by Lexi Reign
"Wh-What? No, why?" she asked.
"You don't have to lie to me. I'm your sister and plus, I know anyways" I said smiling.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Why do you think that" she asked.
"Because I saw something between y'all," I said.
"Girl, what? No" she said.
"Nia" I warned.
"I'm with Lorenzo and I'm happy. Don't say that again. Never. Not around Lorenzo and damn sure as hell never around Lauryn" she said sternly. I knew it. She just doesn't want to admit it.
"What happened between y'all?" I asked. She smacked her lips.
"You're not going to stop, are you," she asked. I laughed and shook my head.
"It was a mistake. And it's something I don't want to talk about nor do I want to ever think about again" she said.
"Fine, I'll let it go," I said.
"Thank you," she said as the door flew open. Lorenzo and Vedo walked in. Lord knows that boy is fine as hell.
"Wassup y'all" Lorenzo asked, smiling. I smiled.
"Hey," I said speaking to them both. I watched them as I noticed Vedo had a few plastic bags in his hands filled with clothes. I looked at him and he looked as if he was in pain. Nia turned her attention to them.
"What's going on," she asked Lorenzo.
"Let me talk to you," Lorenzo said as he walked off and Nia followed. I focused my attention on Vedo.
"Hey," I said as he nodded his head.
"Are you okay?" I asked as I stood and walked towards him. He nodded.
"So, what? You're staying the night or something" I asked.
"Nah, I'm moving in. I just lost my grandma" he said as I saw nothing but hurt in his face. I gave him a right hug and he hugged me back.
"I'm so sorry. I know that there isn't anything I can say to help you, but it's going to be ok. You just have to take it day by day. God makes no mistakes" I said to him as I sat back on the couch and so did he. He leaned back and flipped through the tv.
"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN, LORENZO" I heard Nia yell. I looked at Vedo and he shook his head.
"YOU NEVER LISTEN TO ME," she said yelling again.
"NIA, WHY YOU TRIPPING" Lo yelled back.
"AHH, I NEED A BREAK" she yelled as I heard a loud thud. I heard stomping upstairs.
"Should we.." I trailed off.
"Nah, they're good. Lo wouldn't hurt her. Let them handle their own relationship. One thing you don't do is get in between people's relationships" he said. I nodded in agreement.
I heard stomping come down the steps. Nia came flying down the steps with Lorenzo on her tail.
"I just can't with you," Nia said to him as they went into the kitchen.
"I'm not about to argue with you. I've had a rough day and I ain't up for the bullshit. So argue with yourself" Lorenzo spat at her as he quickly went downstairs into the basement.
From the outside looking in, he really does seem like a good man for her. I don't know what he has done in the past, but I just hope what I think about her and CJ isn't true.
"You want to watch a movie," Vedo asked. I nodded.
"Yeah, anything you find. Something funny," I said to him.
"I can use the distraction," he said.
"Trust me, me too. But I know it's hard now. But it will get better and better. You just have to take it day by day and talking about how you feel can help, too. I'm always a listening ear" I said to him as I got comfortable on the couch.
"You smoke," he asked as he pulled out a backwood from his backpack. I nodded.
"Yeah," I said.
"Want to roll," he asked. I nodded and reached for the pack.
"You can roll a wood," he asked, chuckling.
"Boy, it's a lot about me that you don't know yet," I said smirking.
"Is that so?" Vedo asked as I started to break down the weed and roll it up. He turned the TV's volume up. I lit the wood and we started to watch A Haunted House by Marlon Wayans. We watched the movie and just really laughed all night.
Chapter 27: Weakness
Lorenzo's POV
December 18th
7:00pm
I flipped through the TV as I inhaled my blunt. I'm in the living room right now because I can't take Nia's shit anymore. I don't know what the fuck her problem is. She walks around like a damn zombie all day long and then picks with me about shit and all I try to do is be here for her ass.
I climbed out of the bed and walked down the hall. I heard grunts coming out of our bedroom.
I pushed open the door and I didn't see her. I walked into the closet and she was in the closet crying. Her hair was all over her head and she looked so tired by the eyes.
"Nia, I don't know what's going on with you. You gotta talk to me" I said to her.
"Get out" she spat at me.
I ignored her and turned the light on. Her eyes looked like they were sunken in her head and she had deep bags under her eyes. She was sweating and irritable as hell. She didn't even look like my girl anymore.
"I don't know what you want from me. I'm trying to understand but you won't let me in" I said to her.
"I-I have to go," she said.
"Where are you going," I asked as she stood up. She looked as if she was in a hurry and had somewhere to be. She was moving so fast.
"NIA. I'M TALKING TO YOU" I yelled.
"To clear my head. I'll be back" she said as she slid her Uggs on.
"Nia, I don't think you need to go anywhere. Just lay with me" I said to her hoping she'd agree. My gut feeling is really kicking in.
