Runner

by Lexi Reign

  "Yes, daddy" I moaned. I felt myself about to cum as he pushed himself deeper. He pushed my legs up higher.

  "OOOH SHIT, I LOVE YOU" I yelled as he sucked on my neck. He looked at me and smirked.

  "I love you, too, ma," he said as his strokes became sloppier. I felt myself about to cum and we both released at the same time. He pulled out of me and stared at me.

  "Damn" he grunted as he walked into the bathroom. He brought back a warm towel and wiped me clean.

  He laid next to me and pulled me into him. My heart was racing and so were my thoughts. I can't believe I just did that with him.

  "Goodnight," he said kissing my neck. He rubbed his hands down the side of my body.

  "G-Goodnight," I said as I relaxed in his arms. I felt nothing but comfort. I'm done being scared. I'm ready to be with him. I closed my eyes and soon sleep took over.

  Chapter 16: Back To Normal

  Nia's POV

  July 6th

  3:45 pm

  Lorenzo and I are just getting back home and I'm currently trying to do laundry. Lorenzo and I have barely said a few words to each other today. When we woke up this morning, he slipped out of bed and already had his stuff packed. He didn't say anything to anyone. That is why I never wanted to cross that line with him because I didn't want things to get weird or whatever. And last night was such an amazing experience. I regret it because things are weird between us but other than that, I enjoyed it. He listened to my body and pleased me so well. We both told each other we loved each other and I meant it. I don't know about him, but I know I did.

  I heard the front door open and shut and I heard giggling. As I walked towards my room door, it got louder. I cracked my door and saw Lorenzo with Tia. He had his arms wrapped around her and they were headed to his room. I heard his room door shut and I got in my bed. I could feel my heart shatter. How could I be stupid? I thought last night meant something to us both, but I guess it didn't. Wow. All men are truly the same deep down.

  I quickly grabbed my keys and slid my t-shirt on with my black Nike shorts and Nike Slides on. I grabbed my purse and headed outside. I hopped in my car and sped off down the highway. I felt the tears run down my face. I am so stupid for giving myself to him and we had sex unprotected.

  I don't even know where I'm going. I just want to clear my mind. I pulled into the outlet mall and walked through. I have to really get on my feet so that I can provide for myself and move out of Lorenzo's house. I've been depending on him for too long.

  I saw a now-hiring sign outside of Cubanita's Jewelry. I walked inside the jewelry store and it took me away. It was so beautiful. They had a diamond-encrusted chandelier hanging when you first walked in. I walked to the front desk and asked them about their hiring process. I filled out the application and turned it in. I walked out and headed to the nail salon.

  I walked inside and asked to get my toes done, and my eyebrow and upper lip wax. I am a little bit hairy. That's why I try my hardest to stay consistent with these appointments. I let the lady do her job and I paid her.

  I walked to the next store, which was the popcorn store. They have all types of popcorn. You can customize it and all of that.

  "Hey, can I get a Caramel Bliss with extra butter," I said to the cashier. She smiled and started to make my popcorn.

  I heard a guy laughing loudly walking in. He was on his phone and we met eyes. I quickly turned away and watched the cashier.

  "What size do you want," she asked.

  "You can just give me a medium-size," I said.

  "Ooh, that looks good," the guy said. I smiled.

  "Yeah, it is. I always get this kind" I said to him.

  "I always get the Cheesy Cheddar. Maybe I need to try something different" he said smiling. I could feel him staring at me. He seemed to be about 5'11 or 6'0 or so. He was brown-skinned and very toned. He had a nice posture and he looked good in his all-black suit.

  "I have never tried that kind," I said to him as the cashier handed me my popcorn.

  "Your total is $7.50," she said.

  "I got it. Let me get another one of those and ring them up together" he said as he walked around me to the register.

  "N-No, it's ok," I said to him. He ignored me and waited for the cashier.

  "Ok. Your total is $15.00 even" she said as he handed her his card. She rang it up and handed him his receipt. We walked towards the door.

  "You didn't have to do that. I was capable of buying my own $7 popcorn" I said laughing. He laughed.

  "I'm sure you can, but I liked what I saw," he said, smirking at me.

  "I'm William, but you can call me, Will," he said, extending his hand.

  "Nia," I said smiling, shaking his hand.

  "Beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he said.

  "I would love to sit and talk with you for a minute" he added motioning towards the picnic tables.

  "I'm sorry, but I can't," I said.

  "Oh, you have a man or something," he asked looking hurt.

  "No, I don't, but I just really have to go," I said lying hoping he'd let me be. He's very cute, though. He has dimples in his cheeks and a clean-cut fade.

  "Just 10 minutes of your time," he asked, crossing his fingers and making a sad face. I laughed and nodded. I sat at the table and he joined me.

  "So, where are you from," he asked.

  "I'm from Washington, DC, what about you," I asked, lying. He nodded.

  "I'm from Virginia," he said.

