Chapter 14 #2
Still, my blood boiled at the audacity of him to question my love life. I almost wanted to lie and tell him I was seeing someone new, someone with a fatter wallet and a bigger dick, just to get under his skin.
“I don’t owe you an explanation about what I’m doing with my life. You got some nerve turning up out of nowhere and questioning me,” I said. “I’d like you to leave if I’m being honest.”
Corey was taken aback as he sized me up. “I’m sorry. Okay? Is that what you want to hear, because I am. I can’t take back CJ, and I know that’s hard on you, but I want to move forward, to be better. I want to build a life with you, Nas, have a family, a pretty little girl, and just be us.”
I was only twenty-five years old, completely unsure about the thought of having my own children. There was no way I was interested in dealing with someone who did. In becoming a stepparent. Not at this point in my life. Scorsese was all I could handle.
The situation with Corey’s son was completely different.
It would always be there, the fact that he was conceived during my and Corey’s relationship.
The fact that we’d entered our relationship two childless people and now Corey had gone and experienced something life changing without me.
I held no animosity toward CJ. I was sure he was a beautiful boy, as his father was a handsome man, but I wasn’t going to stomach the pain I felt about the reality of the situation.
Paisley was right when she spoke about men and their double standards. If I’d been the one to have a child outside of our relationship, Corey wouldn’t have gotten past it. He wouldn’t have the heart to look at another man’s child every time we got together.
So why should I?
“Have you tried being a family with your baby mom?” I asked. “Why not link back up with her and let her have your daughter?”
Corey sucked his teeth and lulled his head back. “I’m not going to stand here and lie. I did try to make it work with Dee, but she bring something out of me that just don’t work. We not good for each other like that. I’ma always do my part with CJ, but that’s it. I’m good with Denyce.”
If this were the past, perhaps I would’ve been moved, but I wasn’t.
Heavy knocks greeted my door and my stomach leaped to my throat.
Corey’s eyes shifted to the door and I could see his stance stiffening. “Who’s that?”
I felt Corey behind me as I went and got the door. I was doing no wrong, but my head hung low as I opened it and revealed Ezekiel standing on the other side. In one hand was a case of beer. Corona.
Corey laughed behind me. “Wow.”
“Can I help you?” Ezekiel didn’t wait for me to invite him in. He helped himself as he passed me the six-pack swiftly.
Corey angled his head, staring over at Ezekiel, perplexed. “Ain’t you that club dude?”
Ezekiel took a smooth stance as he stacked one hand on top of the other and stood tall, facing Corey head on. “Now that we know who I am, who are you and why are you here?”
“I’m here for Nastasia,” Corey shot back.
Ezekiel wasn’t convinced. “I seem to remember her asking you to leave before we ended our call. So why are you still here?”
Corey’s eyes snapped to me. “Yo, what the fuck is going on?”
“Corey, please,” I begged.
Ezekiel’s annoyed eyes found me and I could tell he was losing his patience. “She asked you nicely. Again.”
Corey smirked. “I’m talking to her. I’m not going nowhere.”
Ezekiel angled his body, showing a hand toward the front door. “You tryna have a conversation outside?”
The veiled threat sent a chill down my spine.
Corey didn’t miss a thing. “What you say?”
“I’m not repeating myself.”
This war of egos was too much for me. Both men were bigger and stronger than my tinier frame, but that didn’t stop me from placing the beer on my front table and going and wedging myself between the two.
With my back to Ezekiel, I faced Corey. “I have nothing more to say to you. I gave you the best of me and you never appreciated it. I’m a good woman and you never saw it until I left.
You said sorry the first time, and I forgave you.
You said sorry the second time, and I forgave you.
And the third time, and the fourth. I’m all out of forgiveness for you and your endless apologies. Please, leave.”
Corey stood seething in front of me. His angry eyes locked on mine. When he made a move to leave, Ezekiel’s hand came to my waist, guiding me with him out of the way for Corey to make his exit.
My ex burned a hole in Ezekiel’s hand on my body as he walked on by us and saw himself out of the house.
I let out the longest breath and felt my shoulders sag. Oh my God.
Even with Corey now gone, Ezekiel’s energy was on ten.
I made myself busy, going and collecting the beer from the table to place in the fridge. “Thank you,” I said as I passed Ezekiel.
He came with me to the kitchen after locking and securing the front door.
“Now I know how Knox felt,” he said.
I bent down and stored the beer at the bottom of my fridge before turning and facing Ezekiel. “Who and what?”
