Chapter 15 #3
I can meet you there.
His reply was quick.
Nah, it’s late. Go home. I won’t be long.
Oh, he thinks I’m dumb. I got something for that.
K, text me when you’re on the way.
You got it, shawty.
Joi locked her phone with her mind going a mile a minute, thinking the worst. He was at the shop with a female, or hell, he wasn’t even at the shop.
He was somewhere with one of the Silly Hoe Thirst Crew members doing God knows what.
I know exactly what. Doing what he did to me last night and this morning.
Joi shut her eyes and clutched her phone, but she wasn’t allowed to sit with her thoughts long because a few minutes later, the door unlocked and she heard voices.
Happy voices. Vega and Nyelle walked through the door looking all content and booed up, which only pissed Joi off even more.
At the rate things were playing out, Joi wasn’t ever going to have happiness or contentment with a relationship.
“Sorry, we’re so late.” Nyelle looked right at Joi and sensed something was off. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“Joi, are you mad because we’re so late?” Nyelle felt bad. She had planned to get back earlier, but she got lost in being with Vega and time slipped away.
“Shit, that’s my fault. I shouldn’t have kept her so long.” Vega’s eyes moved between the two women, hoping things were good.
“No, I promise it’s not that. You know I don’t mind. Stop tripping. Nick was fine. He’s knocked out. I ate all your snacks, and now I’m going home,” Joi joked, flashing them both a smile.
Vega chuckled, fooled by the front she put on, but Nyelle knew her girl.
“I’m gonna walk her out. Can you give me a minute before you go?”
“Do your thing. I appreciate you letting me have some time with your girl, Joi. I owe you.”
After collecting her purse and keys, Joi smirked at Vega. “Yes, you do, and I will be holding on to that favor.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Damn, that sounds like I just set myself up.”
“That’s facts, sir.”
Joi headed to the door with Nyelle right on her heels. Once they were outside, Nyelle pulled the door closed.
“Please tell me you’re not mad at me. I really am sorry.”
“Girl, no. It’s not you. It’s East’s stupid ass.” Joi rolled her eyes.
“He messing up already?”
“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out. I’m damn sure not about to waste any more time on a man not worth it.”
“I agree. If he’s playing, cancel the game, Joi, real shit. I don’t care how fine he is or how dizzy the dick made you.” Nyelle grinned at her girl, hoping to get her to smile, and it worked.
“I hate you.”
“I hate you too.” Nyelle blew Joi a kiss. “Text me to let me know you made it home.”
“Why, so you can ignore it because the dick has you dizzy?” Joi was already heading toward the elevator but looked over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at Nyelle, who shot her bird before heading back inside. Vega lifted his eyes from his phone once Nyelle was inside again.
“She good?”
“Yep.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, she’s fine, but it's late, so you probably should be going.” Nyelle had enjoyed her evening with Vega and didn’t necessarily want him to leave, but she knew it was dangerous for him to stay.
She was weak for this man already. The more time she spent around him, in his presence and under his spell, the more addicted she became.
“You’re right.” Vega didn’t move and neither did Nyelle.
They simply stood, staring at each other with only a few feet separating them, tortured by the fact that neither of them wanted to make the final call to end the evening.
Vega was the first to move, reaching for Nyelle and bringing her into his personal space then wrapping her into a hug.
“Tonight was different, but in a good way. Thank you.”
“Why are you thanking me?” Nyelle grinned and tilted her head back so she could take him in.
“Because you’re showing me different versions of myself and I like what I see.
I like who I am with you. Got a real one blushing and shit.
” Vega’s smile prompted one from Nyelle just before he delivered a kiss so perfect that they both found themselves so lost in the feeling.
Neither of them realized they weren’t alone until the sound of a gun chambering caused them to separate.
“Swear ’fore God, if you don’t back the fuck up, I’m gonna blow your fucking brains all over this damn condo.”
The sound of another male voice and the sight of a Desert Eagle aimed at his head made Vega force Nyelle behind him and reach for his piece seconds later, returning the favor.
He and Reese both had guns loaded, aimed, and fingers on the trigger.
The promise of death radiating from both men as they stared each other down.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Nyelle yelled, stepping between the two men, not caring that either had a gun.
She knew for sure that Vega wouldn’t shoot her, and no matter how pissed Reese was after witnessing her kiss another man, he wouldn’t either.
“I pay the bills here. Why the fuck wouldn’t I be here?” Reese’s tone was clipped as he responded to Nyelle through clenched teeth but kept his eyes on Vega.
“Don’t you dare try to pull that shit. You don’t live here, Reese.”
It wasn’t until then that his eyes made it to Nyelle.
“Oh, so I’m not here, and you got muthafuckers up in here with you and my son at two in the morning?
You must have lost your damn mind. This is still my house whether I sleep here or not, and that is my son, Ny.
I thought you knew better. Who the fuck is he?
Vega chuckled, unbothered. He could see right through the bullshit. “Don’t ask her shit about me when I’m standing right here. You want to know something, go straight to the source.”
Reese gritted his teeth and lifted his eyes to Vega. He was met with a smug grin. His finger was itching to pull back and he likely would have had he not heard that voice.
“Daddy?”
Nyelle’s heart dropped into a panic when she heard her son’s voice. At that point, she didn’t give a fuck about Vega or Reese. All she could think about was Nick and getting him away from both of their crazy asses while praying both were man enough to put him ahead of their egos.