Chapter 49

Morning, August

The ride ta the airport wit Esined was quiet, but it wasn't awkward. She had the aux cord, as usual, but she kept switchin' the songs.

"Baybeh, pick one song,"

"I can't," Esined said.

I glanced at her and she typed on her phone.

She finally picked a song.

She's a stripper naked dancer but she's begging me to wife her.When the first time I met lil' mama she was a one-nighter!Hell nah! I don't love nun' but my money and my rifle.At the top like Eiffel Tower, I told her to beat itYou would have thought she was Michael!

"Es-" I started.

"She don't wanna be a freak no mo'!" Esined rap. "She don't wanna take Molly, get geeked no mo'!"

I sighed. "Baybeh, please,"

"She don't even wanna strip no mo'!"

She rapped until I joined in wit her.

"She want me to tie da knot? Oh, no no no! She must be crazy!" we rapped togetha.

We rapped a whole bunch of Migos songs togetha as I drove her ta the airport.

"Aiight. I heard enough of dem,"

"Fun sucker," Esined laughed, pausin' da next song.

I pulled up ta a red light and glanced at her. She stared down at her phone and the sun came through da window, beamin' down on her.

"Are you staring at me?" she asked, not takin' her eyes off her phone.

"When am I not starin' at you?"

"Green light,"

I looked up and began ta drive again.

"Are we almost there?"

Sadly.

"Yeah," I sighed.

She finally picked a song.

I heard a familiar beat and I chuckled. "You really love dis song, huh? I rememba when I played dis fa you,"

She nodded. "This song really helped with my confidence," she said before beginnin' ta sing softly. "I love your style, so original. Seems so unreal, like a mythical. Don't you know?"

"I know you know," I sang along.

Esined stopped singin'.

"Whatchu stop singin' fa?"

"You can't sing and you're throwing me off,"

"You think you somethin' special 'cause you can hold a note, huh?"

"It's not that I can hold a note. It's just that I can stay in key, unlike some people,"

"Oh, I know how to stay in key!"

"Which key? U Flat?"

I laughed. "Fa'get you. Corny self,"

She giggled. "You're just mad because you can't sing,"

"Yo mama sing betta than you,"

"Take that back,"

"Nope. 'Cause it's true,"

"You're just a fan,"

"I ain't no fan,"

"Sho' be riding my mama bandwagon," she mumbled.

"You wanna fight? I can pull ova dis car and beat yo ass up,"

"What else can you beat up?" she looked at me wit a seductive look on her face.

"Lord," I mumbled, grippin' da steerin' wheel. "Please keep me from takin' her ta dis backseat and showin' her what I'm about. She ain't ready and I'm tryna wait,"

She started laughin'. "August, please,"

"You tryna get me started. You said you wasn't gon' test me while I'm practicin' celibacy,"

"I know. I can't. I'm sorry, baby," she giggled. "I won't do it again,"

"You lyin',"

"I know,"

For the rest of the ride, we spoke and she played music.

We were in the airport and I was clingin' onto her.

"Baby, I gotta go," she laughed.

"Miss yo flight,"

"You know I can't do that. If I could stay here with you, I would,"

"You can,"

"You want me to get fired?"

"No,"

"Then let me go,"

I let her go and looked down at her wit a pout on my face.

"Awwwe. Cheer up. I'll be back in a few days, Snugga Poo," she frowned. "Don't pout,"

"I don't want you ta go," I whined, stompin' my feet.

"Chill, fam. You're too grown for all this,"

We started laughin' and her flight was called.

I pulled Esined ta me, kissin' her deeply. "I luh you. I luh you. I luh you," I said in between kisses.

She kissed me back. "I love you too, Snugga Poo,"

"Have a safe flight, Pooh Bear. Don't fa'get ta FaceTime me when you land and get ta yo room. Don't fa'get ta take yo medicine. Call me at night. Make sure somebody record you walkin' down dat lil aisle and shit-"

"It's called a runway," she laughed.

