Page 20 of Verse Two
The realization frustrated me because I was ready to be near her again. I wanted to hold her in my arms and look at her pretty face for the rest of the day. Standing, I stretched my arms before putting on my sneakers. Once I was ready to head out, I left the room in search of my Doll.
There was an elevator near our room, but I had been sitting for so long that I decided to walk to the one on the other side of the floor. I usually started my days with exercise. Since I didn’t go down to the gym today, a short walk was the least I could do. As I walked, my phone rang. As soon as I looked at the screen, I cursed under my breath.
It was like LaShontae could feel that another woman was on my mind. I had been away from Dy all day, but the minute I decided to find her, my ex—the same ex Dy made it a point to ask about—is on my line. I wanted to ignore it, but I decided not to. I didn’t need her interrupting my time with Dy later, so I would stay on the line long enough to tell her to leave me the hell alone.
“What, LaShontae?” I asked as soon as she answered.
She kissed her teeth. “Why are you talking to me like that, Ellis? I’m calling to check on you because I heard there was a snowstorm in New York.”
My face tightened at her words. The fact that she was checking the weather where I was annoyed me to no end, because I needed her to let us go.
“I’m straight. But I’m busy. I’on need you checkin’ up on me and shit. We are not together, so?—”
“Uggggh.” Her groan was loud and drawn out. “I don’t need you to keep reminding me that you broke up with me, Brixton.I already know that. I’m checking up on you because I love you and I’m trying my best to fix this. You’re not making it easy for me.”
I shook my head as I approached the elevator. “Aye, listen to me good when I say this, LaShontae, ’cause it really is the last time I’m breakin’ this down for you. There is nothisfor you to fix. We were done the second you thought it was a smart idea to step out on me. You ain’t loyal, and I don’t fuck wit’ that. I’m tryin’ my best to make our split as smooth as possible. I got you a crib, and I gave you some money.
“If you ever really need somethin’ you can always call me, ’cause I know your family situation, and I’m not a heartless nigga. But there will never be an us again. Aight?”
She was quiet on the other end, but I could hear her sniffling, like she was crying. That shit didn’t move me in the least, because her ass wasn’t crying when she was fucking with ole boy. A full minute went by, and she still said nothing else, so I shook my head and said, “I gotta go.”
As soon as I hung up, I blocked her number. I’d unblock her once I made it back home because I meant what I said about her ever needing anything. While I was solidifying my future with Dylan Ivie, though, I needed LaShontae far away from the mix.
Sliding my phone into my pocket, I stepped onto the elevator and chose the main floor. It was time to find my woman.
By the time I returned to the elevator, the annoyance I felt from LaShontae’s phone call had tripled. I had walked all around the hotel and still hadn’t found Dy.
Running a hand across the top of my head, I pressed the elevator button for my floor. With closed eyes, I leaned on theglass wall as the elevator ascended, telling myself she had to be back in the room by now.
The ride up was short, and once the doors opened, I lifted myself from the wall and exited with a tight jaw. I hated dumb shit, and to me, letting Dy walk out of the room without getting her number or making a plan for when we would link back up was dumb as hell. I was aggravated with myself more than anything.
I opened the electronic key on my phone as I approached my room door and pressed the button. Once I heard a faintclick, I opened the door, and my face immediately relaxed into a smile.
Sitting in the middle of the living room floor, surrounded by magazines, snacks, and art supplies, was my Doll.
In that soft voice of hers, she greeted me with a smile. “Hi.”
I removed my jacket and tossed it on a love seat before heading straight for her.
Her cotton candy scent invaded my nostrils as I joined her on the floor, and I wrapped my arms around her before burying my face in her neck.
“You always smell good as fuck.”
“Thanks. How was your meeting?”
I kissed her neck before lifting my head again. Gripping Dy’s waist, I turned her body toward mine and positioned her on my lap so that she was straddling it. Immediately, she laced her arms around my neck and pressed her juicy lips on mine. It took us a minute, but eventually, we came up for air, and I frowned.
“Give me your damn phone number.”
Dy’s expression matched mine until I finished my statement, then she was cracking up laughing with her head thrown back.
“What’s funny?” I asked, gripping her chin and bringing her in for another kiss.
“You’re funny. I asked you a question, and instead of answering it, you make a random ass request,” she said, still laughing.
I kissed my teeth. “That shit ain’t random. The meetings were cool, and as soon as I got outta the last one, I wanted you under me again. I ain’t have your fuckin’ number, so I just spent an hour downstairs lookin’ for you,” I said, unlocking my phone and handing it to her.
“I need access to your pretty ass voice at all times. So gettin’ your number is our first order of business.”
