Page 10 of Cause When You Love Someone
“I’m not stopping you, but I have somewhere to be anyway.”
On her way out, my mom asked Sage to go with her. He had been my assistant since I jumped into reality TV six years ago, but on any given day, my mom had him running errands or going to a meeting with her.
When the front door slammed shut, Simone peeked her head around the doorframe. “Is the coast clear?” She bounced over and flopped on the loveseat beside me. “Yo’ mama knows she can fuck up a good day.”
“She can, but she may be right. My ass could’ve ended up in jail.” I caressed my forehead. “I was doing so good, and then I got that message. This man really brings out the worst in me, and he isn’t even my man this month.”
Simone tossed a grape into her mouth. “It’s kind of your fault.”
“Excuse me. How?”
“You’ve been with him off-and-on for five years, and even when y’all arenottogether, you give him access to you. That’s why he had your truck in the first place. That fool has been cheating since y’all made it official. Plus, he uses your name to stay relevant.” She freed a breathless whistle. “Don’t get me started on junior being born on y’all anniversary.”
Dread collapsed my shoulders. “Damn. Kick a bitch when she’s down.”
“You know I don’t mean no harm. I’m just being honest. That nigga does you dirty, and you’re feeling bad about returning the favor.”
“No. I feel dumb for jeopardizing my freedom to prove a point.”
“Well, for what it’s worth,The Pink Roomposted the video.”
My head fell back into the couch cushion. “That post puts money in their pocket, not mine.”
“Rock!Don’t give me that look. I’m home, and I’m safe.”
His bald head shined under the streetlights when he adjusted his view downward. “You aren’t safe until you’reinyour house. I’m surprised you got so loose at the event, especially since you were by yourself, amongst some questionable people.”
I playfully slapped his arm. “Don’t be so judgy, Rock. I used to be one of those people.”
“Who you used to be, and who you’ve grown into, are two different things. Give yourself a little credit, baby girl.”
Before OnlyFans was filled with coochie and dick, I made bank on the site, performing different genres of dance while wearing very little clothes. I could’ve happily retired and disappeared with seven figures in the bank, but my indecisiveness kept me around. Some days, I wanted to move to a farm in the country, and other days, I loved being in the mix of the entertainment industry. My wavering decision also kept my mom and Chaz perched on a pedestal. As long as I was in the limelight, so were they.
My full bladder caused me to speed past the nightguard and head straight to the elevator. I danced all the way to my front door, but the second I got it open, everything around me went still.
Candles carved out a walkway leading to the living room, where I found my furniture had been pushed to the side, anda petite lady with a violin was in the vacant space. Any other day, my heart would have exploded from the sight of red roses situated throughout my haven. This go around, I viewed the petals as another mess of Chaz’s I would have to clean up.
As I prepared to call Chaz’s name, long, chubby arms circled my waist.
“Are you looking for me, baby?” His naturally hoarse voice lined my ears.
“Chaz, why are you here? What is all of this?”
He repositioned himself in front of me, then inched a new designer bag into my hand. I tried to fight it, but after a few seconds, I felt compelled to make eye contact with the six-foot deceiver.
“Speak,” I demanded.
“I’m hot about my car, but I understand why you did it. I fucked up,” he spat out. “I messed up, and I wanted to show you I’m sorry.”
My focus drifted to the over-the-top gesture. “All of this is beautiful, but I don’t deserve it. I don’t deserve to be manipulated into forgiving you. That’s what this is. You don’t do things like this unless you’re trying to repair the damage you caused. A new bag doesn’t make me forget about the bitches!”
“I know that. I’m apologizing for making you doubt me. That’s on me, Cece. I get it.”
“Chaz, you don’t get it, which makes all of this pointless.”
When I realized my voice was competing with the live music, I released the purse to the floor and massaged my temples.
I tried to leave Chaz in the front room, but he stayed on my heels until we entered my master bedroom. As if there wasn’t a stranger in my house, he got comfortable in the sea of pillows on my bed.
