Chapter 34 Kevin
KEVIN
When I spotted Ava’s ex across the room, I almost spit my drink out, but I had to play it cool.
At first, I thought I was just seeing things, but when I noticed that dude staring in our direction, I took a closer look, and sure enough it was him.
Feeling the pressure rise from my feet up to my chest, I let out a long sigh.
“Kev, you cool?” Ava asked then turned to look in the direction I was looking in.
By the time she realized dude was headed our way, I was already standing up out of my seat.
“Shit ‘bout to go down,” I growled.
“What the hell!” I heard Dawn say then Ava addressed Justin once he made it to our table.
I could not believe the audacity of dude.
Then to have his boyfriend I heard about him fucking on was just appalling.
When I heard Dawn say something about the dude Tate, I instantly knew that was who he was with.
I knew that it wasn’t Ava’s friend Shane because I had seen pictures of her and Shane that Ava had previously shown me before.
Standing there with my fist clinched, closed tightly at my side, I tried my best to let Ava handle the situation.
But something in me just snapped, and before I knew it, I had dude in the air by his neck ready to break it in half. I was so pissed.
To say that I flashed out would be an understatement.
I flashed ALL the way out! He was lucky that Ava had shown me the paper of her test results.
The day that she told me about what had happened, I was deemed speechless.
I could not believe that dude had taken her through all of that shit.
Then to put her life in jeopardy being selfish caused a deep-rooted hatred to flow through my veins toward him.
I made sure that with every blow I sent to his head, it contained all the anger, hurt, and pain that he put Ava through back to him.
That ass whoopin’ in my opinion was long overdue, and I wouldn’t have let up if it wasn’t for Ava. Somehow, Troy had backed me off of dude, and when there was enough room between him and I, Ava stepped in front of me and grabbed my hands.
“Kev, that’s enough,” she said, looking directly into my eyes, and I could see that she was upset. “Let’s just go, please!” I couldn’t deny her of that respect.
The whole time, dude was walking away talking mad shit, and had it not been for Ava, there would have been no stopping me.
They didn’t want me to go back inside because I was the one that got physical first by carrying dude out by the throat.
One of the waiters let me close out my tab from outside.
Ava and Dawn were able to go back inside I think to get their purses or phones Troy told me once the waiters walked off.
“Cuz, what the fuck, man?” Troy asked as he stood next to me, away from the entrance.
“I already know,” I mumbled.
“Man, I almost forgot you had that shit in you!” Troy chuckled.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Kickin’ ass is something I’ma always be a beast at.”
“Dog, when was the last time you got into a physical ass brawl like that?” Troy laughed. “Eight, nine, ten years ago?” he asked.
“Something like that,” I agreed. “You know I have changed ‘cause the old Kevin would have ended up in jail. Dude deserved that shit. I probably shouldn’t have gone there like that here, but I couldn’t believe the shit.”
“Facts!” Troy said giving me dap.
Back in my day, I was a little out of control.
I had a temper and was quick to snap, but I grew up and out of that phase.
Over the years, I had toned down quite a bit.
But dude took me out of my character tonight.
When Ava and Dawn walked up to us, Troy put his arm around Dawn then smiled at Ava.
I knew he was about to start with the shit talking.
I knew that they were both pissed, but Ava looked more hurt.
When she walked up to me, I held my hand out so that she could take it. I figured if she didn’t take and hold my hand in response that I had messed up. But if she took my hand and held it, she wasn’t upset or hurt by me.
“What have you done to my cousin?” Troy asked Ava as we all headed toward valet parking, which was on the other side of the building. “Boy, he really likes you, Ava.”
“I can’t believe he just popped up on us like that,” Ava responded, not answering Troy’s question.
“His dumb ass is probably stalking you,” Dawn said. “How else would he have known you were here?”
“I have no idea how he knew. I am so embarrassed!” Ava responded.
“There’s no need for you to feel embarrassed. If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be dude. Even me if I’m being honest,” I said. “I probably shouldn’t have snatched dude up like that in there, but I couldn’t take any more.”
