5. Lavani
“Dang, Vani. I mean I like him but already?” Lo asked as I placed a pair of folded leggings into a duffel bag.
I had been back from Antigua for two days.
I hadn’t seen Darius because we both had to get back to the money.
Before we left Antigua, however, we decided that I would move in with him.
He gave me the money to pay booth rent in a salon to do braids because he didn’t want people coming to his house, and I respected that.
I already knew my parents were going to talk shit, but I didn’t expect it from Lo.
I picked up a shirt and gave her a pointed look.
“I’m there all the time anyway. What’s the point of running back and forth?”
“Because it is kind of soon. You and him don’t even really know each other for real. You’re still in the honeymoon phase, and I think it’s too soon for you to move in with him.”
“Girl,” I frowned at her. “Please tell me since when you started listening to or sounding like ma and dad. Everything they tell you goes in one ear and out the other.”
“Because I’m not repeating ma and dad. I’m telling you what I think.”
“Well, I didn’t really ask for opinions. I know what I want to do. Ma and daddy told me this isn’t a revolving door, and I get that. So, I’ll be stacking my bread. If me and Darius don’t work, I’ll just get my own place.”
Lo pushed out a sigh because she knew my mind was made up.
Since I had been dealing with Darius, I had $6,000 in the bank from money that he gave me and money from braiding hair.
I should have had double that, but I was going crazy in the mall and shopping online.
Darius handed me money like it was nothing, and I spent money like it was nothing.
My parents noticed all my new expensive things and were giving me the side eye.
I’m sure they thought Darius and I were doing a lot for a braider and a barber.
They weren’t slow by far, but I think they were past the point of lectures.
I was at the point in my life where they were probably going to do less talking and just let me fuck around and find out.
It was cool though. I was ready to live life on my own terms. I didn’t want to keep sneaking shopping bags into the house and explaining every time Darius took me to a fancy steakhouse or out of the country.
Yes, he sold drugs, but he was an adult, and so was I.
“Don’t move in with him and start acting brand new,” she mumbled like she really thought I would forget about her.
“Stop being dramatic,” I laughed. “I’m going to be around a lot.
You can come keep me company any time. You can even come to the shop with me while I braid hair.
I’ll throw you a few dollars to clean up the space for me or something.
Girl, I’m still going to see you all the time.
When you’re not busy with Tyriq.” I gave her a knowing smirk.
Just the mention of his name made her blush causing me to shake my head.
“You got it bad for that lil’ nappy headed boy.”
“I know you aren’t talking. Tyriq is cool, but I’m about to fall back a little.
At first, I was making excuses for him because he’s a hood nigga.
All he wants to do is smoke and chill. He never wants to go anywhere or do anything, and I was accepting that.
But Darius is a street nigga, and he has you everywhere from fancy steakhouses to Antigua.
I’m not letting a man do the bare minimum for me.
And it’s not like Tyriq is broke,” she frowned.
“That’s what I’m talking about!” Rushing over to Lo, I threw my arms around her and rocked our bodies from side to side.
“Bro, now who’s being dramatic?”
“I’m just saying know your worth. You get it, and I love that for you.
I know everyone thinks I’m all loved out over Darius, but I still have good sense.
If he starts acting up, I’m out. I’ve already been thinking he’ll be a tough act to follow because no man can come into my life after him and feed me crumbs. ”
“Period.”
With a chuckle, I went back to packing my things.
It was going to feel weird living anywhere else except my parents’ house, but it was time.
I was officially twenty-one, and I had a man that was ready and willing to take care of me.
Hell yes, I was going to keep braiding hair and stack my money.
If we ever broke up, I’d be straight off my own money.
I had a solid plan, and I refused to come back home with my tail tucked between my legs if things didn’t work out with me and Darius.
“You know ma and dad think as soon as you start living with Darius, you’re going to pop up pregnant.”
My nose scrunched. “No, I’m not. We’re both too busy for kids.
Being with a man with money put a battery in my back.
I don’t want to be put up and not work. I want to make money out the ass because I get to keep it all.
Spending his money feels good but seeing my own sitting pretty in my bank account feels better.
Nobody got time to be braiding hair with a baby tied to my back.
And I for sure don’t want to be traveling having to drink mocktails and water because I got knocked up.
Hell no. I have plenty of time for babies. ”
“And us spending the summer living our best lives before we lock in?” she gave me a disappointed look like I had ruined the plans.
“Bruh, dramatic!” I exclaimed. “Bossman D Low is coming next weekend, and Darius already asked me if I wanted to get a booth. You acting like I’m going to move in with him today and be barefoot, pregnant, and housebound tomorrow.”
Lo’s eyes widened. “Bossman D Low? Hoe why didn’t you tell me? Wait, if you get a booth can I come?”
“You’re really starting to piss me off,” I sucked my teeth.
“I’m waiting on him to confirm that he has it.
He actually is going to get two right beside each other, so him and his friends can occupy one, and we can occupy the other.
As soon as he tells me he has it, you’ll know because I’m going to send you some money to get a ‘fit. If I’m looking like money, you will be too. ”
“Period!”
I wasn’t sure why everyone was acting like I was going to move in with Darius and change.
He wasn’t one of those insecure niggas that wanted me hiding in the house not having fun.
He was down for me living my best life because he was living his.
He didn’t use money to try and control me.
I knew females that were ‘put up’ and their boyfriends wouldn’t let them work.
