Page 20 of Tension

“Come on, baby, don’t be like that. You know I love you.” He tried to pull me into his body more.

I started to struggle in his arms, forcing him to let me go so I could get out of the bed.

I fixed my muumuu as I got to my feet.

“Brian, I’m done,” I told him as I walked over to the window.

I looked out, and the darkness felt like it was endless.

“Just let me stay ‘til I get on my feet,” he asked like a little orphan boy.

“No,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “I have nothing left for you. There is nothing here for you anymore.”

“Damn, you act like you never loved me. Why is it so easy for you to just throw me away?”

He got out of bed to walk towards me.

“Don’t touch me,” I said, and he stopped about a foot away.

“Help me run a few errands in the morning. That’s the least you could do for a nigga. Then I’ll be out of your hair.”

He walked out of the room.

I just hung my head.

I slipped back into the bed.

My previous comfort was replaced with emotions I didn’t want to feel.

Emotions trying to pull me back under.

VEL

I had just stepped out of the leasing office, budget figures, square footage, and paint colors lining the walls in my imagination. I was dead serious about finally opening my own gym.

I was excited until I saw them, and my whole mood changed.

Chris and Brian were standing outside the bank.

They were not arguing. They were not laughing. They were just close.

Too close.

It had been a few weeks since I last saw Chris. We still had not exchanged numbers. Every day I wondered how she was doing, but I knew she needed space to deal with her situation on her own.

I crossed the lot slowly.

I needed to see her.

And I needed to understand why this nigga was still around.

Even though it was none of my business.

She looked up first. Her eyes widened, like I had caught her doing something wrong.

“Chris,” I said. Not cold. Not warm. Just her name.

“Hey,” she breathed, already shifting away from Brian.