Page 148 of Taeja

“I know,” he said, his voice softening. “But you’re not good for me, and I’m not good for you. You make me a violent person, and you deserve better.”

“I don’t want better. I want you,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry for pushing you away when you got discharged. I was being selfish when you needed me, but I can be a good girlfriend now.” She reached out to touch him, and Zain grabbed her hand.

“I don’t want you to show me,” Zain said. “You need to move on, Adelaide. Let me go.”

She shook her head, yanking her hand out of his hold and covering her eyes. Sobs shook her body.

Damon knew he should’ve felt pity, or something else, for playing a part in why she felt this way, but he didn’t. He couldn’t bring himself to feel anything for this woman.

“I don’t want to let you go,” Adelaide cried. “I want you.”

“I don’t want you. I keep telling you that, and you’re not listening.”

She moved her hands from her face to glare at Zain with that same boiling anger she showed Damon. “Because I don’t want to hear that!”

Zain’s face blanked, and he stepped backward. “I tried,” he said, the deep bass returning to his tone. He walked toward the door while saying over his shoulder, “C’mon, Damon.”

Damon nodded, following behind Zain, and feeling Adelaide’s glare burn a hole in his back.

They arrived in thecity a few hours ago; it was well past one a.m. now. Zain was somewhere in the rental, and Damon was on the balcony. It was very windy tonight. The air carried the saltiness of the nearby beach with it.

Considering all that happened hours ago, he enjoyed the serene atmosphere. It’d feel much better if Taeja were here. He got so used to pulling her close to him and feeling her cold feet on his skin that he was unsure how he’d sleep tonight.

It should be a crime to sleep without his love in his arms.

He sighed, looking down at the phone in his hand. “I miss you.”

Taeja slurred, “As you should! Mi nice like riceee—”

The phone got snatched out of Taeja’s hand. “Sorry about her,” said Liyah. “We were doing shots, and she had one too many.”

“I’m not drunk!” yelled Taeja in the background. “I just feel so good ‘cause I love everyone! Do you love me, Aaliyah?”

Aaliyah rolled her eyes, but a smile was on her face. “Yes, Tae. I love you.”

“So why won’t you marry me instead?” Taeja sobbed.

Damon chuckled as he watched Liyah shake her head. “Take care of our girl.”

“Of course, I’ll take care of our girl,” Liyah said, and Damon’s brow raised. “Oh! You mean you and the madman.”

“Zain.”

“That’s what I said. Aye gyal, come off my counter and mind yu pop it dung! Bye, Damon. Taeja’s a handful when she’s drunk, and I’m this close to tying her to the bed—” The call abruptly ended.

Wishing he could’ve been there to see it, Damon smiled. He imagined taking many embarrassing pictures of her in her drunken state. She’d be so mad when he showed her them. Then, she’d laugh and everything would be okay.

A knock pulled him from his thoughts, wiping the cheesy smile off his face. Sliding his phone into his pockets, he walked inside the house and answered the door. The guest stepped inside.

Damon looked up and down the empty hallway before closing the door. “No company tonight?” he asked, watching the man walk further into the rental.

“Mi nuh like one bagga man a falla mi.” Tsion dropped himself on the sofa, releasing a long sigh as he lay his head back.

“Do you want something to drink?”

Tsion shook his head. “Me a stay weh from liquor right now. It’s what got me here in the first place.”

“You’re going to be okay, Tsion. If you need me to find dirt on—”

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