by Lexi Reign
"This is my.. my.. friend, Nia" Lorenzo started to say as Violet looked at him suspiciously. CJ laughed.
"Nice to meet you," she said to me.
"Nice to meet you, too," I said to her.
"I'm about to go with CJ. Violet will take care of you," Lorenzo said as he walked out the backdoor with CJ. Violet motioned for me to follow her. I followed her into the kitchen as I looked around the house.
"Your house is beautiful," I said to her.
"Thank you, girl," she said as she stirred some food in the crockpot. She is really pretty. She has long, straight hair and she’s just naturally pretty. She had on a white tank top with black leggings.
"What are you cooking," I asked her.
"Just some Rotel, hot wings, and lemon pepper wings," she said to me. I nodded. It does sound good.
"So, Lorenzo told us about how y'all met and stuff. How are you doing" she asked.
"I'm doing pretty good. I'm just taking it day by day" I said to her, smiling. I don't want to go into details and shit.
"If you ever need someone to talk to or just hang out with, you can call me. I'm always here 24/7 bored. CJ is normally gone most of the time" she said to me.
"You work," I asked. She shook her head.
"Something like that. I work for CJ and Lorenzo. I manage his club on 21st street" she said. I nodded.
"What about you," she asked. I shook my head.
"I'm looking for some work, though," I said to her.
"Girl, yo man owns half the city. You can get any job you want" she said to me.
"He is not my man and I just don't want to take any handouts from Lorenzo. I want to do it myself" I said to her.
"I understand. And so you’re telling me, you don't have any feelings for that man" she asked.
"No, not really. I don't look at him like that. We're just friends" I said to her. She laughed.
"Girl, please. Y'all live in the same house and be with each other all day long. I know there's some type of feelings involved" she said. I laughed because she was convinced that we were into each other.
"I'm positive. We're not" I said to her.
"So if he brought another woman into that house, you wouldn't care," she asked. I shook my head no.
"We agreed that we are just friends. He's single and so am I. We can both do whatever we please" I said to her. She chuckled.
"Ok. Both of y'all SAYING the same thing, but both of y'all’s eyes and energies are saying something different. Keep on believing those lies, and somebody will end up hurt" she said to me.
"All I'm saying is that Lorenzo is a good man. I'm telling you if I would've met him first, I would've taken him over CJ" she said laughing.
"I'm just kidding, I love my CJ. But I'm telling you, Lorenzo is a good man. He deserves a good woman. That last woman he had, broke him to pieces. We didn't even recognize him. He hasn't brought another woman around that he was serious about until now" she said as she sipped on her tea. I just stared at her listening.
"He's a good man, Nia," she said as Lorenzo and CJ came back in laughing. They were both high as hell.
"You straight," he asked me as he came next to me. He touched my waist catching me off guard and I jumped. He quickly moved his hand.
"Yea, I'm ok," I said smiling at him. I could see the sincerity all in his face. I could tell he cared about me and it warmed my heart. I just can't ever go there with him. I don't want to risk losing our friendship and I don't want to end up hurt like I always do.
"I want to take you somewhere" Lorenzo whispered in my ear.
"Take y'all a plate," Violet said as she fixed our plates. I hugged her and said my goodbyes. We exchanged numbers and Lorenzo and I walked out.
"What you and Violet talked about," he asked. I laughed.
"None of your business," I said to him as I started to eat my food. Lorenzo chuckled, then cranked his car and sped off down the highway. He got onto the interstate and cruised.
"Where are we going," I asked.
"I want to take you to my spot," he said as he turned off. We pulled into a trail and he parked. He got out.
"You sure it's safe," I asked looking around. We were surrounded by trees like we were in the woods. I got out and followed him towards the edge. It was a cliff and you could see the whole city from it.
"This is beautiful," I said as he sat down. I sat down next to him.
"I come here when I want to think. I come here when I'm sad, when I'm in pain, when I'm happy, or when I just want peace" he started to say. I listened to him as I dangled my feet.
"I never brought anyone up here, but I want to share this spot with you," he said.
"Why me," I asked him.
"You always want to know why you. Why not you?" he asked as he grabbed my hand. I smiled at him. I could feel the tension between us. My heart started to race as he leaned in closer to me. I closed my eyes and he started picking at my hair.
"You got something in your hair," he said chuckling. I laughed.
"Why haven't you brought a female to the house," I asked him.
"What? You must be waiting on me to bring one" he asked. I laughed.
"No, I'm just wondering," I said. He shrugged.
"I don't think it'll be smart for me to bring a female to the crib when you're there. I don't know how that'll turn out" he said chuckling.
"I wouldn't mind or anything. I have no reason to mind. I mean you're grown, so why would I care if you brought a female over" I asked him. He laughed.
