by Lexi Reign
"Quit staring at me, CJ. You know Lorenzo isn't going to leave" I said as I started pacing.
"He's going to automatically know that something happened so I'm not opening the door for him to see you in my house," I said.
"No, he's not. I could be over here helping you out or some shit" he said.
"I'm sure he has talked to Lauryn or has ridden by and saw your car. I'm sure he knows you have been here all night, CJ" I said. My heart felt like it was about to explode out of my chest.
"Calm down," he said as Lorenzo started knocking on the back door.
"When he leaves, text him and say we rode together in your car. Your car in the garage so shit he don't know if you here or not" CJ said. I nodded. And within a few minutes, Lorenzo sped off down the highway.
BUZZZZ BUZZZZ
I looked at CJ and Lorenzo was calling him.
"I'm about to answer," he said. I nodded.
"Yo, Lo, what's good" CJ asked as he put the phone on speaker.
"Where are you at?" Lorenzo asked. I could hear the venom in his voice. I don't know why he's so mad. He already has made it clear that he doesn't want shit to do with me.
"Riding with Nia, right now. Where you at" CJ asked.
"Oh, for real? What y'all got going on and shit, everywhere. I'm just riding" Lorenzo said.
"And why the fuck she can't answer her phone," he asked.
"Shit, man. She needed my help last night. Speaking of help, she was pretty pissed off at you, my boy. She said she called you last night and she heard Tia and Morgan in the background" CJ said.
"You sure? I just went by her crib and I saw your car out there" Lorenzo said. CJ sighed and looked at me. See, he acts like he doesn't hear the shit about him, but when it comes to me, he misses nothing.
"Yeah, I'm sure. We just headed out about an hour ago" CJ said lying. I could tell it hurt him to lie to Lorenzo. I sighed.
"What y'all together for now? Yo, CJ, what's good, bruh?" Lorenzo asked.
"Man, shit. What are you getting at, Lo" CJ asked.
"She by you? Let me holler at her" Lorenzo added.
"Yeah," CJ said as he handed the phone to me.
"Hello," I asked into the phone as I took it off speaker.
"What happened last night," Lorenzo asked.
"Oh, now you care? Last night, you didn't" I said.
"Man, it wasn't even like that, but you were running around town with my homeboy. You tell me who really doesn't care about who?" Lorenzo spat at me.
"CJ is just my friend, Lorenzo, and you know that. And what does it matter? You and I are just friends and you have a girlfriend or girlfriends, or whatever the hell you got going on" I said. He sighed.
"I saw CJ's car at your crib last night. You telling me my homeboy stayed the night with you" Lorenzo asked chuckling.
"Lorenzo" I started to say.
"Answer the question, Nia. You love trying to play victim, but you do shit, too. Yeah, I fucked up what we were supposed to have, but I ain't never lied to you. I've always kept it real with you. You are the one that has always been confused about what you wanted. Yeah, you blame me for fucking with these hoes, but you pushed me to them" he said as he quickly hung up on me. I sighed and looked at CJ. I'm not even about to get mad.
"I'm sorry, CJ," I said. He threw his hands up.
"We are good, man. Just be careful, Nia" he said as he cupped my face. He lifted my chin.
"You are too pretty for that shit you pulled last night. I don't want to ever see you that drunk again, man. Ain't no telling what would've happened if I didn't come. Just let everything go and follow your heart. We both know your heart with Lo, so quit trying to fight that shit" he said.
"CJ, he is a lying ass man and he ain't ready to do right," I said. CJ sighed.
"You have to let him. Over the past few months, I've watched my boy chase you. And he kept on giving you chances, but you never gave in. He stuck around with you through all your shit with Dre. But the moment he moves on, you end up hurt and shit and wanting to be with him" CJ started to say. I rolled my eyes cause that wasn't the case. Lorenzo ain't move on until I gave him my body. He changed when I gave him sex. Literally, the next morning after we had sex, I felt the change.
"What are you rolling your eyes for? Oh, I'm wrong? Tell me some I don't know then, Nia" he asked just standing there. I sighed.
"And you know you don’t have to lie to me, we are better than that," he said shrugging as he sat on the edge of my bed.
"We had sex, CJ. That was the first time we ever did something, the night before we all left his mom's house. And he changed up on me. Y'all saw that he was acting funny when we all got ready to leave" I said. I could see hurt in CJ's face, but it quickly went away.
"Yeah, I remember. He ain't really say shit to nobody. I ain't think it was because of you, though. I figured he was just having one of his moments" CJ said.
"Yea, well it was because of me. I don't know how he was feeling cause he was giving me the cold shoulder. But that same night, he brought Tia to the house. He was bold with it and he didn't care about me nor my feelings. He barely even said two words to me that day, it was like that night we had sex didn't even happen" I said to CJ. He shook his head.
