Page 76 of Tainted

“Enjoy it nigga. It’s not happening again,” I warned.

“Shit, you might need shorty to blow on the dice,” Nolan clowned as they tumbled out of his hand.

“I am the good luck. Fuck is you talking about?” I jokingly rebutted.

“Yeah, okay. We’ll see,” he nodded behind me. I turned around to find Rajah dragging Zara along and headed our way.

It was apparent this was Rajah’s idea. Zara was annoyed being this close to me, toying with the ring on her finger to calm her nerves. When it circled back to my turn, I held out the dice and smiled hopefully.

“You better move your hand before I spit in it,” she growled.

Her harsh rebuttal garnered an elbow to the side from Rajah while some laughed and others held their breath, waiting to see how I tolerated her disrespect.

“Shana taught you better than that,” I insisted, moving my hand closer. It was risky as fuck, and inside, I was nervous a little. “I’m struggling. I need my good luck charm.”

“Watch this nigga! He be cheating!” Slim interrupted.

Zara looked at me for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. I thought she might just walk away for a second, but then she stepped forward.

“This doesn’t change anything,” she sighed, rolling her eye and exhaling on the dice.

Throwing them to the ground, they tumbled and bounced, everyone holding their breath as they came to a stop.

"Seven!" Nolan shouted, and the crowd erupted in cheers. I couldn't help but laugh as I peered over my shoulder, winking at her irritated face.

With each roll, I glanced at Zara until they got tired of watching and left until the cookout began to wind down. Leaving things as is was out of the question. I wasn’t sure if I could fix it. But I had to try, moving across the park to their table.

“Let me holla at you,” I insisted, pulling her from the folding chair.

Her eyes narrowed, and I could already tell she wouldn’t make this easy walking to solitude.

“What?”

Raking my bottom lip between my teeth, I plucked her birthmark.

“Tell me what you’re really upset about so I can fix it.”

“You ushered me home with a bodyguard and didn’t even have the decency to call or text. I was scared. I didn’t know what was going on. I still don’t, and you expect me to be okay with that!”

Handling business reminded me just how bad of an idea pursuing her was. I didn’t live a normal life and never would. She had big dreams that didn’t need to be complicated with my shit, so despite needing to be near her, I chose to detox.

Hearing Zara admit to being scared made me regret that.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.”

“Are you patronizing me?”

I chuckled, throwing my hands up to surrender. “I’m not wrong often, but when I am, I’m man enough to own it. I should’ve checked on you, so let me fix it. Come home with me tonight,” I suggested, copping to the only thing I could.

“Did Syd’s invitation get lost again, or is she coming too?”

“It’s just me and you tonight, Zara Nicole. Unless you want me to call her.”

“Absolutely not, and I’m not fucking you tonight,” Zara replied, setting the record straight.

“Tomorrow?” she sucked her teeth and tried to walk away. “I’m fuckin’ with you. Nobody wants your pussy anyway, girl.”

“Good! You’re not getting it.”

---