Page 104 of Treason's Temptation
“Promise me you won’t get weird?”
“I’m trying remember, so I can’t promise you that, but I’ll try.”
“I ran into Lorenzo today,” I spat in a rushed tone.
Treason shot up on his feet, wearing that dark edge when I left him in an alley with Ward and June. Usually, it was tucked behind his charm and patience. Tonight, it was front and center, raw and unfiltered.
“The fuck you mean you ran into him?”
I flinched. “I—It’s nothing, Tre. I just…” My voice trailed off because I could see the storm building in his eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Why are you just now telling me this shit?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, flustered, “You promised not to get weird.”
“Fuck that! What do you mean you ran into this nigga!” My eyes skirted, avoidant. I’d barely gotten it out, and he was already livid. “Navie!”
“Leaving the women’s league meeting. He came out of nowhere saying-.”
“Saying what!?” he interrupted because I wasn’t getting to the point quickly enough while his eyes raked over me for damage.
“Making me feel crazy like I made up the abuse. He’s got business deals on the horizon and doesn’t need me ruining it, so keep his name out of my mouth.”
“Did he touch you?”
I nodded slowly, “I—I didn’t want to make a thing out of it,” I tried, my hands reaching for his, hoping to ground him without overstepping. “It’s fine, really. I’m fine.”
Treason’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. “You’re far from fuckin’ fine!”
“What the fuck does that mean?” I snapped.
“You barely trust me. Every nice thing I do for you makes you suspicious. You just stopped fuckin’ jumpin’ when I touch you. You’re not fuckin’ Fine.”
“If I’m so much work, why are you fighting so hard to keep me here?”
“You asking that stupid ass question proves my point. You’re not fine!”
I could feel my own anger boiling over. “I wouldn’t have to pretend if I didn’t have to be perfect all the time!”
His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and I felt the room shrink around us. “I’m not asking for perfect, Blue. I’m asking for you to be here—with me.You act like this shit is a chore! Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you, but that shit isn’t enough for you to call me after your abusive ex-fiancé put his hands on you...again! You still love him?”
That one question snapped me back to reality. “The long day has you out of your fuckin’ mind!
The heat between us didn’t cool. It ignited a new layer of yelling and tears, both of us caught in the fire of emotions neither of us was handling well.
“Do you still love that nigga?”
“No, I don’t, and right now I’m questioning if I should love you! Why would you ask me that?”
“Why the fuck would you wait all day to tell me this shit?”
“This! This right here is why!” I hated that tears were falling. I wasn’t even sure why. My mouth was lethal, but tonight I was too flustered and hurt.
“Nah, don’t put this shit on me! Say it!” he blared, sending my nervous system into a frenzy. “Just say it. I can take it.”
“Because I just wanted to fuckin’ forget! I’ve lived this nightmare before, and I didn’t want to do it again! Everything isn’t about you, Treason. I don’t need fixing like I’m some DIY project to stroke your ego! Do you know how fuckin’ hard today was for me?”
“No, I don’t because you didn’t tell me shit. I got a text about your outfit, the food being nasty as fuck, and asking what I wanted for dinner. Nothing about your punk ass ex putting his hands on you. You’re in this shit because of me, so it is my job to fuckin’ fix.”