"I don't know what to say. Lo never said anything to me about it. Lo has his ways of doing shit and dealing with shit. You have been living with him, so I'm sure you know that" he said. I nodded. Lorenzo and I had a great bond. He was like my best friend, but he did have these moods and shit. And I didn't like him at those times.
"Yea, but that's no excuse, CJ. I gave him my body cause I thought he was the one. I ignored my gut and gave in, and he turned out to be exactly what I thought he'd be. His true, disrespectful ass colors came out" I said to CJ.
"I don't know, Nia. But what I do know is that his feelings for you just didn't go away. And plus since y'all.." he trailed off. I nodded.
"Shit, that should've made him want you even more. Unless you know.." he trailed off again chuckling.
"What," I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Unless you got some trash ass pussy, but from what I saw last night," he said laughing shrugging.
"Shut up, CJ. I don't like you" I said.
"For real, Nia. You were wet for me. For somebody who claims they don't like me, you sure was open for me" he said as he bit his lips at me.
"Oh my God, hush," I said.
"What? You can't take the heat" he asked.
"Calvin" I warned.
"Don't call my government out like that," he said. I rolled my eyes. He smirked.
"Oooooh, CJ. Ahhh, CJ. I want you in me, CJ" he said mocking me. My mouth flew open and I instantly got embarrassed.
"I did not say that," I said laughing.
"Shidddd. But don't be ashamed. You really liked that shit. I'm glad I could relieve your stress, though. I put that ass to sleep" he said chuckling. I laughed.
"But for real, the best advice I can give you is to just give it some time. Give yourself some time to breathe and then follow your heart" he said. He reached for a hug and I could feel the weirdness between us.
"Don't be weird" he said as he lifted my chin up. I looked up at him.
"And forget about last night," he added.
"I'm not acting weird," I said.
"We can be the same CJ and Nia. I joke with you, you joke me and then I will be there for you like always" he said laughing.
"True. I can't even remember much from last night, I just know that you woke up in my bed and I woke up naked. So that means we did something" I said.
"We didn't fuck, Nia. But I did..you know" he trailed off. My eyes widened.
"You what?" I asked. He started to flick his tongue laughing. My mouth flew open.
"It was sweet, too," he said, licking his lips. I started to feel ashamed. How can I do something with Lorenzo's friend? Hell, CJ is like his brother.
"Don't be shy, now. You were bold as hell last night. I thought I was going to get raped" h
e said chuckling. I hit him.
"Shut up, I don't want to hear anymore. I'm embarrassed" I said to him.
"Don't be. I had fun with you, no cap" he said, licking his lips as he walked out of my bedroom. I walked him downstairs.
"Thank you, CJ," I said to him.
"You are more than welcome," he said, licking his lips.
"Let me know if I can relieve some of that stress again," he said chuckling.
"CJ" I warned. He laughed and threw his hands up.
"I'm saying thank you for being a phone call away," I said.
"I'm just playing, damn. But you welcome, Nia. And remember, Lorenzo has a hard time expressing his feelings. You see how his family is, he has been through a lot of shit. He never really verbally says stuff, but you can see it in his actions. Y'all just need to talk" CJ said. He hugged me and I hugged him back.
"I hear you, and I know," I said.
"Talk to him and I'll see you later," he said as he walked out of my house. I sighed and shut the door behind him.
I grabbed my phone and sighed. I scrolled through my contacts and found Lorenzo's name. I'm honestly scared as hell. I don't even want to face him after all the shit he has pulled and after what happened between CJ and I. Fuck it. I pressed the call button and waited for him to answer.
Chapter 20: Party
Lorenzo's POV
September 20th
3:30pm
|| 2 Weeks Later |||
BUZZZ BUZZZ BUZZZ
"What's good," I asked into the phone as Morgan got out of my bed. I watched as she switched out of my room and downstairs. I swear she has gotten too comfortable.
"Hey" I heard Nia's soft voice say.
I smiled to myself. I know lately, I've been tripping, but this shit is hard with her. I can't even lie no more like I don't care. I fell in love with her and I've been trying to face it, but I can't. I can see myself being with her, though. She's the woman I want to come home to.
"What are you up to," I asked looking into the phone realizing it was 3:30.
"Nothing. I don't have to work today and was wondering if you wanted to come help me today" she asked.
Lately, we have been trying to repair our friendship. I said I was sorry and shit for my actions, in which I am, and she forgave me. But still, some shit just ain't right. I feel it. I feel like something is blocking it and I don't know what it is.
"Yeah, you know I got you. What you got going" I asked cheesing. I know today is her birthday and I did get her a present. It's something I've been working on for the past two weeks. I had to pull a lot of strings for it to happen and it was hard to do, I almost gave up. But I hope she likes it.
"I need you to help me get these party supplies. I'm having my party tonight and my car is too little to get everything" she said.
"And you can bring whoever you want, I don't care," she said quickly. I chuckled. I'm guessing her ass is going to have somebody with her.
"Who you gone be with," I asked.