He shook his head, seeming to let it go. He twisted a gold band on one of his fingers, a move to try to calm his nerves I assumed. “You cool?”
Forcing a smile on my face, I nodded. “Yeah, you didn’t have to come and do this. I’m not a damsel in distress. I could handle Corey.”
Ezekiel stopped with his ring, peering at me impassively.
“Toxic or not, he’s never hurt me physically,” I felt the need to say. Corey could be defiant all he wanted about leaving, but I knew he’d eventually get the message and go.
Ezekiel didn’t lose his resolve. “I don’t give a fuck if he did or didn’t, he has no business being here.”
Whoa.
I took a step back, feeling antsy. “I’m not used to this. Really, your protective side is greatly appreciated. Do…you need a minute to calm down?”
In another moment, Ezekiel released a breath through his nose and let it go. “No, I’m good. I would’ve come sooner, but something told me to stop and get those beers or I would’ve caught a charge tonight.”
Corey was gone and we had beer. There was nothing to fret about.
“I know it’s Friday night, but maybe we could have that Pad Thai before you go into work?” I offered. I led the way out of the kitchen, not wanting to look at him if he turned me down. “I know it’s not exciting, but I’m tired and food and a movie sound so good right now.”
“I’d like Pad Thai.” He was right behind me, sending the hairs on my neck at attention. Something about Ezekiel made me feel him without touching him.
“Meewr.”
Scorsese had appeared on the steps, sitting between two railings and staring at me. The sight of Ezekiel had him tilting his head.
Ezekiel was dressed in black slacks and a navy dress shirt. His usual serious self. “Old man” style or not, it was growing on me. Although I still wanted to see him in jeans and a T-shirt. Or nothing at all.
Together we settled on the couch and I grabbed my phone to sift through my favorite Thai place’s menu.
“Take your shoes off,” I instructed. “Relax.”
Ezekiel did as told, soon, looking over at me and studying my short shorts and tank top. “You smell good.”
I smiled as I held up my phone. “Thanks. So, Pad Thai. There are several ways to get it, but I always get it chicken Pad Thai with extra sauce, because sometimes it can be a little dry. There’s also: shrimp, pork, beef, and tofu Pad Thai.”
Ezekiel appeared thoughtful, stroking at his scruffy jaw. “Uh, can I get shrimp and try yours?”
“Of course.” I wasn’t like this with anyone, but I didn’t think to overthink sharing food with Ezekiel. At Dellucci’s we ate like a team, sharing the chicken francaise and my cannelloni as if it were second nature.
“This is all new to me. Should we order a lot, and split it?”
“Oh no, it’s a lot as is portion wise, but trust me, I can drink you under the table and eat you under the table.”
His eyes ran over me. “I’d rather eat you under the table.”
I froze. “That’s a friendly thing to say.”
“So, she’s made up her mind.”
Did I? I couldn’t deny I liked the way he flirted with me. The way he was taking in my clothing and all my exposed skin. The way he jumped to come and check the situation with Corey.
“Have you seen anyone else while it’s been crazy between us?” I focused on ordering our two Pad Thais while I awaited his answer. I couldn’t care if he did sleep with someone else, but I did want to know.
“No. Have you been on any dates?” A look at him found him amused and I hated how attracted to him I was. He really had a nice mouth. A mouth I wanted to feel all over my skin. Clean and big hands fit to hold me while I quivered against him.
Get a grip!
“I told you, work has been kicking my ass. I’m way too tired to scope men out and see who’s worth a shot. Dating is honestly the worst because they all talk the same smooth game in the beginning,” I confessed. “Thai spring rolls?”
“They’re like egg rolls, right? Get some,” Ezekiel answered. “And I mean, I’m sure not all men who approach you are full of it.”
“There’s like a five-minute mask they wear before they switch up. Some of y’all are way too aggressive,” I said. “We can be talking for a second before they’re ready for sex. And don’t get me started on how they swear their sex game is A1. ‘This dick can change your life.’ ”
Ezekiel cracked up, falling over on his side. “Not that cancer-curing dick.”
I laughed along with him. “Talk about false promises.” Going back to my phone, I tried to go easy, because often, my eyes were bigger than my stomach. “Thai dumplings?”
“Steamed,” Ezekiel said. “And hey.” He got softer as he reached out and touched my shoulder. “I don’t come off like that, do I?”
Ever since the day we’d met he’d been nothing more than a gentleman.
He never pushed more than I was ready for.
He turned me on, aroused me thoroughly, and I knew he knew it.
A man of his stature and experience could attempt to talk his way into my panties, but he never insisted when I was apprehensive.