Page 2 of They Call Me Dom

“Is this what you been doing while I’m at work? How could you do this, Laila? I called and texted, letting you know I didn’t have to work late, so we could have some alone time. Didn’t Mariya tell you what I said?” He placed the wine and flowers on the island and stared at me menacingly in his green scrubs.

I turned and gave a naked Mariya a death stare.

“How could you? You lied to me. You said Surtain was working another double shift,” I revealed through gritted teeth.

“I’m sorry, love, but he needed to know who you really are. It was best if we ripped the bandage off now,” Mariya replied with no remorse at all.

Sur stepped forward and turned me to face him. “Laila, are you leaving me for her?”

“Yes!” Mariya shouted.

My head whipped around so damn fast. “No the fuck I’m not. I never told you that, and I never made you any promises or commitments. I’ve always told you that I was not leaving Sur. I love him. I’m in love with him.”

“There you have it. Now get the fuck out!” Sur bellowed.

“But, baby, I love you too. What about my feelings?” Mariya cried.

“There’s no us, Mariya. It has never been an us. We just had fun,” I stated in a low voice.

“Laila?” Mariya questioned.

“Ain’t no fucking Laila. She’s mine. I’m a gentleman, and I won’t put my hands on a lady, but I will call the police. Now, this is the second time I’m asking yo’ ass to leave. Get yo’ shit, and get the fuck out of my house now, bitch!” Sur hollered.

He made both of us flinch. Mariya scurried away and out of the kitchen. I turned and looked into his hazel-green eyes. My husband was big in size and in heart, but he wouldn’t hurt a fly unless it harmed me. He never raised his voice. The TV took his wrath during the NBA playoffs or Sunday football. Sur was kind, loving, protective, and the best fucking spouse any woman could beg for. To see him out of his usual chill and lover boy persona broke me. It was all my fault… all my fault. We stared at each other until the front door slammed closed. Mariya had made her exit, but I had to sit and stew in the shit storm I’d made.

“Why, Laila? Why? Haven’t I been a good husband to you? What did I do to make you cheat on me? I try my hardest to love you better than the day before.”

A tear trailed down his cheek, and I couldn’t believe I’d caused him this much damn pain. I was a terrible fucking person.

I sobbed and sniffled. It hurt like hell to see this beautiful and selfless man I’d loved since I was sixteen so hurt. I had to fix this.

“Sur, it’s not you. It was never you. It has always been me. I’ve always been attracted to girls since I was in grade school, but I like boys too. The moment I saw you our sophomore year, it was instantly love at first sight. I knew I wanted to love you forever, but there was also this other side of me that needed to be fulfilled. I went years, baby, trying to stuff it so deep inside of me that it wouldn’t even be a memory, but it didn’t work.

“Mariya was not the first girl I’ve been with, but she is first one I cheated on you with. The first girl was my sophomore year, a few weeks before I met you. She was a freshman, and we were both very much in the closet. I’m so, so sorry you had to find outthis way, love. I never meant to hurt you, yet my actions did just that. Please, Sur, don’t leave me. I’ll do whatever you want me to do. Just please don’t leave me, baby.”

Sur wiped his face and shook his head.

“I suspected something was up. You were here with me physically, but mentally and emotionally, I had lost you. Thank you for being transparent, but what hurts the most is that you didn’t trust me enough to know your truth and support you. You don’t know how I would’ve reacted, but you didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt either. I’m not sure if I’m going to leave you right now, Laila, but I can’t be here right now. I need some time and space. I’m sorry,” Sur professed and walked away from me.

I fell to my knees and cried. I could handle anyone walking away from me, but not him. Sur was my first love and my best friend. He spoke nothing but the truth. I had to fix this shit. I couldn’t lose my husband. I just couldn’t.

1

Domaneek

March 2025

Today was a workday. Both regulars and others crowded the bar because of March Madness, and Saint Patrick’s Day was around the corner. Lucid’s Titty Bar and Lounge stayed crowded for three reasons—we had the best food, drinks, and topless servers. The servers didn’t have to be topless unless they wanted to. I wasn’t a topless server, but I would do it if my tips were low or there was a slow night. There was nothing slow about tonight. I’d already made five hundred dollars in tips.

That was enough to get my hair, nails, and feet done, and throw the rest on my utility bills. My portion of the bills were pretty low because my high school best friend, Briya, was my roommate. We’d lived together blissfully for the last three years until she went out one night and met some damn ex-con named Zay. I still didn’t know what Zay was short for, but I hated him the moment we met. He was mean to her, a drug dealer, and a lazy ass nigga. Zay didn’t live with us because I didn’t play that shit, but he was over more than I liked him to be. I worked late nights to avoid both of them at times. Briya was so damn delusional for him that if he gave her a pile of shit covered withwhipped cream and told her it was cake, she’d eat it. My girl was hard up for that bum ass nigga.

I’d stacked my coins because I couldn’t take much more of that shit. I loved her like a sister, but if she didn’t limit his visits, then she’d have to go outside with him. My peace and boundaries were constantly crossed, and I was beyond tired of it. Her stay was supposed to be temporary as well, but since we were besties, I allowed her to stay. Zay’s ass didn’t get a pass like that. I owed his broke ass nothing. That was why I prayed like hell that when I pulled up to the apartment, they were out or asleep. I didn’t have it in me to deal with any drama.

My feet barked from walking around in eight-inch platform heels longer than I usually had to. I stayed three hours longer because two servers called off, so I decided to stay to make some extra money. I could use all the extra funds I earned because I had dreams to open an online store to sell my party treats. It was what I was most passionate about. I was damn good at making treats for all kinds of parties. If there was an event and treats were needed, I gave it my all. I could create my treats in any design. It didn’t matter. I’d been booked for kids and adult parties, business openings, anniversaries, and much more. Every time my services were reserved, I delivered.

I’d even done the events at Lucid’s. He had faith in me, and I never let him down. A customer had an upcoming March Madness themed bachelor party. I’d already received twenty-five hundred dollars for the first down payment, and I would get the remainder of my fee once I delivered the treats. The idea I had in mind for the treats he wanted was something I’d never done before, but I knew I would eat it down.

My SZA playlist crooned throughout my car, and my mind drifted to the sad lady cop. She’d been a regular customer for the past three months. I knew she was a Chicago police officer from her plain clothes, gun holster, and badge on her waistband. Iwasn’t sure if she was a detective or not, but I did know she was married. There was a gold band on her finger. The question was if she was happily married.

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