Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
Zander
“I got a feeling this will get worse before it gets better,” Kaos said as we made our way out of the firm.
It was the end of the day, and I’d spent the bulk of it in court.
We’d caught up briefly when I came to grab a few files, and during that time, I told them about how things played out when I dropped Navy off at home after our trip to Memphis.
Since my trial was starting today, I wanted to spend a little time with my sweet girl before I got too busy.
It wasn’t the first time we’d taken a trip together, went to a game together, or went live together, so it pissed me off that Ian was making something out of our normal routine.
When I pulled into her parents circular driveway, Ronald McDonald was already there with his clown ass.
Apparently when she told him we were on our way back, he started tracking her location so he could be at her home when we pulled up.
I found the shit to be particularly amusing since he acted like there was something he could say or do to change our friendship.
“Please be on your best behavior and watch your temper,” Navy pleaded.
“I ain’t got to watch shit. I’m not unnecessarily hostile or quick tempered. I’m just not about to play with him or anybody else.”
“I understand that,” she said quietly, “but please. Just be a little more patient than usual. For me . . . okay?”
The longer she stared at me with those pretty ass eyes, the softer I became for her.
With a huff and bob of my head, I agreed.
She smiled and clapped as I opened the door to let her out.
Ian got out of his car and made his way over to mine.
I held up my hand to stop him. Luke was standing at the door, leaned against the frame with his arms crossed.
Amusement covered his face, and he shook his head and chuckled when we locked eyes.
I knew he was just as annoyed by Navy’s relationship with Ian as I was, but he’d let her do her thing.
Ian watched as I opened the door for her. When she stepped out, she patted my chest and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for taking me to the game, bookie. It was so much fun.”
“You’re welcome, sweet girl. I’ma take your bags upstairs and then head out so I can finalize my prep for Monday. You know how trials monopolize my time, but if you need me, don’t hesitate to call.”
“I will. Good luck even though you don’t need it. Congratulations in advance for your not guilty verdict.”
I gave her a hug before going to the trunk to get her bags. When I was in the city, I typically used a chauffeur for my Escalade and Bentley, but when we went out of town for games I drove to have Navy all to myself.
“So you reject me for him?” Ian asked. “He said you’d choose him, and I’m starting to realize that’s the truth.”
As I closed the trunk, I remembered the promise I made to her and didn’t bother hopping in their conversation.
“I didn’t reject you, Ian. I asked you to be considerate of the fact that I was live and you refused to. You can’t make me do anything I don’t want to do.”
“Will you choose him over me?”
As I carried her bags to the door, I slowed my steps to hear her answer, though I knew what it would be.
“Quite frankly, Ian, I don’t think that’s a choice you want to ask me to make. I will always choose Zander. He’s my—”
“Miss me with that closest friend bullshit, Navy. I’m sick of it.”
“Wassup, Pops?” I greeted Luke, shaking his hand.
“Y’all have a good time, son?”
“As always.”
He took her bags from me and looked in their direction as Ian stormed off to his car.
“Our ego can put us in positions to ask questions and get information that will break our hearts,” he muttered.
“Make us resent people we swore hung the moon. Show us we aren’t as special as we thought to someone.
That boy is smart as hell but he’s dumb when it comes to my daughter. I can’t wait for this shit to be over.”
All I could do was chuckle because I felt the same way. I wasn’t sure why Ian thought she would choose him over me, but now that he’d heard her say she wouldn’t, I didn’t know if that would make their relationship better or worse.
“I’ma get out of here, Pops. Take care of my sweet girl.”
“You know I will. Good luck with your case.”
“Thank you.”
We shook hands again, and it turned into a side hug before I turned to leave. By then, Navy was making her way toward the door. She stepped into my embrace, and I placed a kiss on the top of her head.
“Call me if you need me,” I reminded before kissing her temple. “And don’t let Ronald McDonald ruin your day. He’s too damn old to be acting like that.”
She giggled before playfully punching my chest. “Stop talking about my man. I’ll see you later, Z.”
Tristan’s voice pulled me out of the flashback when he said, “I’m surprised you ain’t beat him up yet.”
“I’m trying not to because I know she’ll be mad but he’s taking advantage of my grace for real. He’s got one more time to get out of line before I give him what he’s asking for.”
“Aye, ain’t that ya girl?” Carson asked, lightly tapping me on my chest.
My eyes scanned the parking lot, landing on Ebony. She was standing in front of the Bentley waiting on me like we had something to discuss.
“Didn’t you say y’all were over?” Kaos confirmed.
“I did, so I don’t know what she’s doing here.”
My steps quickened as I headed in her direction. Deon got out of the car to open the door for me, but I signaled with my hand for him to wait.
“What are you doing here, Ebony?”
She looked from me to my brothers.
“Can we talk . . . privately?”
“Nah. Besides, I’ma just tell them what you say anyway.”
Her eyes rolled and she crossed her arms over her chest. “I know you blocked me, so I figured that meant you wanted to talk face to face.”
Chuckling, I couldn’t deny that I was impressed by her audacity. “I blocked you because I didn’t want to talk to you, Ebony. I thought I made it clear the last time you were here that we were over?”
“I want to take you up on your offer for representation.”
“Done. You can call the firm in the morning, and my executive assistant will set it up for you since I’ll be in court.”
“Thanks. Also, I need more money. That ten K won’t last me long. Shit, that’s just enough for a down payment on the apartment I want in the entertainment district.”
At the sound of Carson snickering like a little kid hearing the funniest joke he’d heard in a while, I smiled and shook my head.
“Did your husband agree to a settlement?” Her head shook.
“Have you found a job?” Her head shook again.
“Then I’m not exactly sure why you’re moving there of all places.
I would advise a more affordable neighborhood or even staying with a friend or family member until you can take care of yourself, Ebony. ”
“I don’t need to take care of myself because that’s your job.”
When she tried to grab my arms, I took a step back and put some space between us.
“Okay. I can see now that you don’t understand English unless you’re getting your way.
I’m not taking care of you. I’m not giving you any more money.
The only thing I’m going to do for you is pay for your legal representation.
Do you understand me, Ebony, or do we need to get this in writing? ”
Her eyes blinked rapidly, lips pressed together tightly, and she stared at me with a blank expression.
“Is she short circuiting?” Kaos asked, and at that point, I knew she needed to leave before these fools had me laughing during what I needed to be a serious conversation.
“Goodbye, Ebony,” I said, turning her gently by her elbow and guiding her toward her car.
“Zander, you can’t be serious. You can’t abandon me. You have to take care of me!”
I didn’t even respond as I opened the door and gently put her inside. I buckled her seat belt and looked her pretty face over.
“Take care, E.”
After shutting the door, I walked away as her crazy ass just sat in the damn car.
“You better watch that shit,” Tristan said, pointing toward her car. “Ol’ girl clearly got a few screws loose.”
“I knocked them hos out through her pussy, but ain’t no pussy worth all this.”
“I bet your ass will stop fucking with attached women now,” Kaos assumed, correctly at that.
“Hell yeah. This is it for me. Shit is starting to get played out anyway.”
We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.
Since Ebony didn’t know where I lived, I waited until she left before I told Deno he could head out.
She was exhibiting behavior I didn’t know she was capable of, and that was on me.
I could admit I didn’t take the time to truly look into a woman’s emotional and mental stability before I fucked her. Lesson learned.
I had too many priorities to keep playing these games with women, regardless of how much I desired the companionship and excitement. Ebony would be the last woman I dealt with that was in a committed relationship. The reward was officially no longer worth the risks.