“What do you call this?” I pointed between the two of us as I picked the grinder up and began twisting it.
“You know what I mean!” she fussed.
“I don’t. Enlighten me.”
“Your attention is elsewhere,” she explained as she removed the grinder from my hand and sat it back in the cupholder.
“You want my undivided attention, Ever? Is that why you’re suddenly in a panic?”
“I’m not in a panic.”
“When I explained to you it was only you I wanted to give my undivided attention to, what did you tell me?”
“I’m not ready.”
“Then why don’t we leave it at that?”
“Because you’ve been upset ever since.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why haven’t you said anything to me?”
“Before I told you that, had I said much to you?”
“No.”
“So, what’s your point, again?”
“Luca,” she called my name, waking my dick up.
“Don’t do that,” I warned.
“I don’t understand.” She sighed.
“You do understand, Ever. You like the idea of a nigga but like you said, you’re not ready.”
“Is she coming to your house tonight?”
“Who?”
“The girl you met at the bar.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, knowing that I wouldn’t be having company until I secured a second spot, somewhere that I could entertain others. Not everyone would come to my home.
“She gets an invite before me?”
“She’s ready, Ever. Ready to get fucked and if that’s all you want, you don’t have to get out. Laike will find his way home. It’s been eight years since I slid into anything. I got a lot of dick to give you tonight if that’s what you looking for but if not, then I suggest you go in the house. Because if you go with me, then I’m treating you just like I plan to treat her. You’ll be reduced to a bird, and I’ll only feed you enough crumbs to keep you around until I stop benefiting from your presence. I’m not getting my feelings involved knowing you’re not ready. I’m a grown ass man without the time or energy for the games you want to play.”
Her silence infuriated me.
With a snort, I concluded, “Imagine me offering you the world but you’d rather have crumbs because another bird has access. You really not ready.”
Ever had said nothing. She, instead, opened her door and climbed out of the truck. I watched as she walked up the driveway and into Lyric’s home. It wasn’t until I reached for the grinder again that I noticed the bracelets I’d given her laying across the armrest. I didn’t bother picking them up. For the effects of Ever to wear off, I’d need another blunt or two. She was a fucking problem, and she didn’t even have a clue.
EIGHT
Dreaming with a broken heart.I’d done it countless times while in a relationship with Dewayne, so I was unsure of why this one felt so differently. As I sat wrapped in my towel reading the time displayed on the nightstand clock, I released a long, necessary breath. 6:34 a.m. I’d been up since 5:55 a.m. with the inevitable on my mind.
