Page 33 of Without You I Have Nothing To Lose

“Why my girl not home, Jay? I’m starting to think you like my woman or some shit.” We shared a laugh because those two always went at it.

“I might. They say you lose ’em how you get ’em so you better treat her right or I’ll snatch her up by those long ass locs of hers.”

“Nah, I’m the only muthafucka that’s gon’ be pulling on ’em. Ain’t that right, bae?”

“Yes, Demetric. Is there a reason you’re calling?” I asked.

“I missed you,” he answered honestly.

“I missed you, too.”

“Plus, I need your help packing.” He smiled widely into the phone.

“You never packed your own suitcase before?” Before he could answer, Jaylen did for him.

“Hell no. Our mama does everything for that boy. The only reason she doesn’t wash his clothes now is because you do.”

“Man, get out of my business. Bae, y’all on the way here?” he asked.

“No, I’m about to take her…”

Demetric frowned and cut her off. “Bring my girl home, Jay. I’on have time to be playing wit’ you.” He had his handsome face twisted up. Jaylen reached over and took the phone out of my hand and started back talking shit.

“You just tryna be nasty. That’s why you got your shirt off? You went and sprayed water on your chest?” she laughed.

“Man, watch out. I just got out of the shower. Bye, man. Bae, I’ll see you when you get here, and Jay, don’t bring yo’ ass in either.” He didn’t even give either of us a chance to respond because he hung up in our faces.

“That’s yo’ crazy ass, man,” she said.

“He was your brother first,” I countered.

We had small talk all the way to the house and said our goodbyes. When I got inside, Demetric was on the couch playing his game. He glanced over at me, then frowned when he saw the bags in my hand. Pausing his game, he got up and took the bags from me.

“Why you ain’t tell me you had these bags?” he fussed before dropping a kiss on my lips.

“Because I was capable of bringing them in myself.”

“You are, but you don’t have to. Did you get everything you needed?”

“Yeah, and messing with Jay, I got stuff that I didn’t need to.”

“Sounds about right. I know we got a long day tomorrow, so I finished up what I had to do and came home. I was waiting to see what you wanted before I ordered anything to eat. I saw you had steaks in the refrigerator, but you’on have to cook.” This is what I loved about him. He was always considerate. Let that had been Gabe’s ass. He would’ve expected me to cook and have it waiting on him after I’ve worked all day. Even if he didn’t bring his ass home.

“It’s okay. I’ll cook. It doesn’t take long to do that. Besides, I gotta earn my keep, remember?” I smirked because those were his conditions on me staying here.

“I think you do that in other ways, and if you don’t stop looking at me like that, you gon’ be cashing in.” I laughed at his goofy ass and went into the room to put my bags away and change into something more comfortable, which were spandex shorts and a racerback top. This seemed to be Demetric’s favorite combination, so I stuck with it.

“You ready for tomorrow?” he asked. We ate and now lying on the couch watching Tulsa King.

“I don’t know how I feel, honestly. I want to back out, but I don’t want to disappoint my brother.”

“I get it, but remember, I’ll be there with you, so you won’t have anything to worry about. Aight?”

“Okay,” I responded. He kissed the side of my face that was closest to his lips since I was lying with my back against his chest.

I just hope tomorrow doesn’t turn into a complete disaster.

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