"Anyway, make sure you show me ya videos and pictures of you in ya model mode. Also don't fa'get-"

"August, I gotta go," she said.

"Chill. I got seconds ta spare. You betta be good out there. Don't make me catch a flight and act a fool out there,"

Esined folded her arms and a huffed, blowin' a curl out of her face.

"Don't be huffin' and puffin' at me like you some big, bad wolf. Keep them modelin' niggas outcho face, ya heard me?"

"I didn't know you had kids,"

"What?"

"You're talking to me like I'm a child," she laughed. "Baby, I know my limits, okay? I know what and what not to do,"

"Just as long as you know. I don't wanna have ta come and break no necks," I smiled.

"Okay. I gotta go," she laughed.

"Waaait!" I pulled her back.

"What? August, I'm about to miss my flight," she whined.

"Gimme anotha kiss, damn. Show ya man some love,"

She gave me a kiss and I just had ta be extra. I grabbed her ass and everything. I had my tongue all in her mouth and I didn't care who watched. I was tryna make her miss dis damn flight. I was doin' right because her knees was gettin' week.

They called fa her flight again and she snapped out of it. She got out of my grip and gave me a small peck on the lips. She wiped my bottom lip.

"I'll see you in a few days!" she took off.

"I luh you, Es!" I yelled ta her.

"I love you too, Aug!" she looked back, smilin' befo' she took off runnin' fa her flight.

I waited ta leave until I didn't see her anymore. I left the airport and got in my car. I drove home in silence, not botherin' ta put my phone in the aux cord. It was a long and silent ride. I felt relieved when I got home.

4 hours later, Esined

After my horrible flight, I was picked up from the airport by Shane.

Shane was a friend of mine that I had met through modeling. Over the months that I've known him, he had been my partner for photos on several occasions. He was far more experienced in modeling than I was and he often gave me pointers. Shane is a nice guy, but August doesn't like him.

"Hey," I gave him a smile. "Thanks for picking me up,"

"No problem at all. I'm happy that you made if safely," he said.

"Me too,"

"Did you have a nice flight?"

"Not at all," I let out a small laugh.

"Why not?"

"I sat next to this guy who kept on flirting with me for about two and a half hours and then he started arguing with the guy next to him,"

Shane chuckled. "Why was he arguing with the guy next to him?"

"Because the guy next to him was sticking up for me,"

"That was nice of him,"

"Yeah. The left me alone after that. He fell asleep and started snoring. He faced me while he slept and I could see all up his nose,"

"Gross," he laughed. "I don't get it. Why flirt with a girl when she has a boyfriend? It's disrespectful,"

"Exactly," I shook my head. "It's really annoying. Like if I said that I had a boyfriend, take your L and move on,"

"Right!" he laughed. "I know guys are persistent, but I'm not. If a girl doesn't want me, I move on. Usually they don't want me because they're bald headed,"

Shane had long and healthy curls. Him and I often modeled with our hair. That was our biggest accessory.

I started laughing. "True,"

"Well, girls with long hair have curved me before,"

"Really?"

"Yeah. She said she didn't wanna share her Shea Moisture products with me,"

I laughed harder. "I caught August using mine the other day. He was trying to define his curls,"

Shane laughed. "Your boyfriend is funny. I tried to have a conversation with him once and he completely dismissed me,"

"I'm sorry about that,"

"Why does he hate me again?"

"He doesn't hate you. He's just protective," I giggled. "Very protective,"

"That's understandable. I just hope he doesn't think anything is going on between us,"

"He does," I sighed. "He doesn't know your name, so he's like stay away from that boy with the long horse hair,"

"He talked about my hair?" Shane faked a sad face before laughing.

I started laughing. "Yeah,"

"Damn," he chuckled. "I won't even lie to you, I wanted to be cool with him,"

"Really?"

"Yeah. He seems cool other than him talking about my hair and giving me dirty looks every time he sees me," he chuckled.

I knew that August not liking him was really bothering him now.

