“What happened this time?” he went in, handing me a beer. I took a deep breath, prepared for my big brother to go into protective mode. He meant no harm, but if I heard he told me so, with the way I was feeling, it might not end on amicable terms. I wasn’t sure if I were embarrassed or in shock, still processing it, but he was my brother. At the end of the day, if no one had my back, Rome did.
“She pretty much came out her mouth sideways and called me boring, predictable,” I told him with a shrug, taking a gulp from my beer. “That I always do the same shit all the time.”
“Swoon?” He laughed. “That was not enough to leave, bro.” He smiled, taking a few gulps as he eyed me down. “Now, tell me what really happened. Don’t get me wrong; I can’t stand Ciara’s conceited, all eyes on me, big ass and all, but what part about that is not true? Nigga, you are predictable.”
“Fuck you,” I spat, making a decision to ignore his ass.
“Swoon, man. All you do is work, take shorty out when she wants to, hang out with me or Jude, which is rare, and stop by Mom and Dad once or twice a week.”
“Hell yeah. Normal shit, Rome. What else was I supposed to do?” I stood up, ready to shit, shower, and eat. I didn’t have time for his playful ass, watching him grin at me at my expense.
“Spontaneous shit, travel, spend some of your own money on you, Swoon. Make her ass wonder what you’re doing every once in a while, not be so touchable, so available. Then she’ll respect your mind and your money. She wouldn’t want to risk it doing the bullshit she does like dismiss your feelings while fucking off on your money,” he voiced, bluntly. “Swoon, my nigga, you have the biggest heart. Hell, I don’t even deserve you. Truth is it was you that put me on with my community center. Donated the seed money and all, helped me get the contracts, paid for other shit too. Then you’d rather not be recognized for it.”
“Because I didn’t do it for the recognition, Rome. I did it to support you and your dream,” I shot back, shaking my head. What the fuck was wrong with people?
“That you did, so do something different now, bro. Skate on Ciara, move around permanently. Splurge, motherfucker. Get out there and fuck off on some new bitches.”
I almost choked when he said that.
“Bro, so instead of being tricked out by my girl, I become a trick for multiple women? Rome, make that make sense.”
“I never said become their sponsor. I said enjoy spending time with other women, and we both know that means parting with some of your money. And I’m not talking about those half ass, low-income housing broads that are single mothers looking for a child support recipient. I’m talking about a baddie you don’t mind stepping out and being seen with,” he continued, full of passion. I expected nothing less though. Tonight, he was on some “fuck all women and do me” mode, but for the most part, Rome really did try to give me decent advice.
“Seems tiring as hell to me,” I replied more so to myself when I felt my stomach grumbling. We usually ate in the writers’ room, but today I had stepped out to look for Ciara a purse, a Birkin bag. She’d been hinting at it for weeks, so I copped it for her. Good thing I’d left it in my truck accidentally before I heard her and her friends shitting on me.
“At least one shorty just to pass the time by,” he told me, standing up. “And motherfucker, her ass should have fed you before you put yourself out,” he continued, walking up and playfully fighting with me. We stayed wrestling like we were kids. Rome may have been a tad bit burlier than I was, but I didn’t play. I could handle my own. Damn what my profession was.
“Nigga, you tired?” I asked, laughing once I had him in a headlock. “What? I can’t hear you.” I taunted him when he tapped my forearm for me to release him. See, that height I had on him worked every time. The fuck he thought. If anyone should know, Rome should.
“Shit, I need to up my workout game,” he pushed out, trying to catch his breath. “Damn, Swoon. You hurt my damn neck, bro.” I chuckled, watching him rub it as he frowned. “Your ass paying for wings tonight. I’m already not charging your ass rent.”
“Whatever,” I replied, waving him off. “You like having me here. Stop fronting,” I told him as I placed both hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath.
“You’re right, baby bro.” He walked over to me and smiled. “I am glad you’re here. She already knows old Rome won’t let you sit around moping over her wobbly big booty ass,” this fool said with a straight face. “Should have fixed that botched up lipo job, nigga. I’m just saying,” he added, limping as he walked away.
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