Page 15 of River & Crown
"I didn't care then, but now I see it's something more." Her eyes glanced toward my left hand. The rings everyone took as an engagement ring and wedding band were nothing more than a couple of promise rings.
"Why does it matter if you didn't care about us fucking?"
"Crown promised forever to me," she confessed, knocking the air out of my lungs. My left hand flew to my chest, clutching imaginary pearls.
"Crown and I fucked around. I knew he was fucking other women, but I didn't care because I knew when he was ready, it was going to be me and him."
"I don't believe you."
"Why? He told me all the things I can only guess he told you.I'm not ready for a relationship, but I fuck with you.I bet he even told you not to fuck other niggas. Did he kill a nigga over you? Mhm, he did, huh? Yeah, the first time he did that with me, my pussy got so we?—"
"Get the fuck out!" I gritted.
"With pleasure!"
Smirking, Leah placed the pool stick down and sauntered out of my pool hall. Placing my hands on the edge of the table, I did my best to keep the room from spinning.
Did Crown lie? Was I just something fun to do? Am I not as special as he makes me feel?
Question after question blinded me as I fought to hold back my emotions.
"Fuck!" I spat, standing up straight.
I grabbed one of the pool sticks, ready to swing at any and muthafucking everything. My arms twisted from left to right, striking one of the light fixtures. The bulb shattered, pissing me off even more. Anger continued to rip through me as I fucked up more of my own shit.
"I know you done lost your fucking mind! River, what the hell!" Chosyn barked. "Wolfie, let me call you back. I'll be home soon."
Chosyn rushed over, trying to grab the pool stick. We struggled, tugging back and forth, neither one wanting to let go.
"Ah shit," Chosyn whined, doubling over.
"Chosyn, are you?—"
"Got you bitch!" Getting the upper hand, Chosyn snatched the stick away and tossed it out of my reach.
"I really thought something was wrong with you," I smacked, heaving hard as hell.
"Because I know your love for me is stronger than whatever has you destroying your own shit. Now, what the hell happened? Did that bitch touch you? I'll kill?—"
"Crown lied to me."
"Huh?"
"Cortez fucking lied to me about everything!"
Saying it out loud caused my chest to cave. The pain hit me like the wind howling against a cliff. I closed my eyes for a second, and when I opened them, stupid tears clouded my gaze.
Chapter 2
Chosyn Gravehart
Seeing River so distraught brought me back to the night we found out Sincere had died. The far-off gleam in her eyes was the entryway to the zombie-esque state I found her in that night. Whatever Leah said, cut River deep, too fucking deep, because my girl was destroying shit she'll have to come out of pocket to replace. Unsure of what to say, I pulled River into my arms. Sobbing against my chest, I did my best to soothe her with soft hums like I did my daughter. At this point, being a mother was all I knew. The woman I was before my baby had stepped aside. I missed her like crazy but welcomed this new version of me.
"Bitch, are you humming a lullaby?"
"Yeah! It works for Phoenix, so I thought it might help you. Not like I can pop my tittie out and feed you." I shrugged as River moved away. Through the tears, she laughed, and that's all I was looking for.
"Nobody wants them saggy titties but Phoenix and Wolfe."
