Page 10 of It's Love I'm After

“On that note, I’ll respect where you are . . . at the moment. Enjoy the rest of your evening, Ms. Chaniya.”

“I’m not a praying man, but God, let my desires align with Chaniya’s needs. Unlike Satan’s imp wasting her time, I’m all the man she’ll ever need.” Standing, I begin disrobing before heading to my bathroom to shower and prepare for bed. “Alexa, play Mokenstef, ‘He’s Mine,’” I say upon entering the bathroom.

Alexa: Playing Mokenstef . . .He’sMine

Turning on the water inside the bathtub, I start bobbing when the nineties jam starts playing, causing me to remix the words to fit my situation.

“She might be doing you, but she’s thinking about me. So, nigga, think about another lover and go find another woman,” I sing loudly before stepping in the shower once I have the temperature how I like it. “Damn, this woman got me remixing and singing love ballads. How the hell did I get here?”

Grabbing my bodywash and washcloth, I begin cleaning my body, losing the desire to sing the sappy-ass song echoing inside the shower wall. Chaniya got me feeling like imitating crazy-ass Sherita, and I’m not a stalking or pressed nigga.

“This woman gonna have me praying daily until God crosses our paths again. I need her in my life. Never have I ever been thinking about and praying for a woman who rejected my dumb ass without hesitation.”

5

CHANIYA

*bzz*

380-426-1532: Hello, Chaniya. This is Jorgie. You don’t know me, but I’m aware of you and felt the need to tell you that the man you’re in love with isn’t who you believe him to be.

“What in the ‘Barbara, . . . this is Shirley’ hell is going on?” I grumble upon reading the incoming text.

Between the unsaved phone number and the name given, I have no idea who this person is or how she got my number.

Me: How’d you get my number, and who is he?

Nana always said curiosity killed the cat, but I can’t help responding to the cryptic message to probe for information. This Jorgie doesn’t know that the only man I’m in love with is the one I’m raising.

380-426-1532: Aren’t you Dedrick’s bottom bitch? *eyes emoji*

Bottom bitch? Who the hell does this chick think she’s talking to? My brows furrow, and a frown slides into place.

380-426-1532: I know your place in his life, which is why I got your number from his phone. You need to understand that while you might be his bottom bitch, I’m the bitch who incubates and delivers his nappy-head children. I’m pregnant with our fourth baby, and I need you to understand that Dedrick won’t be playing stepdaddy to that little bastard of yours.

Fire shoots from my ears, and my fingers begin frantically typing a response as I bite my bottom lip.

Me: Bitch, this conversation is done but drop your location.

Once my message is sent, I exit the thread, dialing the number of the man causing this unknown stray to type out the nonsense she has. Tapping my fingers on my couch, my lips twist when the ringing sounds in my ear.

“What you want, Chaniya?” My frown deepens upon hearing Dedrick’s nonchalant question with an aggressive tone.

Pulling the phone from my ear, I turn it over several times with my eyes tight before placing it back against my ear.

“Who’s Jorgie?”

“Fuck if I know. Why are you calling me asking about random names? What the fuck are you on right now, Chaniya? I’m busy.”

Pain radiates in the back of my head, a metallic-like taste fills my mouth when I bite my lip hard, and a burst of air escapes my mouth from hearing Dedrick’s questions.

“You know what . . .? I’m done. We’re done. Whatever you got going on is no longer my concern.” Disconnecting the call, I block Jorgie and Dedrick’s numbers from my phone.

Not knowing about Jorgie or that Dedrick has children I know nothing about doesn’t matter. Ending our farce of a relationship has been necessary long before now. This is just the confirmation I need to release me. I’m just grateful that the darkness of Dedrick’s foolishness came to light and gave me the opportunity to walk away scot-free.

I bet you wish you wouldn’t have turned down that invitation to get to know Germayne.

You have no business coming to this store this time of night, Chaniya. You ain’t gonna be satisfied until some mad rapist snatches your butt up.

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