"No, I'll be back," she said as she grabbed her purse. I grabbed her arm.
"Let go of me, Lorenzo," she said crying.
"NIA, LOOK AT ME" I yelled. She kept her head turned and tried pulling away from me.
"Where are you going this time of night? And why can't you look at me" I asked looking down at her. She pulled away from me. I quickly grabbed her keys off the dresser.
"Lorenzo, give me my keys" she demanded.
"No," I said to her. She finally looked at me and I stared straight through her eyes. I didn't feel anything nor did I see my girl.
"GIVE IT NOW" she yelled at me as she got in my face.
"NO" I spat at her as she slapped the hell out of me. I ran my tongue across my jaw. I could feel my temper rising. I'm trying to keep it together and be patient with her ass.
"GIVE ME MY DAMN KEYS, NOW, LORENZO," she said as she grabbed my hand and I gave them to her.
"I'm j-just tired, ok," she said as I grabbed her arm again. Her pullover's sleeve slid up and I saw slit marks on her wrist. I guess she saw me looking at it and she quickly snatched away from me.
"B-Baby" I started to say.
"Just leave me alone," she said as she quickly ran downstairs. I heard the front door open and slam shut. What the hell just happened?
I quickly pulled my phone out and texted Naomi. Right now, she and Vedo were out doing something. I don't want to bother her but I need answers. Lately, they've been hanging out and shit. I'm glad he has her because he's doing pretty good.
Text Message
Me: What's going on with Nia? Something ain't right
Naomi: I don't know, but I feel the same way. It's like she's changing. Is she ok?
Me: Idk
Naomi: Ok. We finna head that way
I sighed and walked into our bathroom. I turned the shower on and let the hot water run. I don't know what to do with Nia. I guess I've been focusing so much on Vedo and getting him straight. His grandma's funeral was two days ago. It was sad as hell. It really hurt me to see him so hurt. But so far, he's doing ok. I know it's going to take some time, though, for him to heal.
Plus, I've been focusing on clearing my name. Lately, the FEDS has been on my ass. They called themselves trying to get the IRS involved because I've been trying to close this deal on the old cleaners downtown.
I hopped in the shower and lathered soap down my body. All I can think about is that look I saw in Nia's eyes. She didn't
look like my girl. She looked like she was really feigning. I should've seen this shit coming, especially since I knew she had an addiction before I met her. I finished showering and hopped out.
"AHHH" Naomi screamed as she looked at me from my head to my toes. She covered her eyes quickly and turned around. I quickly put a towel around my waist.
"Girl, what the hell? When you came in" I asked.
"I thought you were Nia. Where is she" she asked.
"Yo, you good" Vedo asked Naomi coming in.
"Just fuck my privacy huh," I asked them both.
"I'm sorry, Lorenzo. I didn't know you were in here. EWWW" she yelled again, making me laugh.
"You good. Get it out your mind" I said as I quickly slid on my boxers while I had my towel on.
"So, where is she," they asked. I shrugged.
"She stormed out," I said, sighing as I sat on the bed. Naomi sat next to me, and Vedo sat on the floor with his back to the wall. I pulled out my phone to call Nia and she sent me straight to voicemail. I continued to call and each time she didn't answer.
"And you let her just go? You didn't see the signs" Naomi asked. I could see the worry all in her face.
"I know. I tried, but she slapped the hell out of me" I said. I should've fought a little harder to make her stay, but she was in a rage. I just hope she's straight. I love her ass and I hate that she's hurting.
"She ain't give a fuck about me nor who I was. She didn't care that I was her man. It was like her main goal was to get the hell out" I said, shaking my head sighing.
"It's okay, man. Nia's strong and whatever she's on, we family. We fight this shit together" Vedo said. I nodded and smirked at him. I'm proud of him and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure he's straight.
We heard the door slam downstairs and I quickly got up. We all walked downstairs. Nia was in the kitchen opening ice cream. She turned around and we all just stared at her. She laughed.
"What's going on," she asked.
"WHAT'S GOING ON? I've been worried about you" Naomi said.
"Girl, I am grown. I don't need NOBODY worrying about me" she said looking directly at me.
"I don't know why you are looking at me cause as long as I'm your man, I have to worry. I love you and I care. Where have you been" I asked as I stepped closer to her. She chuckled.
"I don't give a damn. I'm tired. I've been walking around this fucking house for months and I've been dead on the inside. And now you want to help me, Lorenzo? I don't need you worrying about me and if you can't stop, I'll help you. I don't need you" she spat at me.
I looked into her eyes and she was strung the fuck out. Her hair was frizzy as hell and she had deep bags under her eyes.
"We were worried about you, Nia. Are you ok?" Naomi asked as she tried to grab her hand.
