A Story To Tell | Book 2

.31.

:::CHRIS:::

"What's up, nigga?"

I answered Bruce's phone call, stepping into my bathroom to make sure I looked alright, before stepping outside of my apartment. I peeped out into the living room area to see Keira sitting on the sofa with her legs propped up, watching an episode from my True Blood collection.

"How's Keira?" He asked me.

"She straight." I answer as I walk out of the bathroom grabbing my keys. "Wanna talk with her?" I asked him.

"Nah. I'll just text her. I don't think me calling her is such a good idea." Bruce objected, sounding as if her name irritated him a bit. I could understand, but since Keira and I had a little talk, I didn't find her that aggravating as I once used to. She's actually cool with me.

"A'ight."

"Her father called her?" Bruce had asked.

"Naw. She hadn't mentioned anything to me about him calling." I answered.

"I'll just text her to figure out what she's gonna do."

I waved to Keira before heading out and she did the same, looking comfortable and shit. I couldn't help but smile a bit as I close the door behind me. I walk over to my car, my heart beating through my chest.

"If she wants, she's more than welcome to stay here a little longer." I insisted.

"Well, damn. What the fuck happen in between last night and now?" Bruce chuckled.

"We just had a little talk and, we got a little understanding. That's all." I say as I get into my car and started the ignition. "Just a little heart to heart. I needed it and she needed it too. I had to break the news to her that you're not in love with her and that she should stop trying. She seemed to act like she understood."

"Man, you got some cool points for that shit. I hope the shit sunk in, bruh." Bruce said as if his prayers had been answered. And they might've been. Maybe all she needed was to hear the truth from someone else other than Bruce to get the picture. Glad I could be the one.

Shortly after I'd pulled out of the driveway of my studio, I hung up with Bruce and tried to pace myself with every bit of pride I had. I knew that it was coming to this moment where I was going to have to see India again. I didn't blame her if she felt the need to fight me again, but this time, I was fighting her ass back, fuck that.

As I pulled up to Luxe Manger, I spotted India outside of the building leaning against the rail, staring out into the distance as if she'd been waiting for me. She stared my car down from the time I'd pulled from off of the road and into the parking lot. I watched her every glance, wondering what the hell was going through her head right now. I wouldn't be surprised if she wanted round two. Hell, I damn near prepared myself all night while Keira was asleep.

I took my time getting out of my car as I fondled with my phone a bit before the clock had shown that it was five minutes away from being nine on the dot. Rolling my eyes, I got out of my car and closed the door shut, making sure I locked it. India was still watching me, but this time, she'd moved away from the rail with her hands on her hips, staring at me as if she wanted to tackle me. Shaking my head, I walked up towards the restaurant, looking down, trying not to look at her.

When I'd made it up to the rail, I didn't want to look at her, but she was determined to make me look at her when she'd stepped into my way, causing for me to bump into her. I looked up at her with a blank expression opposed to her anger. She was taking deep breaths and looked as if she were seconds away from swinging on me until this old white couple walked out of the restaurant with each other, arm and arm.

To break the tension between us, I watched the couple as if the both of them were more interesting to stare at.

"So, how long you gonna pretend I ain't here?" India asked me with so much attitude in the bass of her voice. I looked back at her, nonchalantly.

"I ain't on that shit today, India." I say to her.

"You ain't on this shit today, huh? The least you could do is tell a bitch you sorry for playing with her fucking feelings like that. Not once did you tell me you were sorry for the shit you did." India crossed her arms, looking upset and angry at the same time and I understood it all. I didn't blame her.

"How could I tell you sorry when you were too busy breaking your foot off in my ass, India?" I say as I step back in case she had any extra ideas. "That shit that went on, it's probably cost us our jobs. And I came down here to leave who I was back there in Georgia with hopes of being with a woman who loves me. I'm sorry I got you in the mix. The shit wasn't supposed to happen and one thing led to another." I tried to explain.

"What? The moment you put your lips to my pussy and ate me out, failing to tell me that you were a fucking girl before you even put your face between my legs?" India was mad as fuck, but I couldn't blame her. But the shit was embarrassing to discuss this out here in front of pedestrians.

"Can we discuss this at a later time, India?" I ask her.

"You didn't wanna discuss the fact that you were a bitch portraying as a man when it was convenient. Why the fuck should I wait to discuss this situation at a time that's most convenient for you? The fuck you think this is?" I shook my head, about to walk away from her. "I had feelings for you, Chris!"

Before I could fix my mouth to say anything else, tears had started to fall from India's eyes. If I didn't feel any sorrier than how I felt yesterday when she was beating my ass, I felt sorry now. I hated seeing a woman cry and the last thing I wanted to do was make her cry. As much as I'd love to wrap my arms around her, I was a bit afraid that she'd push me away and I didn't want to be pushed away so I just stood there.

"Chris, if you would've just been honest with me, it would've changed a lot." Her voice was shaky and whiny as she tried brushing her tears away. My heart went out to her, for real. "Why couldn't you just tell me the truth?" I sighed, shaking my head.

"I just didn't know how, India." I try to explain. "I didn't want you to reject me. I was afraid of rejection. And I'm sorry for playing you like that. If I can turn back the hands of time, I'd do that in a heartbeat to spare your feelings. I just didn't want to be rejected by a woman I was feeling."

India shook her head and looked at me.

"Chris, honestly, if you would've just been real with me and tell me that you're really a girl, things would've went down a lot different."

"You never asked me so I never mentioned it. It's hard for me to do."

"Okay, I didn't ask you that question because you came at me as if you were a nigga, so I went with it. I never would've guessed that you were born a woman, Chris. Your whole stamina, your demeanor, your appearance, the way you carry yourself...it's like a man. But if you're really into a girl and you like her, you wouldn't lie to her in order to make sure you're not rejected. Life is full of rejections and the more you keep lying to other people, the deeper you're cutting yourself." India shook her head. "You never know unless you try it, Chris. I could've overlooked it and went on ahead and fucked with you anyway. But, you fucked that up." India shook her head and turned away from me, walking inside of the restaurant, leaving me outside with my jaw to the ground.

Damn...