Ava Gray #2
“Um, it’s been okay.” I shrugged.
“That’s it? Just okay?”
“Yeah,” I smiled.
I didn’t want to talk about Rob. I actually wanted to forget the run in we had and all the shit he said to me.
I played it cool and pushed all my bullshit to the back burner, so I could enjoy Ethan’s presence.
We chilled and played around with our girls for a good three hours.
I knew damn well that after a nice bath, Savannah would sleep good all night.
My baby laughed the entire time, and I loved that for her.
Outside of my nephew, Dakota, Aja’s son, Zoie was the only other kid Savannah had a real bond with.
I knew I should have had her around kids more often to build her social skills.
Until that changed, I wanted nothing more than she and Zoie to continue to build their own bond.
“So, uh, I was thinking maybe we could have a sleepover tonight.” He smirked with a wink.
“First of all, I have to work tomorrow. And second, I don’t think having sleepovers so soon would be the best idea.”
“Why not? It’s simple. Pack a bag for you and Savannah, then come over. I know the girls would love it.” He held my hand.
“Maybe another time, Mr. Whitmore.” I smirked.
“Alright, well how about this? I have a spot I want to take you to that has some bangin ass food. I’ll get with Stephanie in the morning to make sure you can get off early enough, so we can make it.”
“I don’t like you cutting my hours short. I don’t work, I don’t get paid.” I folded my arms.
“But you’re fuckin the CEO.” He smiled, showing off his gold slugs.
“You shouldn’t worry yourself about all that. I’ll make sure you’re straight, regardless.”
I ran my tongue across my top row of teeth. This man was making it hard for me to stay focused and professional.
“Okay, what time?”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow. But I’ll be calling you in a little bit.” He pulled me in for a hug.
“Drive safe.” He kissed my forehead.
As promised, Ethan made arrangements with Stephanie to move some shit around on the schedules.
I was off by three thirty. I went to Aja’s house to get ready because I had to tighten up her braids anyway.
Ethan insisted that he picked me up and we rode together rather than meet him. I was cool with it.
“Girl, you look cute or whateva. All dolled up and shit.” Aja walked in on me as I stood in front of the mirror. “This white boy got your nose wide open. I can see it already.”
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Shut up. We're not doing anything special. I only agreed to go out to eat.”
“Bitch, that’s called a date.”
“No, a date is a late night dinner.” I shook my head.
“Uh, no. A date is whatever the hell y'all make it. That man is definitely taking you out on a date. Besides, if it wasn’t anything special, you wouldn’t be all dressed up.” She smirked.
She could kiss my ass. I said what I said.
I wasn’t sure what this thing was that Ethan and I had going on.
Honestly, I was just going with the flow.
The chemistry was there, no doubt. However, I was not trying to rush into anything that neither of us were ready for.
My sister told me all the time, the best way to get over one man was to get under a new one.
I’m not going to lie, Ethan had definitely taken my mind off of Rob.
Yes, technically I was still married, and I told myself I wasn’t going to involve myself in another serious relationship anytime soon.
However, Ethan had been making it extremely hard for me to keep my word. He definitely made me feel alive.
“It’s not that deep, Aja. You know me. It doesn't matter who I’m hanging out with. I’m not about to step out looking any kind of way.”
“You’re right, I do know you. Bitch, we shared the same sac in the womb, so I know exactly what you’re feeling. You’re feeling that white boy. It’s all in yo grill, and I know you wanna fuck him.” She looked at me under eyed.
“Aja, leave me the hell alone.” I laughed.
“You know I’m telling the truth. Wait until I tell Ace you got jungle fever, he’s going to roast your ass.” She laughed.
“Ace already knows about Ethan. Surprisingly, they’re homeboys. Ain't that crazy? But both of yall can stay outta my business.” I applied my lipgloss.
“I know you’re not talking about EJ. Tall, tatted white boy with a gold mouth?”
“Yeah,”
“Bitchhhhh, whetttt!” Aja shrieked. “Hold up, you telling me that this hood rich nigga inherited a billion-dollar company? Damn, I know Rob had your ass living under a rock, but I didn’t know it was that bad.
EJ that dude out in the streets, so I heard.
I’ma beat the bark off Ace black ass for not telling me this shit.
” She dialed our brother and put him on speaker phone.
“Yurrpp! What the fuck you want, Aja?” he answered.
“Nigga, when I see you, I’ma beat you like you stole something. Why didn’t you tell me Ava caught jungle fever? Yo ass be quick to tell me everything else.”
