Page 32 of Sparks Will Fly

Romani hugged me back with the same need. I couldn’t help the few tears that slipped from my eyes. Something about being here with him had me wide open. I attempted to do what I did best and shut down, but he wouldn’t let me. He tightened his hold, forcing me to stay in place.

“Don’t run from me.” He began kissing my ear making my heart race for a whole new reason. “You are perfect the way you are, Trouble. All I want is to be around your radiating energy. You shake up my life in a good way. You challenge me to make sure my actions align with what I say. If you can’t let your guard down with me, then I’m not doing my job right.”

One of his hands slid from my waist to my hair. He began massaging my scalp while rubbing my back. The combination was potent like magic that flowed through my veins repairing everything cracked and broken. When I found the courage to lift my head and look into his eyes, all I could see was sincerity, care, and concern that would last a lifetime.

Suddenly, the deep waters to love were too turbulent. Jumping within the depths became the scariest thing I’d ever considered, and I found myself slowly tipping away from the edge… to my comfort zone. Jumping without knowing what could come next was too far out of my control. I couldn’t function like that. So, despite all the work I put in to let them down one by one, I sat right there in the arms of the man I was sure I loved and put my armor back up to protect me from falling any deeper.

Bendingover in front of the mirror, I made sure I could clap my ass in the bodysuit I decided to wear. Drey was in the bathroom finishing up her makeup. I was ready to go, so I picked up the bottle of Black Sade to pour us more shots. When she came out of the bathroom to see me holding them up, she groaned.

“Oh, you trying to get white girl wasted tonight huh?” I nodded happily, already feeling the effects of the first four shots we’d taken. Her perfectly arched brow lifted as she came closer to take the shot. “Okay. What’s the occasion?”

“Being single for life.”

She frowned with a shake of her head.

“I am not drinking to that. Bitch, I wanna get married and start a family one day.”

Instead of replying, I took my shot despite feeling Drey’s eyes on me.

“Something happened with Mr. Sexy Caramel? I’m actually shocked you’re not up under him tonight.”

I burped trying to keep the liquor I drank down.

“I lied and told him I was sick.” I blabbered unintentionally.

Drey’s mouth popped open in shock. “Um. Why would you say such a thing? Are you sick?”

I walked over to my purse and picked it up after sliding my phone inside.

“It doesn’t even matter. Let’s go, I’m ready.”

I knew she wanted to say more, but I didn’t give her a chance because I walked out of my bedroom and headed down the hall. By the time I made it to the front door, I heard her shuffling up behind me. Tonight was not about Romani. It was about me and getting back to my space.

I felt a little bad about Lovie being sick and wanted to help her feel better. Anytime I was sick, I wouldn’t even leave bed. I couldn’t imagine what she was going through. The desire to help pulled me from the comfort of my home to the store to grab her some things then head over there.

We pulled on her street in time to see her come stumbling out of the house with Drey following behind her. I inched my window down to get a better look. By the tight-fitting outfit and heels they both wore, I knew they were on their way to party. I slouched down in my seat, wondering why she’d lie about being sick to get drunk and party with her cousin.

“What you want me to do?” Austin asked, having seen them slide into the back of an Uber too.

I tapped my fingers on my knee debating on what to do. Trouble obviously had better things she’d rather be doing, things that reminded me too much of my mother. She chose to party over me too. Lovie had let it be known she was a party girl plenty of times, but seeing it in live-action made my stomach turn.

“Just take me back to the crib,” I ordered in a monotone voice.

My body felt rigid and hot all over. I couldn’t lie like my feelings weren’t hurt. I’d become a different man to pursue Lovie, and what did she do? Spit in my face like women often did and play with my feelings like I was some lame ass nigga to be played with. Nah, if she’d rather get drunk and be a hoodrat with her cousin than be with me, I was going to let her do just that. This fight wasn’t worth it when I was the only one willing to get in the ring.

By the time we made it out of her neighborhood, I’d shut my feelings off. The emotions were coming too fast and strong to keep my composure. I had no choice but to retract to the darkness to keep myself from crashing out and ruining her night.

* * *

My phone wouldn’t stop vibrating on my nightstand to the point it was interrupting my sleep. I slapped my hand all over the top looking for it. When I picked it up it, stopped ringing. I peeled my eyes open to see it was nearly 2:00 a.m., and I had missed multiple calls from Lovie.

I scoffed. I was about to toss the phone back on my dresser when it started to ring again. While everything in me screamed not to pick up, there was this quiet voice that urged me to, so I did.

“Hello,” I answered, sounding as sleepy as I felt. I coughed to clear my airways.

“I know it’s late, but I need your help.”

Almost immediately, I realized it wasn’t Lovie speaking.

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