Story #2
I was talking to a guy and Golden of all people blocked it. The guy went to go get me a drink and he just disappeared. Golden walked up to me and told me to make better choices. I had no clue what he was talking about until he handed me the drink I was waiting for.
I put two and two together, cussed him out then went and told Greek. He and I had a closer relationship and he was the oldest. He took charge over a lot of things. But all he did was look at Golden and ask him if he made a mess and Golden said no.
If it wasn’t got Siren I would have made a scene. After that, I added the two to my list of people who needed to stay away from me. Since then, we have not had any problems, mostly because no one knew I was seeing anyone. Lastly, Keanu told me he was a jeweler, but I do not think it’s true.
I know jewelers can make a good living but they way he has business all kinds of days and through the night. I just did not believe him, also. One night I stayed the night at his house and one of his ‘business partners came by and something urgent he needed Keanu for.
He told me to stay tight, and he’d be back in a few hours. I could ask him about it, but for some reason I did not want to. That type of conversation would open the door to more commitment, and I feared that.
Something I’d never say out loud is, I wasn’t over Halo. I despised myself for missing him and our relationship up until he ruined it. The way my heart felt when I was around him. Our connection linked us together like one person.
Even though we ended the way we did. The relationship showed me that I wanted that feeling again. Was it with Keanu, I highly doubt it. From the evidence I just shared and because of something I was hiding from him and everyone.
Regan came back with our food. We ate together and played a few games. I think Pixie and Jesse wanted us here more than we wanted to be. I adored my siblings.
**
The next day.
“Okay Story. Your urine and blood test came back positive as pregnant. The vaginal swab and STD blood test results will not be back until tomorrow. I’ll have my nurse call you and if you want, she can tell you over the phone or you can come in.”
I laid back on the examine table and blew out of my mouth. I knew something was up with me. When I kept going to the bathroom and missed my period. I took a home pregnancy test and it came back positive. Coming back home to Arizona came just in time for me to make an appointment at the clinic.
Keanu was the first guy I slept with since Halo.
The one damn time we did not have a condom this happened.
One time! It did not sit well with me, so I made sure to keep condoms handy whenever I was around him.
Now I am in a clinic being told that I was carrying his child.
I never should have gotten off birth control.
“Based on when you told me your last period. I’d say you are five weeks, if you need time to---”
“I’m sorry to cut you off but I don’t need to think anything over. I want an abortion right now. And if I can get on birth control before I leave that would be great too.”
There was not a thing to think about. I wasn’t ready to be a mother and I for sure did not want Keanu as my child’s father. We haven’t been together that long, and a child was a lifetime commitment.
“Well, you seem sure of your decisions so we can proceed. There are two options for you when it comes to terminating the pregnancy.” The doctor went into explaining.
I decided to take the pill. It would take 24 to 48 hours for the termination to be completed. I’d start bleeding and cramping. The doctor had some heavy pads for me and hospital underwear for me.
I went and changed into them then drove home. Pixie let me use her car after I told her that I was going to visit old friends. I’d blame my cramps and bleeding on my period, so I wasn’t worried about that. All I knew was, pain or not, I could oversee that and knew my body would get back to normal.
But I do not regret my decision to get rid of this baby.
Nor was I ever telling Keanu, there was no reason to.
I was now on birth control and about to be very careful with how I behaved.
It’s not just about this pregnancy. I did not need to have any kind of STD at all or that I could not get rid of.
**
“I hope you know that there will be an after-hour charge for my services.” I let Hendrix know.
He laughed, “I’ll Cash App you on the 31st of February.” He and I laughed together that time.
I was on the last braid of his hair. Hendrix grew his hair out a year and a half ago and it was now at the end of his neck. Of course, he only wanted me to do his individuals. He came over to my place so I could wash his hair then do it. Hendrix payment was food and drinks which were fine by me.
“Karter works tonight?”
“Yeah, which is cool with me because when I leave here, I gotta meet with my cousin. We have a shipment coming in and that’ll take a few hours. By the time I’m done he’ll be off work.”
I picked up the Blue Magic grease so I could put some on his scalp. “What do you got planned for tomorrow? And don’t say work.”
