Page 11 of Cause When You Love Someone
“I’m not playing with you, Chaz. You aren’t spending the night. Go to Tracy’s house. I know your baby mama and your son would love to be with you.”
The intruder bolted upright. “Cut that shit out, Clarke! I love you. Nobody else! I would rather die than live in this world without you. Don’t give up on me—on us, baby.”
Tears filled his eyes, and his teeth sank into his juicy bottom lip. After five years together, I knew Chaz’s game. I knew what he would say before he said it. I knew he’d dick me down then let me down.
Then why do you fall for it?
“Cece, I promise I won’t bother you. Just let me stay the night. I just want to be close to you, mama.”
“I said no!”
In the blink of an eye, anger snatched him by the jaw. His nostrils blew wide before his round frame hurried in my direction, causing me to stumble until my back hit a wall.
“You must want me to break your neck?” he growled.
“You’ve tried that a time or two,” I replied with no emotion. “Why are you here? I blocked you for a reason.”
“Fuck that! We’re going to talk about this.”
“What can you say? I saw a video of you and a woman in my car. The second video was you in another bitch’s bed without no damn clothes on!”
He grinned. “Stop lying. I had on drawers.”
“Is that supposed to mean something?”
“I wasn’t at a bitch’s house. That video is from the time I spent the night at Money’s spot.”
My eyes went around in a circle after hearing his brother’s name. Just like Chaz, Money was as deceitful as he was handsome.
“Get to the point.”
“Remember I told you I got too faded to drive home. I went upstairs and took off my clothes and went to sleep. The bitch must’ve come in the room and shot the videos.”
“Ha! That’s the best you can come up with?” A deep belly laugh climbed up my throat. The harder I laughed, the more he backed away.
“Chaz, I’ve stood by you when you had nothing and when you lost everything.” I squeezed my eyes shut. “We aren’t together, but we’re still attached. I hate it. I don’t want to hateyou.”
“Hol’ up! Don’t downplay who the fuck I am. Part of your success came from being my bitch! You want credit for holding me down when that’s what you’re supposed to do. When I was selling beats in my sleep, you were on my dick!” He grimaced. “You want to act like an ungrateful bitch. I’m going to leave before I break your fucking face. You talk hot shit when I add value to your life.”
“You used to! Now, you cost more than you’re worth. We said we were taking a break to figure shit out. I don’t want to be with you. Problem solved.”
When he opened the door, I heard the live music soaring from my living room.
Chaz hustled by the lady without saying a word, though she opened her mouth to speak.
As soon as he made his exit, I dug in my bag and fished for the last hundred I had on-hand.
“I’m sorry for the drama.” I handed the cash to the violinist. “Thank you for coming.” I watched her brows jog up her forehead as she examined the cash. “Is there a problem?” I quizzed.
“Hmm. I only received a deposit. My fee is three hundred, plus fifty for travel.”
My shoulders hunched forward. “Give me a second.”
I returned to my room and locked the door behind me. Though I wanted to tell the lady to speak with Chaz about the debt, I refused to invite another woman to my heartbreak hotel. I peeled four hundred bills from my stash, then went to pay the soft-spoken lady. She already had her things packed and gathered near the door when I returned.
“Here you go. Sorry for the confusion.”
She offered a toothless smile. “No problem. To be honest, it was an honor to play for you. Even for a few minutes.”
