Page 17 of Loving a Libra (BLP Signs of Love #7)

“How does this sound to post under this pic?” I asked Ginae. “ I would’ve never believed my life could change so beautifully in such a short amount of time. #engagedtomybestfriend #babyboyontheway.”

In the picture were all three pregnancy tests, two ultrasound pictures, and I was holding a little blue onesie. My engagement ring could be seen clearly in the picture.

“Oh my God! That sounds perfect. That nigga is about to crash out.”

“Speaking of crashing out. I forgot to tell you he tried to file a missing person report.”

“For you?” I nodded. “Aww, hell naw. Tariq told you?”

“Sure did. They almost got into it because Maurice is mad Tariq ain’t on his side. He thinks Tariq knows something?—”

“And does!”

“Right! He’s mad Tariq won’t tell him shit. He wanted to call me from Tariq’s phone and was mad he didn’t hand it over. I swear I’ve never met a man with more audacity than Maurice.”

“He can take his audacity and shove it. The crash out he’s about to have needs to be televised.”

“I’d give anything to see it. Okay, sis. I’m about to post it. Wait! Should I tag him?”

“Oh damn. I hadn’t thought of that. Nah. That element of surprise will be better. As soon as he sees it, he’ll be calling you from the app.”

“Just to fuck with him, I might answer it. Wait! What song should I add to it?”

“Shit. We need something good. Hold on.”

She picked up her phone, and her fingers went crazy on the screen. Less than a minute later, she had a song.

“‘Gone’” by Kelly Rowland,” she suggested.

“Perfect!”

I found the song, hit share, and put my phone down.

“Damn, I wish we had cameras wherever he is right now.”

I had an idea, but I had to hurry. I picked up my phone and FaceTimed Tariq. He picked up after one ring.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Hey! We need a favor.”

“We who?”

“Me and Ginae.”

“Wassup?”

“I just posted about the baby and our engagement. I’m sure Tariq will come straight to you when he sees it.”

“No doubt, even though he knows I don’t wanna hear that shit.”

“We wanna listen.”

“Nah, we wanna see,” Ginae said from the background. “Call us on FaceTime.”

He laughed. “Yeah. I’m sure his reaction will be very entertaining. Give me a heads up when?—”

“Unbelievable!” a voice I recognized as Maurice’s shouted.

Ginae rushed over and sat next to me on the couch. The phone was still pointed at Tariq, but we could hear Maurice loud and clear.

“Nigga, I’m gon’ have to start locking my door if you gon’ keep coming in here unannounced with all your bullshit.”

“This ain’t bullshit, my nigga. This my life.”

“A life that you created. What happened now? Did Devyn file stalking charges on your ass, because that’s what this is becoming?”

“Nah, she’s pregnant and engaged.”

“Is that all? Congratulations to her.”

“Nigga, what? How the fuck she get pregnant and engaged that damn fast. Either that’s my baby and she trying to pin it on another nigga, or she had a nigga on the side.”

Tariq shook his head. “That first one is a stretch, bruh.”

“Probably, since her ass wouldn’t let me hit it raw, but I know damn well she ain’t cheat on me.”

Tariq chuckled, but not in a humorous way. “It would serve your ass right if she did. What’s one side nigga when you had multiple women on the side?”

“That ain’t the fucking point. She was on my ass about getting married, and she had a side nigga the whole time? I swear, if I ever see her ass, I’m choking her the fuck out.”

“I doubt that.”

“What did you say?”

“I said, I doubt that. If you put your hands on her, it’ll be the last fucking thing you do.”

I would give anything to see Maurice’s face as his wheels turned, trying to figure out Tariq’s angle.

It was baffling to me that Maurice hadn’t yet put two and two together.

Tariq hadn’t come right out and told him about us, but he’d definitely left a few clues.

Maybe he was finally piecing it all together.

“You think I ain’t notice the soft spot you’ve always had for my girl?

I noticed it, but it didn’t bother me because I knew you ain’t have the nuts to make a move on her.

Even if you did, you ain’t even Devyn’s type.

Ain’t no way she would fuck with a nigga like me, then settle for a nigga like you. ”

Tariq nodded his head as he bit his bottom lip. Ginae and I looked at each other for a brief moment, and I was sure her expression of surprise and worry matched mine. When my eyes returned to the phone, Tariq was on his feet.

“Oh shit,” I whispered.

