by Lexi Reign
"Just cause you with my sister doesn’t mean you have to turn into a bitch," I said to him as he slapped me against my neck.
"Man, fuck you," he said as I slapped his ass back.
"Oh, you have done it now," he said as he jumped on my back and started choking me. I felt him bite my ear.
"AHHH SHIT, CJ" I yelled as I threw his ass off of me.
"What the hell y'all doing out here," Nia asked as Lauryn came out with her.
"H-He.. c-called.. me a bitch," CJ said breathlessly.
"H-He.. bit.. my ear," I said to her. Lauryn and Nia laughed as CJ started to laugh, too.
"I think it's bleeding," I said as I touched it. They continued to laugh like it was so funny.
"Fuck y'all. Nia, let's go" I said to her as I headed towards my car.
"Finish up, Lauryn," Nia said as she got in the car.
"I love you, bruh" CJ yelled.
"Yeah, yeah. Fuck you" I yelled out to him. I cranked the car as she continued to giggle. I sped off down the highway.
"Shut up. That shit wasn't funny. My ear hurts" I said as she made a pouting face.
"Aww, it's okay. You want me to kiss it" she asked. I smirked and nodded as I stopped at a red light.
"Yeah, that'll make it feel better. Happy Birthday," I said smiling. She blushed.
"Thank you, Lo" she said as she leaned across me.
I'm about to get her ass. She leaned closer to my ear to kiss and I quickly turned my head which made her lips touch mine. I deepened the kiss and a moan slipped out of her mouth. She quickly pulled away.
"You're welcome," I said, smirking. I know she wants me. Will ain't got shit on me. Nobody she ever will fuck with can amount to me. There's only one Lo. I chuckled to myself as I sped off.
Chapter 21: Hate That I Love You
Nia's POV
September 20th
8:30pm
"St-stop.. ma-making me laugh," I said to Lorenzo in between breaths. Right now, we're on our way back to my house. We have been out all day shopping and just hanging out. It actually felt like old times. I truly do miss him. Times like these especially. He was such a good friend, and just like I thought from the beginning, sex ruined our friendship for him. It didn't change anything for me. Sex only made me love and care about him more.
"I'm serious. You think I'm joking" he said as he turned into my neighborhood.
"I think that's my favorite outfit, though," he said as his eyes roamed me. We went to the mall and bought this outfit. I didn't want to wear what I already had on. If I'm going to be late for my own dinner party, I might as well be fine as hell. I even got my makeup done.
"Thank you, Lorenzo," I said.
"I'm serious. You're beautiful. With and without all that shit on your face" he said as he touched my face.
I hate that I love him. He is my weakness. My heart started to race. No matter what happens, I love him and that'll never change. I'll always care about him and he knows that.
Will and I's relationship isn't even promising, though. He isn't even here for me on my special day. He doesn't care. He does shower me with gifts and treat me well, but he'll turn around and go on a business trip for a month. I'm so sick of these business trips.
And with Lorenzo, it's like dealing with two different people. I like this Lorenzo, though. I can laugh with him and vent to him. I don't like the other Lorenzo who ignores me and does whatever he pleases. I sighed and put my head down. This shit is stressful and I brought all of this onto myself.
Lorenzo lifted my chin up and nothing but butterflies filled my stomach as he stared down at me. It's like he's hypnotizing me.
"I love you, Nia," he said as he pulled into my driveway. I quickly pulled away.
"Lorenzo, not tonight. I'm with Will and I don't have time for this or your bullshit. Can I enjoy my night, please" I asked, well sort of demanded.
"I'm trying to help you enjoy it. You have been wanting answers. I'm sorry for all the shit that I've put you through and you know I don't give a fuck about Will. I love you. So much" he said as he pushed my hair out of my face.
"I'm sorry I started fucking around with these other females. They don't mean shit to me. You are my home. You're the only woman I can be myself with and not have to worry about impressing. Everything feels so natural and easygoing with you" he said.
"I just need to tell you this before it's too late. I love you. I'll go through anything to keep you safe and you know that shit. Can't no other woman fulfill me like you can. And that's what I need" he said as he grabbed my hand. Too late for what? So because he sees me with Will still, he sees that I'm serious about him, and he's intimidated now.
"I got you," he said as he stared through my eyes. He leaned in closer to me.
"I'm sorry I hurt you," he said.
"Why did you change on me?" I asked him. He sighed. Our communication skills were always good as hell until it was time for him to open up about something.
"I was being stupid and only trying to protect myself. I ain't want to face my feelings. But I'm tired of fighting this shit, Nia. The night we had sex..man, it was amazing. The best I ever had. I made love to you. I haven't ever felt this way about a woman before and to be honest, this shit scares me, Nia. You got my heart man, and you have the power to crush me" he said as I saw tears in his eyes.
