Chapter 22
ALWAYS ANOTHER DAY…
Pretti lay by the pool in her lime-green thong bikini on a beach towel, eyes closed.
It was her last day in her dream home, and she didn’t want to leave.
She decided to lie by the pool one last time and soak up the little sun that shone on her.
They had a full three days together, shopping, sightseeing, dining, and fucking.
She enjoyed every moment with him, but she knew it was time to go back to her life.
While she lay by the pool, she thought about her next move.
It was clear to her that she didn’t want to be with Lunden anymore, and Dexz had swept her off her feet.
He was who she wanted to be with, but she knew it wasn’t going to be easy breaking up with Lunden.
She felt like it would cause problems not only with them, but also with Dexz and Lunden's business.
They were best friends too, and she didn’t want to be the reason their friendship ended. She started hoping Dexz had a plan to keep them together. She knew she was defeated with him, and she wanted to leave. He said many times that he didn’t want her to go and that he would do damage if she left.
She sighed. “I’m never going to get rid of Lunden. I should have told him no years ago,” she said under her breath.
“Aye yo, what are you doing? You know we’re leaving in the next thirty minutes, right, and your clothes are still all over the room,” Dexz stated as he stood over her, looking like a supermodel in her blinged-out Gucci shades.
She opened her eyes and pulled up her sunglasses, giving him a sad look.
“What are we going to do about us, Dexz? I don’t want to go back to Lunden. I want to go back and be with you,” she whined, sounding like the fifteen-year-old who had a crush on him.
He sighed because he was having the same thought.
“I know how you feel, but I got mad business with this nigga. I can’t mess it up over a woman.
I know you’re not any woman, but my business comes first right now.
Don’t worry about what’s going to happen with us as far as a relationship.
Just know no matter who you’re with, you are mine, and you will always be my best friend first. I’ma handle that nigga about this soon. Just give it time.”
“I’m just going to break up with him today and be with you. I have a feeling he’s cheating on me anyway.”
He could see the tears welling in her eyes. He sat next to her by the pool and wrapped his arm around her.
“Don’t do that. Trust me, I know this nigga.
After these three days, you’re going to have a reason to leave that nigga.
Mark my words. He’s not stable under pressure, and I’m his pressure.
I’ll move that nigga out of the way without him even knowing.
But I need you to stay strong until it happens, okay? ”
“Okay,” she replied bitterly.
She stood up and headed into the house to pack her things.
Their two-hour drive went by fast. Pretti slept the whole way but woke up as soon as the car stopped. Dexz was already in front of her building, and the first car she saw was Lunden’s Audi truck. He had already texted her to let her know he was there, but she wasn’t interested in seeing him.
“This is it. I’ll see you Friday for my cut, a’ight?” He gazed at her. He knew she didn’t want to leave, and he knew Lunden was in her apartment waiting for her. He hated to just drop her off and bounce, but he had a lot of shit to do as far as his money.
“Okay… I enjoyed my time with you. I can’t wait to do it again soon.” She smiled, holding back tears.
“Yeah, me too,” Dexz said as his eyes glared at Lunden standing in the doorway. He rolled down the window and nodded; Lunden nodded back.
Pretti stepped out with her luggage and walked up the stairs to her fiancé.
Once the door closed, Dexz drove off with his mind on money. Pretti, on the other hand, went into the house to an agitated bully. She had not talked to him once on her trip, and he hadn’t tried to contact her until the last day. However, he was full of questions once the door closed.
“So, how was your trip? You couldn’t call your nigga?” He walked behind her to her room. She wanted to come home to an empty house. Not with his overbearing ways, and he wasn’t planning on giving her any space.
“My trip was fine, and the phone works both ways. You could have called me too, like you texted me this morning saying you were going to be here.” She huffed as she flopped on her bed.
“Look, don’t come home acting brand new. I ain’t that nigga Dexz; I’m your man. So don’t talk to me like I’m some random ass nigga,” he stated boldly.
She turned around to face him. “Trust me, I know you are not Dexz. You know what? I really do need some space. I just got home, and I’m not in the mood to do this with you. All I want to do is get some food and go to sleep.”
He smirked as he gazed at her sitting in front of him. Something about her was different, and he didn’t like it at all.
“You fucked that nigga, didn’t you?” His facial expression turned into a frown. It was as though he could smell Dexz all over her. He knew there was no way they spent all that time together, drinking and partying, and not doing anything.
“Fucked him? Don’t start assuming shit. Like I said, I’m not arguing with you right now. If you could come back later, that would be cool. But right now, I’m going to sleep for a few hours before Storm slides through to do my hair.”
She tossed her luggage on the bed and opened it. She started tossing all her soiled clothes into her laundry basket, completely ignoring Lunden.
He smirked and shook his head. Pretti was cocky, and he wanted to snatch her up. She had never spoken to him like that, and it made him angry. But he kept it casual, deciding to give her the space she wanted.
“A’ight… Say no more. I’ll get at you tomorrow or something because I’m not coming back tonight.” He walked towards the door. “Oh yeah, if you think it’s going to be easy getting out of this relationship to be with that nigga, ya’ fuckin’ dumb. You’re my wife to-be. This shit won’t ever be over.”
She didn’t say a word as she watched him leave her room. When she heard the front door slam, she broke down in tears. She was so emotional over her love life. All she could do was cry. She felt a panic attack coming on, so she sat down and took a deep breath.
“I wish this nigga would just die or something!” she shouted, not being able to keep her cool.
She stripped off her one-piece bathing suit and jeans and showered. After she got out, she smoked a blunt and had a glass of wine. As she lay in her bed, her phone rang. It was Storm.
“Hey boo, I got your text. I’ll be over there at about nine. I’m out handling some business. But how was your getaway?” Storm asked. She was smiling on the other end of the phone, dying to know what went down in the Hamptons.
“It was amazing, Storm. We had so much fun, and I feel so connected to him now. But I already got your cousin on my back. He just left, mad, because I asked him to leave. He thinks I fucked Dexz.”
Storm laughed. “Well, did you?”
“You know I did, girl, and I loved it. I’m so in love with him, but he doesn’t want me to just call it quits with Lunden. I can’t stop crying about it. I want to be with Dexz, not in a love triangle.”
Storm felt her heart break for her friend. She loved their love story and wanted them together just as bad as Pretti wanted him.
“Awwww, ma, you will be with him soon. I’m sure you know why he doesn’t want you to just call it quits yet, right?”
“Yes, I know, for business. So, I’m cooling, but I’m not letting Lunden run my life anymore. Dexz opened my eyes these last three days. I deserve better than the way Lunden treats me.”
“Well, I’m glad you are finally opening your eyes, boo. You know I want nothing but the best for you. You’re my little sister now, so whatever you need, I got you.”
“Thank you, Storm. As always, I appreciate you.”
“I appreciate you too, love. But let me get off this phone. I’ll be your way tonight to do your hair.”
Pretti ended the call and finished her wine. She was still upset about Lunden’s threats, and she could not wait to prove him wrong. She knew in her heart she wasn’t going to be with him forever, even if her life depended on it.
Lunden got me fucked up ….