"Yea, true. You right" he said as he stared at me.
"We're just friends, right," he asked looking defeated. I could feel my heartbeat race.
"Yea, just friends," I said as he stood up. He walked back towards his car and I followed him. We got in and he sped off. The car ride was silent as we headed back to his house. I got out and shut his door.
"I'll be back later, aight," he asked. I nodded as he sped off. I know he's probably mad at me right now because I constantly keep him in the friend zone, but I just can't put myself through any more pain. I sighed as I walked inside the house. I shut the door and walked upstairs to my room. I got in bed and closed my eyes. I feel so drained. I soon let sleep take over.
Chapter 7: Movie Night
Nia's POV
April 12th
9:00pm
I laid on the couch and got comfortable as Lorenzo popped the popcorn.
"Where Vi and CJ," I asked.
"I don't know. CJ said he had some business to do first so they probably ain't coming" he said as he sat next to me.
Tonight, we were supposed to have a movie night with Vi and CJ, but I guess they aren't coming. Lorenzo handed me the popcorn and I got up to turn on the wall-mounted fireplace. Lorenzo just got it built-in and I love it. He just bought the TV and mounted it to sit in the space on top of it, too.
"I don't know why you chose this movie when you know you ain't gone watch it," he said to me. I laughed. He wasn't lying because I'm going to hide the whole way through the movie.
"Tell me something real about you I don't know," he asked.
"I have a hard time expressing my feelings," I said to him.
"I already know," he said chuckling.
"Why's that though," he asked. I shrugged.
"I'm afraid of getting hurt. I'm afraid that when I fully open up and give myself to someone they'll end up hurting me worse than what I've experienced" I said to him honestly. He sighed.
"I understand that. But you gotta know that everybody is not the same. And it's not something that you can figure out at first, though. You have to take risks and fall in love. It can either be a blessing or a lesson" he said to me.
"Yea, that's true. What about you" I asked as I sipped on my Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey liquor.
"I'm a lover not a fighter," he said.
"I already know that, but how is that a problem," I asked.
"My love tends to get me in fucked up situations. I fall too hard for women and always e
nd up being fucked over" he said. I nodded.
"I understand. But not all women are the same" I said to him.
"Once again, you must gone show me different" he asked as I laughed nervously.
"You always look over that question when I ask you. You really just want to be my friend, huh" he asked.
Honestly, no. I want more but I'm scared to go there with him. I don't want him to know how I truly feel cause that's when men start to feel themselves and start not caring.
"I-I" I started to say as he cut me off.
"You ain't gotta explain. I hear you" he said nodding. I could feel his tenseness. I heard a knock on the door and Lorenzo got the door.
"Y'all late as hell" he said to Vi and CJ. They got on the long couch as Lorenzo turned the lights off. He turned on the dotted lights and it actually looked so romantic. I smiled as Lorenzo laid next to me.
I looked over at Vi and CJ and they were all hugged up watching the movie. I could feel Lorenzo's eyes on me. He slowly tried to put his arm around me. He did that fake stretch thing. I laughed as he pulled me into him.
"Don't say nothing. Just enjoy the moment" he said hushing me up.
I got comfortable and watched the movie. Honestly, I felt comfortable as hell. He makes me feel so secure and safe. I feel good in his arms. I guess he felt it too cause he started to rub his hands down my back. My breathing hitched as I could feel his warm breath breathing down my neck. It sent chills down my spine.
"I don't know why y'all act like that" CJ said turning his attention to us.
"Lo, you know you like that girl and Nia, you know you fuck with my boy. Just gone and fuck already damn" he said making us laugh.
"Man, shut up and mind yo business" Lorenzo said to him.
Lorenzo looked down at me and we locked in a trance. You could feel the energy between us. I quickly turned away and we finished watching the movie.
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12:15am
The movie came to an end and Violet was knocked out on the couch. Lorenzo and CJ stopped watching the movie midway and went outside. I got off the couch and walked onto the patio with Lorenzo. He was smoking a blunt.
"I thought you were asleep," his raspy voice said. I just love when men's voices get all deep and shit when they’re tired or just waking up.
"I was about there. You've been out here for awhile" I said to him. He sighed.
"I know. I'm just chillin" he said as I sat next to him. He looked as if he was in deep thought.
"You ok" I asked him.
"Yeah, I'm good," he said chuckling.
"What's funny" I asked.
"You. I'm always so used to worrying about you that I tend to forget about myself" he said to me.
"That's another thing that's real that you probably don't know about me" he added. I smiled.
"That's one of the things I like about you. Since I've been here with you, I haven't heard you complain about anything, for real. You have been worried about me and I'm sure that's what you’re thinking about now" I said to him. He laughed.
