“I’m good, I don’t have nothing to do.”
“Stop lying. That phone has been ringing off the hook all day. I know a lot of women are mad at me for stealing their time. Especially that tall one with the bad weave,” Rylee said taking a cheap shot at Renata.
“Don’t tell me you’re jealous. What were you looking at her weave for?” Zyrian asked.
“I’m not jealous at all. And I wasn’t looking at her weave, her weave was looking at me. I’m used to seeing the train on the tracks, but hers derailed,” Rylee said making him laugh.
“Girl shut up and get out of the car,” Zyrian chuckled.
He and Rylee sat around and watched movies for over three hours before she decided to call it a night. While she was upstairs taking a shower, Zyrian returned a few phone calls and text messages from earlier. Renata was asking when she would be seeing him again since it had been over two weeks since they’d last seen each other. He’d been so busy hanging with Rylee that everybody else faded into the background. Renata was cool, though, so he made a promise to spend some time with her soon. About an hour later Zyrian noticed that his phone was going dead and needed to be charged. He thought that Rylee would come back down, but she must have gone straight to bed. It was well after midnight, so he was getting ready to shower and turn in as well. He bypassed the room that Rylee occupied and went to the bathroom down the hall. Twenty minutes later Zyrian was done and ready to call it a night. On his way to his room, he passed by Rylee’s room again, but it wasn’t as quiet as it was before. He heard sniffling and immediately knew that Rylee must have been crying. Most likely her circumstances really hit her at night, and Zyrian understood how she felt. When he was locked up, the nights were the hardest for him to get through for a while. That’s when most of the problems that people ran from during the day came back to haunt them. For Zyrian, that’s when the nightmares from his childhood returned full force.
“Don’t even lie and say that you’re alright because I know you’re not,” Zyrian said as he climbed into the bed and pulled Rylee into him from behind. She melted in his embrace and tried her best to stop the tears from flowing. She was embarrassed that Zyrian even had to witness it. It had been almost a month, and things didn’t seem to be getting any better. It didn’t help that she kept getting hit with more bullshit about Mekhi every day.
“You remember the girl at the restaurant that came up and spoke to me?” Rylee questioned.
“Yeah,” Zyrian answered in his deep baritone voice.
“Well, she just informed me that she was fucking Mekhi too. And not only that, she claimed that she was pregnant by him, but she had an abortion.”
“Seriously?” Zyrian asked.
“Yep, he was really playing me for a fool. My whole damn marriage was a lie. I swear I hate his ass,” Rylee replied angrily.
“Give it time baby girl. One day you’ll wake up, and this shit won’t even bother you anymore.”
“I know, and I hope that day comes soon. But in the meantime, I think I need to get tested,” Rylee mumbled.
“Tested? You think you’re pregnant or something?” Zyrian questioned.
“No, I know I’m not pregnant. I’m talking about being tested for STD’s. That bastard was out there having unprotected sex and them coming home to me. The count is three so far, but there’s no telling how many other women he’s been with.”
“I think that’s a good idea. We can make an appointment to do it next week,” Zyrian said.
“Who is we?” Rylee asked.
“We as in me and you. I can’t have my wifey stressing out about nothing like this,” Zyrian said making her blush in the darkness.
“Sounds like somebody is still crushing on me,” Rylee smirked.
“Definitely. Probably even more now,” he admitted.
“But you don’t say it anymore like you used to.”
“Because I don’t want to be your rebound Rylee. Honestly, you’re not even sure about what you want to do yet. You and dude were together for a minute, so I know that your feelings won’t just go away. I can’t put myself in a position to get hurt. I’m patient, so I don’t mind waiting it out. I can’t say that I’ll wait forever, but we’ll see how it goes,” Zyrian replied honestly.
“I understand what you’re saying, but my mind is made up. I want a divorce.”
“Okay, but have you even started the process?” Zyrian asked even though he already knew the answer.
“No,” Rylee answered in a small voice.