  "How old are you," I asked.

  "26, what about you," he asked.

  "23," I said.

  "What brings you to Baltimore," I asked.

  "Job offer and I wanted to see a different scenery," he said. I nodded.

  "Wow, these are good," he added as he ate the popcorn. I smiled.

  "Yeah, some people don't like the sweetness," I said.

  "You wouldn't think the sweetness and the saltiness would go good together, but it does," he said smiling.

  "What about you, what brings you here," he asked.

  "A job offer, too. I just put in the application today" I said to him halfway telling the truth. I don't know him and I just want to be safe.

  "That's good," he said smiling. I continued to eat my popcorn as he and I kept on talking.

  I didn't even realize that so much time had flown by until my phone started to ring.

  "I'm sorry," I said to Will as I answered the phone.

  "Nia, where are you at" I heard Lorenzo ask into the phone.

  "At the outlet," I said to him.

  "You've been gone all evening," he said. I know he's not worried about me when his ass has been doing everything with Tia.

  "I'm out handling business, I'm going to be headed home soon," I said hanging up quickly.

  "Boyfriend" Will asked. I laughed.

  "No, unfortunately, I'm single," I said as I sipped on my water.

  "Well, that's good to know," Will said as he touched my hand. I slowly pulled my hand away.

  "What about you? You have a girlfriend" I asked.

  "No, but I have an ex who just won't take a hint," he said, making me laugh.

  "I am honestly ready to settle down. I'm tired of coming home to an empty bed. I'm tired of not having a woman to give my love to. I'm just ready for something real. I've played around a lot in my life and now, I'm ready to settle down and start a family" he said to me.

  "I feel you. I feel the same way" I said to him.

  "But I have to go," I said standing up grabbing my keys. I looked at the time and it was 8:00 pm.

  "It was nice meeting you, Nia," he said smiling as he reached for a hug.

  "Nice meeting you, too, Will," I said as I hugged him back. I walked off quickly and headed to my car. I got in and sped off. I sped down the highway until I got home. I pulled inside the driveway and got out.

  I walked inside and Lorenzo was on the couch watching the game. The smell of spaghetti hit my nose.

  "Hey," I said to him as I walked
towards the kitchen.

  "Wassup" Lorenzo said as he followed me. He had the stove on.

  "How was your day," he asked.

  "It was ok," I said smiling. He started to sniff.

  "What you have on? You smell like cologne" he said as I started to sniff myself. I shrugged.

  "I don't know," I said as I started to look in the fridge for some wine. I could feel Lorenzo burning a hole in the side of my face.

  "What man have you been with," he asked, furrowing his eyebrows at me.

  "Nobody and if I was, it doesn't matter. It has nothing to do with you" I said to him as I rolled my eyes.

  "Oh, so it's like that," he asked.

  "Yea," I said as I grabbed a plate.

  "We are not going to talk about last night," he asked. I shrugged.

  "I don't care, Lorenzo. I just want to forget about it" I said as I grabbed a piece of garlic bread out of the oven.

  "Why," he asked me as he sat at the table in front of me.

  "I just do. Let's talk about something else" I said. He sighed.

  "What all you do today," he asked.

  "I went to a job interview. This jewelry store downtown is hiring for an accountant. I'm good with money handling and I have a minor degree so it'll be perfect. I just haven't had any real experience lately to put on the application" I said. Damn, I hope they hire me, though. I can really use that extra income.

  "I thought you were going to help me out at the hotel or something," he asked. I shrugged.

  "Lorenzo, I don't want to deal with any drugs or any illegal shit. I want to do things the right way so I can get a place and do better for myself" I said to him.

  "I don't know whether or not to be offended or what. But I don't deal with drugs in my profession, Nia Payne, and you know that shit. All my businesses are legit and my money is clean. So don't you come at me with that shit, girl" he said to me. I rolled my eyes.

  "Oh, but you want to move out," he asked chuckling. I looked down.

  "Where is this coming from," he asked, staring at me.

  "Look at me," he said. I looked at him. He grabbed my hand and sighed, then pulled away.

  "That's just h-how.. how I feel, Lorenzo. What do you mean where? You obviously have some growing up to do or issues to fix or whatever, I don't know" I said.

  "It's just, I don't know. If that's what you want, then alright" he said to me shaking his head. I sighed and started to eat my food.

  "What you do today," I asked him as my mind instantly went to him and Tia. I used to didn't have a reason to be jealous, but now I do. How in the hell can he just dick me down and do me like that and go right back to her?

  "Shit, just ran a few errands and just chilled here earlier while you were gone," he said. I nodded.

  "Some on your mind," he asked.

  "Yes," I said looking up at him. He had a smirk on his face. I'm sure he already knows what's bothering me.

  "I don't like how you went back to Tia, especially after how things turned out last night," I said to him.

  "What? You enjoyed sleeping with me" he asked smiling. I honestly did and I slept so well. I haven't slept like that in so long. It just felt good to have his arms wrapped around me all night.

