Page 9 of Tension

“I’m glad you're okay,” she said quietly, eyes shifting toward the window.

Relief washed over me. But I could see the grief in her usually bright eyes. She knew what she had to do next. What I hoped she would do next: leave that sorry-ass nigga.

“You can just drop me off right here.”

“This your apartment?” I asked, knowing it wasn’t.

“No, mine is around the corner. Just right there.”

So I kept driving. “I’ll drop you off in front. Just tell that nigga I’m a driver or something you paid for.”

She sighed, leaning over like she wanted to say something else. Maybe she wanted to hug me.

I would love to feel her on me again, kiss those beautiful lips. So I did.

I pulled her into me, and she melted against my body. I ran my hand up and down her spine, just waiting until she let go.

A small tear just partially escaped, settling in her waterline.

We were still close, just the car console between us.

I poked my lips out for one more kiss. She hesitated but planted a small one on my lips, then opened the door and slipped out quietly.

“Bye, Honeydew,” I sang before the door closed, and she looked back at me with a smile.

I drove off with her still heavy on my mind.

CHRIS

I stepped inside, and the weed-cigarette smoke combo punched me in the face, thick and stale.

Not again.

I had told Brian about this a dozen times. The neighbors are gonna complain.

Brian came storming out, fists clenched, eyes red. “Where the hell you been?”

Exhaling, I ignored him and headed to my room. I was mentally shut down.

The little relief I had with Vel made me feel ready, but I'm not.

He grabbed my shirt, making me tense up. He’d never hit me, but he grabbed, shoved, or backed me into a wall. Just enough, like he’s reminding me he could if he wanted to.

I looked him straight in the face. No fear. No shaking. No yelling. “I’ve got chlamydia. Got my shot yesterday.”

Brian froze, and I saw the moment he was about to lie. I pulled his hands off me and walked away.

“So what nigga you fuckin’ gave you that?” he started to yell again.

I turned around, still calm. “He’s standing in front of me.”

“Nah. You ain’t coming in here in another nigga’s clothes, talkin’ about I’m the one cheating.”

“I got this from the store so I didn’t have to come back here and see you,” I lied with ease, just like him.

“Man, fuck that. I’m not burning. So you must be fuckin’ somebody.”

“You know what… you're right. I am fucking someone else. More of a reason for you to move out and leave me alone.” I looked at him with fake sympathy. “I'm just a cheating liar. You deserve better.” I rolled my eyes, ready for this to end.