Page 47 of Welcome to the Heart Of A Maniac
“Nobody,” she replied, focusing her attention back on the line, which was now moving. That right there turned my ears hot. A nigga in here acting like he know my woman and she telling me he nobody. Bitches pulled that shit whenever they were fucking with a nigga on the side and didn’t want to get caught up. Wren didn’t move like that. At least from what I could see.
“Who the fuck are you?” I asked him since she ain’t want to give me any answers. He better have the right response or God gon’ be meeting another one of his children tonight.
“Mind yo’ business, partner.”
“Big mistake.” I removed my black card from my wallet and handed it over to Wren before placing her books on the counter. “Who the fuck you think you’re talking to?” I asked him as I closed in on him.
“I’m talking to you, nigga. Fuck out my face. I’m—” Before he could even finish his sentence, I jacked that nigga up by the collar of his shirt and backed him toward the exit. I wasn’t about to fuck these people’s establishment up with his blood out of respect of Wren, but the concrete outside is fair game.
I tossed the nigga out the door onto the sidewalk. Soon as he lifted his face, the shit was met with the tip of my shoe. “I’on know who the fuck you think you is, but you don’t approach my woman.” Lifting him with the collar of his shirt, I punched his ass in the face with my free hand. “You gon’ learn some fucking respect.”
“She was mine before she was yours.” He coughed up a mouth full of blood mixed with salvia and spit on the ground next to him.
“Nigga, she ain’t never belong to you.” Releasing him, I went over to the outside area and grabbed one of the black metalchairs. The shit crashed down on his head as he tried to pull himself up.
“Maniac!” Wren screamed my name. If she hadn’t said anything, I would’ve beat this nigga to sleep out here.
Placing the chair back on the ground, I took her by the hand and walked her over to the car. We got inside and the nigga pulled himself up from the ground. His mouth moved. Probably talking shit. I backed out my space and was prepared to leave ’til the mufucka hit the hood of my car with his palm and then stepped in front of it. He couldn’t just take his ass whupping and get the fuck on.
“Get out the car, nigga,” he said through bloody teeth. The knot that already formed on his forehead should’ve been criminal. I know they can spot his ass from space.
I mashed down on the gas, ready to run this nigga over but the car slammed on brakes before I was able to. Wren whipped her head in my direction, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
“This nigga asking to be returned to sender.” I reached for my gun.
“Please just leave,” Wren begged.
My eyes cut in her direction and I said, “I just know you don’t still got feelings for this nigga.”
“No, he just isn’t worth the bullet. You already beat him. Just let it go.”
My jaw muscles tightened. I was never known to let some shit go. “A’ight.” I backed up and went in the opposite direction. This nigga thought he won, but I got something for his ass.
Wren
A WEEK LATER
Stepping to the library door, I turned the lock and dimed the lights. Treading back over to the desk, I grabbed my phone and placed it on do not disturb. Tonight, I plan on getting lost in a book. Picking up my throw blanket and tumbler, I went over to my favorite swivel chair and took a seat. I turned on the lamp on the end table and popped my book open.
A good hour had passed when I heard a noise come from the front of the library. No one is supposed to be in here with me. There weren’t any weddings for the night. Shutting my book, I got up from the chair and crept toward the front to find the door cracked open.
Now, I ain’t no white woman to be in here asking if somebody is there, when clearly someone was. There’s nothing in here I can use for a weapon but books and chairs. I’ll be beating their ass with a chair like Maniac did Cassius.
Backing up from the door, I spun on my heels and tiptoed back to the chair to grab my phone and call the police. When I bent the corner, my heart fell into my ass.
“Why do you have to do shit like that?” I asked Maniac as he sat in my chair with my phone in his hand.
“You weren’t answering the phone. I came by here to see if you were still at work and when I saw yo’ truck outside, I welcomed myself inside to make sure you were safe.”
“Yo’ way of making sure I’m safe is gon’ give me a heart attack.”
“Good girl better taste, huh?” he asked, referring to the book I was reading.
“Yeah.” I nipped the corner of my lower lip. That book was turning me on.
Maniac lifted to his feet, grabbed the book from the end table and carried it over to me. “Read me something from it.” The book stretched in my direction, and I took it.
I flipped the book open to no page in particular and started reading. “Look at the way you’re dripping down my fingers. I love when you make a mess for Big Daddy.” Our gaze synced.
