Page 41 of Set me Free

“Nope, not yet. I’m tryna do shit right with her. While I got Gi, I can’t go there with her. I ain’t gon lie, that shit been hard though. When I tell you, I’m feeling shorty hard…”

"And she putting me on with her daddy just because she like yo ugly ass? Yeah, you might need to keep her."

I grinned. "That’s the plan." Nas was quiet again for a second before he sighed.

"Look, man… I’mma keep it a buck with you. I never fucked wit Gianna like that anyway. She and your mama always been on some ‘this is how it’s supposed to be’ shit, but that ain’t neverbeen real love. I seen that shit from jump. Her intentions ain’t been genuine to me."

I let his words sink in, because he wasn’t wrong. I just wasn’t ready to see it until now.

"Yeah," I muttered. "I see it now too."

"Well, I hope shorty the real deal for you, man. You deserve that."

"She is."

"Aight, bet. So, what you need from me?"

"All your info. I’mma send it over to Serenity."

"Say less." I could hear the appreciation in his voice, the weight of what this meant sitting between us.

"Aye, C…"

"Yeah?"

"I mean this when I say it, bruh. Thank you."

"You my brother, Nas. I got you, always!"

After Nas left, I sat in my room, my phone vibrating in my hand. Gianna’s name flashed across my screen. I let it ring once, twice… before finally answering.

"What’s up Gi?”

"Creed," she breathed, and I could tell from her voice exactly what this was. She missed me. She wanted to see me. She needed me. And I already knew I was about to make another mistake. "You coming over?" she asked, her voice soft.

I closed my eyes gripping the bridge of my nose.

"Gi—"

"Please, baby. Just come see me I miss you so bad.”

I should’ve said no. Should’ve told her I was done pretending.

But instead?—

"Aight," I muttered. "I’m on my way."

When I got there, there was no talking. Gianna made it very clear what she wanted from me and I, like the fool I am, obligedher. I let her lead me to her bedroom and once inside I let her get down on her knees and take me into her warm mouth. I didn’t stop her when she stripped out of the little clothes she had, nor did I stop her when she pushed me down on her bed, mounting me before going for a ride.

But as all of that had died down and I stared up at the ceiling, I ran my fingers through Gianna’s thick hair, watching the way she clung to me, her face buried in my neck. My chest was tight.

Because I knew. I knew this was the last time.

Her fingertips traced my shoulders, the way they always did. Her lips pressed to my skin, whispering promises that I couldn’t keep anymore. And as much as I wanted to hold onto this moment, I knew it wasn’t mine to hold anymore. Because somewhere in LA, there was someone else who had my heart. And I couldn’t ignore that any longer.

Gianna was curled up against me, her breathing soft and steady, her arm draped across my stomach like she thought I’d still be here in the morning. Like she didn’t already feel me slipping away.

I should’ve stopped this before it even got to this point. Should’ve never picked up when she called, never let myself fall into the same cycle we’d been trapped in for years—going through the motions, pretending like we still fit when we both knew we didn’t.

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