Page 15 of Entangled With The Hellhound

I have anger issues that not even therapy can cure, and the one person who knows most of my triggers is standing in front of me, ready to pull.

“Christine, I don’t explain myself to anyone. Especially you. Now, I have shit to do.” I go to walk away, but Christine grabs my arm. Her dark brown skin is glowing with fury, and I can see the rage lighting up those hazel cat-like eyes.

“There’s another woman. Isn’t it?” Her tone is accusatory, and I can see the crazy peeking out. But like I said… I have shit to do.

“If it was, it wouldn’t be any of your motherfucking business.” I lean down into her face so she can see my eyes. “Don’t fuck with me, Christine. I don’t owe you shit. You’re not my fuckin’ wife.” I growl at her.

“You will always be mine, Stone.” Christine’s eyes are practically shimmering with defiance.

I shake my head because I am arguing with a bitch who doesn’t have my last name. I said I would never do that shit again.Fucking toxic.

I walk away from my ex-wife because a crazy bitch only brings trouble. And I have enough of that shit in my life already.

Marie comes from behind me, and something tells me she heard the entire exchange. I can’t get a read on her facial expression.

“What’s up?” I finally ask her when she’s quiet for too long. I keep walking, and she falls in step beside me.

“I’ve just never seen you turn down Christine before. Is it this Roxy woman?” Marie asks, and I should’ve known she would eventually ask me. I’ve had a lot of conversations about Roxy lately, and although I wasn’t talking directly to Marie, she’s always around.

I dismiss both her concerns and her questions with a blank face and a shrug. “Mind your business.”

Marie gives me a scowl, but she doesn’t say anything else. I’ve never discussed women with her. Not Christine or anybody else. I’m not sure why she thinks I would start now.

The last thing I need is Marie to start acting funny, especially with Christine popping up out of nowhere. I already have to figure out how to keep my ex-wife and Roxy apart. But I know how close Marie and Christine are, but neither of them better start any shit! And I mean that!

7

Roxy

“I’m telling you, girl! She had her hand gripping the hell outta his junk. And she was all up in his face. That has to be his woman. Ain’t no way a stranger was doin’ him like that.” Karma is very animated as she tells me all about Stone and the mystery woman she saw in the hall.

I’ve been listening to Karma tell me about Stone getting a hand job in the back hallway for about ten minutes. I can’t say that the news didn’t shock me, especially since Stone was justall up in myface a few minutes before. However, I can’t say that I’m surprised.

Men like Stone go wherever the wind blows them. From the moment I saw him, I knew that he would be trouble, and I definitely know trouble.

“Karma, Stone is a grown man if he wants to get a hand job hell if he wants to get head in the hallway, it’s none of my business,” I say the words with a straight face, but I’m feeling some type of way.

But life experience has shown me how not to react to a man. So I don’t have any claims on Stone. And even if I did like him, I’m not chasing behind any man.

“Well, excuse me. I just saw how he was all over you. I thought you’d want to know.” Karma huffs.

I know she means well, but my girl can be nosey as hell. I don’t have the energy to explain Stone and me. Hell, there isn’t even a “me and Stone.” I’ve only met the man once, and we made out like teenagers. We didn’t exchange vows.

“It’s none of my business, Karma.” I shrug, but I’m glad she told me.

With Stone’s little display of affection in front of everyone, I was under the impression he wanted to take what we started at the party further. I was all in once I got out of my own head about him. Now, I’m second guessing my decisions… again.

“Roxy! We need you on set!”

“The queen beckons. Let me go before she’s screaming for my head.” I roll my eyes, but I’m secretly glad that Nia hollered for me this time. Because now, I don’t have to answer all of Karma’s invasive ass questions.

I gather my touch-up kit and head to the models. I go to Nia first, who doesn’t need anything done because I packed on the product and set her face. She just wants attention and to be treated like she’s special. I refuse to waste my make-up on her, so I pretend to dust my brush and lightly rub it on her face, so it doesn’t mess up what I’ve already done for her.

“Do I need more lip? I feel like they don’t look as good as they should.” Nia pokes her plump lips out, making a duck face, and I really want to open palm slap her in the mouth, but I smile instead.

“No, your lips look perfect. I’ll change the color with the wardrobe change. For now, they’re set.” I put as much excitement in my voice as I could muster.

“I guess. You’re theprofessional.” Nia replies snidely.