Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Fumi
Iwant to know who the fuck told Hood where I laid my head. I can’t believe he showed up here. What if I had a nigga over here? Hood would’ve gotten his feelings hurt. It’s crazy because Hood never had a problem coming home, but popping up here unannounced is crazy.
The only problem I had with Hood was that he was entertaining hoes when he stepped outside our home. Yeah, he’s still a thirsty-ass nigga. He can’t take “no” for an answer, so he pulls up.
It’s Hood’s audacity that gets me. I heard my phone ring from across the room. I wasn’t fucking moving. I let that shit ring. I didn’t care if he heard it through the door. I ain’t opening shit. Hood wasn’t getting what he wanted today.
Hood wasn’t getting my fucking attention or my fucking time today. And he sure as hell wasn’t getting any conversation. Hood could knock on my door until his fucking knuckles hurt. I wasn’t opening that motherfucking door. I refuse to get caught up.
Eventually, the knocking stopped; about time he got the fucking point. A few seconds later, I heard his Porsche start up; I remember the engine. Only then did I walk to the peephole. I caught the rear of his Porsche as it pulled out of the parking lot. I folded my arms across my chest.
“Good, I’m so glad his ass is fucking gone.”
Now maybe he’d got the fucking hint. Deep down... I knew better. Something told me... that wasn’t the last time Hood was gonna show up.
Damn, this nigga ain’t even been home that long, and he’s already showing up with random pop-ups at my house. The nerve of this nigga.
If he had so much to say, why the fuck didn’t he say it yesterday, when he was at the club? He had every opportunity. Instead... He stood over there with that raggedy-ass bitch.
Now all of a sudden, Hood wanna talk? Yeah, I thought so. Hood really thought I was gonna sit outside Nik and Skeet’s, waiting on him to finish whatever the hell he had going on. The fuck do I look like? I got shit to do… I have a life to live that doesn’t revolve around him.
If Hood wanted a conversation that bad... He should’ve made it happen when he had the chance. Now he’s gonna have to work a whole lot harder than just knocking on my damn door. Catch me outside, nigga. One thing’s for sure; he wasn’t coming inside my home.
Yeah, I wasn’t on that. Period… What would make Hood think we needed to talk? Especially after the way we ended. Nah, some apologies deserve a face-to-face. But they for damn sure don’t deserve an invitation into my personal space.
My peace lived inside these four walls, and I wasn’t letting Hood disturb it. My phone rang, pulling me out of my thoughts. Unknown number. I already knew who it was. I answered but didn’t say a word.
“Fumi...” Hood’s voice came through the speaker. “So... this what we doing?”
I laughed to myself. “Ain’t this what we been doing? Ain’t shit changed, Hood. The only thing that changed... is you.”
“Fumi—”
I cut Hood off before he could get another word out.
“Do me a favor and stop calling my phone. And stop showing up at my spot like we have unfinished business... Because we don’t. If you’re looking for a bitch to press, go press Adrienne.”
Silence.
I wasn’t waiting around for a response. I ended the call. I said what the fuck I said. My phone started ringing again. Same unknown number. I swear this nigga wanted a reaction.
This time... I answered.
“What?”
“Open the door and say that shit to my face.”
I rolled my eyes. “Oh, you think this shit is a game? It ain’t. I meant every word I said. Go home, Hood. And go find one of them pressed-ass bitches you be fooling with to harass.”
“Open the door, Fumi... and say it to my face.”
I tightened my grip on my phone. This nigga wasn’t letting up. Everything in me said to leave his ass standing outside. But another part of me wanted to open that damn door. I didn’t, because I’m not ready for whatever this is.
“I am home; that’s why I’m here. My home has always been with you.”
I laughed, but there wasn’t an ounce of humor in it. “Your actions said otherwise, but that’s neither here nor there. What’s understood doesn’t need to be explained.”
The silence stretched between us.
“I left you, Hood. Remember that. I don’t wanna talk about shit. Please... just leave me the fuck alone.”
“I ain’t leaving Fumi. You got some shit you wanna get off your chest... Let’s clear the air.”
Hood is desperate as fuck; that’s exactly how he sounded.
“I cleared the air when I left you. Remember? There ain’t nothing else for me to clear.
I’m not opening this door. And you damn sure ain’t coming inside my home.
So do yourself a favor... Beat ya damn feet, like...
right now.” I leaned my forehead against the door.
“I’m sure there are plenty of hoes out here who wouldn’t mind you begging at their doorstep... But I ain’t one of ‘em.”
“Fumi... I know exactly who you are. I ain’t checking for no hoe. That’s why I’m here. And I ain’t forgot you, the one who left. You ain’t really wanna leave, though, but I understand why you did. And I’m sorry for that; I ain’t fucked up about standing out here all night either.”
“Hood—”
He cut me off before I could finish.
“Open the door, Fumi... Before I have the whole damn apartment complex listening to our business.”
I was done responding. If Hood wanted to sit out there all night... he could. I was done going back and forth with him. I don’t understand why he won’t let what we had... just be. It’s over.
I made peace with that a long time ago. All I wanna do is enjoy my summer in peace, without reopening a chapter I already closed. I was done fighting with Hood. It’s like arguing with the damn wind.
The more I talked, the longer he stayed.
This nigga wasn’t leaving, not tonight. And if I knew Hood the way I thought I did...
He’d stand outside this damn apartment all night, waiting for me to crack.
Yeah, it’s not happening. Silence was all I had left.
So, I gave it to him. I set my phone to silent, tossed it on the couch, and walked away from the door.
If Hood wanted to sit out there... let him. I wasn’t opening this door tonight.