  "Don't lie," he said to me.

  "Yeah, honestly I did. What do you want me to say? Last night was one of the best nights of my life, but I see now that you aren't ready to let Tia go and I see that it meant nothing to you"' I said furiously to him.

  "I mean you said you only wanted to be friends with me, right? So, last night was a mistake. We both had a lot to drink" he said as I could feel my heart shatter. It wasn't a mistake. I couldn't even believe what I was hearing. Everything I felt was real. We both said we loved each other, and I meant it. How can he say it was a mistake?

  "Yeah, ok," I said to him as I put my plate in the dishwasher.

  I walked to the couch and laid down. I flipped through the tv as I watched Lorenzo put his shoes on.

  "I'll be back, Nia," he said as he headed out of the front door. I sighed. How can I be such a fool? I feel so hurt and embarrassed. I feel as if he's laughing at me and making fun of me. I grabbed my phone and texted Lauryn.

  Text Messages

  Me: Lauryn, I made a big mistake.

  Lauryn: What?

  Me: Lorenzo and I slept together, last night.

  Lauryn: NO WAY! I knew it! How was it?

  Me: I see where you were coming from. He had that magical dick.

  Lauryn: LMAO! Ew! So how was that a mistake?

  Me: I don't know what it is, but I feel a change in him. He's not all about me anymore. He even brought that hoe ass girl over here earlier.

  Me: We both said we loved each other and everything. But now, he's saying last night was a mistake. It wasn't a mistake for me.

  Me: What's his problem?

  Lauryn: Smh, what the hell? I'll call him and see cause that's fucked up. Why would he bring that bitch over there?

  Me: Idk, how was your night?

  Lauryn: AMAZING. I haven't been so comfortable and happy in years. He and I didn't even have sex. We just laughed and talked all night. I really have feelings for him, Nia.

  Me: CJ is a good man and I know that. But just give it some time. I'm sure if he cares about you like you say he does, then he'll make a decision.

  Lauryn: That's the problem. What if I ask Kyree for a divorce and CJ ends up never leaving Violet?

  Me: Y'all need to talk about it then. You and CJ. Tell him exactly how you feel, be blunt and say fuck it.

  Lauryn: You right. I'm about to invite him over. Kyree isn't here like always. Can you believe he left out as soon as he made it here this morning? Talking about he had a flight in 30 minutes??

  Me: Smh, well Lauryn regardless if CJ leaves Violet or not. You need to handle your business with Kyree. And if CJ doesn't leave Violet, then fuck it. He's just not meant for you, but I promise you'll find better.

  Lauryn: Once again, damn Iyanla LMAO. And take your own advice, love.

  Me: I really have feelings for your brother, but I just feel so played.

  Lauryn: I don't know what's going on with my brother, but I'm sure he's just acting on his feelings. I know that he loves you so I don't know why he's trying to fight it and force himself to be with that hoe.

  Lauryn: I'm about to call him, I'll hit you up later.

  BUZZZZ BUZZZZ BUZZZZ

  "Hello," I asked into the phone without looking at the caller ID.

  "Is this Nia?" I heard a deep voice say into the phone.

  "Yeah, it is. Who's this" I asked.

  "This is William Iverson. I met you earlier" he said. I scrunch my face up and looked at the caller ID. How in the hell did he get my number?

  "Um, yea. Hey," I said reluctantly.

  "You dropped your wallet," he said as I looked in my purse. I started to dig through it and I didn't see my wallet.

  "Oh my God, thanks," I said to him.

  "I could bring it to you, I have your ID if you're in the area. Ms.I'mFromWashington" he said making me laugh.

  "I'm so sorry," I said to him.

  "No, it's fine. I was a stranger and I'm sure you were just trying to protect yourself. But if I bring this wallet to you, I would like to get to know the real you" he said. I sighed.

  Ain't no way I'll bring him here and Lorenzo comes walking in like he somebody's daddy.

  "How about I meet you somewhere to get it," I asked. He chuckled.

  "Yeah, that's fine. Meet me at Patterson Park" he said as I hung up. He texted me the address. I grabbed my keys and purse. I walked outside.

  As I walked to my car, I saw Lorenzo's car parked outside. I thought he left. As I walked closer, I saw him and another female in his car kissing and it didn't look like that other hoe. I know he doesn't have a different bitch out here. You know what? Fuck it. I tapped on his window and he jumped. He started fidgeting and he couldn't open the window.

  "What are you doing out here," he asked. I shru
gged.

  "I could ask you the same question," I said as the girl looked at me. She was definitely not Tia. She actually looked clean-cut and better than Tia.

  "Nia, this is Morgan. Morgan, this is Nia" Lorenzo said. I just stood there staring at him in disbelief. I could really choke his ass the fuck out. I could see the sympathy in his eyes. I don't get him. He's giving me mixed signals and I'm not about to let him suck me in anymore.