"Get the fuck off of me and stop with all that sad ass shit. You little bitch. I don't like you nor your mother. I don't give a damn about you like no one has ever given a fuck about me. I came into this world alone and I'm going to die alone. So stop. I wish I never met you. Lorenzo, you should've never introduced me to them" Nia spat at Naomi. My mouth flew open and tears ran down Naomi's face.
"THAT'S ENOUGH, NIA. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED TO YOU, BUT THAT GIVES YOU NO RIGHT TO TALK TO YOUR SISTER LIKE THAT. SHE HAS BEEN WORRIED ABOUT YOU AND YOU FOUL AS FUCK FOR THAT SHIT." I said getting in her face as Naomi ran up the stairs.
"Yo, Nia, you're wrong for that," Vedo said to her shaking his head.
"Boy, shut the hell up. You're no better than her. Nobody wants you here either" she spat at him.
"Wow," he said, staring at her looking hurt as he ran upstairs to find Naomi. Nia stared at me and smirked.
"Chill the fuck out" I spat at her.
"I don't know where my girlfriend is, but the woman I know would've never said none of that shit," I said to her.
"You hurt your sister and you know Vedo just lost everything and you gone talk to them like that? Huh," I asked.
"Fuck you, Lorenzo" she spat at me.
"What? So I'm the bad guy huh? When your stupid ass is sneaking out every got damn night for some fucking drugs. Where are they at" I asked her as I started to dig in her pockets.
She punched me and started to hit me. I grabbed her wrists and slammed her ass into the counter.
"Man, keep your fucking hands off of me before I forget that you my girl. I can't talk nice to yo ass because all you seem to understand is when I'm in yo face and slapping yo ass around. That's what you want? Huh? Cause at this moment, I don't give a fuck" I said as I squeezed her wrists tighter.
"You're hurting me," she said.
"I don't care. You hurting me" I said as I stared at her. She looked so fragile and I could see the veins all in her neck. I reached in her jacket pocket and found a whole Zip in her pocket. I chuckled and I really couldn't believe my eyes.
"Give it back, Lorenzo," she said, trying to fight me for it. She punched me in my jaw again and I lost it. I slapped the hell out of her ass and she fell to the floor. I opened the bag of coke and poured the shit in the sink.
"AHHH, NOOO" she yelled crying.
"Lorenzo, s-stop it, p-please. I'm sorry" she said as she tried to take the bag from me.
"Man, get off" I spat at her as I ran the water. She continued to hit me as the coke ran down the drain.
"THAT WAS THE LAST OF IT, YOU ASSHOLE" she yelled as she started to hit me as she hysterically cried.
"MAN, STOP" I yelled at her. She stopped and backed away from me. I looked at her and it hurt my heart to see her like this. I don't know what happened to her. She was shaking and I could see nothing but pain in her face.
"You were only sorry because I poured that shit down the drain," I said.
"Baby, please. Let me help you" I said to her.
"I don't need help. What I need is a new life and to get away from you" she said.
"What? I know you don't mean that shit" I said.
"You heard me and I do. I'm tired of you and I'm tired of this house. I don't love you anymore" she spat as she walked up the stairs and I heard our bedroom door slam shut. No lie, her words cut deep. I can't fight this with her and she ain't willing to do her part.
I feel like I'm the only one that wants us to work, right now. I know an addict when I see one and what I saw in her eyes, I don't know how I'm going to deal with this shit. I've seen tonight that she is willing to stand up against me to go and satisfy that damn thirst. I've seen the most beautiful women turn out to be addicts. I don't want that for Nia. She's better than that. It's going to take tough love with her ass. I can't be easy on her to break her from this shit
Chapter 28: Changes
Lorenzo's POV
January 19
9:30 am
I woke up and Nia wasn't in the bed like always. I sighed and saw that she had the balcony open. I stood up and she wasn't out there. I heard the water running in the bathroom and the door was locked. I knocked on the door.
"Nia" I called out. She didn't say anything. I knocked on the door harder.
"Baby, open the door," I said to her but she still didn't say anything. I was about to walk away and go to the hall's bathroom, but that gut feeling kicked in.
"What's going on," Vedo asked as he walked in the room.
"She ain't opening the door," I said.
"Yo, I'm really sorry about what happened last night. She ain't mean that. She's just going through some shit right now" I said to him. He shook his head.
"It's all good. She probably right anyways" he said chuckling lightly. I looked at him and saw the hurt on his face. I walked towards him.
"Listen to me, Corahn. When I was your age, I felt like I lost my mom, too. I knew when I was 20 that I'd never have a mama like I wanted, so it felt like she died to me, too. And I didn't have anybody to help and guide me, but you do. Fuck whatever Nia talking about. I want you here and she does, too. I'm your family" I said to him as I extended my hand. He smiled and d
apped me up.
"I love you, man," I said to him. He smiled and pulled him into a hug.
"Quit all this gay shit, now," he said to me making me laugh.
I walked back to the bathroom door and knocked again.