I stared at him and my heart was pounding out of my chest. He chooses now to do exactly what I've been asking for. I can't believe this. I'm so stupid. I should've never got drunk and went out to that club that night. I have dreams about CJ all the time and I am not attracted to him like that. It's crazy. I hate that I did it. It would kill Lorenzo if he found out and CJ has been acting weird as hell lately. I'm just scared of how all of this can turn out.
Tears started to fill my eyes. All this time, all I've wanted him to do was open up to me. But he couldn't do that. He decided to fight his feelings by fucking other women. He makes me so angry and I constantly think about all the shit we have been through. But at the same time, I love him.
"I love you, too, Lorenzo and you know that. But I can't" I said to him as I pulled away from him. He quickly gripped my face and kissed me. I reluctantly kissed him back.
"Quit.. acting.. like.. you.. don't.. want to kiss me.. back, girl" he said in between kisses, which made me smile and give in.
It's like I melt under his touch and get hypnotized. We passionately kissed as our tongues fought for dominance. I quickly pulled away.
"I'm sorry," he said sighing. I nodded. I really need to stay away from Lorenzo. He's my weakness and that's both good and bad.
"Come on," he said as we got out and walked inside my house.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" everyone yelled. A huge grin spread across my face as tears started to run down my face. Even though the party isn't really a surprise because I knew about it, just seeing how everything turned out really made me happy.
Lauryn really helped me out a lot. It looks a whole lot better since Lorenzo and I left. Tears of happiness, love, guilt, and pain ran down my face. I really need a drink. I'm so stressed out between Lorenzo, Will, and this extra mess between me and CJ. Not only will my mess hurt Lorenzo, but it'll hurt Lauryn, too.
"Happy birthday sis," Maurice said hugging me. I smiled and hugged him back as Lauryn came to hug me, too.
"Let's eat y'all. I'm starving" Lauryn said, making me laugh.
We all walked towards the dining room table and sat down. Lauryn and Maurice insisted that they'll put all the food together and lay it out. It was me, Lorenzo, CJ, Lauryn, Maurice, and pops. Maurice sat to the right of me and Lauryn sat on the left, and CJ was sitting on her left. Lorenzo sat across from me and his pops sat on his left side.
"Where's mama," Lorenzo asked his pops as he sat down.
"She left and went to the hotel. You know how your mama is" pops said.
I rolled my eyes. I should've not invited her ass, but Maurice made me. Lorenzo sighed and I saw a hurt look on his face. He met eyes with me and
the look quickly faded away. I know the way his mama is, is still affecting him. Not knowing who my parents are or why they didn't want me really takes a toll on me every day.
Everyone fixed their plates and started to eat. I fixed myself a glass of Hennessy Black and sipped on it. It was so quiet that all you heard was forks and spoons clanking against the dishes. The vibe was so off and I could feel Lorenzo and CJ both cutting their eyes at me. I picked at my food.
"I'm sorry but I can't take how quiet it is," Lorenzo said breaking the silence. Lauryn was about to say something until the doorbell rang.
***KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK***
I wonder who in the hell that is.
"Who is that?" Lauryn asked.
"It might be your mama coming back. She probably got lost on the way to the hotel" pops said making me laugh as I walked towards the door. I opened the door and met eyes with Will. My eyes widened. I wasn't expecting him to even be back tonight. He claimed he wasn't going to make it because he wasn't going to be finished with his client.
"Hey. Wh-what are you doing here" I asked. He smiled and embraced me into a hug.
"Happy birthday baby," he said as he kissed my lips. I pulled away quickly.
"You don't look happy to see me," he said as he grabbed my hand.
"You weren't expecting me huh? You know I'll never miss anything important to you. I told you I'm trying to be a better man for you" he said as he kissed me again. My heart dropped because Lorenzo is here and it's just no telling how things will turn out.
"Y'all got it smelling good up in here," Will said as he followed me to the table.
"What's going on, y'all," he said, speaking to everyone. Lauryn bucked her eyes and stared at me.
"Hey, Will," Lauryn said, smiling as Will gave her a side hug.
"What's good, Cal?" Will said dapping up CJ and speaking to Lorenzo and his pops.
"Baby, fix me a plate," Will said to me as he sat down at the table next to CJ. I could feel Lorenzo staring a hole in me. I could feel the tension. I made Will a plate and sat next to him.
"I'm about to head out y'all. I ain't a young man anymore" pops said as he stood and wiped his mouth. He grabbed his plate.
"Nah, I got that pop," Lorenzo said as he grabbed the plate and walked towards my kitchen.
"You sure you want to drive by yourself," Maurice asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. I'll send a text to y'all later. Love y'all. All of y'all. Calvin and Nia, y'all, too" pops said smiling as he headed out. I looked up and Lorenzo was staring at me with a defeated look on his face. I quickly looked away and swallowed the rest of my Hennessy.
"Birthday girl, you ready for your shots," Lauryn said smiling as she started pouring liquor in the shot glasses. I laughed.
"Yes ma'am," I said smiling. She continued to take cups out of the pack.
"Damn, how many you pouring," I asked.
