Page 81 of The Need to Know

Judging by the missed calls and texts from Paisley, she was feeling better and would be at the shop today. That and seeing her car parked in her usual space.

Good, I could rehash my morning and evening after getting down to the bottom of her being MIA all day Friday.

“Nastasia!”

My plans slipped from my mind at the sound of my name being called as I approached Shéc’s front doors.

He had some nerve.

Corey crossed the crosswalk and met me at Shéc’s door. He didn’t even look ashamed of himself.

“Really?” I asked. “Again?”

Corey scowled. “What was last night about?”

“The end of us. Now leave me alone, I’ve got work to do.”

Corey just didn’t get the message. No, he followed me into the store and when I shook him off, he still persisted.

“Go away!” I snapped.

“Nah, not until you hear me out,” he demanded.

Out of nowhere Paisley materialized beside us, looking perfectly healthy as she folded her arms and glowered at Corey. After the first time he broke my heart, she had never forgiven him or liked him. Her grudge hadn’t yielded yet.

“What up, P?” Corey lifted his chin in her direction.

Paisley snorted. “Don’t talk to me. Leave.”

Corey hung back. “Oh, it’s like that?”

“Yeah, it’s like that.” Paisley wasn’t afraid to get close, to invade his space.

I held my arm out and pushed her back. “I got this.” To Corey, I stood strong, not about to relive the past. “I said all I needed to say last night.”

“So that’s it, huh? You happy with that dude? ’Cause you crazy if you think he ain’t choosin’ up in the club every night.” Corey blatantly laughed at my expense, like I was naïve to think a man in Ezekiel’s position could want me and be faithful.

I wasn’t dumb. We’d had breakfast with his parents, where his father spoke so lovingly about his mother. Ezekiel hadn’t been moved or inspired by their love. He wanted one thing: to work. When he’d called me his “friend,” it fit because it was an easy explanation to his parents, and it was the only real thing we’d ever be.

Beautiful women frequented BLVCKJVCK; I’d be a fool to think Ezekiel wasn’t privy to his available options.

“Who I’m seeing right now and in the future is none of your business,” I declared.

Corey sized me up. “Oh, you giving it away?”

What was it with men who thought they owned you after you slept with them? Community dick always wanted private coochie. The irony wasn’t even funny.

“And loving it,” I lied through my teeth.

“Want me to call security?” Paisley asked. “I’m tired of this repeat.”

Corey glared at her before coming back to me. “I’m willing to prove to you how much I want this.”

“You’re too little too late for that.”

His feelings were hurt, so his pride took over. He was at the door, shaking his head at me and wagging his finger like he knew something I didn’t. “Don’t come crawlin’ back when he plays you.”

I pretended to yawn as I wiggled my fingers at him.