Page 109 of The Ninth

I chuckled, sitting next to him. He gave me a side hug. I ignored the way he gripped my body while also taking in my smell.

“How have you been? It’s been a month since I’ve seen you...”

He sighed, “I’m coo. It was hard that first week but it is what it is. I’ll always hold a place for you in my heart, but I respected you enough to push forward alone. So I did.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m only here because your cousin said I made you sad and depressed.”

I snapped my head into her direction. She bit her lip, mouthing sorry! I’ma get this hoe.

“I had a lot going on around that time. You know my parents’ death date was just days away and then I fell out with Devyn. I couldn’t visit K3. Shit was hard, but I promise I wasn’t depressed about you. You don’t have to check on me. She’s stupid.”

I smiled as he chuckled, “Damn. The death date. How could I forget...” Kenzo would never forget. “I’m sorry, Cassie.”

“It’s okay. I had a good day.”

“Now that we’ve spent time apart...can you look me in my eyes and tell me this is for sure what you want? You’re gonna wait for him to get out? Be with him? Marry him? Have kids with him? We were just a few chapters in each other’s books? Because if not...If you’re not sure or you don’t want him...”

“Juan...” I looked into his eyes. “I’m sure. He’s the love of my life. I hate that you were put in the position you were and I know it’s not worth a damn, but I’m sorry. I don’t compare the two of you. The love between Kenzo and I didn’t allow yours to penetrate. It was hard letting you go, but not because I was confused. I was never confused. It was because you were and are a great man. I could say if there wasn’t a Kenzo, but I won’t disrespect him because there is. You deserve someone who’s ready for you. Not keeping you on the side. Not playing with your heart. A gorgeous girl prepared to receive all the love you’re willing to give.”

“And that’s not you?”

“No, baby...it’s not me.”

“Like I said...I’ve moved forward and accepted things. I just wanted to double check. I care about you. You had such a hold on me just a few weeks ago.”

“I care about you. Although it means losing you, I’m content with where I’m at. Take care of yourself, Juan. Any holds or ties between us is officially laid to rest.”

Unable to help myself, I threw my arms around his neck. Instead of gripping onto me tightly, he hugged me softly. I kissed his cheek before hopping up, not speaking another word to him. As I took the bottle for Ben’s niece, I heard Juan ask for four shots. I shared a look with the girls before disappearing into the crowd.

“Finally!” Josiah smiled. I laughed and slapped hands with him.

“What you want, boy? Yes, I still got a nigga.”

“Mannnnnnn, whatever. We just want you to chill with us.”

“Chilling don’t make me any money, baby boy!”

“That ain’t shit,” his homeboy said.

I stood with my hand out as they both placed a stack in it. Sitting between them, I stuffed the money into my bra. I watched Josiah pour me a shot from his Azul bottle. We clinked our cups and threw them back. T-Nice came out on stage, just in time.

“Oooo, this my bitch! You better go up for her!”

“She’s cleannnnnn!” Dean, the homeboy, smiled.

Hell yeah. Doodas need a new daddy. I tapped on his left pocket, “I want this mothafucka empty by the time I come back!”

I stood as they pulled on my wrist, asking me to sit back down with them. They just drunk and want a bad bitch next to them. These niggas know I’m not coming up off of nothing and they never ask me to.

I looked up at the section and saw a head peaking over the banister, looking directly at me. I smiled, waved, and then pointed at the steps. She nodded her head.

“Byeeeeeee!” I giggled as they spoke over each other.

“Hey, beautiful!” my favorite WAG yelled.

“Hi, baby!”