Page 10 of Terrez and Shalene (D-Ville Projects #4)

“You wanna sit up here and compare your body to hers and that shit doesn’t matter to me.

The same way you be in the gym, another woman can be as well.

It’s nothing to change your weight. Then you keep bringing up the fact that she has a kid and I don’t give a fuck about that.

What another woman doin’ with their pussy don’t have shit to do with you, Amber.

This conversation right here is exactly why I couldn’t be with you on a deeper level.

You cool as hell and I fuck with you, but you shallow as fuck, baby girl.

All you care about is money and surface level shit. ”

“And? Why is that a problem all of a sudden? You weren’t preaching to me when we first met and I’ve always been the same person.”

“I’m not preachin’ to you. I’m just letting you know to show some respect when it comes to her and why this shit between us hasn’t progressed.”

Standing, I grabbed my phone and keys and headed toward the door.

“Where are you going? You said you’d stay until I fell asleep,” Amber yelled before blocking the doorway.

“Home. I’m not in the mood for all of this. I came to have a good meal and a chill night.”

“We still can,” she said as she reached for my belt buckle.

“Nah, I’m good. My shit wouldn’t even get hard if I tried to fuck you after all of that. I’ll hit you up later.”

Gently moving her from in front of the door, I walked out and remote started my truck.

Thankfully, Amber had enough sense to not make a scene in this neighborhood with all these white folks.

When I made it back to my apartment, I smoked another blunt and took a shower.

When I checked my phone, it was almost nine-thirty and there was nothing from Shalene, but several messages from Amber.

Grabbing my phone and keys, I slid on my house shoes and walked over to Shalene’s apartment.

Out of respect for Amayah, I didn’t break the damn door down like I wanted to.

One day soon, Shalene would realize the type of man she was dealing with.

“Terrez? Why are you here this late?”

Barging in and past her, I took a look around at how nicely she had the place set up before speaking.

“You told me you were gonna call me at nine. It’s nine-thirty.”

“So, you come to my apartment over that?” she said as she closed and locked the door.

“I told you at the store I was gon’ hold yo’ lil ass accountable. You told me a time and you didn’t keep your word. Now, here I am. I needed to make sure you were still alive.”

“Terrez, you knew I was alive. All the connections you have in this building, I’m sure word would’ve gotten back to you if anything happened to me.”

“What you know about my connections?”

“Nothing. I just know you know things,” she said as she crossed her arms.

“Real shit though, you got it nice as fuck in here. It feel all cozy and shit.”

“Thank you. What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were out with your girlfriend tonight?”

“That wasn’t my girlfriend. I made it clear to you that I was single.”

“Who was she then?”

“Why you askin’ so many questions? You don’t wanna fuck with me, remember?”

“I can still ask questions. You know I just got out of a marriage with a cheater. I’ll be damned if I contribute to the next woman’s pain.”

“Chill out. No need for all the attitude. Like I said, I’m single and so is the woman I was with. If I had a girl, I never would’ve approached you in the first place. When I do have a lady, being faithful ain’t shit to me.”

Closing the space between Shalene and me, I tugged her arm, causing her to unfold them. Now, she was pressed against the door and I was so close that our noses were touching.

“Why you didn’t call me, Shalene?”

“I fell asleep after I put Amayah in the bed. I was gonna text you tomorrow morning.”

“That’s not gon’ work for me, love. You could’ve called just to tell me you were going to sleep.

I don’t fool with people who don’t keep their word, sweetheart.

I like you, and as much as you try to hide it, I know you like me too.

I heard every word you said the other day and I want you to know I’m in the middle of my exit plan.

I don’t like to discuss certain dealings because I keep that shit away from my personal life, but I need you to know what’s up.

You and baby girl’s safety always comes first. If a nigga even breathed the wrong way around you I’d have his face on a fuckin’ T-shirt.

Now, you have a good night. I just wanted to check on you. ”

“Y-you’re leaving? You just got here.”

“Says the person who asked why I was here so late,” I chuckled.

“Would you like some hot chocolate? It’s been helping me sleep since I’ve been here.”

“Just say you want me to stay. You don’t have to lure me in, baby.”

When Shalene pulled away from me, I lightly pulled her back and placed a kiss on her forehead. As she said she would, she went into the kitchen and started to prepare the hot chocolate. I sat on the couch and tried to keep myself from falling asleep.

“Here you go,” she said as she set the steaming mug on the table in front of me.

“What’s your work schedule?”

“Monday through Friday I work from seven in the morning until three in the afternoon. It’s only Tuesday and I’m tired as hell,” she expressed.

“Put your feet up here,” I said as I pointed to my lap.

“Oh, you give foot massages?”

“Only for you. I ain’t around here just touching everybody feet. That shit is unsanitary.”

“You say the funniest shit, Terrez. What makes it funny is that I know you’re serious.”

“I get that a lot. I’ve never tried to make people laugh, yet I seem to do it a lot. I’m really not a hard person to get along with. Don’t come around me with no bullshit and we good,” I said honestly.

For another hour, Shalene and I got to know one another a little better.

I was hoping things between us would be okay after tonight.

I truly wanted to respect her decision to not fuck with me, but I had to try one last time.

It wasn’t until she started to doze off that I picked her up bridal style and took her to her bedroom.

Once I had her robe off and got her tucked in, I placed a kiss on her cheek and peeked in on baby girl.

Seeing the rise and fall of her chest was all I needed and I was out the front door.

Stepping out of her apartment, I sent a text message to one of the lil homies.

When he came to the door, I informed him to keep an ear out on Shalene’s door since her top lock wasn’t locked.

She was still secure with only the bottom locked and she was also secure in this building.

I just wanted to be sure, just in case a nigga felt froggy.

That woman was going to be mine and I didn’t care if she thought otherwise.