Page 42 of Feeling Blue

Blue wasn’t interested in anything she was trying to do at the moment. They’d kicked it a little in the past, and he’d spoken to her a few times while being in prison, but what he told Forever had been the truth. He wasn’t interested in her like that. Never had been, so he really wished she’d stop trying.

“How did you just get a girlfriend on me? I thought we were trying something.”

“How, when you know I used to kick it with your sister? You already know I wasn’t going out like that, and neither were you, with your crazy ass sister.”

“Journey doesn’t care. She’s moved on with her baby daddy.”

“Like you need to do.”

Dylan moved around in her seat, bumping into his arm in the process. When she finally stopped moving, she crossed one of her legs over the other, with her foot dangling directly near Blue’s knee. He knew what she was doing, but ignored her anyway. If she wanted to sit next to him, it was a free country, but he wouldn’t be engaging in any conversation with her.

“I get it if you’re trying to do the whole faithful thing with her, I know how you are in relationships, but we could still kick it if you want.”

“I don’t.”

“You don’t have to be rude.”

“I’m not, I’m being straight up. That’s clearly the only way to be with you.”

She chuckled. “Cold, but I get it.”

It was quiet for a minute before she spoke again.

“Journey will be here in a minute, just so you know,” she told him while standing and walking toward the stylist who had just waved at her.

Blue finally looked up and frowned when he did. Dylan was always half-naked. That was another thing that ensured he’d never take her serious. His face was still frowned when he heard the bell ding again. Not interested in whoever it might be, he didn’t bother looking that way. Instead, he stood to his feet, towering over everybody in there, and walked toward Forever. The women looking in his direction didn’t faze him one way or the other. He’d been a boss, been pulling bitches. That was nothing new.

“Zurich? Oh my god, come here!”

The sound of Journey’s voice paused him, but not because he was happy to hear it, but because Forever’s head turned as soon as she heard it. Her eyes were behind him on what heassumed to be Journey. He knew for sure as soon as she turned her nose up and scrunched her eyebrows together. Not even having a chance to prepare for it, Journey was in front of him with her arms around his neck.

Her body hung from his as she circled his neck and held him to her. He looked around the shop at everyone else being serviced, too afraid to look at Forever.

“Dylan told me you were home,” she squealed happily into his ear. “Why didn’t you call me?”

With her still holding him, Blue realized there was no other way to get her off him without touching her, so he grabbed one of her arms and pulled out of her grasp. Obviously, overwhelmed with happiness, she didn’t realize his reluctance to hug her back, and let him go with a smile.

Still as beautiful as she’d always been, Journey stood before him, sparkling from her glow. A fair-skinned girl who looked more white than black, with big brown hair and thick pink lips. Her hazel eyes glimmered as she observed him with a smile. Her body was much thicker than it had been, and the weight looked damn good on her, but Blue didn’t linger. Their time was up.

“Wow,” she exhaled happily. “Look at you. I’m so happy you’re home. I was sick when you got sent off with all that time.”

Blue nodded at her coolly. “Me too. It’s good to see you.”

“It must not be. You’re looking real stiff. What’s wrong with you?”

He tried to force a smile, but erased it when he saw Dylan at the back of the salon with a devious smirk on her face.

“You know me, I’m just chilling.”

Journey placed her hand on her hip, leaning all of her weight on one leg while looking him up and down with a smile.He could tell by the way she was looking that she was putting together her own story and would speak on it as soon as she had it all together. That’s all she ever did, and he hated it, so he did his best to avoid it.

“Aight then, girl. Stay up.” He tapped her shoulder and went to move past her, but she grabbed his arm, stopping him.

Directly in her line of vision and no other choice but to look at her, Blue’s eyes went to his Forever. She didn’t look the least bit pleased. Her pretty face was straight, but he could see the fire burning there. Like only a black woman could, she cut her eyes at him before looking back down at her phone. He was in trouble. That much he knew.

“Which one of these women you up in here with? I know you’re not here for no reason.”

“Journey, go head on with that,” as soon as he said her name, Forever’s hairstylist lifted her dryer and led her to the styling chair.

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