I’d been on Que’s neck about the money he stole, money he swore he’d pay back. Then all of a sudden, her bank gets hit? Nah. That wasn’t fate, that was amove.
I played her story back again. She was on the lobby floor, and they came straight for her. Not the head teller. Not the manager.Her. That wasn't a chance, that was intel. Que had that.And that exit? He didn’t just pull her as a hostage; he pulled her like she was part of the plan.Whether she believed it or not, I saw the truth: none of that shit was random. If anything, that shit was personal.
rashad
. . .
I was a free man.Out the pen and off house arrest for months. I was just soaking it all in, but I was also growing restless. Venus was becoming more and more annoying. It was probably because I knew I never really wanted to be with her. I questioned what I actually saw in her besides the pussy. It was one of those things where circumstances influenced decisions. One minute we were messing around, the next I was in jail and she was holding me down.
I wanted Zahara back. But she was tough, and I knew I’d have to come correct every step of the way with her. Which is why I started making moves behind the scenes. Jahsir and I racked up a nice chunk of change over the years. It was my emergency fund that I never wanted to touch. That’s why I had Jahsir hit me with some bread a few times. He knew I’d pay it back. He also knew I was sitting on a lump sum for a rainy day. Well, it was raining. It was time for me to put some shit into play. So that’s what I did. I hoped Zahara could see that and be willing to give a nigga another chance.
We rapped for a few minutes after the club that day and ended up more locked in than we were before.
“So, what’s up with you, Ms. Zahara?”
“Nothing, Mr. Rashad.”
I grinned, leaning back in my chair as a smirk covered my face. “Then why you cheesin’ so hard? You missed me?”
Zahara gave a sharp little laugh and scoffed. “Please. Whatever affection I had for you disappeared the second you chose Venus over me.”
“I guess we jumping right on in.”
“I guess so.”
“You broke up with me, Zahara.”
“Yeah, after I found out you slept with her.”
“We were on a break,” I added defensively. “What was I supposed to do?”
“When you take a lunch break at work, do you go look for another job?”
“Yeah, some people do.” We both laughed.
“For real, Z, what should I have done?”
“Nothing,” she snapped. “You were supposed to take the time, make the changes I asked you to make, and come back ready to be the man I needed. But instead, you ran the streets with my brother, got wrapped up with Venus, and then landed yourself in jail.” She paused, and her voice got lower. “Stupid ass…. Rashad. Damn.” She shook her head.
“Damn. Why I gotta be all that?”
“Four fucking years, gone. I loved you.”
“Z.” I reached out, touching her hand.
“I had your back, and all I wanted in return was for you to grow up.”
“I’m not here to make excuses. I was young... and I was dumb, but I’m grown now.”
“Well, I’ve moved on.”
She took a long sip of her cocktail, attempting to avoid my gaze. Her fingers tapped restlessly against the table, soft but steady. Her body was telling me everything I needed to know.
“Have you?” I asked gently. She didn’t respond right away. Just set her drink down a little too carefully. “If you really had, Zahara, you wouldn’t be here right now.”
She exhaled slowly, keeping her face neutral. “I’m here having a drink. With a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.”
I leaned in a little, staring into her eyes. “Is that what we are now? Friends?” The breeze drifted between us. Her lips twitched like she was fighting a smile, but her eyes stayed guarded.