"I wish he'd stop being mean and give you a chance,"

"Eh, well," Shane shrugged. "It's cool,"

I frowned. "I'll talk to him if you want me to. Aug is kinda stubborn, but he's a softy when it comes to me,"

"Like you said, I can't make everybody like me," he said. "It's fine,"

Although Shane appeared to be unbothered and confident all the time, he wasn't. He knew how to turn on his fake confidence and make it seem like he was alright when in reality he was one of the most insecure people I have met. He craved acceptance from people around him, especially his peers.

I realized that over time, I related to Shane in a lot of situations. I learned a lot about him during the year. Sometimes we'd even go out and get a bite to eat together outside of work. He was down to earth and never sugar coated his feelings, so it was obvious whenever he was upset.

I looked at Shane briefly as he drove before looking out the window.

The rest of our ride was quiet.

He pulled up to Eventi hotel, where we'd be staying, then we got out.

"This is nice," I said.

"Really nice," he said, grabbing my suitcases from the trunk.

"Oh, I could have got those,"

"It's cool,"

"Thank you," I smiled.

He nodded and we went inside.

My jaw dropped. "It's so nice. You've been here before?"

"Yeah,"

"Wow," I looked around, amazed.

Shane and I checked in before making our way to our rooms.

"If you need anything, I'll be across the hall," he said after sitting my suitcases in my room.

"Thanks. And thanks again for picking me up from the airport,"

"No problem," Shane left my room and closed the door behind him.

I charged my phone and turned it on. I saw messages from August and missed calls.

SnuggaPoo: Bae did u land yet? I miss u already 1:13 pm

SnuggaPoo: Um. Hello? 1:30 pm

SnuggaPoo: I know that u got a nonstop 2 hour & 15 minute flight...1:56 pm

SnuggaPoo: U mad at me or sumn?? 2:13 pm

SnuggaPoo: Lol. U bouta make me act TF out Esined 👌🏽 2:15pm

I started laughing at his messages and my phone vibrated, letting me know that he had sent me another text.

SnuggaPoo: It would have been nice if u coulda texted me back instead of havin me worried. Don't leave me on read again either. U know I don't play that 2:35 pm

Lol. Who are you talking to, August? 2:37 pm

He read my message and I counted down to five. As soon as I said "one" a picture of us kissing as his contact picture came up on my phone. He was trying to FaceTime me.

"Don't play wit me, lil girl," he said as. soon as I answered his FaceTime.

I laughed. "Hi to you too, babe,"

"You think you too cute ta answer yo phone now?"

"I was in the car and I didn't even notice you texted me. My phone died and my charger was in my bag,"

"Bet," he mumbled.

"I'm serious,"

"Oh,"

I looked at him. "Are you really mad?"

"Huh?" he looked up at me.

"Are you really mad at me?"

"No," he brought something brown to his lips and licked it.

I stared at him as folded it with his lips. "What are you doing?"

"Chillin'," He put honey on it and smeared it on it.

"Okay,"

He stuck his finger in his mouth, sucking off the honey. He stood up and grabbed his phone. He took it down with him to the kitchen and I heard the microwave open then shut in the background. He turned it on and looked at me.

"You're up to no good, aren't you?" I laughed lightly.

He shrugged and took it out the microwave.

"What is it?"

"Backwood. What we smoked yesterday,"

"Oh. Okay. I liked that last night,"

"Cool,"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothin'," he opened the microwave and took the backwood out.

"Why'd you microwave it?"

He sighed. "Why you askin' so many questions?"

"Sorry. I won't ask anymore,"

He went back to his room and I was silent. I wasn't sure of how to feel about how he was acting towards me.

"I'm sorry for not answering my phone earlier," I spoke after watching him smoke.

"It's whatever, Es. I ain't really bothered," he said, but he still looked bothered and annoyed.

"I said my phone was dead,"

"I know whatchu said," he took another puff and held in the smoke.

"Then why are you giving me the cold shoulder?"

He blew it out slowly. "Chill,"

"Okay," I said, completely over it. "Call or text me when you're in a better mood,"

"Ain't nothin' wrong wit me," he said, becoming more annoyed.

