Chapter 14 #3
Treason’s eyes searched me, looking for evidence to support my claim. He didn’t find any, so I had to create one before the trepidation on his face made me cry.
“It would help if you stopped going up my skirt in front of your mother! She’s goin’ to think I’m some fast woman clinging to her son for a come up.
” I fussed because he’d stuck his hand under my skirt, acting out his teenage dream of being in the Tip Drill video.
Thankfully, her back was turned at the time.
His mouth twitched like he wanted to say something slick, but didn’t. Treason just stood in the door frame, studying me, making matters worse.
“Why do you care what your fake boyfriend’s mom thinks about you?”
My gaze narrowed, chewing the inside of my cheek.
“Just keep your hands to yourself. The rules haven’t changed.”
“I have the green light when the camera’s rolling. Plus, I have to sell it, or she’ll know,” Treason gushed, standing behind me, kneading my shoulders. “I didn’t think you’d mind the attention. This is why you’ve been mad all day, right?”
“You’re so annoying.”
“You know what else is annoying? Getting bitched at because you’re all weird and shit after the other night. I’m not that patient, and you know I have to work.” His jaw ticked, but he didn’t look away. “That smart ass mouth doesn’t have shit to say now, huh?”
I fought the urge to overexplain that sharing my past had my nervous system lit up like a dashboard needing a tune-up. Instead, I crossed my arms, trying not to squirm under the weight of his gaze.
“There’s a lot I could say.”
“I hope it starts with I’m sorry, Stink,” but he didn’t bother waiting for something that wouldn’t happen. “You have to come out, or she’ll worry. Then you’ll have to explain why you’re hiding in the bathroom.”
Treason grabbed my shoulders, marching me back down the hallway to the living room. As expected, concern marred her face until I blamed it on my cycle. She understood sympathetically, patting my leg before sharing her ‘war stories’ from raising Treason.
“Gram is calling,” Inez announced, causing Treason to groan, “Hey, Ma.”
“Is my baby okay?” An older woman yelled.
“No, I’m not. Your daughter is over here acting up!” Treason yelled loud enough for her to hear.
“He and Navie are just fine,” Inez assured her.
“She’s there now? Turn this camera on so I can see her,” His grandma yelled.
Inez instructed her to press the camera button, but she complained that the phone was broken, while Treason shook his head in disagreement. When she finally got FaceTime working, Inez shoved the phone to Treason.
“Wassup, Gram?”
“Oh, you remember who I am now?”
“Don’t do me like that, baby,” Treason charmed.
“That’s how you do me. I haven’t had my fix in weeks. I’m going through withdrawal,” she complained.
“I’m sorry. I’ll make it up to you.”
“Hmm, just like a man. Lying through your teeth.”
“Just like a man ? So Papa was a liar too?”
“He was a man, won’t he?” she retorted, making Treason shake his head. “Let me see your girlfriend.”
Treason winked before turning the camera on me.
“Hi,” I waved nervously.
“Hey, baby. I’m Evelyn, but everybody calls me Evie. How are you?”
“It’s nice to meet you. Managing and dealing with your grandson.”
“Will you be joining us for brunch?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, eyeing Treason.
“Ain’t nobody asking Tre,” she fired back, but he grabbed the phone, throwing me a lifeline.
“Dang, Gram. Why are you putting me on the spot like that? How do you know I want to bring her to brunch?”
“You got her all up in your house!” Gram sassed, rolling her neck.
“Being in my house doesn’t have anything to do with brunch,” Treason replied, matching her energy.
“Have her at brunch soon, Tre.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he sighed, returning the phone to his mother.
Worn out from Evie’s yelling, Inez called it a night, tasking Treason with walking her out. She seemed like a nice woman, but I was well-versed in the art of deception. Or maybe I was hoping so to calm my nerves.
“You’re so spoiled,” I said when Treason stepped off the elevator. “That’s why you think everything is supposed to go your way.”
“Everybody wants shit their way. That has nothing to do with being hugged and loved as a kid.”
“You were hugged too much,” I fussed, shoving him back. “Your mom seems like a nice lady, or is that where you get your acting skills?”
“Inez doesn’t do shit for show. Not even for me,” Treason chuckled. “What you see is what you get.”
“Hmm, did you guys talk about me on the elevator?”
“Of course. She couldn’t wait to remind me Don’t fuck this one up. Be nice, Tre . Like you’re not in here driving me crazy.”
“Bullshit,” I tossed the balled-up paper towel at him, calling his bluff.
“No bullshit.”
“She was much nicer than I expected. What kinda asshole did she procreate with to make you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh,” My face clouded with uneasiness and regret. “Sorry.”
Treason didn’t take it personally. He just smiled, revealing those premature dimples that hadn’t quite finished forming.
“Aww, Blue must really like me. She’s getting soft.”
“Excuse me for trying to be a good girlfriend.”
“I thought you were off the clock when the cameras stopped rolling,” Treason said, looking around the empty room to make a point. “But I’m cool. Mom never cried about it, and she raised me not to either. There’s no sense in crying about a nigga that’s not worth shit.”
“Of course, Treason Westbrook isn’t bothered that his father isn’t in his life. Your ego’s much too big for that.”
“An absent parent isn’t always a bad thing.” Treason dragged me by the hand to the living room. “Fuck nigga might’ve done more damage sticking around anyway.”
“Do you want kids?”
“Nah, I’m good on that. Kids are like the woman you meet at the club.
Fun for a night, but nothing anybody in their right mind would commit to long term.
” Treason’s finger tilted my chin at him, “I know how fucked up this world truly is, and I’d burn this shit down behind mine. It’s better this way.”
“Wow, that’s the nicest thing I’ve ever heard you say.”
“Does Blue want babies?”
“I barely want a man.”
“Here you go with this lying shit again.”
I watched him fall back on the couch and pull me down with him. Treason positioned me straddling his lap, with his arms wrapped around my midriff. I could barely form a sentence with his fingers stroking my skin.
“Why does it get under your skin so bad?”
“Being treated like a piece of meat doesn’t intrigue me. It’s annoying.”
Treason laughed because he was so rooted in his beliefs that he didn’t think there was another way to internalize his physical affection.
“Touching you isn’t about fuckin’. Of course, I want that too, but it’s about you. What you need. What relaxes you so you stop expecting the worst from a nigga all the time? Until then, affection is just how I show love.”
My heartbeat felt too loud as he kissed my shoulder. I wanted to say something smart, something sarcastic to keep the wall up, but I couldn’t. His words sank into me, spreading warmth and ache in the same breath.
I nodded, while my brain scrambled to find the strength to be honest and vulnerable again . “I missed you today.”
“I know.” Treason smirked before leaning into my lips, “I missed you, too. Do you like the bracelet?”