Pride

Chapter Thirty-Three

Ketara Greene

I'd been swimming in the tears of my pity when my phone dinged. I almost pushed my phone off my bed but picked it up after the thought crossed my mind. It was from Shakyra, informing me to watch the video. I clicked on it. When Broderick's face popped up, I gritted my teeth and almost turned the video off. I took into account belatedly that Broderick still triggered me and realized I had to take the time to release the anger I had against him. I'd been broken up with him for nearly a year.

I cringed at some of the language being used. I also wondered why Broderick was so angry. He seemed cool to me way before we'd started dating. I used to like how calm he was as a person and how he laughed most things off. I loved his peaceful disposition. It shocked me that he turned out to be such a monster. I was grateful that we hadn't worked out. When he started showing his true colors it was a shock and it had left me in confusion. I would have ended up in an abusive relationship in the end it seems. The thought was scary and so I moved on from it.

"Nigga, what?"

Kofi's question had been the same as mine when it came out of his mouth. I felt my heart speed as Broderick smirked and said,

"I broke them up. Tracy helped me. I mean Tracy failed because really, she was supposed to get Louis to fuck her, but the thong shit still worked out in my favor. I promised this nigga he'd regret what he did to me. He had no business speaking to her when we were friends. He didn't even let shit rock for a couple weeks before his thirsty ass tried to get at her. So, I'm good."

I replayed that part of the video over and over. My feelings varied. I felt elation. I felt a weight come off of my shoulders and suddenly, the shame washed over me like a high tide. I felt myself drowning and almost couldn't breathe.

The tears started pooling in my eyes again as I let the rest of the video play. It cut off shortly after Kofi told Broderick to shut up and I laughed. Kofi was always a real one and I loved him dearly. The laughter cut through my tears, but my heart still ached for how I'd been dragging things. Still, I felt as if I had a right to my feelings. Louis hadn't been entirely correct in his dealings either. There was no way I could have let Broderick inside of my house without Louis getting heated about it.

I called Shakyra on Facetime. When I saw she came on, I saw the background of her stoop and wanted to roll my eyes when I saw Lichelle's face push into the frame with her. Sometimes those two were super messy and I had no words.

"Alright. Come on and tell me you told me so."

"I mean...I'm not going to gloat or anything but I'm just glad we got you some proof." Lichelle said, a smirk tinged on her face,

"Technically, DeMarcus gathered the proof." Shakyra said, forcing Lichelle to roll her eyes. I watched my friend blush slightly and had I been in better spirits I might've pointed that out.

Or not. One day I'll get the guts to ask if she still likes him. For the moment though, that man was my hero for the second time.

"I'm starting to actually like this guy." I said, wiping my eyes, "Like, how did he even manage that shit?"

"I don't know. I just know when me and Lichelle walked over I caught a text and it was the video. He said send this to ya girl. So I hit him back and sent it on the way home."

I started crying again and Shakyra's eyes bugged out.

"Boo, what's up? Why you crying?"

"Because I'm happy and sad at the same time. Like, I really dogged my baby out for weeks over this shit and now it's like...damn he really didn't cheat on me."