Page 20 of Candid Moments
“Jamila. I’m not having this conversation out here in front of everybody,” he says as if he has any say so.
He doesn’t.
“That’s fine because I really don’t have anything else to say. I think I said it all when I caught your lying, cheating ass,” I grit.
“Lower your voice and let me explain,” he utters and I laugh.
This nigga!
Because I refuse to waste my energy or time on him and because he isn’t worth making another scene, I step closer, narrowing our distance. I lean my head in a little closer, then tell him once and for all how I feel.
“Cornelius, you are a fucking clown, you know that? I heard you two fucking and I practically caught you with your damn dick out. That’s the only explanation I need. So listen and listen good, we…are…done. There’s nothing left between us and I don’t want you. Besides, I finally know what’s it like to get fucked by a real man.”
The last part is just me being petty because my decision to be done with Corey is one hundred percent independent of my choice to try things with Denim. Corey ended us with his deceit and community dick; me hooking up Denim was simply a beautiful ending to the fucked-up situation Corey created.
Clearly enraged by my petty words, Corey grabs my arms roughly. “You fucking him!” he blusters through clenched teeth.
Before I can curse his ass out, Denim is here. He’s right beside Corey and his hand is wrapped around Corey’s wrist. Corey’s eyes bulge like fifty cent pieces.
“Get your hands off her,” he demands and I feel Corey’s grip loosen. When he releases my arm, Denim steps directly in front of Corey. “On principle, I owe you a straight fade. Be glad this crowded hall in this sold-out hotel is saving your ass. But if you touch her again, nothing will save you.”
Corey doesn’t say a word and I simply shake my head in disgust for me and embarrassment for him.I truly wasted eighteen months with his bitch ass.
Denim turns to me then caresses my arm. “Are you okay?” he asks, clearly concerned.
“I’m good. He didn’t hurt me but thank you. Let’s just go to the store.”
His arm snakes around my waist and we leave the area. As we walk toward the store, he checks on me again. “Are you sure he didn’t hurt you?”
“Yes. He didn’t hurt me but what about her? Is she okay?” I ask and he peers at me for a second. “I saw her tears.”
“Maddox will be fine but if she isn’t, that’s his issue. The only woman I’m concerned about is on my arm at this very moment,” he says and I smile. When we enter the store, there’s a small line but the shelves are half empty. “Damn! They’ve run through this.”
“With items being bought and no way to replenish them, they are going to sell out if this snow doesn’t stop. Let me find some cards and maybe get a few more snacks. We should divide and conquer though.”
“What type of snacks do you like?”
“Fruit candy and anything cheesy—chips, crackers, anything with cheese. What about you?”
“I still have some snacks upstairs. I think I’m good.”
We split and I tackle the left side of the store and he heads to the right. There’s a small section with travel-sized games.There are no regular playing cards; no cards at all actually, not even a deck of Uno cards. There’s a box of cards called Tell Me More and there’s only one box left. I quickly snatch it up because my options are very limited. I also spot a small, wooden, folded Mancala set and grab it too. My mom and I used to play this all the time when I was younger.
I head to the food cooler next and find two Sargento cheese snack trays. I grab both of them. Although the forecasters say the blizzard is passing and we might be able to go home as early as tomorrow afternoon, seeing the shelves so empty triggers my anxiety. I’d rather be safe and have too much than be sorry for not having enough. Denim must have the same sentiment because he walks up to me with his hands filled.
“What’s all of that?” I question.
“Everything cheesy I could find: Doritos, Cheetos, Cheez-Its, and something called Snaps.”
“One bag of each should be enough though.”
“I might want some,” he says then smiles. “Did you find your cards?”
“Just this questions game and mancala.”
“Mancala? What’s that?”
“It’s fun. I’ll teach you how to play. Let’s get in line; it’s growing.”
