Page 54 of Heart of a Savage
Lying ass. You like the fuck out of that nigga.
“Bitch, we don’t sit around discussing you! It was during a time we were getting to know one another,” she bemoaned. “Would it hurt you to let someone in, Arieana? Like, goodness! The shit is getting annoying!” She tossed the box back on the table and headed back toward the kitchen. I looked over at Mooney as he shrugged.
I sighed. “Just put the roses around the house.”
“Sure thing…” his voice trailed as if he wanted to say more.
“Just say it, Mooney.”
“I think everyone around you can see love for you, but you refuse to see it for yourself, for whatever reason. I’m not a love expert, but if a man is spending that much money on your kids and buying you dozens and dozens of flowers,” he said, pointing to the boxes with the collars inside. “Thenthat’sa man you should want to get to know.”
“I’m not a woman who is smitten by what a nigga can do for me?—”
“And you don’t have to be. It’s not about the money, Arie. It’s thethoughtthat matters most.” He walked away to do the tasks I asked of him.
I headed inside the kitchen and began making my plate. Mooney had a whole spread of Belgian waffles, pancakes, sausages, bacon, ham, eggs, grits, hashbrowns, toast, and a host of fruits. I filled my plate with all of it while Paige sat at the breakfast nook, on her phone, ignoring me.
I hated that I had to be the bigger person, but in most cases, I was the one who was always wrong. Yes, the shit with my father has had me on edge for weeks, but the people I love didn’t deserve my moody-ass behavior, especially Paige.
I sat next to her as she clicked around on her phone, looking at dresses, and chewing on her bacon.
“I’m sorry…” I offered.
“You don’t have to apolo-lie to me, AP.”
I chuckled. “I’m not lying, sis. I just… I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I guess after visiting Dad, I’ve been in a mood I can’t seem to get out of. Then, this good dick nigga fucking me like a porn star, sending gifts to my home I didn’t make him privy to, just has my feelings all over the place.”
Her eyes lit up. “Wait a minute. You fucked him again?”
“That’s not the point?—”
“Girl, bye! It’s most definitely the point. Harvey said he followed you up to the cabin, and I was on my way to slice his assup, but he wouldn’t let me leave or call you, assuring me that you were good with him.”
“You know me. He would have been floating in that lake had he tried anything… I fucked him again last night too. I don’t know, Paige. He’s making me want to let my guard down, and I don’t like it.”
“Arie, I love you, sis. I desperately want your person to find you, and you guys to live happily ever after. Just because Papa Lo said that to you, it doesn’t mean you have to carry it. You’ve never been this mean in all the years I’ve known you. A little impulsive, maybe, but never mean.
“If Messiah is making you feel things, then feel that shit. Let your guard down. If he hurts you, then kill his ass. You never know, though, I may be a matron of honor at your wedding next.”
“Bitch, now you reaching.”
She laughed. “I’m just saying. Do something different, sis.”
“He has a nine-year-old son, and his baby mama lives with him. How do I know he’s not still fucking her?”
“I’m sure he still is, but it’s nothing to get her ass out of the way. My baby says they’re not together, though. I’m sure she’s just in-house pussy for now.”
“If he had me ready to fire Angel’s ass last night, I know for a fact that woman won’t live to see another day if I give him a chance. I’d hurt both of their asses, and little Messiah is going to be an orphan.” I began eating my food before it got cold.
“I’m going to need you to stop crashing out, Arie.”
“Then tell your fiancé’s brother to leave me alone and stop fucking me the way he does.”
She shook her head just as my mother walked into the kitchen. “Good morning, my babies.”
“Morning, Mommy.”
“Good morning, Mama ’Brina. You looking cute this morning. Where you going or coming from?”
