Page 29 of Chrome

She walked away with attitude, and I would’ve snatched her ass back if I wasn’t in the middle of cutting a client’s head. Fussing and fighting with that girl was not in my plans. I didn’t feel well either so going heads up with her just wasn’t in my deck of cards for the day.

Finishing my client’s lineup, I stepped back and admired my work. He had become. A regular and I knew exactly what he wanted. A simple low taper with a two line design in the back. He never steered away from the same cut. I applauded him for having a routine. He was a salt & pepper Black man, so I was sure this wasn’t nothing but another Thursday for him.

“Okay Grant, we’re good to go,” I said removing the cape from his neck.

“I ‘preciate you, Kosha. I got a date with Harriet tonight and I figured I’d clean myself up.”

“Oh really? Where you taking her?” I inquired taking the money from him he extended in my direction.

“It’s a place on Melrose Blvd. called M’chelle. It’s an upscale French cuisine spot and she’s been asking to go for a while. It’s hard to get in there and they’re reservation only. It took me three months to get a table.”

“Sheesh. I didn’t know they jumped like that. Well, I hope you and your lady enjoy it. I’ll see you next week?”

“Next week, beautiful.” He headed for the door, and I proceeded to wipe down my station.

Once I was done, I went back to snacking on my M&M’s. I just couldn’t stop eating. I had to have something to munch on throughout the day and it was lowkey starting to scare me. I was genuinely surprised I hadn’t picked up any weight.

“So, you gon’ give us the details about the graduation party or what?” Henny asked finishing up her client as well.

“What you mean? All the kids had fun, and they seemed like they were both grateful and thankful for Chrome and his folk to acknowledge them. Y’all should’ve swung through.”

“For what? To see you and that nigga going at it in the parking lot? No thank you,” Henny commented with a raised brow.

I sat up with eyes as big as saucers. When I fucked Chrasmere in my jeep, it was out of desperation. I missed him and desperately needed to feel all of him. I tried convincing myself that he was this poison tainting my relationship with my daughter, but I just couldn’t stay away. Seeing him caused my entire body to yearn for him. He was needed in that moment.

“Who told you that, Henny?” I questioned. I was so embarrassed by my actions now that it was in the open.

“Girl please. It’s all over town how that nigga had you hollering in that parking lot. I mean, I fuck on my nigga wherever, too, so I’m not judging,” she said with a smirk.

My head fell back as I released a deep sigh. Chrome really had me out here moving different. I didn’t fuck in public places, I didn’t give the people a reason to talk about me, and I damn sure didn’t date men younger than me. But that nigga… I was out my muthafuckin body every single time he came around.

“Y’all think Melanie knows? I mean, she ain’t said nothing to me about it but I don’t want her to be embarrassed or bullied by it.”

“If she knows, what can she say? You are grown KoKo. Adults do adult shit from time to time and if we being honest, herlil’ mean behind is probably dabbing in adult shit too,” Daria chimed.

“Please don’t say that. I do not need that girl coming home with no baby because she didn’t wait until marriage. Y’all, Chrome just…” I couldn’t even find the words to describe that nigga. He was someone that made a bitch heart smile just looking at him. I was in love with that nigga.

I’m in love?... I’m in love.

When he uttered, he loved me, I wanted to return the gesture so bad, but I was scared that I was moving too fast. We didn’t know each other for real, but I knew being with him eased my entire being. I was at peace when he was around because he made it so simple. It wasn’t overwhelming and I didn’t have to fight for his attention. He showed it without question, and he claimed me to anyone that would listen. This was how obsessed I wanted Houston over me, but I was glad to receive it from Chrasmere instead.

“We get it. We know how it is to have a nigga that know how to love on us and love us. I see nothing wrong in what y’all doing. Mama got to have a life too, right?” Amy finally gave me her input.

Mama did have a life, but it was one I was dragged into. I wasn’t supposed to be in love with a manhalf my agelet Mel tell it. I moved to Eastlake for a fresh start and some peace. Even though I found all of that, Chrasmere wasn’t supposed to be in the picture contributing to my new journey.

“Ugh! I don’t need this right now. I’m trying to get me and Mel on better terms and this will ruin it.”

“That girl is a high school graduate and a child. Y’all are not friends, and you don’t owe her loyalty in that department. Look, you’re raising her… alone, but there’s not an ounce of neglect in there. You have your thing with Chrome, yes, but have you put him over your child since meeting? No. You’re balancing the twojust fine if you ask me,” Daria added. She was a teen mother herself, except she had a son, and the issues were smaller.

Mel walked in as soon as Daria finished speaking with a huge smile on her face. Something had her excited. “Look, Mama. Daddy’s here!”

“What?” I shouted. Sure enough, Houston walked through my shop doors and a fuckin’ rat could piss, and you’d hear it. That was how quiet it got in here.

Houston walked in holding a bouquet of lilies and a dumbass smile on his face that stretched from ear to ear. He was a bozo, and I wish somebody would’ve warned me before I gave him some fuckin’ pussy. My eyes rolled to the back of my head so fast and remained there so long, I was surprised they didn’t get stuck.

I could tell by the smile on my baby face that she was happy to see him. I hated that she loved him so much. He did absolutely nothing for her but feed her lies and empty promises. How dare he show a week after my baby’s graduation like he didn’t owe her that. I was pissed seeing he had so much audacity.

“Don’t act like you ain’t happy to see me. I brought you something,” he said holding up the flowers. I knew Houston and he was manipulative as fuck.

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