Page 41

Leaving the bathroom, I went back into the bedroom to toss my phone on the bed.

Sitting there with her knees pulled to her chest was Four.

Her soft cries filled the room, cracking my heart wide open.

I tossed the phone, not caring where it fell, and pulled her into my arms. She moved to lay her head on my chest, but I stopped her.

I hovered over her trembling cheeks, lingering just long enough to inhale the breath she exhaled, then kissed the corners of her eyes, tasting the salt of her tears.

"Crown." She let out a fragile sigh, but at least the tears were gone.

"I'm not gon' do shit, Four."

"I know you. You're not gonna let this go." Lying her head on my chest, I smirked because I had no plans to let what Leah did go unanswered.

"I'm not letting it go, but I can see how the thought of her getting hurt fucks with you so I'ma chill, ight?"

"I don't believe you."

Jerking my head back, I looked down at her, faking like I was hurt. "Oh, shit you calling me a liar?"

"No." She giggled, letting her gaze wander to mine. "I just know you."

"Do you?" I challenged, biting back the urge to crash my lips against her.

"Yup." She smirked.

"Ight then, what am I thinking right now?"

She unwrapped herself from my arms and stepped back. Her eyes dropped, drinking me in. I smirked, trying to play it cool, but Four didn't realize how sexy she was to me. She rubbed her chin, humming softly, her finger tapping in thought.

"Wassup, Mrs. I know you," I teased.

"Don't try to throw me off, Cortez. Let me cook."

"Ight, you got it." I held my hands up in surrender, letting her do her thing. Her stare wrapped around me like every part of me deserved to be seen twice. I don't think I've ever blushed in my life, but Four had a nigga's cheeks heating up. "Ight, time's up. What's on your husband's mind?"

"Murder." There was something in the way she said it. She was too calm, and that made it hit harder. "What Leah did made you angry because, in your mind, you failed to protect me. It doesn't matter that I might've started the fight. Leah hurt me, and that's unacceptable."

Four was talking her shit.

"Last night, Chosyn told me this would happen. I didn't want to believe it, and I said some things to her that I didn't mean."

"What did you say?"

"It doesn't matter because this is who you are."

"Who am I, Four?"

I almost didn't want to ask out of fear of what she might say.

I wasn't blind to how our situation might've looked to muthafuckas who didn't know us.

Terms like loving bombing or emotional manipulation could easily be thrown at our relationship because at every step it seemed I was forcing Four to fuck with me.

None of it was true, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't understand how someone might come to that conclusion.

"Four," I murmured, needing her to say something.

The silence between us was too thick. Maybe she did think I was love bombing her, or maybe she thought I was a monster for the way I chose to handle certain situations. I shook my head not wanting to think the worst but shit the worst was at the front of my mind.

"It's cool you don't gotta say shit," I told her, rubbing the back of my neck. "I'ma go shower."

I turned to leave and felt her hand grab mine.

Looking at her, I smirked. Ain't no fucking way Four felt any of the shit I was thinking.

All four of her eyes gave her ass way. The depths of her brown irises housed something deeper than simple affection.

It was love, adoration, and need. Maybe I was delusional and only seeing what I wanted to see but shit I didn't care.

"Crown, you're the person who wasn't afraid to step into my life and demand my heart after I promised to never give it to anyone again.

The man who'll hype me up when I can't do it for myself, willing to murder and lay his life on the line for me.

That's who you are, Crown. It's how you move without permission or hesitation.

" She paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"There's something about who you are for me and only me. It's not what I wanted?—"

"River, what the fuck are you saying right now?" I couldn't stop myself. My voice was harsh 'cause a nigga's heart was breaking at the thought of Four ending us after saying I was the perfect nigga for her.

"Why are you calling me River?" She frowned.

"That's who the fuck I'm talking to right now. Four knows better than to break up with me. Shit, River should know better too but it's cool 'cause I'm gon' teach her ass a lesson," I grumbled pissed off.

"Crown, what are you even talking about right now?" River laughed like my heart wasn't shattering into pieces.

"This shit's funny to you, huh?"

I jogged my ass back downstairs and grabbed the bag I got from the hardware store last night. Grabbing what I was looking for, I popped open the package and went back upstairs. River was still standing in the same spot, looking amused as fuck.

"Crown—" She tried to mask the laughter in her tone but I heard that shit.

"Yo, I can't believe yo' ass is doing this shit to me right now. My heart's crying out for you and your stupid ass is laughing like a nigga isn't in love. The fucked-up part is you're so fucking blind you won't even see this shit is a mistake."

"Wait, what?" River was laughing hard as fuck now.

I shot her ass a dirty look and she laughed harder. Grabbing my phone from the bed, I searched through Apple Music looking for a certain song. If I had to fucking mourn this break up, River was about to mourn her fucking vision.

"You really think this shit is funny. Cool. I'ma give you one more chance to bring Four the fuck out here, because River is gonna make me snap her fucking neck."

"Crown, please stop! I can't take anymore." River doubled over, her body shaking with laughter. Her stupid ass eyes filled with tears as she clutched her stomach, struggling to catch her breath.

"Yo, I'm really about to lose my shit and your ass is fucking snorting."

"Because what are you so—" Snatching her glasses, I quickly folded them, then placed the padlock around the arms of her glasses and locked it. I tossed River her glasses, then pressed play on my phone.

"Who would've known that you'd have to go? So suddenly, so fast? How could it be that our sweet memories would be all, all that we have left?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief as her mouth parted in stunned silence.

"Don't look surprised. We both 'bout to be in mourning in this bitch."

"What the fuck, Crown?"

"I'ma mourn this relationship, and you gonna mourn the loss of your sight. Now give me your hand and bow your head.

"Crown, don't fucking touch me. Unlock my glasses."

"Nope, and don't think about trying to get another pair out of my trunk. I already texted Wolfe letting him know to buy every fucking padlock he can find."

"Crown!" she spat. "Turn that fucking song off and unlock my glasses!"

"Nah, you don't need to see. Fuck I look like letting you see other niggas while I'm heartbroken?"

"Cortez!"

"Man, stop yelling and let a nigga two step in his sorrows.

That's right, ladies, y'all gon' find a way to get through but me.

.." I chuckled roughly, then locked eyes with River.

"I'ma kill every nigga her sightless ass thinks about fucking with.

.." I paused, taking her in then added ".

..bitches too. She's the type to think fucking on a bitch is a loophole.

" Her ass was squinting so she probably couldn't see me forreal, but I knew her blind ass heard every word.