Chapter 5 #2
“That may be true, but at the end of the day, you’re scaring your moms. It’s one of the real reasons he wants you out.
’Brina told him how she rarely sees you or Paige anymore, and she fears one of these days, it’s going to be permanent.
I know the money is good, but your life is more important than anything. ”
“Whatever. I don’t care anymore. You’re right. As a matter of fact, let’s sever ties right now.”
“Arie... ” Paige spoke up.
“Arie, nothing, Paige. You’ve been wanting out, so here’s your chance.”
“Don’t put words in my mouth. I never said that shit, so calm your ass down.”
“She’s just in her feelings and on that spoiled shit. You can’t have it all, Amour.”
“Who the fuck says I can’t?”
“Aye! Watch who the fuck you’re talking to.” Uncle Lamont scolded, giving me a stern look.
I chuckled. “And what are you going to do if I don’t, Unc? Are you going to whup me? Put me on punishment? Oh, wait… tell my daddy so he can have somebody do it?”
“Arieana, what the fuck is wrong with you?” Paige asked, looking at me as if she wanted to square up. Over the years, we would always disagree with each other, but we never came to blows. I loved Paige, but I’d fuck her up if she thought she was going to swing on me and I not rock her shit.
“Ain’t shit wrong with me. It’s shit wrong with the people around me.”
“Get out of your feelings, Arieana. My brother made the decision that he did for a reason. It may not be the one you like, but it was a damn good one. Chill with the fucking attitude. We’re only doing this shit because we love you.
” He tossed back his shot and stood. “FYI… I will definitely whup yo’ ass,” he stated, then walked off.
I poured three more shots and took them all to the head. When I was getting ready to pour the fourth, Paige snatched the bottle from my hand.
“P, I ain’t in the mood for your bullshit tonight.”
“Go home, Arie.”
“I’m good.”
“You’re not! You need to go home and sleep that weak shit off. I don’t know what Pops said to you, but you need to process and let it go. Him telling you to leave the hitter’s game can’t be the reason for this shitty mood you’re in.”
“H-he told us to forget about him, P. To not come back up to the prison to see him. I’m starting to think he got another family or some shit.”
Paige scoffed. “You sound stupid as hell. Yeah, go on home. I got it from here.”
“You ain’t gotta fucking believe me.”
“And I don’t. Papa Lo would never betray his family that way. Ya ass is just drunk and talking mad reckless. Go home, Arieana, or I’ma drag ya ass out of here.”
“Fuck you, Paige. You’re my sister, not my fucking mama. You ain’t gotta believe me, but I’m going to get to the bottom of it.”
I snatched up my bottle and walked out of the VIP area.
Maybe I was in my feelings and shouldn’t have come out tonight after seeing my dad.
I thought coming here would ease my troubled mind, but that proved to be a freaking bust. I was lashing out at the people I loved because my father had hurt my feelings.
I needed to get out of here and get some rest.
As I maneuvered through the crowd, I was too busy texting Marcus that I collided with someone, getting liquor spilled all over me.
“Damn it! You can’t see where you’re going?” I yelled, looking down at the brown stain on my three-hundred-dollar Givenchy blouse.
“My apologies. I got distracted.”
I looked up at the voice and wanted to curse his fine ass out, but his piercing dark eyes caught my tongue. He had me mesmerized, which had never happened to me before. It was almost as if he was hypnotizing me while we stared at one another.
Arie ... snap out of it.
“Here. Let me pay for my mistake.” He reached inside his Les Gianni jeans and slipped an Amex from the slot of his wallet. He extended the card to me as I finally shook from my haze.
“Do you always give your cards away to strangers?”
“I don’t, but for you I will.”
“I could take that card and max it out... Then what?”
He smirked. “You can’t max out a card that has no limit. Allow me to extend my apologies by paying for your dry cleaning... or shopping spree.”
My eyes perused him from head to toe. I could tell he wasn’t just some typical hood booger.
He had an aura about him that whispered he was a boss in his own right.
His hair was cut low but threaded from his scalp like thick silk.
His Les Gianni three-button collared shirt and denim jeans rested gracefully on his medium-built frame.
Trailing my eyes further down, I couldn’t tell which bulge was bigger—the money roll or his dick.
“You’re staring at me like you want to fuck me and kill me. That ain’t gon’ solve the problem, mama. Either take the card or move around.”
“Or kill you... that option doesn’t sound too bad.”
“You wouldn’t make it out of this club alive, shorty. Let’s not throw out empty threats. I’d hate to have to hurt such a beautiful woman.”
I laughed. Loud. “You know what... I like you, so I’m going to let you walk away. I don’t want nor need your money, nigga. With the way I’m feeling, you better be glad I’m walking away instead of putting one in your big-ass forehead. Enjoy the rest of your night.”
I bumped him as I headed to my office to get my shit and leave. I was over tonight. I just hoped that spending Mother’s Day with my mom tomorrow would make me feel better.