Page 40 of Anything Necessary for Her
I checked the time on my Rolex to see Waverley would be out of class soon, so I made my way over there. The last week and a half, another girl had been teaching the class, and when I inquired about it, she explained that the ladies rotated.
But of course, as I pulled up into the lot, I spotted Banks’s Jeep in the parking lot. Climbing out, I entered the vast dance studio, looking for Waverley and, of course, Banks against my fucking will.
My stomach bottomed out, seeing some nigga in her face, making her laugh. He was clearly the father or maybe brother of one of the little girls here, probably making bullshit conversation in order to get Banks’s attention.
Running my hand down my beard to calm my nerves, I looked away, visually scouring the room to look for my baby sister in the midst of the plethora of kids while trying to ignore Banks putting a hand on that nigga’s bicep before he complimented her. I couldn’t hear shit they were saying, but I knew Banks’s facial expressions and reactions well enough to tell when she’d been told she was pretty.
Sucking my teeth, I ventured over to where she was, getting close enough for her to look over and up at me.
“The sign-out sheet. I ain’t see it,” I lied, drinking in her pretty face, glass-like onyx complexion, and beautiful green and amber eyes. Her enchanting, good smelling ass perfume seemed to be full of pheromones, making me foolishly stand there as she looked me over like I was a complete fucking idiot.
“Over there.” She pointed lazily before snatching her eye contact from me and giving it back to that nigga.
“Can I help you, nigga?” I low-key barked on him when I caught him watching me.
He was maybe half an inch taller than a nigga, making me think back to Asif and the Comptons making a deal out of a nigga being taller than you in front of yo’ woman. Banks wasn’t mine, but shit, it felt like it. Straightening my back and shoulders more than usual eliminated our barely there height gap, instantly feeding my ego.
He said nothing, throwing his hands up in mock surrender as I trod off, finding the sign-out sheet that I already knew the location of, and Waverley at the same time.
“Low! I want sushi!” She shouted, coming to stand next to me as I checked my watch for the time before scribbling it down on the sheet.
“Sushi? Baby girl, you nine.” I chuckled, taking her hand in mine and using the other to take her dance bag.
“I know, but I like it.”
“Aight.” I exhaled, shaking my head at her growing up way too damn fast as I led her out, unable to rid my mind of Banks.
Though it was true that I wanted to protect her from my antics and possible inability to do right, I also wanted to protect myself. Going from being a terrible boyfriend and having no knowledge of relationships to taking on a woman like Banks frightened a nigga. And seeing her this afternoon being plotted on only fed that insecurity monster.
Niggas all around LA and, shit, I was sure in other states, were lining up to fuck with Banks, so once I fucked up, another man would be right there ready to take my spot and do the shit better. That would wreck a nigga for real. And like her, I had too much shit on my plate to be fucked up on some broken heart shit.
I took Waverley to get her sushi and grabbed myself something small before taking her home. After making sure everybody was good, including my mama, who was already soused, I dipped.
I didn’t wanna be home, alone, able to stew in my thoughts of Banks not fucking with meorBanks fucking with me before letting me know she appreciated my efforts but a better nigga had come along.
“Aye nigga, you trying to lose some money?” Free addressed me as soon as I entered what we called the kick it room of his crib.
“Not really,” I said, already smiling because I knew he, Jere, and Mitch would start talking shit. “One game and I’m out,” I conceded, making them cheer.
I ended up playing a few games before more people arrived, mainly a herd of females and two more niggas in the crew.
“I was hoping you came,” a girl named Danielle smoldered, trying to snuggle up to my side as I stood near the ongoing dice game between Free, Mitch, Jere, and now Taye.
“I gotta piss. Be right back.” I moved from her hold, and she nodded, looking as if she was anticipating my return.
Danielle gave good, sloppy, toe-curling head and let you fold her ass up in any way you wanted, so depending on how the night went, I just might end the shit with her. That was if one of the homies didn’t grab her first, considering she, along with majority of the bitches here tonight, had fucked us all.
Sitting in the sunroom of Free’s fly ass spot, I took my phone out, venturing into the messaging app and to the thread with Banks. We didn’t text much, preferring to be face-to-face, so it was short.
Tapping her contact info, I then hit her number, placing it to my ear as the line trilled. The last message I sent her went ignored, so I wasn’t too sure if she would pick up.
“Hello?” She sighed into the phone, tired of my shit already. I didn’t give a fuck how exasperated she sounded though; I was just happy she picked up for a nigga.
“You hate me now?” I questioned like a bitch, putting the red cup of whiskey to my lips before gulping some down.
The satisfying burn it gave off as it sluiced down my throat made me grunt slightly.
“I don’t hate you, Willow.”
