Page 6 of Certified to Handle You
Renza knew I didn’t play that shit. He knew I had a mouth on me and an attitude when I was hurt, but he also knew I lovedhim from a real place. That was probably why he always found a way to calm me down, even when I swore I was done.
I picked up his hoodie and folded it too neatly for somebody I was mad at. That irritated me even more, so I tossed it on top of the pile and walked toward the kitchen, needin’ to move before I started cryin’ again.
My condo was too quiet, and the silence made everything feel worse. Solé Gardens usually felt peaceful to me, with the view, the water, the soft furniture, the candles, and the little touches that made my space feel like mine, but right now it just felt like a place where I was standin’ alone with my feelins.
Then somebody banged on my door.
My whole body knew it was him before my mind even caught up.
“Reni,” Renza called from the other side, his voice deep and firm. “Open the door, baby.”
I stood still for a second, starin’ toward the door while my heart started actin’ stupid. I didn’t move until I heard his keys.
The second that lock started turnin’, I hurried across the room and flipped the top lock into place before he could push the door open. The knob moved again, then stopped, and I could picture his face on the other side clear as hell.
“Reni,” he said, this time with more tension in his voice. “Come on, baby. Open the door.”
“No.”
He tried the knob again like it was gon’ magically change. “Baby, don’t do that.”
I folded my arms and stared at the door with tears burnin’ in my eyes. “Get away from my door, Renza.”
“I’m not goin’ no fuckin’ where, girl,” he said. “Open up so I can talk to you.”
“You had all night to talk to me.”
“I ain’t cheat on you.”
I laughed, but it wasn’t because the shit was funny. “That’s not what the lady at the hotel front desk said.”
“I don’t give a fuck what she said,” he snapped, then lowered his voice like he caught himself. “I ain’t cheat on you, Reni. I put that on my life.”
“Don’t put shit on your life with me when you was at a hotel.”
“It was suites at the reception place, baby,” he said, soundin’ frustrated. “I got fucked up off liquor and edibles, and I ended up stayin’ in one of the suites. That’s all it was.”
I closed my eyes because I hated how bad I wanted that shit to be true. “Who was the bitch you was with, Renza?”
“Baby, it wasn’t no fuckin’ bitch. Open the door so I can love on you.”
My hand lifted toward the lock before I caught myself and snatched it back down.
That was exactly why I couldn’t open the door.
Renza was a fantastic ass lover, and he knew it too. He could kiss on me, hold me, fuck me real good, and have me forgettin’ half the shit I was mad about before I even finished cussin’ him out. I knew myself too well to pretend like I wasn’t weak for this nigga when he got close enough.
“No,” I said again, lower this time.
“Reni.”
“Leave me alone.”
“I love you.”
I pressed my lips together and looked away from the door.
“I know you hear me,” he kept goin’. “You know I love you. You know I wouldn’t do no dumb shit like that to you.”