"I invited Will," she said. I chuckled. He ain't shit but a lame. I don't know why she’s wasting her time on his ass. I'm convinced she's only doing it to piss me off.
"Well, why can't he help you get the shit you need then?" I asked. She sighed.
"Because he's out of town right now and won't be here until later tonight," she said angrily. I stayed quiet because I felt the hurt and anger in her voice.
"You know I got you. I'll be over in about 10 minutes" I said to her. Morgan walked back inside the room.
"You gotta go. I have to run some errands right quick" I said to her. She scoffed and started to put her clothes on. I really don't care how she takes it, I'm really about tired of her ass. When Nia was here, shit just felt natural. With Morgan, shit just too much. She finished putting her clothes on and stormed out.
I hopped in the shower and bathed, then brushed my teeth. I walked to my closet and started to look for something to wear. I guess I'll wear my Tommy Hilfiger today. I slid on my orange and black Tommy Hilfiger shirt with matching orange shorts. I grabbed my Tommy Hilfiger orange hat and slid on my orange socks with white Air Forces. I looked in the mirror and put lotion on my elbows, legs, and face. Damn, I look good. I sprayed cologne on and brushed my waves.
I grabbed my keys and wallet and headed out my crib. I hopped in my Challenger and sped off down the highway towards Nia's crib. She stays about 20 minutes from me if you take the interstate. The back way makes it about 40 minutes.
I lit my blunt in and inhaled the smoke as I got onto the interstate. I really want to be with Nia. I care about her and she acts as if she doesn't know it. Now, she's messing around with this dude she met. When I see him tonight, I might lose it. Especially if I drink, which I am going to do.
I continued to pull on the blunt as I turned off the interstate. I haven't heard from CJ's ass in a week and we normally hit each other up every day. It's been about a week. I feel like he is dodging me or some shit. Normally my instincts are right, but I don't want them to be. I pulled out my phone and called him. The phone went straight to voicemail.
I pulled into Nia's driveway and saw a few cars in the yard. It looked like Lauryn's car and I didn't recognize the other two. I hopped out of my car and walked to the front door. I twisted the knob and it was unlocked.
I walked inside and heard laughter from the kitchen. I looked around Nia's place and she already had a lot of decorations up. I smiled. She really put a lot of hard work into this.
"AHHHH" Lauryn screamed as I walked inside the kitchen. I laughed.
"Lorenzo. You can't be scaring folks like that" she said, hitting me as she reached for a hug. I looked up and saw CJ. He had a straight look on his face. I chuckled to myself. I already know he's been fucking around with my sister, so maybe that's why he's been acting so off.
"Wassup, CJ," I asked, stepping to him as I stuck my hand out. He dapped me up and I pulled him into me.
"You are tripping. Meet me on the porch" I said lowly in his ear. I met eyes with my parents and Maurice. Why in the hell are they here? They’re acting like this is my party or some shit.
"Why are y'all here," I asked as I went around CJ.
"I told them I was coming," Maurice said.
"So I had to invite them, too," Nia said as she walked inside the kitchen from the hallway. I looked at her head to toe and she was beautiful. She had on some white jean shorts that were ripped with an off the shoulder blue button-down shirt. Her tattoos were showing on her shoulder.
"LORENZO" she yelled at me. I chuckled.
"What," I asked, smiling at her.
"You ready," she asked me as she tried to hide back her smile.
"Aww, y'all so cute" Lauryn said as she wrapped her arm around CJ. I looked at CJ and he was drinking his liquor. I know something is up for sure because he hasn't said shit.
"Baby, you ok," Lauryn asked him. He stared at her then back at me. I saw him cut his eyes at Nia, then he swallowed the rest of his liquor. He stood and stormed out of the house.
"I'll be back y'all and I'll be ready in a minute," I said to Nia as I followed CJ out the door.
"YO, CJ? What's good" I asked him as he was sitting on the porch smoking.
"Yeah, man. I'm good" he said to me.
"No, you ain't. I've known you all my life, I ain't never seen you this quiet" I said. He chuckled.
"H-How you feel about me and Lauryn," he asked.
"Man, you my homie. I trust you and I trust that you won't do shit to hurt her. I'm ok with it" I said to him honestly. He smiled, then dapped me up. He handed me the blunt and I inhaled it a few times. I'm already high as hell.
"I've been knowing since the family reunion. I saw you come out of her room, you ain't slick" I said to him as we both started to laugh.
"How you feel about Will," he asked me. I shrugged.
"You know I don't give a fuck. At the end of the day, she's mine. She's mine when she doesn't even know it. I guarantee you she leaves him and be with me tonight" I
said to him cockily. He chuckled.
"Then what? You must gonna do right by her" he asked. I raised my eyebrow at him.
"What? You mad?" I asked.
"It's just she’s a good girl, Lo. You can't keep fucking up and fucking around with these hoes" he said.
"And I know that. I would've not fucked around with her if she wasn't. But I'm done with Tia, and I'm already handling Morgan" I said to him.