Page 5 of Merc

“I’m sure he would if I asked.”

Merc chuckled, and I couldn’t deny how sexy it was. What was even sexier was the fact that he didn’t try to make something happen between us, even though we were attracted to each other. We kept the conversation casual, and I truly appreciated that.

“Aight, I’ll make you a deal.” He licked his lips and flipped his hand, connecting his fingers with mine. “Call ya man and if he pays, I’ll leave you alone. If he doesn’t, you have to break up with him.”

“That sounds like a good idea to me,” Innvy said, not making this any easier.

Usually, I wasn’t the kind of person who felt I had to prove anything, but a part of me wanted to see if Steven was willing to at least take care of the bill since he couldn’t take me out. So, I agreed, but decided to text him instead of calling.

Honey, Innvy and I are getting ready to leave the bar. Will you take care of the bill since we didn’t go out tonight?

“There.” I set my phone on the table. “I hope y’all are happy now.”

Chuckling, Innvy swirled the last of her water around in the glass. We’d kept it simple for the evening, sipping tequila while the guys alternated between whiskey and beer, but when we started to wind down, we both opted for water.

“I’ll be happy when you leave Steven.”

“I thought you liked him?”

“I did when he was treating you right.” My eyes rolled as I huffed. “I love you, and I love spending time with you, but you should’ve been with your man tonight, not me.”

Before I could respond, my phone lit up and vibrated on the table. Innvy grabbed it quickly as Merc asked her, “What it say, sis?”

“Oof.” Her head jerked and eyebrows raised. “Give that man your number, boo,” was what she said, putting my phone face down on the table.

I refused to believe Steven said no, so I grabbed it, and Merc read the text with me.

Honey: I’m already paying for Asia and China. I’m not paying for you and her too. Take care of that shit bae. I got you when WE go out.

With a shake of his head, Merc put two hundred-dollar bills on top of the receipt, which was more than enough to cover all of our drinks. Gently, he took my phone out of my hand. Before I could stop him, he was leaning closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, and taking a picture of us. I couldn’t stop my body from reacting to his closeness. He smelled so damn good, and my nipples hardened from the heat of his body being so close to mine.

Merc sent it to Steven and texted him, don’t worry about it bruh. I got her.

“Merc!” I yelled as I punched his shoulder. Innvy’s laughter only pissed me off more as my heart raced. “Why would you send that! Now he’s going to think I’m cheating on him.”

“Nah, he’s going to think he has competition, which will make his ass act right,” Merc countered. “It’s fucked up you have to do that, but maybe he needs a reminder of who and what he has in you.”

He shot me a wink and smile as my eyes watered.

I couldn’t even bring myself to argue with him. Innvy reserved our Uber as silence found me. Merc didn’t say anything else, which I appreciated. When our Uber driver arrived, the guys walked us out. Innvy promised to call Merc’s friend, which sucked, because that meant I’d be seeing him around.

I wasn’t sure what hurt worse—the fact that Steven didn’t even bother to respond to the picture of me and Merc, or if Merc had spoken the truth. I did deserve better, and it was getting harder and harder for me to ignore that.

Chapter

Three

Merc

As I prepared to spend the evening with my guys, Bully was being as big of a gossip as a woman. I could only chuckle as he told me about Innvy. Apparently, he liked her more than he was able to admit right now. Bully, born with the name Gabriel, was a retired basketball player who was enjoying living a slower and more relaxed life. He did security with me and Asylum when he wanted to busy himself doing something active, but other than that, he spent his days traveling or mentoring and coaching young men at various schools in Memphis.

“I’ma see you a lil bit later, though,” I told him, wrapping my Rolex around my wrist.

Aries said she wanted to talk before I headed out, and I knew she’d be coming in soon.

“Aight, bet. I’ma see if Toe coming out tonight too.”

“Do that. I feel like I ain’t seen him all year.”

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