“Well?” I waited.
“Look, kiddo,” He only ever used that endearment when he was uncomfortable with something.
“Just spit it out, Dar,” I huffed.
“Jason said that yesterday was the last day he’d see you,” Darios murmured.
“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” I began to grow irate.
“Look, kiddo that was Jason’s decision. He said he had to let you go.” Darios took my hand and held it.
“What the fuck are you talking about? Jason said he wouldn’t leave me,” I snapped.
“I don’t know, kiddo. That’s all he said to me,” Darios said softly.
“Fuck,” I bit out. “Hand me my fuckin’ phone.”
Genna ran to my bag, found my phone and handed it to me. I clicked on his number and waited. It rang. It rang a lot, but only his voicemail picked up. I hung up and tried again, but nothing. I took a deep breath. If he thought he could just walk out of my life after everything we went through, after what had happened with Frank; well, he had another thing coming.
I waved it off and began to eat.
“You still got me.” Darios winked.
“That’s no consolation prize,” Tiff responded. I nearly choked on my lasagna. Yeah, something was definitely going on between them.
After the awesome welcome home dinner Tiff made us, I kind of threw everyone out. Well not kind of, I really did throw them out.
I stood in the middle of my home as my nerves tried to get the better of me, but I fought back. The old me would have just let things take over, but the new me wanted my life back. I took a deep breath and walked up to my room, but stopped short of entering. Something was holding me back. I grew angry at myself. I wanted to change, but my fear was real. I shook it off and went down to the linen closet. I took out two pillows and a duvet and headed to the couch. I plopped down, taking my laptop and my cell with me.
I stared at the stupid phone willing it to work. Maybe Jason was at work and couldn’t call me. I decided to send a text to see if he’d text me back.
Me: Im @home call or txt me
I waited, but after an hour, he did not respond back.
Me: Jason pls call me
Still nothing.
Fine! He wanted to play this game. Well, I always won when it came to fuckin’ games. I flipped open my laptop and began to write, letting all that was around me melt away. I was back in my element. I was so afraid that Frank had tainted it for me, but he hadn’t. He only made me realize how much I relished my world and that no one was allowed in except me. Fuck you Frank, wherever the hell you ended up.
After countless texts and messages, I decided to go to my brother’s gym. He would show up sooner or later.
“Hey, Kassia,” Jessica annunciated my name carefully to annoy me.
“Hey, Jessica.” I did the same, breathing out the A just so that I could drive her crazy.
I scanned my card and walked in. I went to change, my anticipation of wanting to see Jason only made me more anxious. I figured before I would workout I’d see Darios. He’d be happy to see me here, wanting to get back into the groove of what was my life. I didn’t bother to knock, I never did. I seriously regretted that decision as I walked in on him.
“What the fuck?” I nearly yelled.
Tiff and my brother were in a heavy lip lock, her hands in his barely-there-hair and his in hers, grabbing a fist full.
“Kass?” He froze.
“Son of a bitch,” I muttered as I slammed the door.
I began to walk away, more like run away, when Darios caught up to me.
“Kass, wait!” He grabbed my arm. I swung around and stopped. The look of guilt was painted all over his face.
“Dar, I don’t want to know,” I said, waving my hands out to him.
“Kass, listen,” he started.
“No. I said stop! I don’t want to know what’s going on.” I didn’t want to know. Seeing my big brother kissing my agent freaked me out. Tiff always had a crush on him and my brother was a man whore. No matter what, I would be caught between them.
“Kass… it just kind of happened,” he stammered.
“It kind of happened...getting stuck in the rain kind of happens. Tiff in your office with your tongue down her throat doesn’t just kind of happen,” I snapped. “Look, do what you want. I don’t care. But don’t fuckin’ hurt her like you do the rest of ‘your girls.’” I air quoted. “She’s important to me,” I growled.
“She’s important to me, too,”he admitted.
“O…k…” I let out a heavy sigh, his revelation flooring me. “I'm going to work out. Just pretend I didn’t see anything. Just do me a favor and don’t have sex while I'm here.” I shivered all over.