“If you knew the answer then why on earth did you ask?” I snickered.
“Because if you’re not doing hair then you are grocery shopping or here chilling. That ain’t cool Story. You almost twenty-two and have the life of a fifty-year-old.”
“I do not!” I playfully shoved him.
“You do! I’m about to show up on your doorstep with a piece of dick just for you to fuck on!”
I fell back on the couch cracking up at him. “So dramatic! Hendrix, I do not need you to do that.”
He got serious, “For real Story, I need you to be good.”
“And I am Hendrix, I promise.”
His hair was finished and while he looked it over in the mirror, I started cleaning up the hair products I used.
“In fact, I have been seeing someone for a while now.” I admitted because I did not like how worried he was about me.
“For a while!? Like how long?! Who is he?!”
“See. This is why I did not say anything to anyone. Y’all would want to know all about him and I’m not ready.”
He put the mirror down and stood up from the chair. I stopped him when he took a knot of money out of his pocket.
“Ya’ damn right we’d want to know about him. Muthafuckas are wacked out today and I gotta make sure you straight.”
I put the top on the curl mouse then said, “Hendrix I love you and Siren. But y’all do not have to investigate anyone.
I swear, when I am ready, I’ll tell you all about him.
Meanwhile, please do not tell Siren. Or Karter because that is like telling Siren.
No one knows, not even Regan. Juts let me feel the relationship out more. ”
Hendrix didn’t want to agree to it, but he ended up respecting what I asked. It was nine at night and I walked him to the door. Once he was gone, I went to reheat the rest of my food up and got ready to eat in my bed. I poured a glass of Stella Rose wine and took my food in my bedroom.
My friends and sister assumed I was miserable because I was home more than often.
But I kept reminding them that I wasn’t.
This was my first time living alone and I loved decorating it.
I could walk around naked if I wanted to.
Instead of putting a movie on I started the show Modern Family, and I was on season 3.
My phone went off on my nightstand. It was the alert for my appointment calendar. I had a last-minute cancellation this morning, so I posted it on social media.
“No way.” I said when I saw who took the slot and the deposit was sent after. I screenshot it and text it to Siren then Regan.
Big sister: (sent a bunch of laughing emojis) I mean, I banned one of the three brothers so he’s not wrong.
Siren: Bet you won’t be telling him no and returning his deposit!
I smacked my lips and decided to ignore them.
Then I went and looked at the filled slot again.
The name stared back at me, and I started to cancel it.
But nope, I decided to keep it. He tips big and I’m not saying no to money.
I finished my food, drunk my wine and watched five episodes then fell asleep.
**
“You look beautiful tonight, Story. I knew that dress would fit you.” Keanu complimented me while we were at dinner.
“Thank you, I must say that I like your taste. The dress, the shoes, you even paid for my hair and make-up. I feel extremely special.”
He had a dress and shoes delivered to my place along with the conformation to a makeup artist and hairstylist. The women came to my house and got me all the way together.
The dress wasn’t fully my taste, but it fit me good and I liked the color.
My hair style and make-up were selected for me by him.
The only thing I changed was the lipstick. I was not a fan of red lipstick and wasn’t about to become one tonight. My hair style was an updo French roll with curls hanging around my face. A little old school for me but Keanu kept calling it classically sexy.
“The goal is to make sure you always feel sexy. I know work has kept me busy these past few weeks, so I wanted to make it up to you. How was work?”
“Funny thing happened. I had a client cancel on me, so I posted it on my Instagram. Last night the slot was filled by my ex-boyfriend’s brother.
” I laughed as I continued. “I hadn’t been around him since my best friend’s birthday.
Anyway, I did his hair, and it wasn’t as awkward as I assumed.
He could be a bit----” I stopped when Keanu put his fork down and held his hand up.
“Let me get this straight. I will roll out the works for you to look perfect for me tonight. As a gesture to show you that I want to spend time with you. Only for you to sit across from me in this elegant restaurant and tell me that you did the hair of your ex-boyfriend’s brother.
What makes you think any of that would be acceptable let alone funny to me? ”