"Yes, it is. You're giving me short answers like you don't want to talk to me. It's bothering me now,"

"Don't start, Esined,"

"But-" I stopped myself. I tapped the screen so my options would pop up. I hit end call and turned my phone over. I went to my bathroom and prepared to take a shower.

Once I took my shower, I felt relaxed and didn't really care about how August was acting on FaceTime. In fact, I just wanted to talk to him and find out what was wrong. Usually, I would try to talk to him again, but he'd just act like this until I went back home. I remember him acting like this the last time I left Atlanta to work.

I knew that he missed me. He had this backwards habit of pushing me away when he missed me. I knew that guys loved to act tough, but he acted tough at the wrong times and it sometimes would come off as if he didn't care about my feelings.

My phone vibrated and SnuggaPoo went across the screen.

I took a deep breath before answering. "Hello?"

"Hey, baybeh. I'm sorry, okay?" August's thick accent spoke.

"Okay," I sighed. "I know you miss me. You do this every time I go somewhere,"

"I don't like bein' without you," I knew he was pouting.

"I don't like being without you either, but it's just a few days,"

"You don't get it, baybeh. When I'm without you, a nigga be feelin' empty. I be feelin' like you my source of happiness. Soon as you leave, I get sad or I feel lonely,"

"You don't have to feel like that and I wouldn't want you to. You push me away when you miss me, so that confuses me and makes me feel like I did something wrong,"

He sighed. "I told you dat I cling ta you. Feelin' like dis about you is weird. I feel like you gon' leave me and it's not because you out dere. I just been feelin' like dis lately,"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Dats why I asked you if you loved me fa'real last night. I need assurance. I be feelin' like you leavin' so much and bein' busy all the time gon' break us up,"

"You know I love you, SnuggaPoo. You're my main squeeze and nothing is gonna break us apart, okay?"

There was a pause and it worried me.

"I just miss you like it's weird. I miss you like I ain't seen you in a month or somethin'. I miss you,"

He didn't say that he loved me back.

"What do you mean?" I asked, frowning.

He seemed so upset and it was bothering me.

August took a deep breath. "Baybeh, you just ain't you no mo'... If dat makes sense,"

"I know I changed," I mumbled.

"A lot,"

I twisted my lips to the side. "I feel like you're about to break up with me," I mumbled.

"Neva dat," he spoke, quickly deading my thoughts. "I ain't goin' no where, baybeh. I just wanted ta let you know how I felt. It's been on my mind fa a lil while,"

"I understand," I sighed. "Aug,"

"Yeah?"

"You didn't say that you loved me back and you always say it,"

"I'm sorry. I luh you too. You know dat,"

I bit on my lip. "I'm pretty tired from my flight,"

"Alright. I won't keep you long. Sleep good,"

"I'll try and I'll text you when I wake up,"

"Okay. Rememba dat I luh you,"

"I love you too,"

There was a long pause before I hung up. I sighed and laid back on my bed. I stared at the ceiling. I put my phone on the charger before placing it on the nightstand.

I decided to stop worrying and sleep it off.

-Hallo.

Yes, the honey trick from the last chapter works. Lol.

"How do you know that Shia?" ... Respect people's privacy, thank you. Bless up.

lol. jk. How are y'all tonight tho?

How many of y'all did I just upset? :]

I love you guise. Lmao.

S/O to my male readers too. Y'all are so cool. I didn't know it was that many of y'all. That's shocking to me tbh.

I never pay attention to how much people talk about this book sometimes. Like I'll go to "Esined" Instagram and see people having a full conversation in her comments about my book lol. That's really cool to me and her too.

None of my books have ever gotten this much attention. I just wanted to say thank y'all for all the love and thank you to everyone who shares my book/tell people about it.

I read y'all messages about how my book is impacting or changing your life. The impact is amazing to see and I feel like I'm accomplishing my goal.

I want y'all to stay strong and beautiful (or handsome). Y'all are great. I can't say thank you enough.

Until next time loves.

Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo