Chapter 4 #2
I slid my shoes in front of me and slipped my feet inside. I looked around for my keys and Chrome extended them in my direction. My eyes rolled once more as I snatched them from him. Standing, I headed for the door and noticed my car was egged. I looked back at Chrome and he threw his hands up.
“Aye, the crew don’t play ‘bout Zinc.”
“Fuck all y’all.”
“What you say fuck me for?” He mocked 50 Cent and that irritated me more than the eggs on my car.
I hopped in my shit not bothering to assess the damages for real.
I could buy a new car in twenty minutes if I wanted to.
It was never that serious for me. I hit the windshield spray and washed off what I could to see to drive.
There was a car wash at the gas station up the road I would glide through before heading to Kosha.
I threw my phone on the charger after noticing it was dead as a doorknob. I was sure I had a list of calls from my best friend and more. My head was thumping but the heartbreak was still overpowering. Today was supposed to be joyful but I’d be damned if the devil wasn’t working.
Pulling into the gas station moments later, I ran my car through the wash.
My phone was nice enough to power on, too.
The notifications flooded my screen, and I knew then everything I was going through with Zinc was going to affect me today.
I watched how everyone’s name but his popped up.
He didn’t give a fuck, and it showed. I called Kosha to reassure her I would still pull through for her and not to worry.
Regardless of how selfish I wanted to be, her happiness was all that mattered right now.
I would see Zinc at the wedding, and we’d go from there.
Kosha answered after the first ring in a calm state. This marriage shit was something she’d done once before, so I understood why she wasn’t as ecstatic as she was the first go ‘round.
“I know I’m supposed to be the center of attention today, but why is the spotlight on you? What the hell happened, bestie?”
“A lot. I would have to tell you later. Right now, focus on you, beautiful. You ready?” I questioned.
“I don’t have a choice. Chrasmere isn’t going to let me do a damn thing other than walk down that aisle to him. Where are you? Me and the girls just got to the hotel room. We expected you to beat us here.”
“I’m on the way, bestie. I’ll be there in like fifteen. Have the chefs got there? They should’ve had breakfast prepared for y’all.”
“Yeah, they’re here. We’re about to eat now.”
“Cool. I’ll see you in a minute.” I hung up and relaxed for a minute while the pressure washer did its thing. My life wasn’t supposed to be stressful, especially not today.
Soon as the wash was over, I pulled out and headed downtown for Chivalry. The ballroom was already decorated and set up for my girl. All she had to do was make it down the elevator to it and she was a married woman once again. Nothing could go wrong.
The traffic was light allowing me to get there in less than the fifteen it normally took.
A parking space was available the moment I turned into the deck.
I spotted Zinc’s BMW, and my heart began to race.
At least I knew I could get more time. I gave a light jog inside and headed straight for the elevators.
I rode it up to my designated floor and entered the room.
The ladies were in good spirits and that was all I wanted.
KoKo was the first to greet me. Even with her belly being the size of a watermelon, she was still the prettiest thing in the room. Her bright skin was glowing and when she smiled, she lit up a room. I loved everything about her unproblematic self.
“You ready to talk?” she asked approaching me with her arms stretched wide. I guess she felt it in her spirit that I was due for a hug.
I embraced her little self and just stood in her arms shedding silent tears. Heartbreak was something new for me. Walking away had never been an issue before Zinc. That man had a hold on me something good. Outside of Kosha, he was the only person who got the real me. I hated the space we were in.
“You know can’t nobody fix this but you, right?” she spoke softly.
“I know bestie and I will if the nigga quit blowing me off.”
“What made you strip of all things? Then you get caught doing it like you don’t know how to move out here. What the hell is going on with you, Onyx?”
Stepping back, I headed for the bedroom and started the shower. My gown and everything I would need for today was already here in the closet and ready to go. When I said I had my girl covered, I meant that. Her wedding dress and makeup team would be here within the next hour.
“I just wanted to dance, friend, and this wasn’t on no Trixie and Ronnie bullshit. Shadow Thongs don’t even let us get naked in there. Lingerie is where we start and end. Besides VIP giving a lil’ boob action, nothing happens there, KoKo, and I mean absolutely nothing!”
“If that was the case, why not tell me about it? You had to keep this to yourself for a reason so what was it?”
I stepped into the shower and let the water drench my skin. I released a deep breath as my eyes closed briefly. It was a moment I needed. Kosha leaned against the doorframe waiting for my response.
“The judgment from everybody. It would’ve dimmed my light, and I wasn’t ready for that.”
“Dimmed your light? Are you serious right now? Bitch, I know how much you love to dance and so does Zinc. Now his reaction is a little different from mine but it’s no judgment my way.
I would’ve helped you lie better ‘cause using me and leaving me in the dark is wild. Imagine how I felt when Zinc mentioned you being with me and I’m scrambling for lies to cover you.
If you wanted to dance in peace, at least let me know. ”
“I wanted to, but I knew it was gon’ be bullshit.”
“From whom, though? ‘Cause I support damn near everything you do, and you know it. You knew it would gain side eyes, so you kept it under wraps. I don’t care what you do as long as you’re happy. Zinc on the other hand… he’s not gon’ let this ride so easily.”
I knew it and so did everyone else. It was like they could see him detaching, and I was the only one who didn’t want it to be a reality.
We made a pact not to lie to each other or play the fool.
I wanted him to hear me, forgive me, and keep loving me.
It happened so fast that neither one of us processed it, yet he was behaving as if me dancing was a pill he couldn’t swallow.
