First Queen II

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

CHRIS

 

I bit my lip as Lainni leaned over the table, giving me a hug. She wrapped her arms around me briefly before sitting down in the chair. We didn't make eye contact once we were settled in. The waitress took our orders then disappeared into the back, leaving us in a uncomfortable silence.

I tapped my fingers against the wooden table while she nervously chuckled. I was expecting immediate rejection when I sent that text. It never crossed my mind that I would be sitting with her. There wasn't much for me to say because I didn't know how to come about saying it.

Lainni may have been with my boy, but over the years I developed feelings for her. I saw how she took care or herself and I respected her. She had my attention when I saw how she attended to her household. Over the years, I denied my feelings mistaking them as a small crush.

"You look nice." I complimented, staring directly into her eyes for the first time.

She smiled, pushing a loose strand of her hair behind her shoulder. "Thank you, I guess."

"You don't have to be nervous. You took compliments from me all the time when We were just friends."

Lainni's defensive demeanor reappeared. I sighed, realizing I had bought out the bitter bitch attitude Michael created. No, I was not calling her a bitch. She just acted cold now for no damn reason. It was a flaw I hated and loved at the same time. It was nice to see her defending herself but I hated how bitter she sounded while doing so.

"We still are friends, Chris. Don't mistake this as a first date or nothing. I already have enough on my plate and I don't need anyone in my ear to make it worse. If-"

I grabbed her hand, massaging the center of her palm with my thumb. Lainni stopped talking then diverted her eyes elsewhere.

"You're giving me a hard time but I'm only trying to play nice. Look, I know he did you wrong but I'm just trying to get that off your head."

"Chris, you don't realise that's four years of my life laid out on your couch. I wasted four years on that boy. He hurt me so deeply when he cheated on me, He bought our relationship issues to an outside bitch. Don't get me started on how you helped him hide it. But I'm supposed to trust you, and just start catching feelings for what? To get you and Michael against one another, and have the media shred my rep?"

"It was-"

The waitress sat our food down with a smile on her face. I thanked her, forcing a smile. She walked off, leaving me to finish my conversation with Lainni who was tearing up. I hated tears. After seeing them for so long, it just becomes a sore sight.

"I'm sorry. Yes, I lied for him without thinking of your feelings. I know I sound crazy as hell, but if you just give me a chance then I promise to make up for every year you lost out on something real. Who cares what anyone thinks of us?"

"It's not that easy. I'm in love, Chris." she replied.

I knew I sounded desperate and crazy, but she meant a whole lot to me. It was sudden for me to act but I wanted to catch her before anyone else did. She didn't need anymore men to do her wrong. I was certain that Lainni and I could make it work. She was going to get my all, something I had never given to any one.

"Are you fucking serious? Chris Brown? O-M-G, can I please have a picture?" A young girl asked, holding up her phone. She pretty much shoved herself into the booth then began taking front camera pictures of us.

Lainni took the time to slip out of the booth as I took pictures with the girl, feeling unsatisfied with my progress. My goal was to get a first date out of her. I gently turned the girl down for an autograph, leaving a hundred dollar bill on the table then walking out behind Lainni.

"Are you all right?" I asked her, lagging behind. She turned to me with a frown on again.

"Smile for me, I hate seeing you look like you're about a second away from crying. I want to see you happy" I inched closer to her, smiling. It was almost as if it was contagious because she instantly smiled, staring into my eyes. I wrapped my arm around her waist.

"Be honest with me before you say I'm coming on too strong, do you see me getting anywhere?"

She replied, "It's hard for me to give you a direct answer right now. I'm fresh out of a relationship and I'm still trying to tend to that. Can I at least get a moment to clear my mind before we even decide to advance?"

"As long as I still get to spend time with you when you're available and we can have phone conversations, I'm down."

She nodded, giggling.

The next day he woke up with a smile on his face. He texted her good morning immediately, then slipped out of bed. He heard footsteps coming towards his room, so he put a pair of basketball shorts on quickly, along with socks. He reached for his pair of sneakers to go outside to smoke a daily joint.

Once his fingertips touched the tongues of the shoes, he was being knocked over by a mean strike to his jaw. Chris, shocked, laid out on the floor groaning.

"Michael, get your ass out of here!" he heard Heather yelling at him. Chris groaned, peeking at the two. As soon as he moved, Michael kicked him in his side. He attempted to grab Michael's leg but was kicked in the nose instead. Blood immediately sputtered out onto his hardwood floors.

Heather was grabbing at Michael but he was in a rage, punching and kicking Chris repeatedly. Chris didn't respond, taking each blow and protecting his face. 

"You supposed to be my boy but you going behind my back and trying to fuck my girl?! I thought we was better than that!!"

He was nearing tears as Mijo and Trell held him back.

Chris held onto his nose as he retorted, "It was nothing like that, nobody was trying to fuck her. I actually respect her more than to do that. What you mad for?"

Michael tried to lunge at him again, and this time he was on his feet and prepared. "And y'all holding me back from hitting him? You should understand how it feels to have another nigga all in your girl face! Lainni vulnerable right now and you just trying to walk over her!"

Chris pointed to the door. "I don't owe you any explanation. Get the fuck out!"

Michael shook his head in disbelief with tears streaming down his face. "You a snake and that bitch ain't no better."

Chris sat on his bed, hearing everyone leave out of his bedroom. He grabbed his phone to see a text from Lainni.

It read, "Good morning. I'm feeling a little better. Are you busy today?"

He responded, "Yes. Too busy but I'll get up with you later. "