Page 20 of Loving a Libra (BLP Signs of Love #7)
“I never let you speak.”
I was genuinely confused. “Baby, what are you talking about?”
“I always do most of the talking. You lead our conversations, but I just realized you lead them in a way that makes me the center. I end up doing all the talking.”
“Because I love the sound of your voice. I love to hear about your day. I love to listen to you talk about your hopes, dreams, and fears. I even love when you complain. I love you.”
“I love you too, but I’m not talking about just since we’ve been together. You’ve always made me the center of our conversations.”
“I wanted you to feel seen and heard. I was very intentional about it because I knew it was something you needed.”
“Wow. How did I miss this? How did I not see you?”
“You couldn’t see me because the life you thought you would have with him was blocking your view. History, the fear of starting over, and the possibility of being alone stopped you from seeing the love that was right in front of you.”
Her response wasn’t immediate, and I could tell she was pondering my words as she enjoyed another bite of her food. The server returned to see if we needed anything, refilling our waters while there.
“Everything is great,” I assured her.
Once we were alone again, Devyn spoke.
“What took you so long to make your move? We’ve wasted so much time.”
That wasn’t what I expected her to say, but I wasn’t surprised, because she’d said something similar before.
“Oh, so now it’s my fault you met the wrong friend first.”
“Exactly. If I’d seen you first, Maurice wouldn’t have stood a chance.”
“That might not have been as good as you think. Like I told you before, I’m a different man now. Back then, I was on some good bullshit. Remember, things happen when they're supposed to.”
“I guess you’re right.”
We continued to converse until we finished our food. After I paid the bill, we walked out of the restaurant, holding hands, and she reminded me she wanted to take pictures.
“C’mon.” She pulled me along with one hand while holding her baby bump with the other.
She found a spot she thought was good and gave me her phone. I moved back and waited for her to pose. All I could do was smile as she did what seemed like fifty poses. Once she was satisfied, she headed toward me wearing a big smile.
“Let me—” she began before she was interrupted.
“Is this what we doing?”
Devyn looked around me, and I could tell she was surprised to see Maurice. I was halfway expecting him, so I wasn’t shocked when I heard his voice. I slowly turned around, making sure Devyn was safely tucked underneath my arm.
“Wassup?” I greeted with a sly smile.
“How long you been fucking my girl?” he asked.
“Not long enough, and I ain’t your girl,” Devyn spat.
He smiled, looked at the ground, and used the back of his index finger to brush against the tip of his nose. It was something he did when trying to remain calm, and only worked for so long. If he became disrespectful, I’d have to beat his ass, so it would be best if he and I talked in private.
“Baby, why don’t you go?—”
“No, Riq. He got some shit to say, and so do I. Let me get this closure, baby.”
I looked at her, and her eyes were already on me, waiting for me to respond. I kissed her forehead, and against my better judgement, I agreed, but not without warning Maurice to watch how he spoke to her.
“You sure that ain’t my baby?” he questioned.
“I’m positive. You were too busy chasing other pussy to take care of mine on a regular basis. Thank God I made your no-good ass wrap up.”
“You know, I treated you better than every woman in my life, including my mama.”
“Your crazy ass mama should’ve been my first red flag. I should’ve known a woman like her raised a trash ass nigga.”
“I wasn’t trash when I was paying?—”
“Let me stop you there. I didn’t ask you to pay my bills.
I’ve always been quite capable of paying my own.
You only asked me to move in and took care of me financially to appease me, praying I’d stop pressuring you about marriage.
I just wish it didn’t take me so long to realize you were full of shit in every way possible. ”
“I was gon’ marry you, but it had to be on my time.”
“Cut the shit, Maurice. You never planned on marrying me. You don’t have a faithful bone in your body.
You know it, Tariq knows it, I know it, and all those women you stick that mediocre ass dick in knows it.
My biggest regret is how I let you play me.
You’ve been fucking any and every bitch who would let you, even got one of them pregnant, and you got the nerve to stand here and act like you hurt because I moved on. ”
“That might be true, but none of those bitches are your friends or business partners. Chicago is a big city, and you had to fuck my boy.”
“I didn’t have to, but I’m glad I did. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, and the best sex I’ve ever had.”
He lunged toward her, but I caught him by the throat before he could get close.”
“I wish the fuck you would,” I warned.
He pushed my arm away and took a deep breath before doing his calming ritual again.
“It’s all starting to make sense now, Tariq.
I’ve been fucking your bitches right up under your nose since college.
It started with Tamira, and the list could go on forever.
I knew you’d get me back one day, but I didn’t think it would be like this.
Is that why you went after my girl? Is this payback? ”
“ This ain’t got shit to do with you.”
“Nah. I disagree. This has everything to do with me. The only difference is, those bitches ain’t mean shit to you. Devyn?—”
“Nope! Don’t even let that lie spill from your crusty ass lips. I ain’t mean shit to you either, so you can save that bullshit for one of those dumb hos you fucking with,” Devyn interjected.
“I can see why you might believe that, but I know what the fuck I feel. This nigga ain’t doing shit but using you to get back at me.
Every girl he’s ever tried to get with eventually ended up on my dick.
Shit, one of them about to have my seed.
Don’t no man want a woman who would hop from one friend’s dick to the next.
Always remember, you ain’t shit but a revenge fuck that went too far. ”
“Nigga!” I shouted as my fist hit his face.
He stumbled back but managed to stay on his feet. The next thing I knew, we were in an all-out brawl. Maurice tried to hang, but my blows were too much for him. For every three I landed, he landed one. Eventually, someone pulled me off and away from him.
“Sir, the police have been called. Here are your keys, and your car is waiting. I suggest you leave before they arrive,” the valet warned.
“Where’s Devyn?”
“If you’re referring to the young lady you were with, she gave me the ticket and walked away. I’m not sure where she went.”
“What do you mean you’re not sure where she went? That’s my wife, and she’s carrying my seed. Which way did she go?”
“I’m not sure, sir. My apologies.”
I looked around to see if I could spot Devyn walking. The sun was just beginning to set, so it was still relatively light out. When I saw her standing on the corner, I jogged in her direction.
Just as I reached her, a car pulled up and stopped in front of her. When she reached for the handle, I put my hand on top of hers to stop her from opening the door.
“What are you doing?” I asked, confused as hell.
“Going home, and I suggest you go to your condo.”
“Baby—”
“Tariq, please let go of my hand.”
“I’m not letting you get in this car. If you want me to take you home, I will, but I refuse to let you get in this car.”
She sighed and released the handle. The Uber driver lowered the back passenger-side window.
“Ma’am, are you ready?” he asked.
“No. You can leave. Thank you,” I responded for her.
I took some bills from my pocket and tossed them in the back seat. He drove off, leaving us on the corner.
“You can take me home, but you’re not coming inside.”
“That’s—”
“And I don’t want to talk to you.”
I didn’t respond as quickly that time but eventually agreed. She folded her arms across her chest and began walking toward my car, which was still in front of the entrance. I slowly followed her, watching as the valet helped her into the passenger side.
This is not how I expected tonight to end.