Page 23 of The Perfect Verse
“Naw, ain’t no maybes. Fuck that,” he quickly refuted. “It’s us against anything or anyone else. Baby, I swear I didn’t even go outside. I sent Speedy out there. I’ll call her now and put her on speaker. He can talk to her. We have bigger shit to figure out, and even though this is not how I planned to tell you, I might as well.”
“What?” she asked, her voice low and shaky.
Just a few seconds ago, it was her trying to end things, but when he took a seat and pulled her on his lap, her heart dropped. Maybe she did overreact. Just that quickly, she was prepared to apologize.
“Nazir got us a twenty-city-tour deal.”
He lowered his gaze, a soft grin appearing as he kissed her shoulder. They were doing what Scooter told him they would a year ago when he almost offed Kaleela. Back then, all he wantedwas revenge, but it was crazy how a few seconds could have changed the entire trajectory of his life.
“Baby, are you serious?” She covered her mouth, her eyes bucking.
“Yeah, and guess what else? I want you to style me, pick out all my shit before I go. We plan to feature Scoot’s clothing line, but sprinkle your sauce on that shit. I mean, I do have the baddest bitch walking on the streets of Miami, right?”
“Awww, baby.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, peppering his face with kisses. “I can’t believe it.” She pulled back with tear-filled lids that matched his.
“I know, but you see why we have to do better? The internet, the bloggers, paparazzi… them bitches are ruthless. You may see some content on social media, sometimes photoshopped with all this AI bullshit or just presented in a way to make me look like a dog ass nigga. That doesn’t make it true, though.”
“I know.” He swiped the tears from her cheek. “Ugh, I hate this.”
“It’s only temporary, and if time permits, your nigga will fly you out. So, moving forward, a conversation is a must. No assumptions, no flying off the handle, because if you can’t handle Sashay’s bullshit, then that road shit will fuck with you. I’ll always reassure you that it’s only you, but will you always need reassurance?”
“Honestly?” She shrugged before her eyes met his. “I don’t know.”
“Look, let me set up something with Sashay’s granny—you know, an arrangement that won’t send you over the edge, about to kill yourself,” he teased.
“Boy, stop fucking lying!” She playfully punched him on the shoulder as he dove in, pushing his nose into her neck and nipping her skin. He loved marking her up, staking his claim so niggas knew they had nothing coming.
“I’m just playing, baby, but what do you say?”
“Just her granny?” She skeptically lifted her brows.
“Just her granny.”
“Fine, but if she even thinks she can play with me, my gunplay will prove otherwise.”
“Chill out, Young D. Ain’t nobody trying to go to heaven yet.”
“There you go with that Young D shit.” She pouted, suppressing a smile until she couldn’t hold it any longer.
“You like that shit.” He kissed her a few times, feeling her body relax against his. “I’m sorry. That shit will never happen again.”
She knew bitches like Sashay. It would happen again, but the next time, she’d have something for her ass. After years of Kaleela’s countless side bitches, Chaney had learned a thing or two. Instead of crying, she’d get active and get outside right along with the best of them. She’d lost too many years waiting for Kaleela to finally choose her, and even though she had, the damage had already been done.
That alone was the reason she carried some guilt when she cheated with Donovan. She knew deep down inside that maybe, if he hadn’t applied pressure, she and Kaleela would be living their happily ever after. Unfortunately, she’d never know.
“You trust me?” he asked, and she nodded. “Good. Now ride this dick and apologize. Been fucking up for no damn reason. Assume the got damn position.”
Chapter 10
Verse Ten
“This is nice,” Chaney whispered, sitting down as Donovan pulled her chair out. It was the first time in a long time where neither were distracted by their careers.
She’d been working non-stop, trying to be hands-on at the shop, while he was putting in more time than usual to finish up a few more tracks. After their hiccup with Sashay, he’d been on his best behavior by keeping his distance, and she’d been more available whenever he called.
“Yeah, it is. You know, I’ve never done this before,” He stared at the water as the sun began to set in Key West. “This is what? Three or four hours away?”
“Yeah.” She gazed at the water in disbelief. Unlike her natural surroundings growing up and even while at work, she welcomed the serene atmosphere, which was beyond calming.
