Page 130 of 10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace

“Your stupid ass phone kept pinging, and my finger slipped, and I end… don’t worry about why I was in your phone, worry about why I found this in your phone.”

I held the phone up to show him a picture of a woman showing her breast. “Kim’s ass sent that a few weeks ago.”

The more I sat there with Toni telling me that I needed to let it flow, the more my finger slipped and the more I dug deeper into his phone.

“And you didn’t delete it?”

“I don’t delete shit, Wonder. I got messages from when Zoya was in fucking law school asking for money. I replied back to Kim, I know you saw it.”

I did see the response, and he sent her back a picture of a dog. I don’t know what the reference was, but she was disturbed and cussed him out.

“Not the point. You don’t think I can text one of my ex-boyfriends? I still have their numbers… two can play that game.”

“No, you don’t.” He casually finished his drink. “Deleted every nigga in your phone that sounded like he tried to fuck you.”

I stared at him. “Maverick why would you do that? I don’t care, I know one of them by heart and I will reach out.”

He sighed as he rubbed his hands together. “We all have to live with the actions of our decisions, Wonder.”

“What actions?”

“Imagine living your life and your ex-girl hits you up to hang out. Homie excited because I mean, look at you… fine as shit. Herushing to meet you and then I clothesline him as he’s running out the door to meet you. Wrap the wire around his neck and ask him what his favorite color is while he’s slowly losing consciousness.”

“Why are you asking him his favorite color?”

“Small talk… rude as shit to just choke the man out and not make small talk… I’m a menace, not a monster.” He crossed the room and refilled his drink.

I stood there watching as he sat there explaining this hypothetical scenario as calm as could be. As if he was explaining taxes to me or something.

“You texted her on our wedding day, Maverick.” Tears pricked my eyes as I stared at him across the room.

He took a seat in the window. “Stop looking at it that way.”

“The day you were supposed to be focused on marrying me, you sent her a text to let her know that you were getting married. Anytime she calls, you answer and whenever she texts you respond. I can’t compete with your first love, Maverick.”

I watched as he continued to rub his hands together. He was anxious and nervous about this conversation. “You don’t ever have to compete with no bitch in this world when it comes to me. I’m here… I’m yours. What me and Angie had is done.”

“See, calling her Angie shows me that it’s not done.”

He stared at me before he spoke. “That’s her fucking name, Stevie.”

“No, her name is Angelica. You call her Angie… how many people call her that, Maverick?” I questioned and he looked away. “Exactly. When it comes to her, you are going to always answer a call because you have this sick connection with her.”

“I don’t have a connection with her. Haven’t had one with her in years, Wonder. I felt like I owed that explanation to her.”

“You are Menace Caselli, the man who does what the fuck he wants and never makes any excuses or explanations for it… and you felt like she was owed one?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m not her, Maverick.”

“The fuck you talking about?” He leaned forward, damn near squeezing his hands while he searched my eyes. I turned, not giving him the chance to read me, because he could read me well.

“I’m not the kind of woman that is going to allow you to make decisions that you want. You delete all my numbers out of my phone, but it’s alright to still be in contact with her? That shit doesn’t fly with me. I think I’m going to stay with Skyler to clear my mind. I really need to think because I can’t compete with her. She still has a hold over you all these years later.”

“You not sleeping anywhere but in this bed with me, Wonder. Go and do your little stomps and talking to yourself but get yo ass in this bed next to me so I can lay on you and sleep.”

“I’ll fart,” I threatened.

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