Page 115 of Rome: The Ballerina

“And, I’m learning.”

Muah.

“Whatever she wants, she gets.”

Muah.

“Even if she never mentions it.”

Muah.

He pulled back. Shamefully dazed, I opened my heavy eyelids. Saint was back on his side of the car again, but he still felt too far away suddenly.

Oh God. Public intoxication had never been my style, but he’d left me with no choice.

“Hop out, Mellow. Let me get you home. You have practice, and we have important plans tonight.

Dazed, I exited the car and rounded the front. Saint's feet halted in front of me.

“Excuse me.” I chuckled, unable to get by his long frame.

He turned toward the maze he’d created. I followed. Together, we stared in silence.

“You really annihilated this whole setup, huh?”

There wasn’t a cone still standing.

“Yes. If I’m going to wreck something, I’d rather it not be something that will cost me $3 million to fix. So, if we’re going to keep doing this please– let’s choose a different car. Preferably something under a hundred thousand dollars if you have it.”

Sniggering, Saint grabbed the sides of my face and brought me closer to him.

“I do, but as soon as you’re ready, we’re back in this motherfucker right here.”

Muah.

He kissed my lips a final time before taking off for the other side of the car. He slid into the driver’s seat and I settled in the passenger seat, right where I belonged.

I stepped back,in full view of my camera. There wasn’t a detail missing from the 360 degree spin I managed in slow motion.

“What do you all think?”

“You look edible, baby,” Roulette shouted, first. “Make sure that nigga eats.”

“Again,” Royce joked.

“See, this is why I can’t tell you all nothing.”

“You have no choice. You don’t have any friends. We are your forever besties, babe. Don’t fight it,” Rather reminded me.

The one person I considered a friend was lying in a hospital bed fighting for her life.

I have to get back to the hospital to see her.

“I’m not. I just don’t feel like being clowned every day about the things I confide in you all about.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. That was not my intention,” Royce admitted. “Just poking fun. It happens to us all.”

“I know, Royce. Maybe I’m the sensitive one.”

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