I'd Rather Be Single 2 (10 page)

“Sure.” I said, confused. I didn't know what the fuck was going on.

I threw on some flats and followed Emma to the lot.

Emma's voice was shaky when she started to explain the situation once we approached my car. “Someone heard a loud noise, and then saw an individual flee in an all-black vehicle.”

“What the fuck!” I yelled. I was livid! Someone had thrown a brick into the passenger side window of my car.

“Emma, I’m getting real tired of this shit! I know I may have had some late rent payments in the past, but I’m all caught up now, so I expect to feel safe in my home. How did an unmarked car get past the security gate? This is the second time some crazy shit like this has happened to me. First, my house gets robbed, now my car gets vandalized?”

“We are sorry
, Tyra. The authorities have been notified, and we are beefing up on our security.”

“Yes, you do that!” Shattered pieces of my window continued to fall onto the pavement. I was beyond pissed! I stormed past Emma and went back into my apartment. I had some choice words for Dalia.

She was dressed in some skinny jeans and a blue sweater that hung off one of her petite shoulders.

“
So what happened?” she asked, brushing her hair into a ponytail.

“Your bitch ass ex-
boyfriend is at it again!”

“Huh? What do you mean?”
She asked confused.

“He bust
ed out one of my car windows!”

“He couldn't have
, Tyra. He don’t even know what kind of car you drive.”

“Obviously
, he does! He knows where we live, and he’s probably stalking you. I drive you to work every time we have a shift together, so I’m sure he knows what kind of car I drive by now Dalia.”

“Well
, I’m sorry. I told my father to handle him! I didn't know that he would come and fuck with us again.”

“Well
, the nigga hasn’t been handled yet, and this shit stops today. I wasn’t the one sleeping with that nigga, so I shouldn’t have to be the one who gets fucked up in the game over your relationship ending.”

“You know what, let's just calm down. I'll put on some turn-up music, pour us both a glass of wine
, and we can discuss this without yelling."

"Do I l
ook like I wanna turn-up? Your ex-boyfriend got me turned the fuck DOWN right now."

Dalia threw up her hands.

"Okay, well listen, we both have today off, and rather than sit here and listen to you bark on me about something that’s out of my control, I’d rather spend my day with Seary."

“Bye!” I screeched.

She stormed into her room. I heard her telling Seary that she was on her way over. Ten minutes later, I heard the front door slam, and I was glad that she had left. Still pissed at what happened, I laid in my bed, fuming mad! Her psycho ass ex-boyfriend shouldn’t be interfering into my life. I wasn’t the one who used to fuck him; he was doing way too much.

I sent a text to Courtn
ey explaining what happened.

Don’t let me catch that nigga, I’ll break his fucking face!

Babe, you have too much to lose, I would never let you do that.

Why didn’t you tell me that he broke into your house? I shoulda been the first person you hi
t up.

B
abe, you have too much to lose, so I didn’t want to involve you. But I handled it. my insurance is replacing everything.

Well I just finished working out. I’m gonna pick up some sushi and bring it over? That cool with you, you like sushi?

A smile stretched across my face. It was just about the first smile I flashed all day, after Stax’s bullshit. Courtney's gesture was so thoughtful. I found it sexy that he was worried about me.

Sure babe, bring me some Spicy crab rolls.

Okay, I’ll be there in an hour.

I text
ed him my apartment number and tossed my phone down. I stared around the living room, aggravated by all of Dalia’s clothes scattered on the couch and floor. I bunched them all in a pile, and threw them in her room. I washed the dishes and sprayed Lysol in the air. I took a shower and put on a violet thong and lace bra. I was anxious to spend the night alone with Courtney. It was much needed.

Afte
r the house was up to par, I tied my robe tight and lay on the couch, waiting for my man to arrive. I felt myself dosing off, and when I woke up, I was frantic because it was the next day and I was running late for work. I scurried into my room, pulled out my scrubs and tossed them on. I left a text message on Dr. Raphael’s cell to let her know that I’d be in soon. I called a cab since my car window was fucked up and gave the cab driver directions for the shortest route to work.

I barged into the office and noticed Dalia
was already there.

“Your shift isn’t until 10
. What are you doing here so early?” I asked her, placing my purse on my side of the desk.

“Seary went to work out this morning
, so I had him drop me off early. I know that you’re not mobile right now, because of your car window, so I decided to come in early just in case you didn’t make it in time. I let Dr. Raphael know that I was covering for you.”

I sat in my chair
, relieved. “I appreciate that, thanks D.”

“Mm
m hmm.” She scrolled her mouse over her pink mouse pad, not taking her eyes off the screen. It was apparent that she was still mad.

“
Listen, I apologize for taking the whole car situation out on you, but I hope you understand where I’m coming from.”

“It’s cool. I’m sorry too.” she said.

I really did feel bad, because it wasn’t her fault. She couldn't control what her ex was doing, but I just felt like I was getting the sharp end of the stick when it came to that nigga. I knew he was an unsavory character when I first met him, but I'd never have thought he would pull off all the dumb shit he was doing. But Dalia was my girl, and I couldn’t stay mad at her. I stood her up and gave her a hug. It was thoughtful of her to have my back, and besides, she was becoming more and more like a sister. Shit like this just made us closer. All of our misunderstandings were usually talked out and swept under the rug, so this was no different. At the end of the day, we needed each other and we made a great team.

