Page 43 of Surrender to Love

“Not the lil brother telling me what the fuck to do,” I quip playfully.

“I’m guessing you need a ride from this lil brother, so chill out. Let me tell them I’m leaving then I’ll take you.”

“’Preciate it.”

We dap then hug before he walks out of the living room. There’s an unopened Bleu Mountain in the drink holder on the arm of his sectional, so I grab, open, and down it. I need something after today and this cold beer hits the spot.

As I walk the empty bottle to the garbage in the kitchen, my cell rings in my pocket. I pull it out to see it’s Tre.

“What’s up?” I answer.

“Man, why the hell is there Zongo in the office? I walked in here and the whole office smells like it. Shuga brought it up here?” he asks.

Fuck! I forgot about my stew.

“Nah. Kyrah made it. I’m on my way to get it now.”

“I’m 'bout to eat some. Shit smells good as hell and where the hell is Matika? Her ass isn’t out front.”

“I’ll tell you when I get there. It’s been a long ass day but, ay, don’t touch my stew,” I warn, then end the call.

Another brother, another I told you so.

“Let’s ride,” Quintus calls out from behind me.

ELEVEN

Mireya’s movie room has been my location since I arrived at her house. There’s a guest bathroom not even fifteen feet from here and I have everything I need inside. Aside from the pool and foosball tables, there are six leather theater chairs, a mini bar with fridge, a 180” zero edge television mounted on the wall, and a snack bar. There’s no need for me to leave, and after Shiro’s infuriating ass and his breath stealing kiss, I can’t move.

I hate myself for kissing his stupid ass back.

“What happened?” Reya asks when she walks back into the room.

“He kissed me and I let him,” I say and a smile creeps onto her face.

“Don’t do that. Don’t smile.”

“Okay. My bad. I just…” She shakes her head then shrugs. “Nothing. I’ll keep my thoughts about him to myself for now. Aside from letting him kiss you, are you okay?”

I sigh then reveal my honest thoughts. “I’m so mad at him for letting me walk into that lobby blind like that. She knew exactly who I was and I didn’t have a clue she used to fuck him. His omission allowed her to have one up on me, a big one. When she called me her damn sister wife and mentioned his dick, Reya, I lost it. Really lost it and I’m madder at myself for letting her take me out of character like that. I’m the dean at a prestigious college. What if those people in the lobby were parents or even students?”

As I say the words, I want to cry. I don’t actually shed a tear but I’m so upset at how I acted. I’m a long way from Rah-Rah from The Manor and not just financially either. My mindset, rationale, and especially my critical thinking have all grown since my early years, but today, the growth wasn’t evident at all. I reverted and snatched her disrespectful ass from behind that counter and beat it. I regretted it the moment Shiro pulled me off her, but in the moment, I blanked out and didn’t care about any growth.

After soothingly touching my leg, Reya says, “First of all, the odds of a parent or student being there are slim to none. Second, that bitch deserved an ass whooping. Me or any other woman in your position would have done the same damn thing. She was wrong as hell for saying any of that to you. She deserves an ass beating every time you see her, so stop beating yourself up.”

“I wish I could. The last time I fought anybody was…you know.”

“I know but may I add both occasions were warranted.”

“Maybe that’s why I’m so mad at myself. I’m back into the same damn situation and reacting the same damn way.”

“In what same situation? Shiro isn’t your so-called sister or dumb ass ex-husband.”

“I know but⁠—”

“But what?”

“It just feels like I can’t get a damn break. I just told him I loved him less than a week ago. Then today, my non-cooking, lovesick ass, went grocery shopping and spent hours learning how to cook his favorite stew only to be embarrassed because he failed to tell me that he hired a fuck buddy.”