Page 76 of Adonis Gates

“I need some air,” he said before exiting.

I followed him outside, pleading with him to come back in. It was late and I didn’t want him to leave with us on bad terms or him and his brother in a rocky place.

“Adonis, please,” I pleaded.

“Go back in the house, Jru.”

“No, come here.”

“I’m ‘bout to chill out here and smoke, Jruelle,” he opened his car door. “Go in the house.”

“I can stay out here with…”

“Naw, you can’t,” he spun around and snapped. “I want to be alone, so go back in the house.”

I was a bit taken aback by his tone and demeanor, but I didn’t want to push any further. If he didn’t want me to be around, then I wasn’t going to beg him.

I went back inside, locking the door behind me. After tossing the wipes I was cleaning with in the trash and putting the supplies away, I peeked in Apollo’s room to find him asleep in bed, then I made my way down the hall to my room.

I took my shoes and pants off before getting back in bed. Eyeing my phone for a few seconds, I swooped it up and text Adonis.

Me: Are you coming inside, Adonis?

Bae: idk.

I chewed on my bottom lip, contemplating if I had the right to be upset. I did give Apollo the iPad despite his brother giving me strict orders, but I also didn’t give him permission to leave nor did I think that he would.

Me: Fine, if you want to be like that, then you can go home.

I waited to see what his response would be and got the surprise of my life when he didn’t reply. Instead, I heard the engine of his truck come to life, since my house was dead silent, before I heard his car pulling out of my driveway.

He was upset, sure—he had every right to be, but I didn’t expect him to be as cold as he was being. I felt a way without a doubt, but I wasn’t going to bother him anymore. If he wanted space, then I was going to give it to him.

No matter how much it hurt my feelings.

Chapter Twenty-One

Adonis.

I heard the front door close just as I zipped the second duffle bag that I’d filled. I didn’t even bother to see who it was because besides me, there was only one other person that could get in my crib. As soon as I tossed the duffle bag by the door, AP appeared. He eyed the bag before his gaze traveled to meet mine.

“What you doin?” he asked.

“Fuck it look like?”

“It looks like you’re packing my stuff.” He leaned down to grab his hoodies that were lying there.

“Oh, aight.”

“But why?” He snatched up more of his clothes that I’d thrown from the dressers.

“Because yo’ ass ‘bout to get the fuck up out my shit.”

“Donny, bro…”

“Don’tDonnyme, Apollo.” I snapped. “I’m over yo’ shit, my nigga. You gotta go.”

“Go where?”