“I thought you already knew about it. Hell yeah. She better be glad that’s my nigga. Otherwise, I would have a lot of shit to talk. Out here snow flakin’. Cookies and cream head ass.”
“You know what? Both of y’all can shut the hell up.” I stuck up my middle finger as they laughed at me.
There’s nothing wrong with dating outside your race. Hell, with all the shit I’ve been through with Rob alone, you might as well say I tried with these coloreds. I wanted to explore other options that the Lord made available.
“What the hell!” Aja shouted.
When I turned around, she was standing in her window with the curtains pulled all the way back.
“Uh, Ava. You’ve been paying your car note, right?”
“My car is paid off. Why?”
Instead of responding, she took off to the door with me trailing right behind her. As soon as we stepped out on the porch, I watched my car get pulled up on the back of a tow truck.
“What the hell are you doing?” I shouted.
The guy ignored me.
“Uh, excuse you! Nigga, you can’t hear?” Aja shouted. “What the fuck are you doing? Who ever sent you to pick up a car, you’re at the wrong fuckin house! Idiot!”
“Ma’am, this car was reported stolen.”
An officer appeared out of nowhere. Me and Aja were both so focused on my car getting towed, we didn’t notice the deputy.
“What are you talking about? This is my car, I can guarantee you that it’s not stolen.” I frowned.
The deputy looked down at the clipboard he held then back at me.
“A report was filed by a Robert Gray, stating that his car had been stolen—”
“That’s bullshit!” Aja shouted, cutting the deputy off.
“The car is in his name.” I said to my sister.
“And! Yall are fuckin married. By law, what’s yours is his and vice versa. You can’t take this car!” She fussed.
“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to calm down.” The deputy held out his hand.
Instantly, my head began to ache. I knew Rob was lurking somewhere nearby and his petty actions were no surprise. To say my blood was boiling was an understatement. I was already in the process of looking for a place to live, now I had to add a fuckin car to that list.
“Can I at least get my stuff out of there before he gets it all the way up there.” I pointed to the bed of the truck.
I had tears in my eyes, but I refused to allow them to fall.
“No, ma’am.” The deputy shook his head.
Before I could respond, Ethan pulled up.
I was no longer in the mood to go anywhere.
Rob was in the process of stripping me from everything.
Which made me think to check my banking app.
As expected, our joint account was wiped clean.
That didn’t even matter much because I wasn’t using any of that money anyway.
“What’s going on?” Ethan asked as he walked up to me.
When I didn’t reply right away, he pulled me closer to him and studied my face.
“Ava…”
“My car is in Rob’s name, he reported it stolen.” I sighed. “They won’t even let me get my stuff out.”
Ethan turned his attention to the officer and truck driver.
Apparently, he knew the deputy because they actually dapped each other up.
Ethan stood and talked to him for a few moments, before the deputy nodded for me to go ahead and get everything I needed.
The moment they pulled off to leave, my phone rang.
It was from an unknown number and I automatically knew it was Rob.
I didn’t even bother to answer. Too much of my energy had been harvested by him, I refused to allow him to continue.
“You alright?” Ethan asked.
“Not really, but I will eventually.” I sighed.
Together, we walked back into my sister's house. My phone chimed with a text message.
Everything you have is because of me, bitch. Without me you’re nothing. Good luck buying a new car.
Immediately, I took a screenshot of the message before turning my phone off.
“Can you excuse us for a minute.” Aja said to Ethan, before pulling me off toward her room.
“What the hell am I going to do? I need my car to work.” I was stressed.
“He’s trying to break you. Don’t let him.
You’re riding a new wave, and you have a consistent income now.
Fuck all that material shit. He wants all that shit back, let him have it.
I don’t want you stressin’. I don’t want you gettin upset.
No ma’am. Everything is going to work out and your life will be better than ever once you get this loose end tied.
You know I have your back. So, go out and enjoy your new man.
Have fun. Clear your mind. Get some dick.
Do whatever the hell you gotta do for peace of mind. ”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the last part.
“Girl, don’t laugh, I'm being serious. You have a real nigga out there waiting to show you a good time. Fuck Rob. Go enjoy yourself and worry about all that other shit later.”
Aja was right. If I didn’t block the bullshit out of my mind, it would only ruin my mood and my plans. I wrapped my arms around my sister to hug her tight.
“I love you.”
“I love you more, twin.” She kissed my cheek. “Now come on,”