Oden was different from any man I had ever spent time with. He wasn’t the type to talk a lot, but when he spoke, you listened. Though I could tell he had gone through some things, he had this unwavering presence that made me feel like I had known him for longer. He was one of those people you couldn’t believe you encountered because he was too pure for this earth. He was no street dude or anything, but he possessed the edge and protectiveness that only a hood nigga could carry. He was different, the type of different that had me drawn to him with every motion. When he suggested I stay at his condo, I wanted to fight him on it, but the look he gave me shut that down.
By the time I pulled up to my brother’s house, the sun had set and I already told myself I would be staying at his place. I hated nighttime driving. So any time I drove out to Rennix’s house, I ended up spending the night.
“Yo, where the fuck you been?” Reminisce asked as soon as I got out of the car. He was standing outside with a blunt to his lips.
I hugged him while I spoke. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Of course he followed me into the house. “Try me.”
“Try you what? What’s up, sis?” Rennix hugged me then so did Dimitri.
I moved around the counter and hugged Caya and Beyah before finally looking at my brothers. They looked too much alike. Shit gave me whiplash some days.
“I’m waiting, shorty.” Reminisce’s voice broke my stare down.
“So, I have a stalker. And before anybody in here says I’m being dramatic, here are the facts. I’m getting anywhere from fifty to one hundred random private calls a day, and som?—”
“Why the fuck yeen tell nobody, Jade?” Dimitri was the first to start.
“Because I’m not the woman you stalk, I mean hello.” I shrugged, taking my jacket off and putting it on the back of a chair.
“How long has this been going on?” Rennix asked.
“Not long that I know of. I was only getting a few calls here and there, but I didn’t feel like I was being stalked. Then a few days ago I was home and somebody knocked on my door. I went to the door and opened it. Right in front of my door was a small, silver, metal trashcan with a fucking fire inside. When the fire was put out, I saw a box of chocolate and roses in the trashcan.”
“That’s why you ain’t been home and ain’t told nobody?” Reminisce asked. I could see the frustration on his face because out of everyone he and I had been talking the most lately.
“I’ve been staying with a friend because my complex is investigating the situation. Their security cameras didn’t catch anybody putting that shit in front of my door, but they saw it there. From what the guy said, it was like the footage had been altered.”
Rennix tilted his head to the side. “I mean, it’s possible. A motherfucker must have access to the mainframe and the hardwiring of the building to pull that shit.”
“What friend are you staying with?” Rem asked and I shook my head. I didn’t know why I’d referred to Oden as my friend.We’re more than that, right? Shit I don’t know.
“Fire in front of your door sounds like some crime of passion. Given what was on fire especially,” Caya responded.
“Yeah, you fucking somebody’s nigga, sis?”
“No. Well, I don’t think so. I’m only fuckin one ni—” My phone was ringing in my pocket. When I pulled it out, I made sure it wasn’t Oden. When I saw it wasn’t I set my phone on the table. These sorts of calls all day.
Reminisce snatched the phone from the table then put it to his ear. “Yo.”
I could tell when whoever it was either started breathing into the phone or hung up randomly because he pulled the phone away from his ear and glared at it then looked at me. “You really been receiving these fucking calls and ain’t told me?”
“What would you have done? It only escalated with the fire. Even then I wouldn’t have believed that happened had I not literally seen it. Somebody is either trying to get my attention or under my skin.”
“And you’re sure you’re not messing with somebody’s nigga?” Rennix asked.
“No. I’m not. I am messing with somebody but he is single. As a matter of fact, this started before him because somebody also sent me flowers to the shop twice. I thought it was Gavin, seeing as how he’s been trying to get back in my good graces.”
Dimitri’s expression tightened.
“But no, I don't think it was him now. Shit, I don’t know who it is, but who I’m dealing with is only dealing with me,” I said, like I knew it for sure, but hadn’t even asked.Shit at this point I was assuming, something I didn’t normally do.
Reminisce nodded. “Cool, then tell me who you dealing with so I can go ask that nigga myself. That way I don’t end up killing your ex for no fucking reason.”
I waved him off. “Um no, I’m not ready to tell y’all who I’m dating . Shit I wasn’t ready to tell y’all I have a stalker, but here we are. I’m fine, this is fine, and I swear it’ll blow over without my brothers going all John Wick.”
“Yeah aight. You’re staying here tonight, right?” Rennix asked.