“You right, bruh. I’m not Devyn’s type, and she wouldn’t settle for somebody like me.”

“You should be used to it. Bitches always choose me over you. Do I need to remind you?”

Tariq shook his head. “Nah, I remember well. You got it, bruh. I still stand on what the fuck I said, though. I don’t tolerate violence against women in any way, for any reason.

Devyn had every right to leave you. Let her move on with her life, and you move on with yours.

The baby she’s carrying ain’t your concern. ”

“I know you know something about where she is and who she’s with, but I ain’t gon’ press you. It’ll all come to light soon enough.”

Seconds later, the door closed, and Tariq put his phone down and disappeared from our view. When he returned, his eyes were filled with anger.

“Baby—” I began, but he interrupted me.

“You and my son are the only reason that nigga is still breathing. I gotta go.”

He ended the call before I could respond, and when I went to call him back, Ginae took my phone.

“Give him a minute, sis. He needs to calm down.”

“What if he goes and does something to Maurice that lands him in jail?”

“We got bail money, but he won’t. Besides, you wouldn’t be able to stop him either way. Give him time to calm down. When he’s ready to talk again, he’ll call you or come home.”

I hated waiting, but Ginae was absolutely right.

However, after she left, I waited hours to hear from Tariq.

When I couldn’t take it any longer, I called him, but he sent me straight to voicemail, and my texts were left on read.

I was so worried, I didn’t go to work. At about midnight, he finally called me.

“Where are you?” I asked without greeting him.

“Why aren’t you at work?”

“Because I was too worried about you. Why didn’t you call or text me?”

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m leaving your job. We’ll talk when I get home. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

When he arrived home, fifteen minutes later, I was sitting in the living room. He slipped off his shoes and sat next to me on the couch. Now that I knew he was okay, I was no longer worried, but I was pissed that he made me worry.

“I’m sorry,” he said, taking my hand in his.

I snatched it away. “I’m pissed. Why would you let me worry like that?”

“I needed a minute to calm down.”

“Apparently, you needed several hours to calm down.”

“No, but it took me about an hour to stop seeing red. Once I was calm, I did a lot of thinking. I eventually went to the hardware store to talk to Pops.”

“And you couldn’t tell me that?”

“Baby, just listen.”

“Fine.” I folded my hands across my chest and begrudgingly gave him my attention.

“I was foolish enough to believe me and Maurice could continue to work together after he finds out about us. After what happened today, I realized it’s not possible. He’s a bitch, and I’d have to beat his ass every day for one reason or another.”

“Okay. What’s your plan?”

“I’m gonna sell Maurice my portion of the business.”

“What?”

“I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but the money we earn makes it hard to walk away. I’m at the point where I just want out. I talked to my lawyer, we came up with a number, leaving some room for negotiation, and he’s drawing up the paperwork tomorrow.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“I’m positive. I have another business venture that’s going well, and I also want to start helping my parents at the hardware store.”

“I’m sure they’ll appreciate the lighter load, but what other business do you have?”

“I don’t want to get into it right now, but I’ll share with you soon.”

“Is it legal?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, it’s legal. I ain’t no street nigga. I just know how to survive in them bitches.”

“You’re being secretive, so I wanted to make sure.”

“It’s legal, and so far, it’s been profitable.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it when you’re ready to share. However, none of this excuses you from ignoring me all evening. Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“It won’t. Can I have a kiss?”

I stood to my feet. “No. As a matter of fact, you can sleep in the guest room.”

I started to walk away, but he pulled me onto his lap.

“You gon’ make your future husband sleep in the guest room?”

“After the way you had me worrying tonight, you’re lucky I didn’t change the locks.”

“Damn, baby. It’s like that?”

“Straight like that. You got me missing work because you can’t answer a call or text. Boy, let me up so I can go to bed.”

I wiggled out of his grasp, or maybe he decided to release me, but he followed me toward our bedroom. He was a few steps behind me, and I was able to slam the door in his face.

“You’re taking this shit too far, Devyn. I almost broke my nose on the door,” he griped when he opened the door and entered.

“Hopefully, you think twice about ignoring me again. Good night.”

I’d already done my whole bedtime routine, so I turned off the light and crawled into bed, leaving Tariq standing in the middle of the bedroom.

“Ain’t this some shit,” he whispered as he fumbled around in the dark.

I ignored him, and within minutes, sleep overwhelmed me.