Dr. Raphael walked up on us. “Tyra, it was very responsible of you to have Dalia cover your shift when you knew you’d be late. It was a mad house in here
. As soon as we opened the doors, we had four walk-ins.”

“Thanks Dr. Raphael, I try to stay on top of things.” I
said, pretending to have shit under control.

Dalia
flashed a smile my way and I winked at her.

All the morning commotion had me forgetting that I was stood up by Court. There was not a single message or missed call on my phone from him
, explaining himself, and I was pissed.

What happened to you last night?
I texted him.

I swear three hours went by before he texted me back
, because I had forgotten that I had texted him in the first place.

He finally responded.
My fault babe, I fell asleep.

I
scrunched my face at his wack excuse and I tossed my phone across the desk.

“Girl
, what’s wrong with you?” Dalia asked.

“Nothing.” I couldn't hide the attitude in my tone.

My phone vibrated again, and I reached over to pick it up.

Sorry babe, I’ll make it up to you tonight.
He sent back.

I had no words for Courtney. The games were now beginning to get old
, and he had the wrong bitch. He kept sending question marks and I decided to turn off my phone and check in my next client. I concentrated on my work and tried to stay busy, because every time I thought about Courtney, I thought about punching him in the face. I called my insurance company and put in a claim for my window, and at the end of my shift; I called a cab to take me home.

Seary and Dalia had plans
, so he picked her up from work, and my cab came shortly after. I made up my mind that I probably needed to cut Courtney off before my heart got deeper into our relationship. There was no way he could just stand me up without explanation. That, to me, spelled another bitch in the picture.

I
took a steaming hot shower when I got home, threw on my Victoria secret pink jogging pants and a black sports bra. With a tall glass of wine in hand, I strolled over to the couch and turned my cell back on. Alert after alert echoed the room with messages from Courtney, displaying his apologies. He told me that if I cut him off for something this small, then it wouldn’t be worth it. He was almost begging for me to send him a response, and it honestly irritated me, so I turned my phone off again.

I
lifted my TV out of my bedroom and connected it in the living room. I figured it would replace the stolen one temporarily, until the insurance company sent my money. I flicked through the channels and stopped at the same re-run of
The Game
that Courtney and I had watched at his house. It was just another thing that glued him on my mind, so I clicked the TV off. As I headed to my bedroom, I heard small taps at the door.

I grabbed a knife from the kitchen
and slowly crept to the door. I had no idea if it was Dalia’s ex coming to terrorize the apartment again, and he wasn't about to catch me sleeping.

“Hello?” I called out.

Before he could answer, I looked through the peephole and saw that it was Courtney.

I ran to place the knife back in the kitchen
, and then cracked the door open. “What are you doing here?” Attitude dominated my face and tone.

“I came to give you these.”

He took a bouquet of red roses from behind his back and handed them to me. I took them from his hand and dropped them down on the floor inside my apartment.

“Damn
, it's like that?" he asked.

"It sure is."

Babe, you have to believe me. I really fell asleep. I hurt my back last season, and the pain be killing a nigga. I took my pain meds last night and I ended up falling asleep at the crib.”

“I really don’t have time for games. I really don't
, Courtney.” I looked at him seriously.

“I’m too old for games too
, Tyra, I just want you. I can't lose you, not over this.” His eyes were soft and sincere. His gray tee was hugging his muscles, his jeans were crisp and fitted, and he had his gray fitted hat to the back. The earring in his right ear was so sparkly, it glared off the hallway lights.

“Can I come in?” He positioned his hands to beg. “Please.” He licked his juicy lips
.

I sighed and then I widened the door.”

I saw him scoping out my place. “You got taste, babe, this look more like a condo.”

“Thanks, have a seat.”

I clicked on the TV and then poured us both some wine.

“You and this wine
, girl. I’m gonna have to keep you stocked up with some Ciroc for when a nigga come through.”

“I like wine, stop hating.” I
handed him a glass half full.

He t
ook a hard sip and then placed it on the coffee table. He turned to face me on the couch. “I thought I lost you already. You had a nigga panicking.” He beat his fist against his chest.

“You
did
lose me. I have a low tolerance for games, Courtney. If there is someone else in the picture, you need to tell me now.” I put my glass on the table.

He scoot
ed closer to me, took my face and turned it towards his. “Tyra, there is no one else, you hear me?”

“I hear you talking.”
I wasn’t giving in.

“Well don’t just hear me,
I need you to listen.” He licked his lips and kissed me softly. He placed small, soft, sensual pecks on my lips and then connected his tongue with mine. He tugged on my sweat pants and began talking seductively, kissing me between words. “You look good as shit in these tight ass pants. When you opened the door, I watched that ass clap as you went in the kitchen. I wanted to eat it.”

He had me cracking up
, but I was enjoying his kisses and his words. “You are so nasty, babe.”

“You like nasty
, don’t you?” He tucked in his bottom lip and pulled my body close to his. He took a sip of his wine and then bent to his knees. He pulled my sweat pants and panties from my waist and tipped them off my bare feet. “Look at that fat pussy.” He circled his thumb over my clit, looking me in the eyes as he laid me back. “This is mine, right?”

“You know it is.” I
closed my eyes, anxiously waiting for him to put his mouth on me. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to last, because my body begged for an orgasm.

His tongue
spoiled my clit, and then he locked his mouth on it.

“Mmm.” I moaned.