Page 23 of Until the Ink Dries

“You got my attention now, and I’m gone keep it real with you. It’s not the kind you were looking for. I’m tired of this shit, Tee. I have given you chance after chance to get your shit together. Not so we could get back together, but so you could be a better fucking mom for Charlie. Yet, here you are in this gym, acting like a concerned mother.”

I had to take a minute and laugh before looking back up at her.

“You think I want to be in a gym with the man I love and watch him flirt with another bitch? Someone who has always thought she was better than everyone else? No! I have my faults, but we can work this out. I can change.”

I shook my head, because if she had said this a few years ago, I might have been willing to give her a chance to give my daughter a two-parent household. Would we have lasted? Hell no, but I would have tried. Watching who she has become and what she does to my daughter’s confidence and mental changed my feelings towards her quickly.

“This is a game to you, isn’t it? Let me keep it real with you. A relationship outside of our daughter is one we will never have. I have given you chance after chance to get your shit straight. A few days ago, I offered you fucking money to speak to your daughter. The same one you pretended to give a fuck about just a minute ago. I’m only going to tell you this once. You keep my daughter out of this fucking game that you like to play. You can do whatever you want to me, but you leave Charlie alone. After tonight, you stay away from her and me. If I see yo’ ass outside of my shop, I’m sending one of the girls out there to beat your ass.”

“Benny, you don’t mean that. I’m trying. I just can’t see her right now,” she cried.

“This is done. Stay away from me and stay the fuck away from Charlie. She deserves better than this.”

I didn’t give her another second to say a word to me as I walked past her to Jordan’s truck. Once I hopped in, I closed my eyes for a minute as a few tears slid down my cheeks. These tears weren’t just for me but for my baby, she deserved more and I had failed her. I sat in the car for what felt like thirty minutes before I turned it on. My tears had dried, and I was ready to get home.

A light tap against my window got my attention. I prayed it wasn’t Tierra’s ass. I looked over to see Willow standing there with her purse in hand, so I rolled down the window.

“I know tonight has been long for you, but do you mind giving me a ride home? I think Jordan took my spot and being a third wheel doesn’t sound too good to me tonight.”

I clicked the locks. “Get in.”

EARLIER

“Friend, you look the fuck good tonight,” Shirah complemented me. “You see how many heads you’re turning?”

I blushed. I did feel like I looked particularly good tonight. The reunion was in full effect. We’d been here for about an hour now, and Shirah had me in everybody’s face, showing me off. In her defense, most people remembered me anyway.

“Thanks, Shi. You look the fuck good as well, boo.”

She twirled around and twerked her ass on me. “I know I do, baby. One thing you can never put in a sentence is Shirah and looking bad. You know I like to be fine fine all the time.”

I giggled. My bestie had a bit of a big head, but she had every right to because she was beautiful inside and out.

“What is everybody staring at?” Shirah asked, looking behind me.

I followed her gaze to the door where I saw Benjamin walking in. Even though his look was a simple white tee, a pair of black jeans, leather jacket, and a Cuban diamond necklace, he still looked fine as hell. I blew a small breath as I took him in. Time had really been good to that man.

“Why are you making eyes at Benny?” Shy asked, breaking my thoughts.

I scoffed. “What! I was not!”

“Yeah, see. Your voice does that high pitch thing when you lie. You did it just now. Oh my God! Are you attracted to Benjamin?”

“Shirah, you’re tripping. Is he fine? Yes. Do I think that there could be anything there? No.”

“I swear, a lie don’t care who tells it. You’re single… ish. It’s perfectly fine to be attracted to him. Hell, we can tag team him and Jordan’s rich, fine ass.”

“That’s Jordan Smith?” I asked, stretching my neck to see over the sea of people gazing at them as they walked to the bar.

“In the flesh. Just that quick, I miss hunching on that man.”

“You twowerea thing back in the day. How could I forget that?”

“We were. Back before I lost my mind and decided to give Ian another chance to play in my damn face. That nigga better not show up here tonight. I swear I will go to jail.”

I shook my head. “No, you won’t. You aren’t gonna give him the time of day because he’s a non-muthafuckin-factor.”

“Say that shit again.”

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