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♫Now the ass is fat like an acre Come to the spot and we lay up And I'll cream that pussy like mayos Ever since I got my cake up (Woo, woo)♫
As I pushed through the doors of the club, the heavy beat of "Don't Stop" by Megan Thee Stallion and Young Thug pulsed through the air. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of liquor and smoke, and the flashing lights gave everything a surreal glow. Strippers moved smoothly around their poles, and bottle girls flashed bright smiles as they passed by, but I wasn't here for any of that tonight. My mind was somewhere else—somewhere far from the noise and chaos.
I walked straight to Tray's office, my steps quick and determined. I knocked on the door, hearing a familiar "Come in" from the other side. Tray looked up from his desk and broke into a grin when he saw me.
"Zay, what's good, man?" he said, standing up to dap me up.
I returned the dap, but there was a seriousness in my eyes that Tray picked up on immediately. "I gotta show you something," I said, pulling out my phone. I scrolled to the message that had been eating at me all day, my thumb hovering over it before finally handing the phone to him.
Tray took the phone, reading the message aloud. "Hey, Zay, it's Jade. I hope you're doing well. I know it's been a while, but I think it's time for us to talk. Please give me a call back when you get a chance. Thanks."
He raised an eyebrow, then handed the phone back to me. "Bruh, call her back. I'm curious as hell now."
"What if it's fake?" I muttered, the doubt gnawing at me.
Tray shook his head. "Nah, it's from a Brightwood number, right? That's her. She wouldn't play games like that. But I can see you not ready to talk to her? It's been three years, Zay. How much more time you need?"
I sighed, the weight of it all pressing down on me. "It's complicated, Tray. You know how things went down..."
"Complicated?" Tray cut me off. "It's been three years, bro. Ain't nothing more complicated than keeping this shit hanging over your head. Just give her a call."
I nodded slowly, knowing he was right, even if I wasn't ready to admit it out loud. "Aight, I will."
I left the club and headed home, the whole drive feeling like I was carrying a boulder on my chest. Once I got home, I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my phone for what felt like hours before finally pulling up her number and hitting call. It rang three times before I heard that voice I hadn't heard in so long.
"Hello? Am I speaking with Jade?" I asked, my voice steady, but my heart racing.
"Oh... hi, Zay." Her voice was softer than I remembered, but still familiar in a way that hit me deep.