“That’s my point. You’re still undecided, and that’s okay. That’s not a decision that you can make overnight. But stop making excuses for why you haven’t done it yet. It’s not about the clothes that you left there like you’re trying to make yourself believe. You’re conflicted, and you should be. This is a life changing decision that shouldn’t be rushed.”
“Damn, why couldn’t I have met and married you first,” Rylee snickered.
“It’s not the way it was written,” Zyrian shrugged. “Go to sleep. I’ll stay here until you do.”
Rylee smiled even though he couldn’t see her in the darkness. Even though Zyrian probably wasn’t trying, he was winning her over every time he opened his mouth. It’s like he always knew what to say and when to say it. Rylee didn’t want to jump into anything else so soon, but she could see herself being with Zyrian. Maybe it was the loneliness talking, but only time would tell.
Chapter 17
Rylee was heated as she and Amber sat in the kitchen at their grandmother’s house. She’d just come back from her and Mekhi’s house trying to get some more of her belongings, and he’d changed the code to the security system. Rylee entered in every possible number combination that she could think of, and nothing worked. When the house phone started ringing, she already knew that the alarm company was calling for verification. Instead of answering the phone she and Amber hurriedly left before the police came out. Rylee knew that they were probably on the way since no one had answered the phone. She wanted to stay until the police came, but her cousin wasn’t having it.
“Now what?” Amber questioned. “He gets to keep your stuff just because y’all aren’t together?”
“Hell no, he’s not keeping my shit. I have to ask Mr. Campbell what I can do about that. He hooked me up with a divorce lawyer, but he’s not doing anything. He hasn’t even drawn up the papers to serve Mekhi yet. Over two months and he ain’t did a damn thing,” Rylee fumed.
“What’s going to happen with MJ’s?” Amber asked.
“Fuck MJ’s! They can close that bitch down for all I care,” Rylee yelled right as her grandmother entered the kitchen.
“You watch your mouth, Rylee Ann!” Sara yelled at her.
“Sorry grandma,” Rylee mumbled.
“That low down son of a bitch is going to get what’s coming to him so don’t you worry about that,” Sara fussed.
“Grandma!” Amber yelled. “I can’t believe you’re using that kind of language.”
“Shut up Amber. I’m pissed, and I can say whatever I feel like saying. Messing with my grandbabies is like messing with me. I can’t believe that low down dirty dog,” Sara fumed.
“But you just fussed at me for cursing, and you’re doing the same thing,” Rylee laughed.
“You shut up too Rylee. Once you get to be my age, you can do whatever you want to do. You give me that lawyer’s number, and I’ll call him myself. I want you divorced from that bastard as soon as possible. Oh Lord help me. I’ll be praying all night if I keep up with this mouth of mine,” Sara remarked.
Rylee and Amber continued laughing as she walked away, still mumbling obscenities under her breath. When Rylee’s phone started ringing, she jumped up from the table and walked out the front door. Mekhi was calling her back, and she didn’t want her grandmother to hear her cursing him out. She’d been calling him all morning trying to get the code to the security system, and he was just now returning her call.
“What kind of fucking games
are you playing Mekhi? Why would you change the security code and not tell me?” Rylee yelled when she answered the phone.
“I’m not the one that’s playing games. Why were you trying to move your shit out while I’m not home? I’ve been begging you to talk to me for weeks, but you blocked my number out instead. The only reason why you unblocked me at all is because my call is benefiting you,” Mekhi responded.
“I’m not understanding what we have to talk about. I just need my stuff out of your house, and that’s the only conversation that I want to have with you.”
“So it’s my house now?” Mekhi questioned.
“It is until the judge makes a decision on what we should do with it,” Rylee answered.
“You know damn well I’m not giving you a divorce Rylee. You can get that shit out of your head. You keep throwing it in my face that I cheated, but you ain’t no better. You don’t think people tell me how much you and that nigga Zyrian be together? I already knew that y’all been had something going on. That’s probably why you want a divorce so bad. You letting that nigga get in your head.”
