plans for you.”
Butterflies danced in the pit of my stomach and I had to swallow to keep the bile down. When the door finally closed I locked it and the tears started again as I slid down to the floor. Why the hell was my life being turned upside down? What Trell had just revealed had made shit even harder for me than they already were. Everything was piling up on top of my head and I was suffocating in my mistakes.
* * *
A few hours had passed since Trell had gone and I was shook for real for the first time in my adult life. Now that I thought about it, it was probably the second time. I mean, I’d been leery before of what my choices would bring to me, but things were different now. He had actually shown me something that had left my mouth wide opened with sheer shock. That nigga knew that he had something that could stop my world…and not only mine, but my father’s too.
When my phone rang I hoped that it wasn’t Trell. Tears were falling from my eyes nonstop since he left and I was actually afraid to even leave my condo. Usually I could use my father as my shield of protection, but not that time. I just knew that Trell was watching my every move. Calling my father crossed my mind, but then I thought about what my so called boyfriend was holding over my head. I didn’t recognize the number, but I decided to answer anyway.
Clearing my throat, I let out a soft, “Hello.” I was trying to sound normal and hoped that I did.
“Sen? It’s Keenyn.”
“Keys,” I let out a breath in relief. Thank God it was him. “How’re you doing?”
“I’m good. I meant to call you earlier, but it’s been a lot going on. What you doin’ tonight?” He asked and I could tell that he wanted to see me.
“It’s cool. I understand. Nothing much. Netflix and ice cream.” Honestly the television was off and I had no appetite.
There I was, a beautiful woman with money in my early twenties and my life was slowly, but surely going to shit. I was supposed to be out on the town enjoying myself, but I was hiding out from a nigga who wanted to destroy me for whatever reason. Trell had his own agenda the whole time and it had never been about me. I had no idea what else he had under his sleeve, but I was sure that it was going to be at my expense.
“Word, word. Why don’t I come check you out? I mean, I have to be honest, I can’t stop thinkin’ ‘bout you. I mean, I’m not tryna push up on you. I just wanna chill wit’ you for a lil’ while. No pressure. I promise.”
I smiled, but I knew that it wasn’t a good idea. Calling my mother had crossed my mind so that she could smuggle me out of Atlanta and send me to another safe haven. Maybe it was best for me to relocate again. I couldn’t go back to Miami though. It was too much going on and I was running away from something that I could only pray wouldn’t catch up to me.
“Well, I uh, I’m gonna be honest wit’ you Keys. I got a…boyfriend who lives here…and…”
He cut me off. “Oh, damn, nuff said shawty…I…”
“But that doesn’t mean that I can’t kick it with you. I’ll come to you,” I said quickly. All a sudden I felt brave.
Maybe I could call Trell and throw him off. If I told him that I was going to sleep and went along with his plan, maybe he’d leave me alone for the night. The thought of being with Keys made me feel safe.
“Cool, uhh, I’ll text you my address.”
“Okay.”
“See you in a minute.”