Page 14 of Without You I Have Nothing To Lose

“Thank you, Demetric. You didn’t have to come get me, but I didn’t have anybody else,” she sniffed.

“You got me now.”

I meant that shit. I wasn’t looking for shit from Daizha. I met another lost soul, and that shit fucked with me. I had Zeus and Ma Izzy in my corner. The least I could do was extend the same courtesy to somebody else that was in need like I once was…like I still was.

Chapter Six

Daizha

Iwokeupthenextmorning and felt a body beside me. Turning over, I saw it was Demetric, and I scrambled out of the bed, waking him in the process.

“The fuck wrong wit’ you, shorty?” he grumbled, peering at me.

“Why…why are you in here? In bed with me? What did you do?” my voice cracked. I didn’t feel violated, but you never know. I watched as he sat up and cocked his head to the side before getting up and walking out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Sighing, I sat on the bed and pulled my legs to my chest and started crying. I didn’t even know why I was crying. All I knew was that I was tired of feeling and looking like a weak bitch. Moments later, there was a knock on the door and Jaylen walked in. She came and sat beside me and rubbed my back.

“Hey…what’s wrong?” she asked.

I looked at her and wiped my tear-stained face before responding. “I woke up and saw your brother in the bed with me and I had a flashback and got scared. I accused him of doing something to me,” I whimpered.

“Oh, Dai. It’s clear that you’ve been through some shit, but so have me and my brother. I can’t tell you his story, but trust me, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. We both heard you screaming in your sleep last night and he told me he would check on you. He came in here to make sure you were okay and fell asleep after he got you calm. That’s all that happened. My brother isn’t a creep. An asshole maybe, but not a creep.” She smirked. I felt like shit. I couldn’t wait until I was able to shake my past demons.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled. “I know he must hate me and wants me to leave now, huh?”

“No, he doesn’t want that, but he is a lil’ upset. I told him I would come and check on you while he took a shower.”

“Thank you. I’m really appreciative of the both of you and as soon as I get on my feet, I’m going to pay you guys back,” I offered.

“Don’t even worry about allat. I can speak for me and Meechie when it comes to that. Enough of that, though. What you doing today?”

“I actually have to work both jobs today, but I don’t have none of my stuff.” I felt stupid all over again because Gabe was throwing me out so fast that he didn’t give me a chance to get any clothes. My Walgreen’s uniform included.

“Nah, we’re going shopping today. Call in and tell them to kiss your ass or some shit.”

“I can’t call in, nor do I have money to shop. Gabe is barely home, so I’ll just go back later and get some things,” I said. Before she could respond, Demetric walked through the door and interrupted us.

“Aye, I gotta go handle some shit. I know you don’t have shit, so I’ll leave some cash on the counter to get some things until I can take you shopping and shit.”

“I already told her to call off of her jobs today and I would take her shopping,” Jaylen butted in.

“Jobs? How many jobs you got, shorty?” he asked.

Holding my head down in embarrassment, and mumbled, “two.”

“Why are you working two jobs? The fuck that nigga do?” He was now glaring at me.

“Whatever he can. I work two jobs so I can pay the bills.” I saw his nostrils flare and his jaw clench.

“Aye, quit one of them muthafuckas. You don’t need to be working all of them damn jobs. You can stay here as long as you want and stack up your money. Don’t worry about bills. I’m good on that. Just clean up behind yourself and we’ll be straight,” he stated.

“Demetric, I can’t stay here. Especially not rent free,” I explained.

“Can you cook?” he quizzed.

“Yes.”

“Then that’s your rent. You don’t have to do that shit every day, but enough to pull ya weight and shit.” He looked at me like he was waiting for an answer from me, and I honestly didn’t know what to say.

“Look at it this way. You’ll have a friend. We can even be sisters,” Jaylen voiced.

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