Page 8 of Loyalty, Lust, Love

“Me either, but we can figure it out together. I’d never let you do this alone.”

They remained in the same position for a while longer, deep in their thoughts and barely exchanging words. She tapped his shoulder when she couldn’t hold her bladder any longer.

“I need to use the bathroom.”

He sat up, giving her space to stand, and she quickly rushed into her bedroom. Her phone was on the arm of the couch, and it lit up, catching his attention. Without a second thought, he picked up and entered her code.

Cornell: Is coming to your place out of the question now?

Cornell: Hello?

Cornell: I guess so.

Cornell: I hope whatever happened was important enough for you to leave me stranded at the airport.

Cornell: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. I’m sure it was important.

Cornell: Call me tomorrow.

Cornell waited a few minutes between some of the messages, hoping Fateema would respond. The last message made Lynx chuckle because it sounded desperate.

“What are you doing with my phone?” Fateema questioned when she returned.

“Reading the messages from your little boyfriend. He seems kinda clingy.”

She smacked her lips and snatched her phone from Lynx’s grasp before sitting down. Her phone was still in the text thread, so she read through the messages.

“What are you talking about?”

“All those back-to-back messages. Is he always like that?”

She ignored his question. “Whatever, Lynx. I’m going to bed. You can make yourself at home on the couch.”

She stood, and he pulled her back down to his lap. “Bunny, since when do I have to sleep on the couch?”

“Since I’m dating Cornell.”

“Dating don’t mean shit. Is he your man?”

“No, but if I want him to be, I can’t be laid up with you.”

“Bunny, be for real. If that nigga wanted to lock you down, he would’ve done it by now. It’s been what… three months?”

“About that long.”

“That nigga don’t want you like that.”

Fateema was annoyed by Lynx’s assumption and shoved him before getting up from his lap.

“Neither do you, so I guess y’all have that in common.”

She went to her bedroom, slammed the door behind her, then headed to her bathroom to shower again. Lynx knew exactly what to say to piss her off, and she was too emotional to deal with his shit.

A few minutes after she’d stepped into the shower, she felt a cool draft on her back and rolled her eyes. He pressed his chest against her back and wrapped his arms around her.

“Why do you always say shit like that?” he asked with his lips brushing her shoulder.

“Because it’s true.”