“It’s not your fault, Kev,” Ava said.
“Damn right it ain’t his fault!” Dawn agreed, causing us all to chuckle. “Kev, you whooped that ass! He deserved that shit and much more as far as I’m concerned.”
“I hope dude don’t become a recurring issue,” Troy said.
“Kinda like your baby mama,” Dawn said, and I wouldn’t have laughed if Ava hadn’t laughed at it first.
“Ouch! That was a low blow,” Troy said, pulling Dawn closer to him. “That wasn’t very nice to say.”
“I couldn’t help that one,” Dawn responded. The valet pulled up in Dawn’s car first. “Welp, it’s been fun lady and gents,” Dawn said, handing the driver a tip.
“Thanks for coming, sis,” Ava said. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“No problem! I wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to celebrate your divorce no matter what was going on,” Dawn responded, giving Ava a hug.
“See you later, Dawn,” I said, giving her a head nod. “Drive safely.”
“Aye, pull to the side ‘til my ride comes so I can follow you,” Troy said to Dawn.
Getting into her car, she did as Troy asked while the rest of us waited for the valet to come back.
“I’m glad you guys got the chance to talk,” Ava said then continued. “And I appreciate you for coming out to celebrate with us. Even though I know you really came for Dawn, we still cool,” she joked.
“Ah, it ain’t even like that.” Troy laughed, giving Ava a hug. “Congrats on the divorce though. From the looks of things, it’s good you moved on from that.”
“Thanks.” Ava chuckled, shaking her head.
“Alright, cuz!” Troy said, giving me dap. “I owe you one. Next double date is on me. Just let me know when, Holyfield,” he joked, causing us all to laugh.
“You stupid, dude.” I laughed as I noticed my truck pulling up. “That’s us, come on, pretty lady.” Taking Ava’s hand again, I led her to the passenger’s side. Closing her door, I walked to the driver’s side. “Alright, cuz, hit me up later.”
Getting in, I shut the door then pulled off. When we drove by Dawn’s car, I honked then proceeded out of the parking lot on the main road.
“You okay?” I asked, glancing at Ava.
“Yeah, I’m okay. I just feel bad that had to happen.”
“Bad for dude?”
“Just bad period. That was embarrassing as hell. Bob Chinn’s is one of my favorite places to go, and now I will never be able to go back.”
“Shit, that’s a lie!” I clarified. “That ain’t about to stop me from coming back. And you shouldn’t let it stop you either!” I laughed, causing her to laugh also.
“I wonder how he knew where I was.”
“It could have been a chance meeting, you never know. When I first noticed dude, he was staring so hard that it made it hard not to see him. Do you think that he will try showing up to your place?”
“I don’t know. I hope not. I wish Dawn’s neighbor wouldn’t have told him where I lived. That was foul as hell because it wasn’t his business.”
“Yeah, that wasn’t cool. You still want to chill for a little longer or nah?”
“Yeah, I’m not going to let that ruin my night. I’m glad Dawn and I went back inside to get doggie bags. They had them ready by the time we got inside.”
“I bet they did.” I laughed. “They wanted us out of there pronto,” I joked.
“That’s a shame!” Ava laughed.
“So, do you want to go back to my place or yours?” I asked.
I wanted her to know that my place was an option for us to go and chill as well.
“We can go to mine,” she responded. “I need to get out of this romper.”
“Mmm…hmm,” I mumbled at the thought of her taking her clothes off. “Don’t threaten me with a good time! This might be too much for you, lil’ lady,” I joked but was serious.
“Oh, stop it!” Ava said. “You know you crazy.”
“I’m for real, though. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but I’m pretty blessed.”
“Oh, lawd! Get your mind out the gutter, Kevin!” Ava giggled playing it off, but she always played it off whenever I’d flirt with her.
Heading to her house, we continued to talk about the fight and Justin. I figured she needed to get it all out of her system, so I listened while she vented as I drove to her house.