Page 66 of Certified Pressure
Most women I came across bragged about trips, bags, cars—stuff they could show off on the ‘Gram’. Zaniyah was out here braggin’ about changin’ lives. That shit hit different. She had that bubbly, cute personality that made you wanna keep her smilin’, but underneath all that was a backbone strong as hell.
“You solid,” I told her finally. “Not too many like you left.”
She laughed, shakin’ her head. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to.”
“Nah,” I said, takin’ a slow pull from the blunt. “You doin’ more than most.”
We finally made it to the speaker, and I ordered us way too much food—two cheeseburgers, fries, nuggets, extra sauces, and a couple apple pies just because. She was lookin’ at me like I was crazy.
“You know we’re not finishing all that, right?” she said.
“Bet me,” I told her.
When we got the bags, that hot fry smell filled the car. I pulled over in the parking lot, killed the engine, and we just satthere with the seats leaned back, eatin’ outta the paper bags. She was talkin’ with fries in her hand, tellin’ me about her life while I gave her pieces of mine.
We kept talkin’ about music, dumb shit we did as kids and who we still keep in touch with. She had stories for days, and I realized I didn’t mind just sittin’ there listenin’ to her.
When we finally pulled off toward the mansion, the food was gone, the smoke was gone, and the conversation was still rollin’. By the time we walked in the front doors, it was damn near mornin’ but we was still laughin’ like we just left the first spot. She stopped in the foyer and turned to me.
“Pressure, I had an amazing time tonight. We should go out more often.”
“Fasho,” I told her, takin’ her hand again and kissin’ the back of it.
I watched her head down the hall, then went to my room. Soon as I sat on the bed, I grabbed my phone out my pocket and saw Ka’mari’s text sittin’ at the top:You up?
I locked the screen without even openin’ it. After a night like that with Zaniyah, she was the furthest thing from my mind.
Trill-Land, Jungle Estate
Another day had passed, and I was sittin’ in my office with Renza, Kay’Lo, and Blaqson, tryna figure out who I was gon’ send home today. Renza was leaned back in the chair across from me with his feet kicked out like he owned my shit, a smirk on his face.
“Boy, you been busy as hell with these women,” he said, pointin’ at me like I didn’t already know. “I ain’t think you wasgon’ ever loosen up and start likin’ some of ‘em. Now look at you. Nigga you got some pep in ya step now.”
I just shook my head, smilin’ to myself even though I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction. Truth was, yeah, I’d been spendin’ more time with a few of them, but that didn’t mean I was lettin’ my guard down to every single one of ‘em.
While Renza was still talkin’ his shit, my mind drifted and I let out a breath. “Ka’mari been callin’ me,” I said finally.
All three of them looked over at me.
Kay’Lo raised his brows. “You serious?”
“Yeah,” I said, leanin’ back. “I don’t even get it. She been callin’ like she ain’t spent the last two years runnin’ from me.”
Blaqson leaned forward. “She probably seen that ad about the women,” he said. “You know how that go.”
I nodded slow. “She did ‘cause she mentioned it on the phone. Brought it up like she ain’t been the one givin’ that pussy away to another nigga.”
Renza cut in with a look that told me he already had this figured out. “She playin’ games, bro. It’s cool when she moves on with another nigga, but the second you look like you movin’ forward without her, she poppin’ up to try and block it. Old move. I’ve seen that play before.”
Kay’Lo shook his head. “Stay focused, fam. Don’t let her plottin’ ass fuck up what you got goin’ on here. You got too much in motion.”
“I know,” I said, even though part of me was still twisted about it. Ka’mari had that effect on me.
Renza must’ve caught it in my face, ‘cause he stood up, came around the desk, and slapped me on the back before lettin’ his hand rest on my shoulder. “Listen, my nigga. You got a whole house full of fine-ass women who actually want you and see the good in you. Don’t throw all that new pussy away for somebody who only pops up when it benefits her. She’s not worth it.”
I didn’t say nothin’ right away but just nodded. He wasn’t wrong.
Some time passed while we went over a few things, then I finally pushed back from the desk and headed toward the foyer. The women were all gathered, talkin’ low amongst themselves, but they straightened up when they saw me comin’.