That was absolutely insane to me, but it was also none of my business.
I just couldn’t wait to show people that if I did change because of being with Darius that it would be for the better and not the worst.
“You said Hailey coming over here?” Azarius asked sucking weed smoke into his lungs while I twisted his locs.
“Don’t worry about what my friend is doing,” I joked. “You always trying to act like you not checking for her.”
“Mannnnn,” he laughed. “Darius is my brother, and you’re his lady. I don’t want beef with you, and that’s what will happen if Hailey calls herself trying to do whatever it is she be doing out here with these lame ass niggas. I’m not the one.” He hit the blunt again.
“Dang my girl be out here hurting feelings like that to the point where she has a reputation? Let me find out,” I marveled. “As far as I know all she does is match energy. Nothing more nothing less. Come at her on some funny shit, and she’s going to be hilarious,” I smirked.
“Umhm,” Azarius bobbed his head. “Her ass gon’ be laughing right with her head between the washer and the dryer.”
“Boy please. Your head might be between there before hers will.”
“That’s that shit I’m talking about,” he bobbed his head again.
Darius entered the room with his grey sweats sagging slightly on his waist, and a white shirt tossed over his shoulder.
In his hand was a plate of food. It was a chill Sunday.
I cooked then Azarius came by the house, so I could retwist his locs.
If he wasn’t there, I would have been walking around in a tank top and boy shorts, but I put on some sweats when he arrived.
I had been living with Darius for a week, and I was so giddy it was pathetic.
Waking up wrapped in his arms or waking up with him sliding into me from behind.
Him coming in the house at night and us just smoking a blunt and talking about our day as he counted money.
I was in love with all of it. The way he would lay his head in my lap when we were watching TV.
Hailey was going out with her sister later that night, and she wanted to borrow one of my purses.
It wasn’t any of Darius or Azarius’ business that she was going to borrow one of my bags, so I told them she was stopping by to get me to curl her hair.
Darius made it clear to me that he wasn’t trying to make the house feel like it wasn’t mine too, but he was strict about having company.
I didn’t take it personal because it made sense for him to be that way with the lifestyle that he lived.
So far, Lo, and Hailey were the only ones that had my address.
The app on his phone alerted Darius that someone was approaching the door. He stood up as Azarius passed me the blunt. As soon as Hailey rang the bell, Darius opened the door. “What up?” Darius bumped her fist with his as she walked in.
“Hey. Ewwww what is he doing here?” she joked when she saw Azarius.
“No need to cap Love. Seeing me has probably been the best thing to happen to you today.”
“Nigga please.” Hailey peered at the plate of food that Darius was devouring. “You cooked? Girl that smells good.”
“It’s good as fuck. Swear to God,” Darius shook his head.
“Yeah. I made plenty. You can get some. I saw a recipe for foil packs, and I been killing them joints. I did steak, potatoes, and broccoli today. Yesterday, I did salmon, potatoes, and corn.”
“You gon’ have my man ‘round here big as hell,” Azarius chuckled.
I passed the blunt to Hailey and shrugged. “It’ll be aight.”
When Hailey was done hitting the blunt, she went into the kitchen to get some food.
She had inquired about Azarius a few times because he was cute, single, and getting a little money.
But my girl wasn’t thirsty. He hadn’t asked for her number or tried to take her out, so she wasn’t flirting or doing the most in front of him.
He wasn’t the only fish in the sea or the city.
Hailey wasn’t a hoe. She didn’t sleep around, but she didn’t play with men either.
The first time they played in her face, she was gone.
But she’d be sure to run pockets first. She had left more than one man bitter, and it was comical as hell that she had a reputation for playing with niggas when she only matched the energy they gave. Some men were absolute bitches.
“Oh my God, Vani. This is good,” Hailey groaned as she chewed a piece of steak.
“I told you,” Darius looked over at her with eyes that resembled slits. “My baby be doing her thing.”
“Y’all making me want some,” Azarius stated.
“Get you some,” Darius twisted the cap off a bottle of water.
“You gon’ fix me a plate, Hailey?”
“And ain’t,” she stabbed a potato with her fork, and I snickered.
“See what I mean,” he shook his head, and Hailey shrugged.
We all laughed, smoked, drank, and ate until it grew dark out, and Hailey and Azarius left. I told Azarius he didn’t have to pay me, but he paid and gave me a twenty-dollar tip. When our company left, I cleaned the kitchen. Darius walked in with his keys in his hand.
“I need to run and pick this money up. I’ll be right back.”
Turning around, I peered into his eyes. “You think you need to be driving? You went a little hard with the Hennessey.”
“I got $6,500 waiting for me. You trying to take me to get it?”
“I can.”
“You can,” he inched closer to me and rubbed on my ass as he leaned down and kissed on my neck.
“If we’re going to leave, we need to do that while you trying to start something,” I giggled.
“Aight come on.” He smacked me on the booty before straightening his body and dragging his eyes down the length of my body in a lustful manner.
I put some slides on my feet and took the keys from him.
Inside the car, Darius reclined in the passenger seat as I adjusted the driver’s seat since I was much shorter than him.
He unlocked his phone and went to Apple music.
As I pulled out of the parking space, the sounds of Guy poured through the speakers.
Darius put the address we were going to in the GPS before sitting back.
He reached over and held onto my thigh while I drove.
I was in heaven. Everything about Darius had my mind blown.
I never wanted what we were building to end.