Story #2
Halo closed his eyes with a smirk and I smirked too. His hair was still full, long, jet black and healthy.
“Whatever tramp you have doing your hair has been doing a good job.” I snarled.
“Not a tramp but an actual stylist. I’ve been going to Crown of Braids, Naomi does it.”
I was taken back by him telling me that. “Oh. They are a good place. I met them at the braid expo last summer.”
“Greek found them on-line for me. His big head ass told me he wasn’t about to stop coming here but he’d find a good braider for me.”
“I’ve been doing his hair.” I let him know.
Halo’s hand squeezed my ass cheeks right when I massaged conditioner in his hair.
“I know and I wanted to kill him.”
I laughed, “Halo, I would never, ever do anything with your brothers.”
His eyes opened. “I know that boo, I trust you and my brothers fully. I was just mad because you did his hair and not mine.”
His confession made us both lose words for a few minutes. The Weekend was the only thing heard.
“I told Dallas we had to stop hooking up.”
His sentence made me stop mid-protein treatment. “Why?”
“I been hoeing around including with her. I allowed Dallas to go around saying that I was her man but that was never true. I never moved like I had a girl after you even with my fuck up. Seeing you at Tapper’s made me realize what I want.”
As I massaged his scalp. I looked in his eyes. “Halo, it’s been so long, we ended terribly---
“I know that Story and on my parent’s grave I apologize about that. I never meant to hurt you boo, never. I ain’t blamin’ the alcohol and edibles but it played a part. My mind was overthinking when it came to us and I had a moment of fucked up judgment.”
This was the last thing I wanted to talk about but screw it. We were here so I might as well.
“Halo you do not need to keep apologizing. It makes me angry that you were so insecure about us just because I did not say that I loved you back. I just wasn’t ready, but I showed that I loved you.
You should have gotten out of your own damn head and talked to me.
Not let some desperate thot slut temp you and win. ”
“She won a damn nut Story. That ain’t shit she could ever be proud of. It’s you that got me, even after three years.” He must have gotten mad at my last sentence. Because his face twisted up and he gripped my waist hard.
I exhaled and said, “What do you want from me Halo?” I started rinsing his hair out.
His big hands caressed up and down my back. “You Story, I want you.”
I stood up because I was done with his hair at the wash bowl. “That’s a big step and I do not know if we can get our old thing back again. I need time and to trust you Halo.”
“I can get with that if you tell me we can get back in touch with each other.”
When I turned the water off, I wrapped the towel tightly and he stood up. His height was inches above mine and when he looked down at me, I wanted to climb him like a tree.
“You know I am not taking no for an answer Story. Remember how I was when we broke up. I’ll be worse now cause’ you are what I want. I’ll do whatever but leave you alone. I just can’t boo.”
I chuckled, “I promise you are crazy.”
All he did was shrug his shoulders. Halo walked to my chair and took his phone out of his pocket before he sat down. “Here.”
I took his phone but was confused.
“Unlock it and put your number in. It’s still the same code as before.”
“Excuse me sir but I never said you can have my number.”
“Stop fuckin’ with me Story.”
The fact that I remembered it was funny. I put my number in and gave him his phone back.
“We are just friends Halo.” I let him know then started sectioning off his hair so I could blow dry it.
“I know boo, I know.” His smirk on his face told me that he thought I was bluffing.
Really, I did not know what I was doing but I knew that Halo had a lot of work to do for me to trust him again.
After I blow dried his hair, he shared with me that he told Greek and Golden about his trauma.
I was speechless and got emotional when he told me their reaction.
I then let him know how proud of him I was.
**
“My best friend! Heyyy!” Siren greeted me with a big hug when I arrived.
Tonight, it was her and Blake’s housewarming party. I arrived thirty minutes after it started because I had a client whose style took a little longer than anticipated.
“Heyyy! Give me a tour! Give me a tour!” I hugged Siren back and requested.
She grabbed my hand and happily showed me around. Their house was a wide ranch-style house that Siren said was 3,300 square feet. There were two full bathrooms with an aluminum fenced backyard. Their furniture was set to be delivered tomorrow and the next day.
“Siren this house is breathtaking! I am so happy for you and Blake! I can’t believe you two are here.” I happily congratulated her after the tour.
