Page 34 of Only if You Catch Me
“Nigga,” Ryder looked him up and down just as security approached.
It was then that Kastian moved forward. I had damn near forgotten that he was even there. “Nah,” he told the security guards. “I got him.” The warning in his orbs was clear.
The two men stood waiting for him to remove Ryder.
“Come on, G. She doesn’t want to talk. Don’t do this here,” Kastian attempted to reason.
“You want me to air this muhfucka out?” Ryder asked Tesha with his nostrils flaring as he ignored Kastian’s words.
Tesha didn’t respond with words. She simply walked off leaving him standing there. When Ryder attempted to follow, Kastian stepped in front of him. His tone was low, but I could hear him and knew he was serious.
“Nigga, let her go. She doesn’t want to talk, bro. I know that shit doesn’t feel good, but she’s done, bro. You gotta let that go.”
Ryder turned to leave, and Kastian followed him. Qua and the security guards moved to the side and started talking while the bartender stood stumped with her mouth slightly hanging open.
“I’ll cover her tab,” I assured her. “Let me get one more drink. Cancel her food order too. She probably won’t be back.”
The bartender looked relieved that Tesha hadn’t skipped out on her tab. While I was waiting on my drink, a guy came over and was staring a hole in my head. I pretended not to notice, but he was just standing there staring. Finally, I turned toward him with an annoyed look on my face.
“I swear I’m not a creep,” he chuckled. “You look like someone I know, but you’re clearly not her. I was trying to figure out if I should speak or not.”
I gave a slight head nod but didn’t speak. He was handsome. Like very handsome. I mean, Kastian looked better, but this man was a very close second.
“My name is Rodney.”
Turning to face him once again, I gave him a tight smile. “I’m Persia.” I didn’t want to come off as rude, but I wasn’t sure I was interested. I was truly stuck between not dating and allowing myself to just be and being a city girl out here living my best life.
Fine men who were truly one hundred percent single, faithful, respectful, had a job and some business about himself and didn’t have babies all over the city were super rare. I felt as if I’d already found a Unicorn in Kastian. There was zero confidence that I’d run across that again. So that meant most of the men I met would be a complete waste of my time, and time wasn’t something that I had a lot of to spare.
“Are you single, Persia?”
Rodney’s gaze raked over my body, and I almost felt violated. But he was a man doing what men did.
“I am. I’m very newly single, however. Newly single to point that I don’t think dating this soon would be wise.” I gave another forced smile.
“I hear you. I’ve been divorced for a year, and I just decided to get back out here.”
My interest was piqued. “How long were you married?” the bartender brought my drink over, and I wasted no time taking a sip of the beverage.
“I was with her for twelve years total. We were married for seven years. We were high school sweethearts.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. I just filed for divorce. It’s tough.”
“It’s tough but sometimes, it’s necessary. Sadly, I don’t think that for better or worse applies to everyone.”
“Amen to that,” I lifted my glass slightly.
“Sorry to interrupt but Tesha wants to speak to you outside,” Kastian came over and stated calmly.
“Is she okay?” I was borderline frantic as I waved the bartender over. I forgot all about my conversation with Rodney.
Sliding off the stool, I almost tossed my debit card at the bartender and rushed outside. My head was on swivel as I looked around for Tesha. “Where is she?” I asked Kastian only to realize he had a smirk on his face.
“She left. I just wanted that fuck ass nigga out of your face.”
My eyes cut into slits as I stared at him. “Are you serious right now?”
Kastian invaded my personal space and pressed his body into mine. “Very. Why the fuck is that cornball in your face anyway?” the smirk was gone, and Kastian appeared as serious as a heart attack.
