Page 177 of Save Room for Us

“God.” Analicia scoffed, right along with my mother.

“She’s not with him by choice,” I said, feeling stupid for defending her. Though I felt like Jacinta had an easier out than me, maybe there was shit I didn’t know. I was sure people once thought the same of me.

“Oh, she’s not?” My mama raised a brow.

“No. She came to me saying she wants to get away but doesn’t know how.”

“Um, tip his ass over in a pool and run,” Analicia replied before we all broke out into laughter.

“I get that she may be going through it, but I will never forgive her for trying to make you out to be like Bashar’s ex,” my mother said.

“Right!” Analicia bucked her eyes. “Talking about you threatened to kill yourself if Cedric left you. I was like, no this nigga didn’t use my man’s story.”

We cracked up, shaking our heads as Lisara and Prime came in, hugging me.

We chatted for a little longer, then used the bathroom before it was right back to it. Afterward, Asif and I picked up Sophie, then Prime treated us all to a private early dinner.

Later that night…

Asif and I were laid up in front of the fireplace in his bedroom, me lying on his chest, enjoying the smell and comfort of him along with the plush loveseat.

The colder months had approached, and though LA was typically even in weather year-round, the cold nights had become much colder than usual.

“You did a good job today, baby.” His fingers brushed the bare skin of my back as he spoke.

“I did? Even though I blew up?” I pressed my chin into his abs to look up into his sexy face. I half smiled as I posed my question, but Asif didn’t return it.

Moving an errant strand of hair from my face, he said, “Some of that shit you told, I ain’t know. Nigga tried to drown you? Why you ain’t tell me everything?”

“Don’t like talking about it. I hate I have to do it now, but I know it’s in order to keep myself out of jail.” I swallowed hard. “It was a scary time, and when I talk about it or describe it in great detail, I get flashbacks, and I don’t like the feeling.”

He nodded slowly, taking me in for a minute.

“I can’t wait until this shit is over. It’s like I can’t think about shit else other than getting that nigga up out of here.”

“I know.” I kissed his abs. “Just a little bit longer.” I trailed my kisses downward. “For now, you can think about somethingelse.” I removed him from his sweats, immediately taking him into my mouth.

“Yo’pops needs to open up a barbecue spot, nigga.” Free bit down into the rib, already drunk off his ass.

“You ain’t lying. Nigga be having me dreaming ’bout his food.” Low wiped the sauce from his hands with a napkin.

Just then, Banks walked out, grabbing the pan of food Lisara had clearly sent her out here to get. She looked over at us but didn’t say a word, like she was supposed to. I’d made it clear she didn’t need to be cool or cordial with any nigga eighteen or older, especially not niggas in my crew.

“She look just like Lisara. She gon’ be a problem,” Free said drunkenly.

“A problem for who, nigga?” I shot Free a look.

“Not for me, boss. I’m just stating the obvious?—”

“Yeah, well watch yo’ fucking mouth talking on her like that,” Low cut Free off.

“Nigga, who is you?” Free’s forehead creased as he held onto his barbecue cheeseburger.

“You trying to find out? Keep?—”

“Aye, both y’all niggas shut the fuck up.” I intercepted Low’s reply, not even knowing why he was so up in fucking arms, but I wasn’t having the shit. “Banks is off-limits in any fucking way, meaning within conversation and the fucking obvious.”

“Boss, this nigga the one you need to be talking to. All I said was she look like her mama.” Free played innocent.

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