Hate That I Love You

10

Leila

It wasn't my intentions to eavesdrop on the boys' conversation. I was on the way to use the bathroom after Mateo spilled his juice on my dress while we were dancing. I heard my name was involved in their discussion, so I couldn't help but tiptoe my way behind one of the walls to hear them clearly. I had no idea that Lorenzo was their cousin. He never mentioned it to me. I heard almost everything. Leila's just an ex. I wasn't more than that to him? I figured I was since he slapped a ring on me.

I heard the door close behind Damian as he stormed out. The rest of them continued on with their conversation. "Y'all believe he moved on?"

"If he did, he wouldn't be throwing little side comments." Apollo admitted. Which is true. The "whole keeping it in the family" was definitely shade.

"I know it's only a cover up, so his new girlfriend wouldn't feel a way." Nico added with his wisdom.

"There's something off about that girl though." Angelo confessed. I though I was trippin' too.

"You think so, Pop? She seems sweet and innocent to me."

Apollo chimes in. "That's the problem, Romeo. Ain't nobody that damn sweet. She gotta be crazy or something. You know Damian got a type." He tryna call me crazy??

They all went to go join everyone in the backyard while I sat alone, playing Damian's words over in my head. Does he still love me? I shook the thought away and continued for the bathroom. When I was done cleaning myself off, I opened the door and bumped into a hard figure. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." When I looked up, it was him. He didn't say anything, he just glared at me with glossy eyes. I had this sudden urge to caress his face, but he's not mine to touch. Why am I having these feelings? Lorenzo is literally outside. I was lost for words at his physique. His build is so big and muscular. I've noticed it before, but it was hard to get a better look when he's drunk and out of his mind.

He clears his throat, removing me from my trance. "Oh!" I didn't realize I had my hand on his peck. "I'm- Damian- excuse me." Before I tried to squeeze past him, he grabs my hand. I look back to him. He has this stern look, but for some reason I can see right past it. He's still hurting. "I didn't know, Damian. I'm sorry."

He still hasn't said a word. He just looks down at my hand. My left hand and realizes it's empty. Damian chuckles and slowly allows me to remove my hand from his loose grip. "Your boy is looking for you outside." He comes off like he's so unbothered.

I almost forgot about Lorenzo. "Right." I whispered. He made his way past me and without another word, he shuts the bathroom door. I started feeling a little light headed but it quickly changed when a major force began to pound against my head.

"I missed you so much, Lei." Whoa. I grasped onto the front of my forehead. What the fuck was that? I shook my head to calm the pain but it didn't work.

"You know I'm not going anywhere, baby." Shit. There it is again.

"Hey, you. I was looking all over the place. You okay?" I looked up to find Lorenzo approaching me.

"I... I think I need to go home. Not feeling too right."

"Probably stressed out. I shouldn't have brought you here. I guess I was too excited to show you off, I didn't think about how it'd make you feel. Let me make it up to you, baby."

"It's okay. I was gonna come regardless. They're my family, too." Hm. Is this a sneak tactic or is he actually being generous. Ugh. I sound paranoid. I shouldn't have listened in on their conversation. I've been around Lorenzo long enough and not once has he done anything evil and conniving to me. I can't resist him.