"24," she said.
"WHAT," I asked. Her and CJ laughed.
"You heard me. 24. I should do 25 and give you one to grow on" she said laughing.
"Let's go. I ain't scared" I said. Lorenzo was standing in the doorway of the kitchen and watching me intensely. I grabbed each shot glass and downed each one.
I swallowed the 24th cup and I sat down. I already started to feel the liquor.
"You ain't gonna be no good tonight," Will said chuckling.
"She sure ain't," Lauryn said.
"One time for the birthday bitch, two times for the birthday bitch. Three times for the birthday bitch. Fuck it up if it's your birthday bitch" she started to sing as I shook my head at her.
"Where the music at," she asked as she stood up to get the speaker.
"Baby, can you go get me some bacon bits," Will asked. I snapped my neck at him.
"You serious," I asked. He chuckled as he leaned closer to me.
"What? I'm trying to eat and I need some bacon bits, so I asked you. You my girl, you're supposed to take care of me" he said lowly smirking as he rubbed my thigh. I stood and walked towards the kitchen. And shit like that pisses me off, too, about Will.
Lorenzo was in my fridge. He stared at me with a blank look. It was a look I haven't seen before. I poured me another glass of Hennessy.
"That's enough, don't you think," Lorenzo said.
"B-Boy m-" I started to say as the doorbell rang.
**KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK**
Now I know for a fact that no one else should be stopping by my house.
"That's probably for me," he said as he quickly walked towards the door. What the hell does he mean it's for him? I followed behind him and he walked out of the front door. I followed behind him and met eyes with a short older brown-skinned lady. Her hair was cut in a shortcut and she had tears in her eyes.
"What's going on? Hey, I'm Nia. Are you ok" I asked her. Lorenzo stared at me with a sympathetic look and the lady looked at me as if she was amazed.
"I know who you are, baby. I'm Nelle, your birth mom" she said with tears running down her face. I looked at Lorenzo in disbelief.
"H-How did you.." I started to say as he cut me off.
"I found her. I made a few calls and pulled some strings. This is your birthday gift from me" Lorenzo said. He stared at me and had a scared look on his face.
"I don't know what to say," I said as they both stared at me. Everything started to spin.
I've waited my whole life for this moment and now that it's here, I want to run. I looked at her again and I kind of saw myself in her. I had her eyes, nose, and figure. She was beautiful. I could see the age on her, but she still had that youth in her.
"I know I've heard you say plenty of times that you'd like to meet her and sit down with her. I know you probably got a lot of questions in that big head of yours that you want to ask so I had to find her for you. I didn't know what else to give you that'll show you how much I care about you. I want to help pick up the broken pieces and put them back together, Nia" Lorenzo said.
"I'll leave you two alone," he added.
"No, stay. I want you here" I slurred. He nodded and sat down on the porch steps in front of us. I sighed.
"You've grown into a beautiful woman. I thank God that he sent me Lorenzo. I've been looking for you for so many years. They changed your name. When I g-gave you up, I was told that you'd have your birth name, but I see that didn't happen" she said staring at me. I started to cry.
I should've been stopped drinking. I'm tripping so hard right now.
"You know this is hard for me. All my life, I've never felt secure. I've always felt not wanted. Growing up, I never really fit in. I didn't know who I was because I was going from foster home to foster home. I've nearly been raped twice by my own foster brother. I've been on cocaine. I've been in an abusive relationship and settled for things I know I didn't deserve. I've made some bad decisions I wish I could take back because I was hurting from feeling not wanted and I'm paying for it now. I've settled for so much because I didn't know who I was nor I didn't know my worth. And I'm still settling now. I've always thought that if my own parents didn't want me, how can anyone ever love me?" I said to her as I cried hysterically. She hugged and cried with me. Lorenzo stood up and rubbed my back.
"And I'm just so tired of being alone in this world," I said to her.
"I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I'm sorry I gave you up. You didn't deserve any of the things you've been through. You didn't deserve to have the life you had. I'm so sorry I gave you up. It was the hardest decision I ever made, but I thought it was the best decision for you. I didn't have any money at the time nor any support. Your father didn't want anything to do with me and I was young and looking back, I wish I would've not given you up" I said to her.
"And you're not alone. You got Lorenzo and he told me so much about all your friends. You have Lauryn, CJ, and Maurice. And the guy, Will" Nelle said as I wiped my eyes.
"Will is my boyfriend," I said to her. She stared at me and Lorenzo confusingly.
"I thought Lorenzo w
as," she said. Lorenzo chuckled.
"I could've been her boyfriend, but I messed that up and so much stuff has happened between us," Lorenzo said.
"Yeah, and I'm with Will now," I said.
"I heard you the first time. And it doesn't matter, where is this Will now? And it's never too late. I can feel the love between y'all" she said. Lorenzo laughed.
"He's ins-" I started to say as Will came out of the house. He stared in between me, Lorenzo, and Nelle.