Page 28 of Differences

“Tank Head taught me that.” She smiled softly.

Rae put the car in reverse and pulled from my apartment complex. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do now. Everything happened so fast. One thing I knew was that Jay had made his bed, and he would have to deal with the consequences.

* * *

We arrived backat Raven’s home, and I looked at her, confused.

“Go inside. I wouldn’t feel right driving you back to the hospital and having to be around more sadness. Use whatever, do whatever. Take my number. I’ll call and check on you, or you can call me if you have questions.”

I shook my head. “Rae, you don’t have to do this. I can go get a room or something.”

She sucked her teeth. “Nonsense. This is the least I could do. Somehow, you got my brother to come to his senses, and I’m thankful for that.” Her voice cracked.

“You’re welcome. I appreciate this.”

She smiled and hugged me tight. I handed her my phone, and she texted me the code to the door. Rae waited ’til I got inside before she pulled off. I walked over to the couch and laid down. My phone rang, and it was Jay. After his third time calling, I answered.

“Ta! Baby, where you at? Let me explain!” he shouted through the phone.

I said nothing. I let the tears roll down my face.

“Ta, please talk to me. Please understand that I’ve been stressed. How am I supposed to be the man of the house, yet you’re the money maker? Do you know how much that made me feel like less of a man? Yet you kept bragging about your wins and promotions at work? You forgot about me, Ta.”

My heart broke even more. It wasn’t broken because Jay felt I neglected him or made him feel like less of a man—that was far from the truth. My heart broke because instead of being happy for me, he envied me.

“You got twenty-four hours to get your shit and be out of my house.”

I hung up the phone, not bothering to wait for a reply. I powered my phone off because I knew he wouldn’t stop calling. Turning on my side, I decided that the only thing I could do was cry myself to sleep.

* * *

“Taja...Taja.”

My eyes fluttered open as I heard my name being called. I turned to see who it was, and it was Weston. I instantly sat up, straightening myself. I knew my face was crusty from the tears, and I looked insane. I looked outside and saw that the sun was no longer shining. The situation with Jay must have worn me out more than I thought.

“What time is it?” I asked. My voice was hoarse from crying so much.

“It’s eight o’clock

“Shit, I need to be heading out.”

I tried to stand, but Weston softly pushed me back onto the couch. He stared at me.

“What?”

“Rae told me what happened.”

I cursed internally. I didn’t need Weston knowing my business or saying I told you so. Plus, he had bigger things to be concerned about.

“I’m good. Things like this happen, and there is nothing I can do about it. You have other things on your plate, and worrying about me is not one of them.”

“Taja—”

“Weston, it’s okay. I need to be leaving. I have overstayed my welcome.”

I wasn’t sure where I was going, but I needed to leave. All I wanted to do was lay in bed, wait ’til the coast was clear at my apartment, and then go home. Even if it meant staying in a hotel, that’s what I was going to do.

“Taja, let me be there for you. You have shown up for me in a major way. Come on, let me help you out.”

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