Page 5 of A Toxic Redemption

I laughed as he butchered my name because no matter how many times he's told how to pronounce it, he says what he wants to.

I returned to the counter and rang up their treats as I listened to him sweet talk his Nana into letting him have 'shicken nuggets' for dinner. After bidding them farewell until the next time, I flipped my store sign to close and began my daily routine before shutting down for the evening. Looking around, I sighed heavily at the scene around me.

I've loved sweets since a young girl and getting my first Easy Bake oven. I grew up with only my father, who taught me everything I didn't teach myself. When I told him I wanted to be a professional baker, he didn't ask me questions when I decided I wanted to attend culinary school after college. Once finished, I took the graduation money he gave me and put the down payment on a cute business suite here in downtown Willow Springs. Although business is good, it's not enough to pay the bills.

"You've got this, Devyn," I murmured as I wiped down my counters. "Stop stressing and count your blessings. It's going to work out."

I was in the middle of giving myself a much-needed pep talk when the door chimed. Leave it to me not to lock it, knowing I was about to get ready and leave. Lifting my head to let the customer know I was closed, I stopped myself and slightlyfrowned when I noticed it was my on-again, off-again situation; Montel. I wanted to throw apple custards at his head because he swaggered in here like he knew he was a fine ass nigga. Unfortunately, he was.

Montel and I met through my best friend, and I've been cussing her out since. Granted, she didn't make me give him the pussy, but shit, she knew as fine as he was, it would be hard not to. Don't get me wrong, Montel is a good guy, but he isn't the one for me. Being in love and the things that come from it is a liability, and I'd rather not put myself in those types of situations.

"What are you doing here, Monty?" I wiped the sweat from my forehead. "I'm closed, and if you want to order something, you will have to come back on Monday."

"I'm good, baby." He chuckled as he walked my way and leaned over the counter. "I'd rather eat your fine ass instead. I came to see why you've been ducking and dodging a nigga. It's been two weeks. What's up?"

Sighing heavily, I folded my arms and matched his stare. On the outside, this man was perfect — blemish-free mahogany-colored skin, light brown eyes, and the juiciest pink lips that have given me some of the best orgasms I've ever experienced. His body had a muscular build, and he was sculpted by God himself. He was well put together and even had a decent job in sales. The thing is, I wasn't interested in being anything more than what we are.

"Monty, I've told you that I'm not in the running for anything serious right now." I rolled my eyes and continued cleaning. "You want something that I am not willing to give you. We have fun together. Why ruin that with titles?"

"Dee, come on man," he began to whine as he followed me around the shop. This is another reason I don't want his ass."You know how a nigga feels about you, and you can't lie and say you don't feel the same."

"Oh, it's not a lie, love." I chuckled as I removed my apron and hung it on the coat rack. "You're a good guy, and the dick is even better, but that's where it ends with me, boo." I turned to face him, and the look on his expression was the one of a man who’d been done wrong. "You will make the perfect man for a woman interested in having one. It's just not me."

"Is it somebody else?" he asked as he folded his arms. "You fucking another nigga?"

"Maybe." I shrugged. He's been dealing with me for months now, and he knows I don't lie. "If I were, I would tell him the same thing I'm telling you. I'm not interested in anything outside of the occasional sex-crazed nights. I just want a little head, some great dick, and I'm out of there. I thought that's what guys wanted."

Montel looked at me in disbelief as he sighed heavily. I watched as he rubbed his hands across his head and folded his arms to mirror my glare. "Is that all I am to you? Dick?"

"Absolutely," I assured him. "Nothing more, baby."

"Damn." He chuckled. "I thought niggas were heartless, but you take the fuckin' cake." He looked around the store. "No pun intended."

"None taken." I smiled as I patted his arm. "Come on so I can lock my door. I'm ready to go home."

I stepped around him and made my way back to the counter to gather my phone and keys so I could leave. It'd been a long day, and I was glad I was off for the next two days. I loved what I did, but it was tiring at times.

Walking past me, Monty didn't say another word as he made his way to the door and waited for me to lock up.

"If I didn't like your little ass, I swear I'd cut you off." He hovered over me once we made it outside. "I'm willing to wait for you, Devyn."

"That's more of your concern than mine, love." I gave him a small smile. "I'll see you around."

Standing on my tippy toes, I kissed his cheek and made my way over to my navy-blue Nissan Maxima. I didn't bother looking back at Monty because I knew he was probably still watching me. As I sat in my car and allowed the engine to flow, I decided to check my phone for any missed emails, calls, or messages. Seeing that I missed a call from my dad, I decided to call him back first.

"Hello," he happily answered. "How are you, Suga?"

"Daaaad," I dragged out, "you know I hate when you call me that."

"I can't help it, angel." He chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile. "You know you've always been the sweetest part of my life."

David Walker had been using that line my entire life, and it warmed my heart every single time. My father was my heart and soul. I would do anything for him. I don't know the first thing about my mother. I literally don't know if she is dead or alive, and I've been okay with that because my father's love is all I've ever needed. This man has sacrificed so much for me over the years, and all I want to do is make him proud.

"Anyway, what are you doing, old man?" I asked as I pulled away from the shop. Monty was still sitting in his car when I rode past, and I blew the horn at him. If he wanted to sit there and sulk like a weirdo, that was on him. "You got a hot date tonight?"

During my entire childhood, I never saw my father with a woman. It wasn't until I was older that he decided to date. It was never anything serious. He told me he never had anyone around when I was a child because he didn't want them or me to thinkit was more than it was. He sat me down one day and told me he wasn't opposed to love. It was just hard after the things he went through with my mother. For the past couple of years, he's been pretty consistent with this one woman, but I have yet to meet her. He always told me that he would introduce us if he felt the time was right.

"I do, actually." He chuckled, and I heard a few men saying goodbye in the background. That only meant that he was at work.

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