15 #2
She was young at the time but she’d seen her father’s mood change in a matter of seconds, so she knew how it went.
She also remembered that it didn’t take much for it to happen.
“Nothing much. I saw some of our cousins post on IG saying that this was the place to be. I just decided to swing on y’all to see what was up.”
“Just grillin’, boilin’ and sippin’. You been laying low for the past few weeks, huh?”
“Yeah, just getting my mind right,” he replied, making Sade laugh.
“It’s gon’ take more than a few weeks for that,” she mumbled as she continued to cackle. Caprice regretted not letting her leave when she wanted to. There were certain things that triggered him and his mental health was at the top of that list.
“What?” Trent asked as he looked at her and frowned.
“She’s just being goofy.” Caprice frowned at Sade, letting her know that she was doing too much. “What’s been up with you, cousin?”
“Ain’t shit, still waiting to hit up the bar with you like you promised.”
“What bar? Dot’s?” Sade nosily questioned.
“Yeah. You be in there too?” Trent asked while looking at her.
“All the time. I can roll with you whenever you’re ready.”
Sade smirked as she gave Caprice a knowing look.
She was ready to see some action and, truthfully, so was Caprice.
She was sure that Clover and Diva were laughing at her knowing that Monty was more than likely trying to get back with Iva.
Hell, she was sure that Amina was probably laughing with them but it was all good.
Caprice was gonna make sure that she had the last laugh.
Iva’s eyes popped open and was met by complete darkness.
The clock that illuminated on her wall let her know that it was a little after five that morning.
She got home after two and went straight to the shower.
Amina and Fonzo’s reception was lit and she was tipsy as hell.
She was thankful that she didn’t drive and even more thankful for the transportation that Hank provided for everyone.
Iva’s body felt weighed down to the bed but her mouth felt like it was full of cotton.
Her throat felt so dry that it hurt. As tired as she was, she knew that she wouldn’t be able to rest until she got something to drink.
Iva felt around in the darkness until she found the switch to the lamp that sat on her night stand.
As soon as she turned it on, she almost died on the spot.
“Ahhhh!” Iva screamed and kicked her legs wildly, trying to remove the cover and run. She ended up getting twisted in the oversized blanket instead.
“Stop all that damn screaming. It ain’t like you can do shit all wrapped up like a blunt.” Monty helped her untangle herself from the blanket.
“Damont! What the hell are you doing here?” Iva rarely called him by his real name, so he knew that she had to be scared or upset. Maybe it was a little of both.
“Here, I know you’re thirsty.” Monty held up a bottle of water.
He remembered always having to get up in the middle of the night to get her something to drink when they lived together.
He always fussed at her about it and it seemed as if nothing had changed.
When he got there, that was the first thing that he did.
“How did you get in here Monty?”
“The real question is why didn’t you ever change the locks?” He smirked while holding up the house key that he never returned.
Iva turned her head, not wanting him to see the look in her eyes.
She and Monty knew each other well. She always hoped that he’d use his key again but she never really thought that it would actually happen.
She lived in the same condo that they once shared, and that’s why she never even entertained the idea of moving.
“Thanks.” Iva grabbed the water and drank it in hopes of not having to answer his question.
Monty caught what she was doing, but he wasn’t having it. He waited until the water bottle was empty before he grabbed her face and made her look in his eyes. “Nah, answer my question. Stop always running from shit that you don’t wanna discuss.”
“I’m not running from nothing. I just never changed the locks. It’s no big deal.” Iva shrugged as she laid down and pulled the covers over her semi-clothed body.
“Yeah, I hear you.” Monty sat back down and admired her short, sexy frame in her belly shirt and thong.
He stared at Iva, hoping that he could find the courage to say what he wanted to say.
He had never been the shy type, but Iva always made him feel like an inexperienced school boy.
He had no problem telling a female what was on his mind, but she was different.
He chose his words carefully and always had.
“You still didn’t answer my question. What are you doing here?” Iva stared right back at him, awaiting an answer.
“Real shit, I miss you, baby, and I’m ready to come back home.” Monty finally said what he’d been wanting to say for months. His heart was beating at a dangerous pace and he prayed that he didn’t get rejected. He waited with bated breath for her to say something, but she never did.
Instead, she pulled the covers back, welcoming him into the bed that they once shared.
A bed that he barely got to sleep in before he got locked up.
Still, everything in the home felt so familiar, including his present company.
Monty stripped down to his boxers right before he turned off the light and snuggled up next to her, pulling her closer.
He started kissing the back of her neck right as his phone rang on the nightstand beside him.
He already knew who it was and so did Iva.
“I’m not in the business of sharing a nigga,” Iva noted.
“You never had to share me and you never will.” Monty silenced his ringer and turned the phone off. He pulled Iva on top of him and inhaled the scent that he’d been missing for years.
Caprice looked at her phone and frowned as she drove.
Monty declined her call and all the others went straight to voicemail.
It was cool though because she was on her way to wherever he was.
She’d already passed by Dot’s bar but his car was gone.
Granted, she knew that Monty didn’t want her anymore.
Hell, he probably never did. Even still, he always came home every night, even if he didn’t sleep in the bed or room with her.
“The fuck is this nigga at?” Caprice asked herself as she tracked Monty’s location to an area that she wasn’t very familiar with.
It almost looked like something out of a Lifetime movie with all the lights and flower beds on every corner.
She followed the directions until she came up on something that looked like an expensive hotel.
It, too, was well lit with security out front, screening potential visitors.
The area was beautiful and looked to be exclusive.
Caprice looked around for Monty’s car but she didn’t see it.
The garage was enclosed and seemed to need a swipe card to enter or exit.
There were a few cars on the street, but she didn’t see his anywhere.
Caprice made the block and decided to look one more time.
If Monty was in the garage of the luxurious building, somebody must have swiped him in.
He must have been fucking with a boss bitch if she lived there.
Instead of driving past the parking area, Caprice drove a little closer and scanned the lot for Monty’s car.
It wouldn’t have been hard to find. Not too many yellow Corvettes were on the streets of New Orleans.
Caprice’s held swiveled back and forth like a bloodhound on someone’s trail.
She still didn’t see her man’s car but she did a doubletake when she saw another familiar vehicle.
Iva’s bronze-colored Lexus was parked in one of the assigned spots.
She had missed it the first time, but there was no mistaking the magnet that she had in her back window.
It was the salon’s name where she worked along with her social media info.
She had seen it enough times to know it by memory.
Caprice was hurt but not surprised. It was crazy, but she knew that Monty cheated all the time.
She just never wanted him to cheat with his ex.
There were a lot of old feelings, memories and love attached to it.
Something that she knew that she’d never be able to compete with.
Caprice didn’t spin the block like she did before; she just went down a different street and headed home.
Then, right there in plain sight was the yellow piece of machinery that she had been looking for.
With a shattered heart, Caprice prepared to stay up all night and pack up Monty’s clothes.
She was almost sure that he was gonna come home, but it wasn’t gonna be for good.
She had to pack up soon anyway since she wasn’t renewing the lease.
She decided that she’d save Monty the trouble and start with his shit first.