Page 26 of A Trial of the Heart
I wasn’t for the back and forth, and I knew not engaging would piss Lauryn off, but it would also make her leave me alone. I was at work, and I had things to complete so I could head out. After five minutes of not getting a response, I assumed Lauryn got the picture, so I tossed my phone back on my desk and continued to plan this month’s activities for the kids.I’d been working a good fifteen minutes when I hearda commotion coming from the front of my establishment. It caused me to quickly stand to figure out what was going on.
“Look, tell his ass I am out here right now,” someone said aggressively. It was Lauryn. I knew that voice anywhere.
“Ma’am, if you would tell me your name, I could let Mr. Carter know you’re here, and he will come out,” Megan, one of the counselors, said.
“Fuck do you need my name for, bitch? I am here to see Rashad, so tell his ass I am here,” she demanded.
“I am not disrespecting you in any way, so I’d appreciate it if you returned the favor.” Megan never raised her voice.
“Bitch, why you gatekeeping? You the one fucking him, ain’t it?”
Lauryn was bringing unwanted attention to a positive place. Plus, she was disrespecting my staff. I didn’t tolerate that. I’d heard enough. Rounding the corner, I saw Lauryn all in Megan’s face, and Megan stood unbothered, but I knew her. She was waiting for Lauryn to touch her before she went off.
“Yo!”
Lauryn had lifted her hand to either hit Megan or maybe even press her finger into her temple. Either way, I stopped it. Both ladies jumped and looked my way.
“You fucking this ho? That’s why you claim you can’t be in a relationship after you turned this pussy every way but loose?” she shouted, and some children began looking through the glass in the gymnasium.
I preached respect and conducting yourself in a certain manner along with controlling your anger, and though it wasn’t me, everything happening was a contradiction.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I looked to Megan. “Help Jon get the kids from the window. I got this.” I spoke low yet firm.
Megan nodded, heading my way and passing me. My eyes followed until she was out of sight. From my peripheral, I could see her and Jon instructing the kids from the window, and once I couldn’t see any movement, I moved in Lauryn’s way.
“You fuc?—”
“Shut up!” I spoke through clenched teeth. I didn’t speak to women or, hell, anyone like that for that matter, but Lauryn was messing up the church’s money.
“Who the fuck are you talking to?” She raised her voice, rolling her neck and widening her eyes.
“Get out.”
Lauryn scoffed. “I ain’t going nowhere.”
It wasn’t going to be easy. She was going to put up a fight. Looking over my shoulder, I ensured no one, mainly the kids, was looking our way. Satisfied no one was, I faced Lauryn again.
“I said get the fuck out.”
“Hell no, I ai?—”
I didn’t let Lauryn complete her sentence before I grasped her elbow roughly and pulled her toward the exit.
“Get the hell off of me. What is your problem?” Lauryn tried to snatch her arm away from me, but my grip was much stronger than hers.
Once we were outside, I released her, pushing her from me gently.
“I don’t know what the hell your problem is, but we’re done, and don’t bring your ass ‘round here again. Don’t come to my place, and if we happen to be in the same vicinity of each other, look the other fucking way, and don’t say shit to me.” I spoke firmly and slowly.
Lauryn stood there. Her mouth was slightly agape in disbelief.
“Seriously, Rashad?” Her lip quivered, and her voice was shaky. She looked as though she was about to cry.
“Seriously.” I’d already said I was done with Lauryn, but after today’s events, I didn’t even want her to say my name let alone look my way.
A look I couldn’t explain took over Lauryn’s features, and the tears I thought would come instantly faded.
“You gonna regret this shit.” Her tone was laced with pure anger. Lauryn lingered a bit before she forcefully rolled her eyes and spun, walking away from me quickly. Her threat didn’t mean anything to me as I knew it was empty, and even if it wasn’t, she didn’t put any fear in my heart.
