Page 2 of Reserved for Him
“Yes. I wanted to hang out, but since you want to save your relationship and shit, I guess I have to wait.”
I was sure she said that with a frown on her face. She never hid her disdain for Leo, even when she was right in front of him. He noticed it, too, but never said anything because he knew I didn’t play about my cousin.
Lauren and I were first cousins, but we were more like sisters. Our fathers were brothers, and since we were little, welived next door to each other. We went to all of the same schools, including college and nursing school. I didn’t care for bedside nursing, so I got a job with the Joint Commission and moved up until I became regional manager. Lauren loved working with patients, so she ended up working at the Spring Oaks Medical Clinic, where the majority of the staff were black.
“I’ll call you as soon as I have time.”
“Fine, treat me like I’m trash.”
Lauren could be dramatic when she wanted to be. It had been a while since we hung out, so we were due for a lunch date. I would make sure I carved out some time for her.
“How about I treat you to a spa day?”
“Sounds good to me.” She laughed.
We talked for a few more minutes until I told her I had to go to finish up the paperwork.
The paperwork tookme longer than expected, so I stayed at work an hour past the time I wanted to leave. By the time I got home, I was tired and didn’t want to do anything but get in my bed. The plans I had for Leo and I went out the window when I came home to find him sitting on the couch, playing video games.
“You haven’t done anything all day?” I asked as I walked further into the living room.
Anger shot through me when I noticed the empty cups and bottles on the table. I couldn’t even smell the lavender plug-ins that were placed around the room.
He quickly took his eyes off the game to look at me. “Nah, I went out with Ralphie earlier.”
My eyes rolled toward the ceiling. I didn’t dislike that many people, but Ralphie was at the top of the list. Leo and Ralphie were first cousins, and Ralphie wasn’t shit. He cheated on his girlfriend who was such a sweet girl. Sometimes, I wondered if he tried to get Leo to cheat on me. I never thought Leo messed around, but the way he’d been acting lately, I wouldn’t put it past him.
I snatched up the trash from the table and wanted to scream when I saw the water marks on the table from him not using a coaster. The sight made me drop the trash back onto the table. I couldn’t stress enough the importance of using the coasters that sat right on the table, but Leo couldn’t comprehend that. Or he just didn’t care. Over the last few months, he’d been showing signs that he lacked common sense.
“Is it really that hard to use a fucking coaster?” I asked through clenched teeth.
Leo cut his eyes at me. I guess he didn’t like the way I raised my voice.
“Who are you talking to like that, Junicia?” He paused the game and stood.
I noticed the little vein that pulsed on his forehead whenever he got angry.
“I’m talking to you, Leonardo.” I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. He hated it when I called him by his full name, but I only did it to get under his skin.
“What I tell you about that shit?” He got in my face, and I had to take a step back. The smell of alcohol almost singed my nose hairs.
“And what did I tell you about using a coaster? Or why couldn’t you cook dinner since I got home late? Or hell, why did you leave this trash around?” I moved my hand around in a sweeping motion as my eyes looked around the room. There wasother shit he tossed around, and it made my blood boil that he could be so careless.
He sat back down, grabbed the controller, and went back to playing the game like I wasn’t there.
“Don’t come in here with all that nagging and shit.” He waved his hand to shoo me away.
My eyes widened and my head reared back because of the audacity of him to say some mess like that to me.
Enough was enough. One thing I told myself was I wasn’t going to take anybody’s bullshit, and I meant that. Leo wasn’t worth the fight.
“I think it’s time for you to go.”
He dropped the controller on the couch, quickly stood to his feet, and got in my face again.
“Fuck you mean I have to go?”
His breath made me throw up a little in my mouth. It seemed like it had gotten worse in a matter of seconds. For a split second, I felt sorry for him. This wasn’t the Leo I knew. He used to be handsome. He never went out without a haircut and shapeup. His waves were always on point, and his light brown eyes always looked so full of life. As he stood in front of me, I took in his appearance. His hair had grown out, and he looked ashy. His eyes were now dull and lifeless.