“You sound stupid. Just let me come get the rest of my shit and you won’t have to worry about hearing from me again,” Rylee promised.
“Answer this for me, Rylee. You claimed to be scared to death when I wanted you to ride on my bike with me. What’s so special about Zyrian that you would hop on the back of his bike?”
“Nigga you barely know how to ride the damn bike yourself. I would have been a damn fool to let you kill me. You sound like a bitter bitch worrying about the next man. All of this extra conversation is unnecessary. When can I come get the rest of my stuff? I don’t even care if you’re home or not. I’m tired of buying stuff when I already have everything I need.”
“How many times do I have to apologize to you, Rylee? Baby, I swear I’ve learned my lesson. We can go to marriage counseling or whatever you want to do. I just don’t want our marriage to end. I love you, and I’m sorry,” Mekhi whined pathetically.
“Exactly what are you sorry about Mekhi? Are you sorry about the picture that was sent to your phone? Or is fucking Brandy the reason. No, maybe you’re sorry about fucking Angel and getting her pregnant. Exactly what are you sorry for?” Rylee asked sarcastically.
Mekhi was speechless. He couldn’t believe that Rylee knew about Angel. That, among other things, was something that he never wanted her to find out. Things were not going like he wanted them to go and he was getting more depressed by the day.
“Baby...” Mekhi started.
“Don’t baby me,” Rylee said cutting him off. “Just tell me when I can come get the rest of my shit.”
“We’ll talk about it whenever you’re ready to sit down and have an adult conversation about our marriage,” Mekhi said right before he hung up the phone.
“Stupid ass,” Rylee yelled before tossing her phone in the passenger’s seat.
Mekhi was starting something, but Rylee was determined to finish it. There was no way in hell that she was going back to his lying, cheating ass. He was going to regret the day that he cheated on her, and Rylee was going to make sure of that. She called Amber’s phone and told her that she was leaving and would talk to her later. Mekhi had ruined her mood, and she was ready to go back to Zyra’s house and chill. As soon as she pulled up to the house she frowned at yet another annoyance. Renata’s car was parked right next to Zyrian’s, making Rylee frown up in disgust. Renata was cool, but Rylee hated the way that she always all over Zyrian. She had to be touching him or running her hand through his waves, and it made Rylee sick.
“Hey y’all,” Rylee said when she walked through the door.
Zyrain had his head in Renata’s lap, but he quickly sat upright when Rylee came in. It was crazy, but he didn’t feel right being with another woman when she was around. Zyrian notice that Rylee rolled her eyes right before she went to sit next to Zyra. He wasn’t sure what that was all about, but he would definitely ask her later. He was ready for Renata to go since Rylee was home, but he didn’t want to be rude.
“What happened?” Zyra asked her friend.
“That bastard changed the security code to the alarm system. I would have stayed and got my shit, but Amber’s scary ass started panicking.”
“Girl Amber is crazy. You know she’s scared of her own shadow,” Zyra laughed.
“I don’t know what made me bring her nervous ass with me in the first place. I’m going to call Mr. Campbell and see what’s taking his lawyer friend so long to handle his business,” Rylee fussed as she got up and headed for the stairs.
Zyrian wanted to go talk to her, but he couldn’t leave his guest downstairs while he did. Suddenly he had regrets about allowing Renata to come over. She didn’t do anything wrong, but she wasn’t who he wanted to be with. He thought that Rylee would be gone for a while, but she came back sooner than he thought.
“You okay?” Renata asked when she saw Zyrian move away from her and lay down on the other end of the sofa.
“Yeah, I’m just tired,” Zyrian fake yawned hoping that she would take the bait.
“Oh, well let me get going so you can get you some rest,” Renata said, buying right into the game that he was playing.
Zyrian got up and walked her to her car and watched as she pulled off. As soon as she was out of sight he ran back inside and right into Zyra.
“You fake as hell for that. Since when do you go to bed his early,” Zyra laughed.
