Hate That I Love You

18

Leila

That night after the club, I took a ride back to the apartment. Nia and Renee chastised me all throughout the night , wondering what happened after that crazy ass brawl that broke out. I convinced them that we got separated and I hid when the cops showed up. I know if I had told Nia that I was with Damian, she would probably have a nervous breakdown. We made a pact that we were done with our exes and to live up the single life as much as we could. Apparently, I'm struggling to hold up my end of the bargain. I'm feeling so conflicted about my relationship with Lorenzo yet I just can't stop thinking about Damian. I hate how he makes me feel. One day he despises me, then the next he wants to fuck me? This isn't the Damian I know. Maybe that Ava bitch really does have him on a leash or... he's just being a fucking whore. "You'll be back" UGH. What an ass. A cocky one at that.

Dividing between the two is becoming immensely frustrating. Better off single. Yea, that's about to be the wave for me. I decided to finally stop being stubborn and called up Lorenzo. "So, you finally decided to call back?"

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I had the apartment to myself for a couple of hours since Nia and Renee decided to go day drinking. Obviously, I passed on the occasion. "You were right, we do need to talk."

"Yes we do." Lorenzo agrees.

"Okay, I think its best that we-

"I was wrong." He cuts me off.

Taken aback. "What?"

I hear him inhale deeply through the phone before stating his claim. "You were right, Lei. I should've been more understanding when it came to your friendship with Nia. I was insensitive and selfish and I'm sorry. I have no clue as to why I reacted like that. Maybe I just really wanna spend some quality time with you since I'm always so held up at the hospital."

"I..." I stammered.

"Hold on, sweetheart, there's more. I did lie to you. About Ava. I knew her."

I took a deep breath. I swear all these dudes are only good for lying. "Why couldn't you tell me when I first asked you?"

"I was afraid to lose you. I know it was stupid to lie and I should've been up front from the get go. But I was telling you the truth when I said I don't give a fuck about that girl."

"Lorenzo, you were dreaming about her. How can you expect me to believe that?"

"I don't expect you to, baby. Its the truth. God's honest. I broke it off with her before we got together. My divorce isn't final until November."

"Hold the fuck. You're still married to her?"

"Legally, yes. Emotionally? No. We didn't work out and she cheated on me numerous times, so I did what I had to." He sounds so sincere, yet still not over the pain of her act of infidelity. Just by the tone of his voice gives him away. "Hey, you have every right in the world to be pissed at me. Hell, I would, too if you were to hook up with Damian."

Hm. Alright, Lei. Activate amnesia. "Why would I hook up with Damian?"

He's quiet for a couple of seconds. "I don't know. A strange thought in my head that if you were to see him again, all of your.... feelings for him would come back." That kind of explains why he took me on all of those trips whenever I would mention wanting to see Mama again. He was afraid I would run into Damian. "Fuck, I sound insecure." Lorenzo chuckles nervously. I'm not sure if I should trust this. Maybe Damian was wrong about Lorenzo or whatever issue he has with him. Well, other than coming after me, but Lorenzo really does seem like a nice guy. I mean, people change. I did. I think.

"No, um. I understand. I've been there before."

He sighs in relief. "Sweetheart, you don't understand how rejuvenating that sounds to my ears. You're the reason I'm still pushing, Leila. I swear, if I didn't have you in my life, I don't know where I would be."