Page 63 of Treason's Temptation
Leaving the house, I drove to the office hoping I found more peace than I had at home. Unfortunately, I walked into my office, and Fallon began rattling off information, just as she did every morning. Then she took one look at me and stopped.
“You’re still alive, so I guess she isn’t that upset. What happened now?”
“Difference in opinion. I’m not kissing her ass.”
“You’ve been doing it. Why stop now?” Fallon asked.
“I’ve kept my word. Whatever she needs, I deliver, and it’s still not enough. I’m the wrong nigga to play with. Everything has a limit, especially my fuckin’ patience.”
“You didn’t want easy, remember? Deal with it.”
“I am dealing with it. She’s stuck until I say otherwise, so shit can be as easy or difficult as she makes it.”
“So romantic. How is she not throwing roses at your feet?”
“Lish got in your ass if you’re siding with Navie.”
Fallon rolled her eyes because up until that moment, she hadn’t realized it. “Fuck you,” she spat while trying to gather the rest of her thoughts, “I’m just saying. You walk into rooms, and suddenly people sit straighter and think faster. You demand more from people without even saying a word. Everybody’s life bends to your goals, schedule, and plans. It’s like we’re all satellites and you’re the sun, and some days the sun gets hot as fuck and we’d rather go inside.”
“I go just as hard for my people as I do for myself. Whenever you call, I pull up. You need something, I make it happen. That’s not selfish, that’s loyalty.”
Fallon sighed. “That’s your problem. You don’t listen. I never said you were selfish. I’m saying you’re a lot. You set the bar so high, all the time, in everything. You make people wanna be better. If you want people to see you as a man and not just a politician, start acting like one.”
I leaned back, crossing my arms. “So what, I’m supposed to be a yes man? That’s not me. If something’s not right, I call it out.”
“I’m saying, recognize that not everything is about you. You don’t always have todosomething. Maybe Navie’s walls are her shit to overcome at her own pace. Besides, I’m sure there’s plenty of stuff she doesn’t know about you.”
“We’re talking about Navie or Lish?”
“Both, because she’s stubborn just like you,” Fallon replied.
Lish was her girlfriend of three years. Things were great until a few months ago. Now they fought often because Lish wanted more than Fallon was ready to give.
“What did you do ornotdo this time?”
“Same argument that I’m tired of having. She doesn’t feel like I’m invested. Lish feels like a secret I’m ashamed of sharing.”
“Shorty might have a point. It took a minute before I even met Lish.”
“Excuse me for keeping something to myself.”
“All you’ll have is yourself if you keep this shit up.”
“And you, because at the rate you’re going, Navie is definitely leaving.”
“Difference between me and you, I’m prepared to do what I have to do so that won’t happen.”
“You’ve already had her locked up. What’s next?”
I flashed a wide smile while my fingers stroked the keys. “Stay tuned.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“On some real shit. I know you love Lish, but none of that matters if she doesn’t feel it.”
“What else am I supposed to do?”
“Bring her over for dinner. Navie will cook.”
