Page 33 of Mister President

“That wasn’t my intention, bae. I didn’t expect to start liking her this fast, this soon. You told me to do this the right way, and that’s what I’m trying to do.”

She scoffed with a shake of her head. “Wow.”

“Look, I’m really not trying to hurt you. The truth is, you deserve better than what we’ve been doing. You know that. That’s why you said you were ready for something real. I’ve found that, and I want you to find it too.”

“Yeah, because it’s always about your timing and what you want to do. When I said this same shit, you said no. Now all of a sudden because you like her, you’re letting me go.”

“That was always the plan, Amanda. What’s really the problem?”

She squeezed the bridge of her nose. “The problem is that I was never going to be good enough for you. All I’ve ever been is pussy, regardless of how you say that’s not true. Now, I’m not even good enough to be that.”

My head flung back as I ran my hands down my face. This was not how I expected this shit to go at all. We’d been planning for this moment for a while, so I was genuinely confused.

“Amanda,” I called calmly, voice shaking as I fought to keep my anger in check. “I don’t know what’s going on right now, but you know I value you for more than your pussy. You knew I was trying to see what could happen with Fiona. I’m confused as to why you’re reacting this way. If it’s because I told you I wasn’t ready to let you go, I am so sorry. Maybe I should have ended things the night you said you wanted something real, but I didn’t want to. Is that how you’re feeling now? Is that what this is?”

With a chuckle, she walked over to the door and opened it. “It doesn’t matter. We’re done. Unless it concerns EJ, we don’t have to talk, and the sex is over.”

“Amanda…”

“You were never going to take a relationship with me seriously. My mama was right about you.”

“What?” I laughed as my anger rose. “This was never about me not taking you seriously.Youdidn’t take you seriously… or me. You cheated on me repeatedly and made it clear you didn’t want to be with me. And now all of a sudden, I’m supposed to just trust what you do and say?”

“I didn’t know how to be in a relationship with you!” she yelled. “Niggas weren’t trying to wife me! They wanted me ontheir arm and in their bed. I didn’t believe you!” When she sniffled and hung her head, it took everything in me not to just say fuck it… she was mine. “Congratulations, E. You finally found the one. You finally found a good girl that’s worthy of you. Someone you can be proud of and feel like a true partner to you. Now you don’t need me anymore. So get the fuck out.”

“Is this really how we’re about to end this?” Ignoring me, she looked out the door. “Wow.” My head shook as I walked over to her. “Whatever I did wrong, I’m sorry. I thought we could end things better than this. I hope you know I value you and love you. I’m just trying to do right by the both of you.”

“Just leave, E.” She gently pushed me out the door before locking it and scurrying away.

I wanted to break that ho down to get to her because it was clear she was in pain, but a part of me felt like that would make things worse. So as hard as it was, I walked away.

19

Amanda

As I paced,my doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I hesitantly made my way to the door. With the headspace I was in, I wasn’t in the mood for any random visits. When I saw Elias standing on the other side of the door, I almost cried. I hated the way things ended between us. It was hard for me to process what I felt, regardless of how hard I’d tried to prepare for that moment.

“I don’t want things to end that way, Mandy,” he said quietly, and I couldn’t ignore the sadness in his eyes or tone.

Nodding my agreement, I opened the door wider so he could come in. “Me either. I’m sorry for the way I exploded. It just…felt like someone was taking something from me. It felt like a violation. So I got upset. But I didn’t mean to blow up on you like that.”

After locking the door, we went to the living room.

“How can I make this right?” he asked as we sat on the couch.

“There’s nothing to make right, E. You’re doing what’s best for you, and I wouldn’t dare stand in the way of that. Like I said,it felt like a violation, but that was a me thing. I’m good now. Even better since you came over. I want us to end this on good terms. We deserve that, and our son does too.”

I watched his body relax as he smiled. Elias took my hand into his and kissed it.

“If I would have known the last time was the last time, I would have made love to you like it was the last time.”

“You still can,” I almost whispered, pulling him closer.

“That pussy still mine?”

“Just one last time.”

He smiled before kissing me—deeply. Passionately. Tenderly.

---