Page 21 of Without You I Have Nothing To Lose

“Aight, give me a minute.” I agreed and headed back to my room to grab my bag and went into the kitchen to grab a juice and take something out of the freezer for me to cook later. I settled on some ribs and placed them in the sink just as Demetric sauntered to where I was.

“What you cooking today?” he asked, stopping at the counter, and stared at me.

“I took out some ribs. I’m thinking about making some candied yams and cabbage to go with them,” I answered.

“Damn girl. You got me wanting to sit here and wait for yo’ lil’ ass to get off work so I can eat that shit.” I knew he meant something else, but my body was reacting like he was referring to something else.

“I’m sure it’ll be done by the time you come in. Knowing you, you’d eat about ten times before getting back here, anyway.” We both laughed because the day that it rained all day, we both stayed in and I know between ordering food and eating what was in the house, he ate about ten times.

“Watch out,” he laughed. “Check it, though. You can use the car today. I got some shit to do and might not be able to pick you up on time. You can drop me off and take the car. I’ll ride wit’ Kev.” I couldn’t believe he was offering me his car. I could drive but I was scared to drive his car for fear of scratching it or something.

“No, I can Uber. You need your car,” I stated.

“Why you tryna fight me on this, Dai? It ain’t nothing for me to ride with Kev’s. That nigga owes me, anyway, thinking I’m his chauffeur and shit. Payback’s a bitch,” he smirked.

Agreeing since he wasn’t taking no for an answer, we left the house and I drove to Kev’s house and he got out, but not after playfully threatening me not to wreck his baby. I waved and pulled off and headed to work. I know them hoes would have something to say after they realized I was driving, especially Erica’s ass. She was probably the reason I got suspended in the first place. Stupid hoe.

I pulled up to the job fifteen minutes earlier and said a silent prayer that I didn’t have to smack the shit out of anybody today. When I walked inside, all eyes were on me as I headed to the time clock and clocked in for my shift. Erica was nowhere in sight, but I knew she was here because I saw her name on the board. I saw I was assigned to stocking, and I was fine with that. That meant I didn’t have to be bothered with her or customers.

“Girl, I’m so glad you’re back. These people in here get on my last nerves.My coworker Ariel approached me and said. She was about the only one here that I could tolerate.

“Don’t they get on everybody’s nerves,” I said.

“You’re right about that.” She was still standing there like she had something to say.

“Wassup, Ariel? Why are you just standing there?” I asked.

“Uhm…I don’t want to start anything, but I saw Gabe come and pick up Erica a few times. I heard her say that she might be pregnant, too.” I’m not gonna lie. That stung a little bit. I loved Gabe at one point but that long ago vanished, and I never cared for Erica. That didn’t mean I would be content with them playing in my face like this.

“That’s their business,” was all I could say. I felt myself getting emotional, and I refused to give them the satisfaction.

“We can jump her if you want,” she whispered, causing me to laugh.

“Y’all gonna cackle like some hens or actually get some work done?” James’ ugly ass voiced boomed, startling us. I declined to respond while Ariel scrambled off.

“You would think that you would come back and do your job after being home for a week,” he hissed. I refused to respond because it was useless. Instead, I turned my back and started opening the boxes in front of me.

I kept myself busy with opening these boxes and scanning the items before storing them on the shelves. By the time that I was almost done, it was time for me to take my lunch break. I was glad because I didn’t eat this morning and my stomach was touching my back. After I clocked out for my break, I grabbed my bag and headed outside so I could walk next door to Panera Bread. I didn’t want to drive Demetric’s car unless I had to. When I walked outside, I saw the last person that I wanted to see. Rolling my eyes, I tried to quickly go the other way, but he caught up with me.

“Oh, you tryna act brand new now?” he grit. He had a scowl so deep on his face, it looked as if it hurt.

“I’m not acting like anything, Gabe, but I don’t see what we have to talk about.” I saw his eyes roam over my body and that had me feeling self-conscience.

“You must be over there fucking that nigga good. I see you went shopping and shit and you driving his car now. All niggas like new pussy, though, so that shit won’t last long.” He laughed, and I turned to leave because I wasn’t about to sit here and let him berate me. Those days were over. As I turned to leave, he grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

“You tryna act brand new, Daiz? That nigga got you thinking you better than me now? Well, guess what? You still ain’t shit but a bitch who couldn’t keep her cousin from fuckin’ her and mama who didn’t love her enough to believe you. Weak ass bitch.” His words severed through my heart, but it was the sinister grin on his face and Erica standing off to the side that pushed me over the edge. Before I knew what was happening, I kneed him in the balls, making him drop to his knees and groan in agony.

“Who’s the weak bitch now!” I yelled, stomping, and kicking his ass anywhere that I could.

“Bitch! Get off of him!” I heard Erica yell. She called herself running up on me, and I clocked her ass. I told her about fucking trying me. I took my focus off of Gabe and worked Erica’s ass out until a few employees came outside and broke us up. Ariel was grinning like a fool while James had the meanest mug on his face.

“Daizha, get your shit and leave! You’re fired!” he yelled. I couldn’t do shit but shake my head and laugh because I knew this was exactly what they wanted. I didn’t even argue with his ass. I already had my stuff, so I just nodded my head and walked off. I heard Gabe and Erica talking shit behind my back, but fuck them. They thought I would be a weak bitch forever, but that Daizha is dead and gone.

I called Jaylen on my way home and she told me I could come to their house. I wasn’t sure about that, but I didn’t want to be by myself, so I agreed. After following her directions, I pulled up to a nice estate that looked like royalty lived here. I got out and Jaylen was at the door waiting on me.

“Bitch, hurry up and get in here and tell me everything. Don’t leave nothing out either.” I followed her inside, and it smelled good as hell. We ended up in the kitchen where a pretty Hispanic looking woman was at the counter drinking a glass of wine.

“Hola, mami. I’m Isabella. I’ve heard so much about you,” she greeted.

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