Page 53 of When You Dance
“I remember you telling me that. Do you still love her?”
He huffed. “I still love her ass. I’m not in love with her though. That fucking ship sailed a while ago. I just don’t wanna get all caught up with her to deal with the same shit again.”
“If you calling me about it, then you must really want to. You tryna get me to talk you out of it, but I can’t, because I don’t know her and y’all past like that. Call Vozz and see what she say.”
“Yeah. I been trying to give them their space though.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“A’ight. Let me get back.”
“A’ight, bruh.”
I ended the call and shook my head. He knew he wanted that woman back. It wouldn’t be that tough of a decision if he couldn’t stand her ass. I finished drying off since I’d partially air dried, then applied lotion to make sure my skin stayed smooth. Our reservations weren’t until seven, and it was only four, so I lay in bed to chill out for a minute and reenergize for tonight’s festivities. It had been a long week, and I was just glad to be working locally next week.
As I set my alarm to wake me up, just in case I fell asleep, my phone rang again. When I saw Arrow’s name, I answered quickly. “What’s up, bruh? They working yo’ ass like a Hebrew slave, building Egyptian tombs and shit.”
He laughed. “Nigga, for real though. I’m off tomorrow, though, so I’ll be in Beaumont. I gotta sleep tonight. Shit, I’m tired as fuck. These patients been damn near requesting a nigga, at least the ones that have planned surgeries. I ain’t complaining though. They lining my pockets nicely. What y’all up to tonight?”
“I’m taking Sandrene out to a romantic dinner. We haven’t really been on a real date. It’s been so much bullshit going on. I just want her to feel the love I tell her I have for her. I’m in love with her, and I finally told her.”
“Damn. What did she say?”
“She burst into tears. She didn’t say it back, but I can tell that she loves me. I’ma give her time to figure it out though. I told her two weeks ago, before we even went to Beaumont. Speaking of Beaumont, what’s up with Ali?”
Mentioning our recent trip reminded me that I hadn’t been clued in just yet about what was going on with him. “I don’t even know if I should say the shit over the phone. It involves that woman. That’s all I can say. If you gon’ be in Beaumont tomorrow, I’ll tell you then.”
“Shit. I have an idea then. I don’t know if I’ll be there. It depends on how nasty we get.”
“Aww, nigga, ain’t nobody wanna hear about that shit. If she was a random, then that would be different. I never thought the day would come where you would settle down. I figured I would settle down before you. This life gets tiring, man. A nigga just wanna come home and be at peace with a woman that gets him and complements him. Sex is cool, but I need more than that. I’m happy that you finally met someone that can give you everything you need. Real shit.”
“Me too. I feel like yo’ time right around the corner. I been feeling the shift in you for a while. When we first saw Obsession together, I could tell. You didn’t get a lap dance. You always get a lap dance.”
“I ain’t got a lap dance in a hot minute. I mean… I done fell off in some pussy since then, but it was a dip back. I ain’t tryna sound sensitive and shit, but when I get off, I wanna go shower with my woman, dig her out while we’re in there, let her grease my scalp and braid my hair, then feel her rub my back while we’re going to sleep. I just want that intimacy that fucking doesn’t provide. I want the connection that I can’t deny. I still want some fire ass sex to go with it though.”
“I feel you, bruh. DJ said they moved Chad’s court date up. You gon’ take off to go to support him?”
“When is it?”
“Monday, two weeks away. So not this Monday coming, not the next one, but the Monday after that.”
“Hell yeah. That’s enough time for me to schedule it. You know I gotta support my bruh.”
“DJ told me when I talked to him two days ago. I know Chad ready to get this shit over with.”
“Hell, I would be too. But let me holla at’chu tomorrow. I’m about to get something to eat and carry my ass home.”
“A’ight, nigga. I need to get ready for dinner. Holla.”
I ended the call, feeling for my brother. I was feeling the same way for a while. Thankfully, I found my one rather quickly after. As I thought about our conversation, my mind went back to Ali. I knew that shit had to do with Shavozz’s ex-friend, Talisha. I hoped he didn’t have to kill that girl. Since Shavozz wasn’t talking to her ass no more, she wouldn’t know what was going on. That could be the only reason he was looking all bothered and shit. He was a cold-blooded killer though. Why in the hell was that bothering him?
Choosing to focus on the task at hand, I got up and pulled out my black slacks, black jacket, and white dress shirt. I put on some mid-tempo music to get me going. I didn’t wanna be too lit before I got to Sandrene. I wanted her to determine what our mood would be. I told her I would be to her place by six thirty since the restaurant wasn’t but ten minutes from her apartment.
After I was dressed, smelling good, and my hair and beard were shining, I left my condo to head to Sandrene’s. I hadn’t heard from her, but I was more than sure she’d made it home. She often kept that mystery going between us, making me wonder what she was doing. I believed she did it just to see how long it would take me to call and check on her. It never took long. She should have gotten off an hour or so ago, so I called.
“Hello?”
“Hey, baby. I’m leaving my place now. I hope you had a good day.”
