Unconditional

Chapter 4

"Hmmm, a corset? In the middle of October?"

"I have a leather jacket and it's not even that cold."

"Okay. Well I need to get some shorts. I already got a top."

"See. Shorts. At least my legs are covered up. Knowing you, your shirt aint even gonna be a shirt."

"But I didn't even say a shirt. I said a TOP."

I just laughed. Dionne grinned mischievously. I shook my head and kept looking for underclothes. When I finally found something I paid for it and waited Dionne. After we finished up there we all met up in Chanel.

I still had to some on-the-go flats, I already some Leopard Print Christian Louboutins still fresh inside the box at home. Dionne and Malayka were both looking for or trying on shoes. My phone started to ringing so I went to the front of the store to answer it.

"Wassup?" I asked, already knowing it was Chris.

"Yall should get ready early so we can go for dinner first."

"Hold on, Let me see if they're up for it," I said turning them and asked. They both agreed but only if Chris and his friends paid.

"They said sure as long as you and your boys are paying."

Chris laughed first then said, "Relax, we got yall."

"Okay, bye," I wanted to get off the phone now.

"WAIT!" he yelled so that I didn't hang up.

"What?" I asked.

"We still have to talk."

"If you don't make another weak excuse in a attempt to avoid the situation."

"I apologize but I did have something to do."

"Or someone?" I replied.

"It's not even like that."

"You know I would ask you what is it like then but I'm not even going to entertain this subject. Just don't put them before me. Homies over hoes. I may be a female but I'm still your homey."

"I understand but I'm not lying."

"Okay. Fine, I believe you. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Alright Bye." Then I hung up.

After shopping I, personally, had to rush home because what I was wearing to the club is not exactly dinner appropriate. Dionne had to do the same because I'm pretty sure that her for the club wasn't exactly appropriate either.

As soon as I got in the house I rushed because it was already 5:30. I didn't even get to shop like I wanted to but oh well. We had to push back our clubbing time to 11:30.

I changed in to a form fitting tan turtle neck dress. It stopped at my knees but still look good. I slipped on my Christian Dior Pumps. I let my hair loose and put on some Vanilla Lip Smacker chap stick. Then I was out the door. I pulled out my phone to text Chris.

Me: Where are we eating?

Chris: Olive Garden right on Rt.1

Me: Okay, I'm on my way. I'm about to fwd this msg.

Chris: Cool, We're here waiting.

Me: Okay, See you later.

Chris: ; )

After I forwarded the message to the girls I just cruised the speed limit. I had to give Lay and Dionne time to get there plus I wanted to spare me some time. I didn't want to get there before them because I didn't know if I could face what happened with Chris. He was just probably going to apologize and say he didn't mean to do what he did.

Ugh, I need to get on with this. The sooner I get this out of the way the sooner I can forget about this. I know what he's going to say so I sped up a little ready to get this over with. I have been going through the same old dance with him for almost nine years now. I know it sounds pathetic and it is but hey, what can you do?

Soon I was pulling in to the parking lot of Olive Garden. Chris and the guys were waiting. Somebody was going to feel like a third wheel. Chris brought Kareem, Omar, and Tim with him. But then again this wasn't a date.

I parked my car and approached them. Neither one of the girls were here yet but that's fine.

"Kim let's walk and talk," Chris directed me in a different direction. Omar and Tim were smirking like they were assuming. Asses! Maybe I should call Tiffany and Shantel for them so they can stay out of my business. As we walked away from everyone I gave him my undivided attention.

"About that kiss earlier... I apologize, I didn't mean..." I cut him off though.

"Never mind that. I know and it's whatever, just don't do it again. Why did you do it in the first place?"

"To protect you."

"That's bull," I said in calm tone, rolling my eyes.

"For real. These dudes out here are snakes."

"Then what does that make you?"

"I wouldn't do you like that."

"How do you know what other dudes would do? You probably would keep trying to "protect me" for as long as you don't get caught. I can handle myself. You doing your thing, now let me do mine, okay?" I smiled politely.

He didn't respond he just stared at me. I just changed my focused on to the people he brought along with him.

"Oh hell, how come you didn't tell me you were bringing Omar and Tim?" I asked.

"They wanted to come. I thought you would've brought Tiff or Shantel."

"I'm going to call both of them."

"Why both? Then my boys gonna be out numbered."

"No they won't. None of you dogs will be touching my cousin."

"She not a baby nomore. Dionne is a grown ass woman."

"You right, she would fuck anyone of yall up in a second."

"Whatever. Anyway, make the call."

After I made the call, we walked back to joined the group. Dionne and Malayka were both waiting on us this time. We had a fifteen minute wait on our table so I walked back to my car. I felt like I was being eye raped by numerous eyes. Although, I didn't dare look back.

When I was in my car I rolled up my windowss put my heat on low.. It was kinda cool out tonight. I hooked up my iPod Touch 4 to my stereo system. Normally, I would've put it on shuffle but I played Hustle Hard Remix and I'm On One.I knew everyone could hear the music because they were either nodding, rapping along, or frowning with distaste.

I was on Facebook promising a few people from earlier that we would do something soon. But it was just this one person. I had a crush on Rashad way back when I was in high school but he was a grown ass man. I couldn't help but to smile at the thought of him finding me and then messaging 

me.

I opened the message and read: I know it's been sometime but do you remember me?

I replied: Yeah I do. You used to live a few doors down from you back when I was in high school. How are you?

I was about to log off but Rashad was online and replied back: Yeah. And I'm fine, how about you?

Me: I'm fine also just working on getting up out of Trenton. I'm done college just getting my money up.

Him: That's wassup. I was really hoping that we could chill sometime though...

Me: No problem. I'm up to it

Then I gave him my number and told him to call me sometime. I logged off of Facebook and turned up my stereo. I grabbed my stuff again and got out of my car.