Page 49

Ev felt a way.All that rah-rah about what we weren’t, and I could tell she felt a way. I hadn’t even done anything, had actually tried to stop Chelle before she implied Ev was some bird I just fucked on. But she was still upset. I looked down at Chelle. Her big brown eyes met mine, and my mouth twisted into a smirk. Only then did she start to look nervous. I stepped closer, refusing to yell over the music.
“You know you were being petty as fuck," I observed calmly.
“I was just surprised to see—” she started before I cut her off.
“Nah, I don’t need you to speak yet. You were way out of line, Chelle. Yo' ass used to be happy to remain silent as long as yo' old ass fiancé was around, but you felt the need to put your hands on me and open yo' mouth when you saw Ev?"
She pouted. "I mean, I tried to ask if she was your latest flavor?—”
"And I told you she wasn't. She's?—”
Fuck, I couldn't even say what she was. I had no words for it. Chelle stared at me incredulously as she finally understood.
"Oh, my God. You like her. You seriously like her. Why?" she pressed, frowning.
"The fuck you mean why?"
The question was stupid to me. Ev was gorgeous, classy, and smart as fuck. Chelle shrugged.
"I mean, you actually interested in something more than a good fuck? Is it because she's... different?"
I scowled at her, confused. And then her meaning was suddenly clear to me. That pissed me off.
"It's none of yo' damn business why, shallow ass girl. Remember, LaChelle, we fucked and that was it. We ain't gotta have polite conversations and shit. My life and that lady ain't yo' concern. She looked upset?—”
She scoffed. "That woman looked like she couldn't care less."
I ignored her. Bitch didn't know Ev like that.
"I don't like her upset. You betta be glad I’m not an abusive nigga, but if I can't fix this, I’m sending Kinny to get my point across and you know she likes to get real active. I don't wanna ever have this talk with you again."
Shaking her head, she laughed quietly. "Damn, Real. You can't blame a girl for being curious. You go from breaking my back—and some others—to ignoring my texts. I just?—”
I leaned closer. "You just nothing. I don't owe you explanations, and I'm not offering them. You claimed you understood that, but mothafuckas always get in their feelings over sex. So, I let you borrow a lil’ dick; you never had a chance at ownership.”
“And she does?” she challenged.
“Move the fuck around, LaChelle."
Her hand tightened on her champagne glass so much that I was surprised the delicate stem didn't break. But she gave me a fake, breezy smile and reclaimed her seat. Nodding to the other women at the table, I strolled away, posting up just outside the hallway where Ev had disappeared.
I had to call her twice when she reappeared. I knew shorty heard me the first time; she was just thinking about ignoring me. That wasn’t happening, now or ever. I stepped into her personal space.
“What is it, Real?”
She massaged her left temple as she asked the question, like she had a headache or something. Frowning, I pushed her hand away before using my thumb to stroke the spot. I peered down into her light brown eyes. I was searching for something, but Ev was an expert at giving nothing away. If it hadn’t been for her fingers rubbing her head and the little bit of tone in her voice, she could have pulled off the perfectly composed look she always wore.
“Save the attitude, love. Your head hurting? You ready to go?”
She gave me a half smile.
“I’m leaving, but I’m not up for company tonight.”
Her voice was back to its usual blank, polite quality as her lashes swept down to cover her eyes. She was undeniably beautiful right now, with her perfect makeup and perfect tone and perfect expression.
And the shit made me mad.
“Stop hiding from me,” I growled against her ear.