Page 72 of Lyric Squared

It was the antidote to my insomnia. That pussy put me to sleep each night without a problem. It was my alarm in the morning, waking me up from my slumber and helping me get a start on my day. It was my afternoon snack and dessert after dinner.

As I cruised through Dooley, on my way to The Hills, it was the motivation I needed to make the long drive without falling asleep behind the wheel. I was both hungry and exhausted from such an eventful day. The lack of sleep I’d gotten the night before was weighing me down.

Lyric had been away from my house for a full day and a half, but I refused to lay down another night without her. She was my sleep-aid. With her at my side, my worries were casted aside and all that was left was light snoring and fond dreams of us two.

She’s my slice of peace, I realized.And, I love her for it.

While many had to wait for the moment they fell in love with their significant other, I’d had the luxury of loving mine since we were kids. We were simply allowing our love for one another toevolve far beyond its current state, and as the minutes passed us by, it was happening right before our eyes.

I cut my trip down by a few minutes, too exhausted to mind the speed limits and other traffic laws Channing had put in place. Corner after corner, I turned until I made it to Adeline Avenue where Lyric’s home was nestled between a bunch of greenery. Just like any other house in The Hills, there weren’t many that lined the block. The yards were all spacious, just like the homes, which didn’t leave much room.

As I pulled up to Lyric’s dwelling, the Tesla that sat near the front of her gate was baffling. I silenced my engine and stepped out of the truck without hesitation. Naturally, my hand grazed my hip, making sure that my Glock was in reach. I was through the gate and walking across Lyric’s driveway in ten seconds flat. By the time I reached her porch, I could hear the lock being turned while simultaneously noticing that I was not alone.

“Ken, isn’t it?” Collin turned, extended a hand, and asked.

Turning in his direction and acknowledging his presence would be a waste of breath and time on my end. I wasn’t interested. So, instead, I kept my sight aligned with the door as I waited for Lyric to open it.

“Collin,” she greeted with a smile, stepping toward him with outstretched arms.

He inched closer but wasn’t quite fast enough. I filled the gap between the two as I watched Lyric’s smile fade. Baffled, she dropped her hands at her side and took a step backward.

“Keanu,” she gasped.

“Why the fuck you want to play with me?”

“I’m not… I mean. I don’t,” she explained.

“Is everything alright?” Collin interrupted.

“Not if you don’t get the fuck off her porch.”

“Collin, sorry. This is all just a misunderstanding. I’ll call you.”

“No. she won’t,” I assured him.

Every step forward I took, caused Lyric to step backward until we were both inside of her home. I could feel my blood boiling as I shut the door behind us. Lyric said nothing. She perched a hand on her hip and stared up at me as if I was the one who was on some bullshit.

“I’m not here to play games, Lyric, neither am I going to share you with another nigga. Not by any means.”

“I’m not asking you to.”

“Then, why was he here?” I pointed at the door behind me.

“For dinner, Keanu.”

“Dinner? The nigga was here for…” I stopped mid-sentence, pulling a hand over my mouth as I shook my head. “Dinner?” I chuckled, slightly amused.

“Yes. I figured the least I could do was feed him before I broke the news to him.”

“What news?”

“The news that I decided I’d rather fuck and fall in love with my lifetime friend than be with him. That news, Keanu.”

“Does this,” I asked as I pointed between us, “bother you? Hmmm?”

“While it feels like the greatest thing to ever happen to me, it simultaneously feels like my doom.”

Offended by her honesty, I asked, “Why? Why does this feel like your doom?”