Page 49 of Adonis Gates

“I don’t want him getting in trouble behind this. We both know he will go hunt Derrick down.”

“Good,” she frowned. “I don’t know why you’re trying to save his pussy ass.”

“I’m not, Gerica,” I argued. “You just heard me say I don’t want to get Adonis in any trouble. He has a brother that depends solely on him.”

“He’s your man…”

“I know that.”

“I agree with your sister.” Rhea said. “I think you need to tell him what’s going on.”

“I like you.” Geri smiled at Rhea.

“I’ll tell him the next time I see him.”

“He doesn’t have a phone?” Rhea asked.

“He has two,” my sister answered for me. “Rhea, we need to go out together or something. You’re alright with me.”

“We can girl.” She giggled. “I told your sister I needed to start getting out more so I don’t work all the time, so I’m down.”

“Perfect, so after she calls and tells Adonis what’s going on, we can plan something.”

I rolled my eyes at them both, snatching my phone up to call Adonis. He barely let me finish my sentence after telling him that Brock had been there before spouting that he was on the way then ending the call.

Adonis’s apartment wasatleasttwenty minutes from where my parents lived, but he made it there in fifteen. He texted and asked me to come outside instead of coming in right away. My father, of course, objected to me leaving the house, but he conceded after I let him know that Adonis was outside.

He was already standing outside of his Jeep when I came out, so as soon as I was within reach, he pulled me into him. After hugging me, he gently pushed me back and began to look me over.

“I’m fine, Adonis,” I assured him. “I got him out before anything could happen.”

“What was he doing here?” he asked and I shrugged. “I was asleep when I heard someone banging on the door. When I opened it, it was him. He began questioning me and asking me to let him in. When I refused to, he pushed the door, and I fell. Thankfully, I was able to hit him in his balls. That’s how I got him out.”

“You shouldn’t have opened the door for the nigga,” he shook his head. “You and the nigga have nothing to discuss, so I’m having a hard time understanding.”

“I didn’t think he would try to force his way inside.”

“The nigga been pressing you since you left him, baby. And you been ignoring all his calls and texts, right?”

“Yes.”

“Aight then. What you thought he was coming over here for? To have tea?”

“No, asshole, I didn’t, but again, I didn’t think he would assault me either.”

I turned to walk away because he was annoying me just like everyone else was. I knew where they were all coming from, and I understood, but I’d spent years with Derrick, and he did nothing more than maybe raise his voice at me when he was frustrated.

And cheat.

Adonis caught my wrist to stop me.

“What you walking away for?”

“I’m just aggravated with this whole situation.” I sighed. “When I left him, I was done for good. Iamdone for good. He keeps coming around, calling and texting. It’s exhausting to deal with. Then I have all of you in my ear making me feel worse about the situation.”

“I can’t speak for everyone else, but I ain’t tryna make you feel bad about shit, and I’m sure that your people ain’t either,” he nodded toward the house. “But you gotta understand that when folks give a fuck about you, they gon’ be bothered about the shit. He don’t need to be around you period. Y’all ain’t got shit to discuss. If he feel like you do, then tell the nigga to come holla at me.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. I filed charges and I’ll be taking out a restraining order against him too.”