Page 26 of A Trial of the Heart

Chapter

Twenty-Six

Rashad:

Standing near Lauryn waiting for the hostess to seat us at this decent BBQ spot, my energy shifted all over the place.

When I said I was done with Lauryn some time ago, I meant it.

However, I was now taking my pops’ advice and playing Lauryn at her own game.

I didn’t want anything from her except a way for her to admit the truth about the trumped up charges.

“I’m so happy you called.” Lauryn smiled up at me as she leaned my way, her hands stroking my arms. She was already too comfortable, and I was ready to go.

The hostess headed our way.

“Yeah.” I spoke dryly, pulling from her.

“Table for two?” The hostess neared us with a friendly smile.

“Yes.” Lauryn spoke a little too enthusiastically.

“Table or booth?”

“Bo—”

“Table,” I interrupted because I didn’t want a booth for Lauryn to attempt to sit on the same side as me. It may have been childish, but I was here for one reason and one reason only.

The hostess looked over her shoulder, and her eyes instantly landed on Lauryn, but they quickly looked my way, and I nodded slightly.

“It looks like all of our booths with available servers are taken, so table it is.” She smiled my way.

Thank God.

“Here we go.” The hostess stopped walking. “Your server will be Andre, and he will be with you shortly,” she said with a smile while handing us the menu. Before she walked off, she tilted her head slightly. I smiled back at her. I hoped the meal went by swiftly.

Lauryn and I sat there in silence. Things felt so out of place. At one point, things with Lauryn were a vibe, but now, it was like I’d never known her.

“So, how have you been, Rashad?” Lauryn was the one to break the silence.

I gathered my thoughts for a second before simply glaring at Lauryn. She resembled the person I knew yet seemed so different at the same time.

“I’ve been good,” I answered but didn’t return the question.

She smiled. “That’s good to know.” She paused briefly. “I’ve missed you, Rashad,” she expressed, reaching her hand out, placing it on top of mine that rested on the table.

Play her game, son. My pops’ words played in my head. Not wanting to seem obvious, I slowly pulled my hand back, and the waiter seemed to appear simultaneously.

“Howdy, folks. My name is Andre, and I’ll be your server. Can I start you two off with something to drink?” Andre spoke with a southern accent that seemed forced.

I looked to Lauryn, indicating she could go first. Though I loathed her, it didn’t mean the chivalry I had been taught was dead.

She smiled with her eyes. “I’ll have a long island iced tea.”

“Got cha. For you, sir?”

“I’m good with water.”

Lauryn sucked her teeth. “Water? What happened to the infamous old fashioned?”

Chuckling, I shook my head. “I’m good.”

“Got it. Can I start you two off with some appetizers as well, or did you need a minute to look over the menu?”

“We need a minute.” Lauryn spoke up before I could.

“Take your time. I’ll be right back with your drinks.

“So…” Lauryn dragged the second Andre walked away. “How have you been?” She asked like she hadn’t already posed the question, and I had answered.

I felt like Lauryn was asking for a reason, and since I was there for a few answers of my own, I decided to play along. “Truthfully, shit been wild these last few months.”

Lauryn’s eyes filled with concern, and her hand stretched my way once again.

“Oh no, Rashad. What’s going on?” She seemed genuinely concerned, so I couldn’t tell if it was an act or not.

Contemplating my next words, I stared into her eyes just trying to see a glimmer that she knew what I had been going through. I got nothing.

“It’s a lot of shit. Really can’t go into detail since I’m still working some things out.”

“Oh,” Lauryn muttered in an unbothered tone. Her response didn’t mimic her normal ways. No matter the situation, Lauryn always had something to say. Her lack of words put me on alert.

I mentally noted her reaction. I wouldn’t speak on it now, but it wouldn’t be something that I would forget either.

Dinner had progressed better than I had anticipated, even with Lauryn coming on to me multiple times.

“Get home safely.” I looked down at her as we stood near her car.

“Home?” She stepped closer to me. “You don’t want to come back to my place and rekindle some shit?”

“Nah, Lauryn. It’s not even like that. I have a lot going on right now.” I stepped back.

“Tell me what it is. Maybe I can relieve ya stress.” She grasped the hem of my shirt.

This was the perfect time; Lauryn had walked right into it. Forcing the saddest face on my features, I dropped my eyes to my feet, staring long enough for them to pool with water before I raised them back to hers.

“I um...” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I don’t know how, but I got some shit that happened, and I have multiple charges against me. It’s so bad I may lose my center.”

I allowed the fake tears to fall. I needed to make it all believable. I hadn’t mentioned it earlier since I was feeling her out, but now that she was attempting to come on to me, I felt the time was right.

“Oh my gosh, Rashad.” Lauryn cupped her hands over her mouth. “What are the charges?”

I almost told her to mind her fucking business, but I needed her, so I didn’t speak my thoughts. “It’s a lot, but I really don’t want to get into that.”

“Is there something I can do?” she spoke in a flirtatious manner.

“I mean, maybe you can help me with who would do something like this?”

Lauryn’s overly arched brows hiked further. “What do you mean? I have no ties in law to help you with that.”

“That’s not what I was implying.”

“Oh.” She nervously giggled. “Well tell me what I can do.” Once again, Lauryn reached her hand to me. This time, her fingers trailed the tattoo on my forearm.

“Yeah… um…” I scratched behind my ear. “I’ma head out. Get home safe.”

I wanted to take my pops’ advice, but being nice to Lauryn wasn’t going to work when she wanted other things.

“Wait, Rashad. You don’t wanna go back to my place and…” Her words trailed off when she stepped a little closer. Her small hand dropped to the crotch of my pants. “I can do that thing you always like.” She seductively licked her lips.

She wanted sex and sex only. That thing she was referring to wasn’t something I liked per se, but she managed it well. “Lauryn, I have a lot going on, and going in reverse is not a part of it.”

The disappointment quickly took over her features. “So, why the hell did you ask me out? I was content not being around you.”

“Look, I apologize if me asking you out gave you the misconception that things between us would change. This was just a friendly get together… nothing more.”

“You know what, Rashad? Fuck you.” She hissed, snatching her car door open.

After starting her car, Lauryn rolled her window down.

“The next time you think it’s a good idea to hit me up, whether it be a friendly meal or even sex…

don’t,” Lauryn uttered before placing the car in drive and speeding away.

She had driven so recklessly that I had to jump back so she wouldn’t run over my feet.

Since I didn’t get much from Lauryn, I had to find another way.