“I’ll be there shortly.”
He disconnected the call and I sighed. Knowing he would come soon had me turning my phone off and unplugging the landline in our room. Something I should’ve done way sooner but at least I knew I’d have Armond chilling with me to get through this bullshit of a night.
“Sis, it’s four in the morning, what’s going on?” Stella said as she stepped into the living area. I had the landline cord in myhand when I faced her and her face scrunched as she looked over my body.
“Baby, you sweating crazy. What happened?”
“Jeffrey,” I groaned.
“Oh naw. His ass really bothering you all the way out here?”
“Yes, girl. I just can’t escape his ass. I should’ve left my personal cell at home or changed my number before the trip. Something.”
“Well, then we’re heading to the mall as soon as we land so we can change it. I’m sick of his ass chasing you. We wanted to beat his ass when he showed up at the studio.”
“I’m glad y’all didn’t. We didn’t need that kinda drama before flying out.”
“Yeah, but look at you. You’re just as stressed now, if not more than when we left. You were smiling and happy as hell when you got home from your date just for this fool to suck it right out of you again.”
“Armond is on his way over here.”
“Well, isn’t he a gentleman?” Her brows wiggled and I couldn’t help but shove her playfully.
“Girl, shut up. He’s really nice. Like really, really nice. Crazy as hell though.”
“Shit, that might be good for you. Maybe his ass can handle Jeffrey so you can get back to living your life freely. You’re my girl and I’ll follow you around the world, but you don’t need to be running forever.”
“Thanks, boo. You know I love you and Marsha for constantly riding for me.”
“Always, baby, you know this.”
“Yeah, yeah I do. Look, I didn’t mean to wake you up. Get some rest. We’re going on that morning excursion shit Shavonne set up.”
“Fuck that. I’m sleeping in. I wanted to go, but bish, I’d fall asleep and miss the whole thing.”
I laughed and shook my head because I knew she was serious. I was just happy she came out here and stopped me from panicking. She always came in clutch for me and I loved her endlessly.
“Get some sleep, boo. I’m sure once he gets here, I’ll be right behind you.”
“Uh huh. I’ll see you in the morning,” she pouted.
“Don’t do that.”
“I just hate seeing you struggle. If you can’t sleep even after he comes, you know where to find me. I’m serious,” she said.
“Fine. You have my word.”
She smiled and hugged me then trotted off to her bed. We’d been best friends since I was twelve. She was a year younger than me. We met Marsha in high school and we’d been the three amigos since. They followed me to South Carolina and now Dallas. I didn’t ask them to; they just came and had been my foundation ever since. Even with their warnings to me about Jeffrey, they still held me down and I was grateful for them.
I decided to take a quick shower to get this sweat off me and as soon as I walked back into the living area, there was a knock on the door. I looked out of the peephole and Armond was standing back far enough for me to see him and see nobody else was with him.
I opened the door and smiled at his casual attire, a pair of sweats and a white tank with white socks and a pair of Nami slides. Only the chain around his neck and his watch were visible and his hair was down and framing his face. He looked damn good.
I found myself stuck on him and had to quickly move to the side to let him in.
“My bad. Hi, Armond. Thank you for coming through. Come on in.”
“I’ll always show up for you, mama.”