“He won’t hear me out, bestie. Don’t you know I fell asleep on his porch, and he left the second Chrome brought me in the house? Girl, that nigga is pissed, and I don’t know what to do.”
“All I ask is for you and Zinc to let me get married. Show y’all ass after the vows are exchanged.”
“I wouldn’t dare fuck up your day, bestie. I got this. Now the reception, oh bitch I’m on go. He not gon’ keep running away from me.”
“Handle your business,” she said before walking out.
For the next few hours, I was able to busy myself with preparations for the wedding.
Kosha was a good enough distraction and everything that went wrong hours before was pushed to the back burner.
My focus landed on her and making sure this day was just as special as the first one.
This ceremony was on the smaller side and more intimate, but it was what her and Chrome wanted.
Time crept up on us, but it wasn’t something we couldn’t handle.
She was in her dress, belly big as ever, and makeup flawless.
With white being the base of it, the rose gold flower patterns etched both her maternity corset and her dress making it simply breathtaking.
It wasn’t something I would wear, but it looked exquisite on KoKo.
Nobody could pull this off but her. I knew to trust her judgment when it came to this.
She’d been here before and she knew what she liked.
She carried the glow a happy bride would, and I was more than excited for her to bask in her happiness more.
She was a mother with three wonderful kids to keep her happy, a nigga who didn’t play about her, and a support system that showed up, showering her with love.
My other half had everything she needed to maintain high spirits.
The bridal party rode the elevators down to the main floor and we spotted the groomsmen at the door. I scanned the men quickly and looked for my man. I was the maid of honor, and he was the best man. We had no choice but to have a moment.
“Remember what I said, Onyx,” Kosha said as we approached the men.
“I got it,” I mumbled.
Nahmari stood laughing with Litty and I had to admit that he was one fine ass nigga. His locs were retwisted and styled in a way that showed off his features. His caramelized tatted skin was covered in a suit that fit his frame to the T.
Zinc wasn’t a giant out here, but he did tower over my five-foot ten-inch frame.
The tattoos on his face turned me on in the worse way and the simple chain he sported was one of my favorites.
I could see his grill from a mile away letting me know even though this was Chrome’s day, he was coming comfortably.
The ladies paired up with their partner and for the first time ever I was nervous to approach a nigga who belonged to me.
I slipped through the crowd and made my way to the front where he was.
I grabbed a hold of his hand and just as fast as we connected, a disconnection was present.
He dropped my hand and gave me a look of disgust.
“Don’t fuckin’ touch me,” he said lowly.
“Zinc, this ain’t about us. Don’t ruin shit for them.” I went to grab his hand again.
“Didn’t I just say don’t fuckin’ touch me!” he shouted causing everyone to look our way. I was embarrassed as fuck because why the fuck was he tripping like that?
“Nahmari lower your voice,” I said through a gritted smile.
“And while you at it, stop talking to me. Aye sis’, find me somebody else to walk in with.” He wasn’t hiding his distaste for me at all.
“Zinc, there is no one else. You and Onyx are who stand behind me and Chrasmere. What’s wrong?” she questioned.
“I ain’t too fond of standing next to strippers… or letting them touch me.” His response gained several gasps from those surrounding us and those that were walking by. He didn’t show me an ounce of respect in this moment. I was nothing more than a hoe in his eyes.
Pushing him with all my might, he flew into the door behind him slightly opening the hall doors. This wasn’t how I saw this shit going. However, don’t disrespect me like I wasn’t the woman you was nutting in yesterday begging for a fuckin’ child. He had his fuckin’ nerve.
“Fuck you, nigga! What? This disrespectful shit is what you on now? Let a bitch know so I can act accordingly.”
His hand was around my throat in a swift motion, but he gave me the lightest squeeze.
Regardless of how he was acting, he still didn’t want to hurt me.
I understood him being upset and I wasn’t saying his feelings weren’t valid, but damn.
Could I get my explanation out first before shutting me down completely?
With his face against mine and his lips brushing against my ear, I tried to remain focused. However, this was a man I loved. Any time he touched me my body fell under a spell. I was all for him and he knew it. He was all I yearned for and this was complete torture.
“Stay the fuck away from me, Onyx. I don’t give a fuck ‘bout shit you got to say to me. This my last time telling you that. This shit gon’ end bad for you.”
He released me and opened the doors to the room.
Whether everyone else was ready to start or not, he was so he could get away from me.
I guess that was for the better since I saw nothing but anger absorbing him.
I took a few steps to the side and held back the tears that so desperately wanted to fall.
“Zinc, please don’t make Chrome come out here,” Kosha pleaded.
“Ain’t no worries, sis’. I’m just out here to make sure everybody copasetic. I’m ‘bout to go in and stand next to my brother. I’ll see you down there, beautiful.” He bestowed a gentle kiss on her cheek before he left me standing there alone.
When it came to niggas, I dropped them just as quick as I bagged them. This nigga next to me though… I was down bad for him. I could feel the glares from those behind me on my back, and I stood with my head held high.
Breaking down couldn’t happen at the moment, and I promised Kosha I wouldn’t show my ass.
It took everything in me not to rock Zinc in his shit and get it popping right here.
I was both mad and hurt. Nevertheless, I took that shit on the chin like a big girl.
This wasn’t the time, but, on my mama, it was going to present itself once more, and he was gon’ feel me.
“Y’all good?” Kosha lowly asked.
“ Hmph! I’m good, bestie. Let’s do this,” I said switching from a woman who cared to one not giving a fuck. If that was how he wanted to play it, so be it.