Page 43 of Stand on That

“I’ll think about it,” I lied.

“So, take my number, and if you decide to say yes, call me, and I’ll make plans. That cool?”

“Sure.” I pulled my phone out of my apron and unlocked it.

Jamal rattled his number off to me, and I stored it in my phone with plans to delete it later. He paid for his food, gave me a tip, and told me I better not be playing. As I watched him walk away, I spotted Darius standing at the hostess stand grilling me. My heart slammed into my rib cage. He looked so mad, I didn’t even think about the fact that he’d missed his baby mama by like ten minutes.

The hostess led him to my section, and Darius sat down with a scowl on his face. Swallowing hard, I played it off. “Hello to you too. What’s wrong with you?”

Darius looked at me, and the way his jaw muscles ticked, I knew he was perturbed.

“Don’t fucking play with me. I just watched you take that lame ass nigga’s number, but had that been me, all hell would have broke loose.”

“I only took it because he’s been asking to take me out forever. Today is my last day, and I’m not going to call him.”

“So, you just out here playing with niggas? Why not tell him you have a nigga?”

“Because do I? That was never clarified.”

Darius flicked the tip of his nose, and I just wanted to suck his dick. He was so handsome when he was angry. “Find you something safe to do, Lavani. Real shit. I’m gon’ give you what you asking for.”

I had no clue what I was asking for, but Darius was on one. “What do you want to drink?”

“I don’t want shit to drink.” My eyes widened as Darius slid out of the booth. He was really pissed.

Ignoring the fact that I had customers, I speed walked behind him and out of the door. “Oh my God, Darius, I’m sorry. I’ll text him right now and tell him I have a boyfriend. To be fair, we only had sex last night. We didn’t have a conversation about us being exclusive.”

Darius stared out into the parking lot avoiding eye contact. I knew he was trying to calm himself down. “Stop acting like that.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and stared up at him. “I’m sorry, and when I get off work, I’ll make it up to you. I’m gonna eat that dick off the bone.”

Darius looked down at me and shook his head. “You get on my fuckin’ nerves yo. I don’t like the way you got me out here feeling lame as hell.”

“I love you too.” I puckered my lips indicating that I wanted a kiss. After ogling me for a few seconds, Darius placed three quick pecks on my lips.

I followed him back inside the restaurant ready to finish up my shift and get home. I was going to do exactly what I’d promised my man.

For the second time in ten minutes, I’d glanced at my watch. I hadn’t seen Darius all day. It had been three weeks since we made it official, and it was his first day of college. I wanted to see how everything went, but of course, he didn’t come straight home afterward. Now, it was going on seven, and I was headed out with Lo and Hailey for my birthday dinner even though my birthday was five days away. Hailey and Azarius were going to be in Brazil on my actual birthday, so she wanted to celebrate with me before she left.

I thought I’d be super excited for my first birthday free in three years, but I just felt so so. Honestly, my emotions were all over the place. Sometimes, I was sad, and I didn’t know why I was sad. Shit, I was free, and that was the best gift ever. Being released from prison wasn’t quite how I’d assumed it would be. It wasn’t all ups and most days, I didn’t even know why the downs were there, but they’d appear out of nowhere making me feel some kind of way.

Hailey was looking real fly in a short, brown, leather wrap dress. Lo was going to meet us at the restaurant. I chose to wear black, high waist, spandex pants, and a cropped black shirt that hung off one shoulder. I was carrying my black, mini-Chanel bag and on my feet, were pink, strappy heels. Gold jewelry accessorized my look, and I was ready to eat good and drink. The club was not in the plans for the night. Hailey wasn’t broke when she started dealing with Azarius, but he had turned her up even more. Just like Darius spoiled me, Azarius was generous when it came to Hailey. I wasn’t shocked when she got a black truck to come pick us up, because we were going to drink for sure, and we weren’t driving anywhere.

“The truck is six minutes away, so we have time for a shot,” Hailey grinned as she sauntered into the living room with a bottle of Clase Azul. “I know we’re only doing dinner, but this is your first free birthday in three years. We’re going to be real classy but real turnt up. You ready?” she grinned.

“I’m ready,” I laughed.

Hailey didn’t even grab shot glasses. She opened the bottle and did a water fall into my mouth. I closed my eyes and swayed from side to side as I swallowed. “Whew,” I blew out a small breath as I walked in the kitchen to grab a swig of Sprite to remove the taste from my mouth.

Darius knew I was going to dinner, so I’d see him when I got home. He had his place, and I had mine, but we alternated places. He stayed with me for a few nights and then we went to his house for a few nights, but we didn’t spend nights apart unless he had his daughter. I hadn’t met her yet. I was giving it some time. Plus, I didn’t want to get into it with Bree, and I was sure she didn’t want her child around me. I couldn’t say she was wrong but no matter how much I disliked her, I’d never mistreat a child. That was something that wouldn’t even cross my mind.

The black truck arrived, and I settled in and popped some gum in my mouth.

“What you think Darius is going to get you for your birthday?” Hailey grinned.

“I don’t really know. He never really asks me what I want. He just knows what I like, and I always like the gifts he picks out for me. This year, I can’t think of too much that I want. He did it up with the bags and stuff when I came home.”

“Knowing him he’ll get you a horse or something.”

I laughed because it was true. Darius gave the best gifts, and I loved that about him. Not for the material items but because he was intentional. He paid attention. If he saw me buy myself the same item in three different colors, he’d go get the colors I didn’t have. He even paid attention to things like the candles I burned. He might show up with twenty candles, and they’d all be various scents that I always burned.