Page 28 of Love me Like XO

“Let’s go over here and talk.” He didn’t dare motion toward his office. He was just trying to get out of the immediate space and the fact that his sister was staring at the whole situation as it threatened to unfold.

“You know what, I’ma pass. Whatever this was right here ain’t working for me and rather than me catching a case for whatever I just walked in on I’ma just go.” I turned to leave, but he caught my arm, and I pulled back. Before I knew it, I swung off his ass, and he was holding his jaw.

“What are yo— damn, Empress!” he called after me, but I continued out of my door. It was my fault because it was just sex to him, and my ass caught feelings.

“You jawed his ass?”My sister held her laughter, while I sat at the other end of the sofa with a bowl of ice cream in my hand.

“Reflex, and a twinge of wanting to when I saw that trashy ass female walk out of his office. I’m the queen of the no feelings game, how the fuck did I get here?” I shook my head.

“I don’t know, but you said it best. Niggas ain’t shit.”

Just as I was about to respond and tell her that the safest way to deal with them was to fuck and duck, my phone dinged.

When I looked down, I noticed it was a response from my message to Khalil. He asked me if Thursday would work. Before I knew it, I picked up my phone and messaged him back.

Me: Or tomorrow morning...

He responded within seconds.

Khalil: earliest flight? Six.

Me: yea

Khalil: Bet. Your ticket will be there.

“What did you just do?” My sister’s eyes were burning a hole in the side of my face.

“What I should’ve been did before getting myself caught up in one nigga. Now come help me pack. I got a flight at six in the morning.” I wasn’t the couch ice cream bitch, I was the bitch who sent niggas to the couch.

I didn’t expect Zero to reach out to me, just based off who I had gotten to know him to be, but I was shocked when I saw that I had a missed call from him. I didn’t bother calling him back, not to apologize or even clear the air because my father would be marrying his auntie Monday. It was what it was, and it came at a great time. I’d already be in NOLA not having to ride on the RV that my father rented. He wanted everyone on it, but I wouldn’t be. A win was a win in my book.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking or feeling, but are you sure this is a good idea?”

I shrugged. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Because obviously your feelings are hurt and instead of sorting through them, you’re running.”

I shook my head. “I’m not running, Ree. I’m creating space. It’s not like I’m running away and never coming back.”

She shook her head but continued to help me get outfits ready. “Fine.”

Her phone rang, and she looked at it and shook her head.

“What’s up with that?” I motioned toward her phone and her not answering it.

“Malik’s energy.”

I laughed. “Give ‘em a chance.”

“Um. I just got out of something.”

“Something that has been over, you just didn’t realize it. I listened to you, so now listen to me.”

She looked at me for a minute, before nodding her head. “Fine.” Then she walked over and grabbed the phone. Her being her, she answered the phone on speaker.

“What, Malik.”

“Don’t what me. I gave you a time now I’m finna kick a door down.”

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