Page 32 of The Music in Me

“Shows how much you know about me,” I said dryly. “What do you want, Anthony?”

“It’s been three months, Kira. Don’t you think you’ve punished me enough?”

“Punished you?”

He moved closer to me. “I messed up. I made a terrible mistake and hurt you. I’m sorry…”

Having him so close to me reminded me I was standing in the doorway in a seductive outfit with the lights shining down on me. “I don’t care,” I said, stepping back to close the door. “Leave me alone, Anthony. I’m done with you…”

He grabbed the door and pushed himself inside the house, allowing it to close behind him. I turned and glared at him.

“Get out, Anthony. I don’t want you here when Leon gets back.”

“He’s not right for you, Kira. I know you’re doing this to get back at me, and I don’t blame you, but I’ve learned my lesson…”

“I’m not doing anything for payback, you arrogant jerk.”

“Why are you sleeping with him, then?”

“That’s none of your business. We’re no longer together.”

“Don’t do this, Kira.” He moved closer and offered me the flowers in his hand. “I made a mistake…”

“Three mistakes,” I reminded him, sounding as bitter and angry as I felt. “And those are just the ones I know about.”

“Fine. I made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve learned my lesson now.” He took a step toward me, and I backed away. “The past three months without you have been hell, Kira. It’s like the whole world became dull and gloomy. I was stupid for cheating on you, and if you take me back, I’ll never do it again.”

“Forget it,” I replied, still backing away from me. “You lost me the moment you decided I was not enough for you. I loved you,” I hissed, surprised to feel my eyes welling with tears.

“I know you did, babe,” he said, coming to a stop after successfully backing me to the wall. “And I know deep down you still love me. Three months, Kira. I can’t take it anymore. I’m sleeping on my cousin’s couch, barely eating, and missing you every day. I’m ready to come back home, baby.”

He sounded truly remorseful and looked beaten down. It was hard not to pity him, and he must have sensed my resolve weakening because he had moved even closer.

“I’ll do anything to show you that I’ve truly learned my lesson,” he said, raising the flowers like a peace offering. “I’ll go to couples counseling with you. We’ll have all the date nights you want. I’ll even stop going to the club with the boys.”

All of these were things I’d asked him to do in the weeks before we broke up, back when I thought we still had a chance to salvage our relationship before a picture of him leaving a hotel with his side piece was splashed across the media.

“Really?” I asked, more out of shock than anything.

“Yes.” He nodded, taking my response for a concession. “I will even forgive you for sleeping with Leon.”

I whipped my head up, stunned by his audacity. “You fucking…”

The door swung open, and Leon stepped in. He saw the both of us, and I saw him jerk back in shock. Shoving Anthony back, I stepped away from him.

“What’s going on?” Leon growled, and I had never seen him look so furious. “What is he doing here?”

“He just showed up…”

“I came to see Kira,” Anthony said arrogantly, pushing himself to his full height and meeting Leon’s gaze head-on.

“Yeah?” Leon moved toward Anthony, his body held tightly like a predator about to pounce. “And I’m guessing the man in the bushes with the camera came with you?” he asked, raising the camera in his hand.

Anthony, recognizing he was in danger, slowly backed away. “I don’t know anything about any cameras. I just came to talk to Kira…”

Leon did not stop, and I knew I had to do something, or he was going to hit Anthony. I jumped in front of both of them and placed my hand on Leon’s chest.

“Please…”

---