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“You damn sure been watching her all night with that lawyer dude.”

I wasn’t about to stand here and argue with Nikki. I had just done enough of that shit with Kyenna a few minutes ago.

“You even smell like her. Y’all were mighty close.”

I looked Nikki dead in her eyes. “Ain’t shit goin’ on wit’ us. I checked her ‘bout some shit, and that was it.”

“About him,” she pointed towards Lloyd.

“You don’t think it’s too soon for her to be in a nigga face and my brother just died?”

She eased up as soon as I told her what the issue was. It was a lie. I was mad as fuck she was in that nigga face because there was something there between us. The first kiss, she was drunk, but I felt it then. This second time, she kissed a nigga back. It was passionate. She let me touch her.

“Shameek, Rah has been dead for over six months. Is there a timeframe on when someone can move on? He’s never coming back and as long as she was loyal when he was alive, what does it matter now that he’s dead? Let her live again.”

I looked at her before grabbing her hand and walking back into the ballroom. All I wanted to do was finish this night out so I could take her ass home. For the rest of the night, I checked my phone over and over again. It was close to ten.

“Come on, let me get you home.” I told Nikki.

“I’m not staying with you tonight?”

“Nah, I got some movin’ ‘round to do tonight and I don’t want to hear yo’ mouth. I got you tomorrow, though.”

We slipped right out the door before anyone stopped me to talk. I needed to see where Kyenna head was at. If she looked me in my face and told me we couldn’t cross that line, I would walk away and leave her alone. Nikki talked my ear off about the event as I drove her home. I tried to pay attention to her and respond when necessary, but I was desperately running the conversation I was about to have with Kyenna in my head. I pulled up in Nikki’s driveway and got out to open her door. She tried to go in for a kiss when she got to the door so I gave her a peck.

“I love you. I gotta go handle some shit at one of my spots,” I told her, rushing off.

She stood there in disbelief. I waited for her to close her door before I pulled off. As soon as I got down the road, I pulled my phone out and went to Kyenna’s name.

Me: You make home?

She was ignoring my message because she would usually text me right back unless she was in a meeting. I knew her ass wasn’t asleep.

Me: Kyenna

Nothing. I hit the gas heading towards our estate. My parents would be at the venue until at least midnight. They didn’t like to leave until they rubbed elbows with everyone. Sometimes that meant mingling with the owners of the venue. I didn’t want to chance them seeing my car at Kyenna’s house so I drove home and drove my golf cart back.

“Aye, call Kyenna and tell her to let me in the gate,” I told her security.

He dialed her number, and I could clearly hear her voice.

“Yes?”

“I have Mr. King at the gate requesting it be opened.”

“Which Mr. King?” she asked.

“Shameek.”

“Tell Shameek to go home.”

“Yes ma’am.” He hung up and looked at me. “You heard her.”

“Call that muthafucka back.”

He was conflicted because I was the one paying him, but I also told his ass to never open her fucking gate if she didn’t allow it. Not even for me unless it was an emergency.

“What!” she yelled.