“Mind your business girl. I’m going to see what’s up with my baby,” Zyrian replied.
“You better not be trying to play with my friend’s feelings Zyrian. You know what she just went through.”
“No, your friend better not play with my feelings. I already feel like I’m in too deep, and her ass is still married,” Zyrian said as he walked away to Rylee’s bedroom.
Rylee was on the phone when he walked into the bedroom, so he sat down right next to her. He could tell that she was talking to an attorney because she was writing down a case number and some dates on the notepad in her hand. She seemed to be deep in the conversation, so Zyrian played on his phone and waited until she was done.
“What’s up?” Rylee asked once she was finished with her call.
“I should be asking you that. You came in here rolling your eyes and shit like I did you something,” Zyrian replied.
“I didn’t roll my eyes at you,” Rylee denied.
“So you lying to me now?” Zyrian asked.
“Why are you even up here? Don’t you have company?”
“Were you mad that I had company?” Zyrian asked while looking directly into her eyes.
“Honestly, yes,” Rylee said truthfully while staring right back at him.
Zyrian nodded his head in understanding. He loved Rylee’s honesty, but she really didn’t have a reason to be jealous. She was who he wanted. The timing was just off. Zyrian got up to turn on the night lite that was plugged up on the side of the bed. Once that was on, he turned off the big light and kneeled down in front of Rylee. He removed her shoes from her feet before removing his own and climbing into bed with her in a spooning position. This had become a nightly routine for them, and they both looked forward to it.
“You know I got you if you need something Rylee. If that nigga don’t want to give you your clothes I’ll buy you some more,” Zyrian offered.
“I appreciate you Zyrian, but I can buy my own clothes. It’s crazy that I should have to do that when I have a huge wardrobe at the house. I’m just ready for all of this to be over with. Now I’m finding out that the lawyer has been trying to have him served, but he can’t catch up with him. He’s doing that shit on purpose,” Rylee argued.
“That nigga know what he’s doing. He doesn't want a divorce, and he’s trying to avoid it. I understand that you want your stuff from the house, but just know that I got you if you need me.”
“I know you do Zyrian. That means a lot to me,” Rylee smiled.
“Yeah, even though
you let that nigga make you stop coming over here.”
“I wish you would stop saying that. I didn’t stop coming over here. I just came over when you were gone. I wasn’t trying to commit adultery.”
“That’s why you’re my wifey. You know more about loyalty than most of these niggas out here,” Zyrian acknowledged.
“So, how do you feel? Zyra said that you didn’t sleep too good last night. I know that yesterday was your friends’ birthday. Are you okay?” Rylee asked as she turned her body to face him.
She felt Zyrian tense up, but he relaxed after a few seconds.
“I’m good,” he said hoping that would be the end of the conversation.
“Do you wanna talk about it?” Rylee asked.
Aside from Zyra telling her that Zyrian almost died in a bad car accident when he was younger she didn’t know much about the story. Rylee wasn’t satisfied with his short answer, and she wanted to know everything that happened. Zyrian hated talking about his childhood accident, but he decided to get it over with and tell her the entire truth.
“Listen, I’ll tell you what happened, but let this be the end of it. I hate reliving the past, but I know you won’t be satisfied until I tell you every detail,” Zyrian sighed.
“Ok, I’m listening,” Rylee said as she sat up and grabbed both of his hands.
Zyrian sighed loudly before he started. “When I was thirteen, my best friend Darius and his family invited me to go with them to Disney World. He was an only child, so we spent a lot of time together. We packed up their Tahoe and prepared to make the almost ten-hour drive to stay there for a week. After a few hours, Darius and I got tired. I got on the third row seat to go to sleep and left him on the first row. After that, the only thing I remember is Darius’s mother screaming and me flying out of the back window. I woke up two days later in the hospital to find out that I was the only one who had survived the crash. I had two broken legs as well as a bunch of other injuries. A construction truck driver fell asleep behind the wheel of his truck and crashed right into us. They said that me flying out of the back window is probably what saved my life.”
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