I noticed more people were arriving, but it wasn’t overly crowded. Blake had a giant Bluetooth speaker playing music and a lot of catered food along with drinks in kitchen. Siren told me they rented chairs and tables for the party.
“I still wake up next to her and have disbelief on my face. But I love her so much and just want to continue being with her.”
As she talked, I felt an arm wrap around my neck then a kiss was planted on the side of my head. I knew who that was.
“Hi best friend.” I smiled and spoke to Hendrix.
“Sup best friend. This house nice as shit, ain’t it?”
“It is. I was just congratulating her. Karter here?” I asked him.
Hendrix used his finger and pointed to my left. I saw Karter talking to Blake, he waved at us and handed her two big gift bags.
“Y’all staying the night with us?” Siren asked Hendrix.
“You know it.”
I shook my head laughing because their arrangement was always humorous to me. Siren looked at him with a pleased and sensual kind of look. I cleared my throat loudly and they laughed.
“What’s up with you and the joke ass nigga you were with. He stopped calling you from different numbers yet?” Hendrix asked me.
I told him and Siren about Keanu and his wife. I even told them about the pregnancy and me deciding to abort it in Arizona. Hendrix was ready to hunt him down and kick his ass. But I did not want him to waste his time.
I promised Hendrix and Siren that I would never be with him again. Keanu tried to communicate with me, but I blocked him every single time. There was nothing he could say that would explain his reason for being married with a child and not telling me.
“It’s been two days and nothing. I hope it means that he’s gotten the hint that I do not want him at all.”
“Glad to hear that because I ain’t tryna catch a case but you know I will.” Hendrix reminded me.
“Me too.” Siren added.
“I would never want that for y’all. Keanu is out of the picture.”
“And Halo is back in?” Siren asked with a slick smirk on her face.
Ever since I told them about Tapper’s they had so many jokes. Hendrix was not feeling it at first, but Blake ended up talking to him. I was not there but Siren told me a little about it. Hendrix did not want to fight Halo as much anymore.
“Halo is not back in. I just don’t hate him as much.” I bashfully admitted.
“Y’all women are too up and down for me.” Hendrix joked then he kissed the side of my head again. His arm unwrapped from around my neck and we went over to Karter and Blake.
“Speak of the devil and his two brothers.” Siren said and she motioned her head behind me.
I turned around and the Stone brothers walked inside of the house. The three of them would make anyone stop in the middle of whatever they were doing. You just had to look at them and all the fine ass glory.
They had swag, the clothes they wore made a statement even if they were basic jeans and hoodie. Three different shades of chocolate. Everyone spoke to them. They each had gifts in their hands, and they sat them on the table with the rest of them.
I rushed off to the kitchen so I could get a slush margarita from the machine. Halo looked good and I needed to calm myself down. Those infamous braids had a purple bandana tied around them.
It matched his long purple sleeve shirt and black vest he wore. The black jeans and black boots. It had been four days since he came to the salon.
We texted a lot and talked on the phone at night. It felt like we were dating although I kept telling myself that we were only friends. He never pressured me about anything. Halo just lets us flow. I do not know why I have a ball of nerves in my stomach now.
“Can I have some.” His deep voice wrapped around me.
I faced him with a small smile. “Ew. I don’t know where your mouth been.”
He laughed, “Shut’cho ass up. Why you tryna hide from me?”
“Ain’t nobody hiding from you Halo! I’m thirsty and was waiting for the kitchen to clear out.”
We both knew I was lying but he did not tease me about it. He just took my drink out of my hand and drunk some.
“It’s yours now.” I told him then picked up another cup.
“I wish the fuck you would act like that towards me. I ain’t no nasty nigga.” He angrily drunk some more, filled it back up and handed me the cup.
“You used to be my sweet Halo that did what I said.” I joked with him.
“I still am but you about to stop playing with me. Did they show you around the house?”
“Yes. Siren did, I love it so much. Can you believe the two of them are homeowners now!” I gleefully pointed out. “I remember Siren telling me about the crush she had on Blake.”
“Shits crazy. Blake used to tell me how she was feelin’ Siren too. I’m glad they are doing their thang. We’ll be like them soon.”
My lips twisted up and I drunk more of the margarita. “I don’t like you like that no more Halo.”
“I know you don’t like me. You fuckin’ love me just like I love you.”
“I’m not about to go there with you Halo. Can we just get back to the party?” I hoped he agreed.