"I just want to make sure you are safe. Dre has been too quiet so I know some shit will go down soon and I have to protect you. You need to hold out on a job for me, ma, just til me and CJ handle this shit" he said. I nodded sighing.
As much as I want to work, I don't want to be looking over my shoulder every few minutes because of Dre. When is this ever going to end?
"It's ok, sis. We got you" CJ said, walking out.
"Where have you been?" I asked.
"Fucking up y'all bathroom" he said laughing as he sat down. I scrunch my face up.
"But you ain't gotta worry bout dude, I'm always strapped" CJ said as he pulled out two guns from his waist.
"And my boy needs to get strapped," CJ said, referring to Lorenzo.
"Man, I do have my shit, but you know that life ain't me no more. I'm too legit" Lorenzo said.
"Bruh that's yo girl, you gotta do what you gotta do to keep her safe" CJ said to him.
"I know, man. I just don't want to get sucked back into that shit. You know how reckless I was" Lorenzo said to CJ.
I watched them and listened to them closely. Hell, this is news to me. This is my first time hearing about Lorenzo's "violent" past. He never speaks on it.
"Y'all mind if we crash here tonight" CJ asked looking at me.
"Why do you keep looking at her like she's running shit? She's just a guest" Lorenzo said while cutting his eyes at me. I don't know why but that made me feel some type of way and he knew it. He smirked at CJ.
"You know you’re good," Lorenzo said as CJ dapped him up.
"Preciate you, bruh" Lorenzo said.
"No problem. You know I try to do what I can do when I can do" CJ said as he held up the peace sign and went back inside the house. I laughed and so did Lorenzo. He's such a fool.
"You ain't tired" Lorenzo asked. I shook my head no.
"What? You mad cause I said you were a guest" he asked as he stepped to me. We were standing face to face. I didn't even say anything. I just stood there speechless like a dummy.
"I mean you are a guest, it ain't like you planning on staying in my life or some shit, is it" he asked as he wrapped his arms around my waist. I jumped. He lifted my chin up and we met eyes.
"Lorenzo" I started to say. He chuckled.
"We’re good. I understand. Goodnight, Nia" he said as he went back inside the house.
I followed him and made sure all the lights were out downstairs. Lorenzo was already in bed and so was CJ and Vi. I walked to my guest room and laid down. I stared up at the ceiling and nothing but tears filled my eyes. I honestly just want to be truly happy. I want to feel loved and I want to be able to give my love to someone. As I started to close my eyes, I couldn't help but think about Lorenzo. I sighed and soon, I was knocked out.
Chapter 8: Game Day
Nia's POV
April 22nd
6:00pm
"Y'all slow as hell," CJ said as I heard a whole lot of shit fall. Right now, CJ, Violet, and Lorenzo and I are all getting ready to go to this basketball game.
"MAN, CJ, YOU BETTER NOT BE BREAKING NONE OF MY SHIT" Lorenzo yelled downstairs to CJ. I swear CJ is always messing up something. It never fails. Lorenzo walked into my bedroom.
"Can you put this on?" I asked him, referring to my necklace.
He touched my neck and chills shot through my body. He pulled my hair to one side and he slowly hooked the necklace. I spun around in the mirror as I started to plait my ponytail. I had on a white long-sleeved crop top with some high-waisted bell-bottom jeans. These were my favorite jeans cause they made my ass look good. I slid on my heels and grabbed my purse. I could feel Lorenzo watching my every move.
"Damn, you look good," Lorenzo said, biting his lips. I smiled.
"Thank you," I said to him. We walked downstairs and out of the house. We got in CJ's truck and he sped off downtown towards the arena.
"The city has been packed as hell all day," CJ said. He and Lorenzo were upfront and Violet and I were in the back.
"For real. We can’t even get through" Lorenzo answered him as we pulled up to the arena.
"I know that shit doesn't say $30 parking," CJ said, making me laugh.
"Yeah, it does," I said.
"On God, we’re walking a mile," CJ said, making me laugh harder.
"On God, we not. Man, if you don't pay that damn money" Lorenzo said.
"Stop putting stuff on my God," I said to them. They both smacked their lips at me.
"Who the driver," CJ asked as he quickly made a whole u-turn in the middle of the road.
"OH MY GOD, CJ. You can't drive" Violet said to him laughing. I swear he nearly made me hit my head on the window.
"I have on heels. So I'll be damned if I walk a mile. Lorenzo, get your friend" I said to him.
"Well, that's your fault. Who the hell wears heels to a basketball game anyway?" he asked laughing. I reached up and slapped the hel
l out of his neck.
"Only a baddie can do this. Don't play with me" I said to him.
"Boy, you trap harder than me, so you got money. So take yo ass to the front, damn" Lorenzo said to him. He sighed and swerved the car.