Page 93 of A Kingpin's Weakness
Finally, Seth pulled back, his breath heavy against my lips.
“Bye, Stormi. I’ll bring your stuff in the morning.”
And with that, he broke free, got in his car, and drove away, leaving me standing there with my heart pounding, caught somewhere between wanting him and knowing I had to let go.
CHAPTER 20
Seth
Bop.Bop. Bop. Bop. Bop. Bop!
Gunshots echoed sharp and steady through the range, ripping through the thick silence. Southside, Rich, and I stood there, lining up our shots like soldiers trying to find some peace.
This was supposed to clear my mind supposed to help me forget Stormi, at least for a little while. But instead, it just made the anger burn hotter. I kept thinking about her and how it should’ve been her I woke up to this morning. Her I should’ve been coming home to. It’s been over a damn month since I last saw or heard from Stormi. Since that night at Jo’s house, she disappeared. Ghosted me.
I was petty. Had Josh take her stuff from my place and drop it off at Jo’s. thinking maybe, just maybe, she’d stick around longer if she didn’t see me before she left. But nah. That stubborn woman. She got on that plane anyway. Left me behind, flying back home. And now all I’ve got are these empty shots ringing in my ears and a heart full of questions I can’t answer.
“All I’m gonna say is go get your girl.” Rich’s words hit me like a punch to the gut as we stepped out the gun range and walked downstairs to the connected bar area. I tried to steadymyself, but inside I was a mess rage, regret, pain twisting up my chest.
“If she was mine, she wouldn’t have left,” I muttered, voice rough and bitter, like saying it out loud might change the damn truth.
Southside smirked, mocking me with the same words as we both grabbed a stole at the bar.
“Fuck you, nigga,” I spat back, but the anger barely masked how damn broken I felt.
Rich’s voice cut through the tension. “Bra, you been walking around like you lost your soul for a month now. Go get your girl before it’s too late.”
His words stung because he was right. Here I was, drowning in my own silence and stubborn pride while Stormi was gone. gone like she didn’t even care. And Rich… He was carrying grief heavier than mine visiting graves, living with losses I couldn’t even begin to understand.
I swallowed hard, barely able to say it. “Stormi made her decision.”
I caught the bartender’s eye, voice rough as I ordered, “Three shots of Henny. And keep ’em coming.”
The burn of the liquor was a weak match for the fire inside me. Rich leaned in, steady as ever.
“I don’t mind drinking with you all damn day you my brother but that won’t fix shit. You gotta talk to her. If you can’t fix it, then at least clear the air. Life’s too short to leave it hanging.”
His words hit me deep too deep to ignore. I wasn’t ready to admit how much I needed that talk. I needed to see Stormi, look her in the eye. Because last time, we were both stubborn as hell. She ran from me scared. This time I gotta be different. I gotta show her I’m not the enemy. I’m the only thing real in all this mess.
“You on your young boy shit when you need to be on your Anthony Hamilton shit.”
Southside threw that line at me like a truth bomb, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Says the nigga with nine kids and eight baby mamas.”
We all cracked up, tossing back our shots while the bartender kept ’em coming like it was fuel for my damn soul.
I pulled out my phone and texted my pilot, getting the jet fueled up. I was going to see Stormi.
I didn’t need her address. Got that before she dipped. Made sure she got home safe, had both her home and work info on lock. Could’ve called her, told her I was coming. Nah. Where’s the fun in that I prefer to just pop up.
“You got S3 this weekend?”
I asked, breaking through my thoughts.
“You gonna see Stormi?”
Man, I wondered who he thought was the bad guy here? She left me, I didn’t leave her.
