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“Aye, I gotta go back to work. Y’all cool? I won’t be too late today.”
“Yeah, go ahead, bruh, just leave your card here.”
“I bet.” He laughed. Their small interaction made me wish for an older brother.
Once Prince left, Pria stole me away from my baking, and we hit the mall. She loved to shop, and I saw just how infectious her personality was. I don’t know what it was about them, but I could get along with them so well. I was slightly nervous about her coming even though I spent time with her at the wedding. It was different when it wasn’t a group. One-on-one, our vibe was easy. We had lunch and came home.
“Now look, you made me shop all day, and now I’m behind, so you have to help.”
“I got you! As long as I get to eat the extras. I was stealing snacks all day.”
“I hope you ready because as long as I have someone around, I will always cook.”
“Why you say it like that?” She scrunched up her nose.
“Nothing. Your brother is busy and I don’t get to fatten him up like I like. It’s okay. How you been in Atlanta.” I tried to slip past it.
“Same as always. Niggas and shit, and work is shittier. Speaking of niggas,” she said, and she flashed her phone. She slid off the stool and walked to one of the back rooms. A few seconds later the front door opened. It was Prince and my eyes whipped around to the stove. It was barely five. I tried not to be jealous but he hadn’t come home this early in weeks.
“Damn, every time I look at you, you get prettier.”
I smiled as he came to me and pulled me into his arms. He tried to kiss my lips but I turned slightly out of reach. He stepped back. He placed his phone on the counter and asked, “What’s that about?”
Loud talking from the other room stirred us both. We migrated there on cue and the closer we got we could overhear Pria in a conversation. I couldn’t make everything out but the man she was talking to was being much too aggressive for my liking. Prince damn sure wasn’t with it.
“Think I give a fuck?” I heard the male voice say as soon as we opened the door. Prince stepped up and snatched the phone from her hands.
“Who the fuck is this nigga, Pria?” Prince said and Pria’s eyes widened.
“Nigga who the fuck is you? Pria you better bring your ass to me,” the dude said before ended the Facetime call. Pria damn near tried to run out of the room.
“Where the hell you going? You bet not move a damn muscle. Pria, are you crazy?” Prince’s voice came out with no regard. I brushed my hand across his shoulder to soothe him. What we just heard was wild, but I had a heart for Pria and what she was going through. I had been a dumb girl too many times.
“Leave me the hell alone, Prince! You don’t get to tell me what to do. I’ll be back.”
“So you really about to go running behind this nigga that disrespected you? Where the hell you learn some shit like that?”
“How do you know what I learned? You left me, Prince, and you are leaving me now! Priest and you both are starting your own thing and have somebody, but it’s always me by myself!” She shot daggers at him. The silence was so damn thick in the room neither of us knew what to do next. Then Pria broke down. It was so shocking how quickly she dissolved into a fit of sobs. Prince pulled her into his arms before she could collapse to the ground.
“Pria,” Prince said softly.
“You don’t understand, Prince!”
“Then tell me. Tell me what’s going on because you know we would never allow a nigga like this in our presence, let alone to date our sister. I’d put his ass in the ground first!”
Pria pulled back from his chest as her eyes jumped to his. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who saw his eyes darken. I stood awkwardly in the background, feeling like I was intruding on a family moment.
“It was just sex.” She sniffed, looking like a little girl being admonished by a father.
“It’s never just sex. Especially when you are a woman of your stature. You have shit going for yourself, and you are going somewhere. Letting a nigga like that have his way with your body can create a fucking soul tie you can’t disconnect. I should’ve been here, Pria. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault. I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry.” Pria’s eyes found mine, and I could see the discomfort in her revelation. I didn’t feel any way about it because I knew it wasn’t about me. Instead, it was about the loneliness she was feeling.
“I should let y’all talk.”
Prince’s only response was to pull me beside him.
“You said what you felt, and it ain’t shit wrong with getting something off your chest. Just know it’s no excuse. The way a nigga treat you is exactly the way they feel about you. If a man wants you beside him, that is exactly where he will have you.” His eyes flipped to me. “Trust me. I know.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Can you give us a minute, baby?”
