.”
Bria scoffed. “No, you're sick in the head, and I can’t take being around you right now.”
Lo angled his head, piercing her with his mesmerizing eyes. “Where we about to go?”
“Wearen’t going nowhere. I have to go teach a class.”
“Well, then I’m coming with you.”
She shook her head. “No, you’re not. Lo, leave me alone.”
He revealed, “I can’t do that. I need you, baby.”
“Why? I don’t want you anymore. You’re fucking mean and you broke your promise. I don’t deal with men who don’t keep their word.”
Rubbing his tattooed hand down his wavy fade, he nodded. “Listen, I hear you. I fucked up at the hospital. I shouldn’t have turned my anger on you. I’m just trying to make shit right between us.”
“You can’t. I don’t like you.”
Lo smiled, almost provoking Bria to melt in an instant. It was rare for him to smile but when he did, she saw the innocence in him making an appearance. Trying to fight a man away who was simply irresistible had proven to be more difficult than she imagined.
“It’s cool if you don’t like a nigga right now. I can handle that.”
Bria rolled her eyes and continued toward the exit. Hearing Lo’s footsteps behind her increased her irritation. Thankfully, her driver was out front with the back door open. Quickly, she got inside, hoping Lo got the picture. She looked out the window, wondering where he had disappeared to when she heard the other door open.
“Get out!” she yelled as he slipped in the back seat with her. “Go away. Damn, I didn’t know you were so annoying.”
“I’m not leaving until you forgive me. So, get comfortable with me being around.”
Bria gaped at him as he got comfortable in the seat. The driver got inside the truck and looked back at her.
“Ma’am, are you okay? Do you need assistance?”
Lo smacked his lips, causing Bria’s anxiety to surface. Even though she couldn’t stand him at the moment, she knew he had no problem fucking this driver up.
“Assistance? Call ‘em,” Lo dared him. “So, I can turn this bitch out.”
“No, it’s okay. No need for any assistance. I’m not in danger.” She cut her eyes at Lo. “See, this why I don’t want you near me. You doing too much.”
The driver quickly turned around and started driving. Lo reached for her hand, but she snatched it away.
“You talking about me being mean when you acting like I got a fucking disease.”
