Page 20 of So I Know it's Real

“My name is Pierce.”

“Nice to meet you, Pierce. I’m Durk.”

“Like the rapper?”

He broadcasted his jeweled smile. “Nothing like the rapper.”

“Pierce! Tatum!” My daddy called for the boys. “Leave your mama be. Come with me to shoot the ball around out back.”

The duo scurried away, leaving me alone with the man they had just confronted.

“Why didn’t you tell me you have kids?”

“When did you ask? You didn’t ask much of anything after the party.”

He tapped the center of his chest. “My fault. I got out of my skin that night. I’m sorry if my actions hurt your feelings.”

“No apology needed. I’m just happy you’re okay.”

“I would be even better if you let me take you out.”

I didn’t take any time to think before I shook my head.

“Why are you telling me no? Because of your boyfriend from the party?”

“Because I don’t think it’s a good idea. Besides, Davis is not my boyfriend.”

“Good. Now, I don’t have to worry about you going to his funeral.” Durk stared off into space while nodding at something I wasn’t privy to. “No date. How about a tattoo?”

My gloved hand caught my snicker. “You are crazy. You just alluded to killing someone. Forget the tattoo.”

“I alluded to his death. Don’t lie on me, Lucky.” He winked. “The night we met, you said you wanted a tattoo but don’t know where to start. Let me brand you.”

“Seriously? Do you have to put it that way?”

“That’s what it is. Let me see your phone.”

Against the whispers from the angel on my shoulder, I did as he asked.

“Here.” He handed it back. “I called myself, so I can save your number. Are you going to answer when I call?”

“I guess you have to call to find out.”

The boys asked to stay with my parents since Monday was a teacher’s administration day, and I happily obliged, especially since Kya was already going.

The second I walked through my front door, I headed straight to the bottle of wine I had tucked in a cabinet. With my Stella in hand, I went to the bathroom and prepared an herbal bath. I made sure to snap a few pictures I could post later in the week, then I stripped naked. As I sank into the steaming water, I planned to crack open Tucora Monique’s new book, yet I ended up scrolling through social media.

One second, I was on Durk’s business page, and the next, I was looking at his tagged photos. While there were pictures of Durk in the streets, there were also images of him attending black-tie events. There was more to Durk than what I saw on the surface. I just didn’t know if I was wrong for looking. For years, I avoided dating, and then when I started, I compared everyone to Calvin. When I chose men who were nothing like him, they didn’t hold my interest.

“Lord, I need to move on.” I sighed, sliding my nose under the water.

Amidst my pity party, my doorbell went off. Frozen in place, I wished the person would leave. Instead, the chime turned into fists beating on the door.

As I rushed downstairs, I slipped on my robe and dropped my phone in my pocket. Part of me wanted to leave theunannounced visitor on the porch, but deep down, I hoped Durk had found his way to me.

“Davis?” I nearly yelled after pulling the door open. “What are you doing at my house?”

“I’ve been calling you. You have me blocked.”

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