Chapter 13

13

D ali

The Past

Kassadee’s College Graduation

Dali’s eyes stalked Kassadee as she danced. Things had fizzled between them for rest of the year. Her taking time to heal and no longer going to his fights turned into avoidance between two people who once clung to each other like magnets. She seemed to really like the guy she was with, and every toxic bone in Dali’s body wanted to kill him just to get him out of the way. But he loved her too much to ever do something to intentionally hurt her, no matter how much seeing her with someone else was hurting him.

“Are you going to talk to her?” Dynasty asked, nudging his brother’s shoulder.

“I wanna do more than talk,” he admitted before hitting his blunt. “So maybe I should just leave.”

“Well, at least tell her if you are. She’ll be disappointed if you don’t.”

Dali knew that was Dynasty’s attempt to get them to talk, and it was going to work. After knocking back the rest of his hunch punch, he headed in Kassadee’s direction. He’d already set the gifts he had for her on the table with everyone else’s, so after a quick congratulations he planned to be on his way.

Avoiding her man’s gaze, Dali gently took Kassadee’s hand into his and turned her to face him. The frown from being interrupted quickly turned into a smile when her eyes landed on him.

“Hi,” she spoked cheerfully.

“Hey. I’m about to head out but I just wanted to say congratulations and that I’m proud of you. I already put your gifts over there.”

“Oh, you didn’t have to get me anything, but thank you. Just your presence here is enough.”

Their eyes remained locked for a few seconds as he nodded. “I won’t hold you. Your man looking like he ready to die behind me stealing you away.”

Kassadee chuckled nervously as she pulled her straightened hair behind her ear. “Okay. Well… thanks again for coming.” She stood on the tips of her toes and gave him a brief hug before turning back to her man.

That was the first time Dali felt detached from her emotionally and physically, and he didn’t like that feeling at all.

Several Hours Later

His strokes were so deep and hard she couldn’t moan. All she could do was struggle to breathe. Her grip on his sheets were tight as her ass rippled against him in waves. It might not have been the ass he wanted to see as he dug his dick deeply into her pussy, but it would have to do. The realization that things were officially over between him and Kassadee had Dali seeking solace after he left her party. Nora was an easy fuck... Had always been and would probably always be. He’d made sure to strap up twice and hadn’t bothered with eating her pussy, but as creamy as she was against him, Nora didn’t seem to mind.

When he heard his door creak open, Dali thought he was hearing things. Still, he turned his head to the left and was surprised at the sight of Kassadee. She stood there clenching the doorknob, mouth opened as she stared at the connection of Dali and Nora. His brain was yelling for him to pull out, but his dick didn’t want to just yet. It took Kas briskly walking out for his brain and body to get on one accord.

As Nora yelled about why he was stopping, he sloppily stepped into his boxers and shorts to run after Kassadee. By the time he made it to his front door, she was swerving out of the driveway. As if her catching them didn’t make him feel bad enough, the sight of her vomit, of her literally being sick to her stomach, made Dali feel like shit.

She wasn’t at home.

Dali found her at Kennessy’s apartment.

It took some convincing for Ken to even let Dali see her. Kas had an idea that he’d come looking for her and had given her key to his home to Ken. As he made his way out on Ken’s patio, his heart raced at what she would have to say. Though they were technically single, it still felt like her bursting in was like catching him cheating.

He sat next to her on the swinging bench, and she immediately tensed.

“I’m sorry. I should have called first or knocked. That won’t ever happen again.”

His chuckle was more out of anxiousness than amusement. Dali turned slightly to face her, but she kept looking forward.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Kas. I gave you that key to use at any time. I’m the one who’s sorry. I hate you had to see that—”

“It’s fine. You’re single. Fuck who you want.”

She brushed a tear away, and that made his own eyes water. “Are you… okay? Why’d you come over?”

Kassadee chuckled and shook her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”

“It matters to me.” When she didn’t respond, he sighed and sat back in his seat. “Kassadee…”

“It’s getting late.” Standing, she sniffled. “I’m gonna call it a night.”

“Hey,” he called, leaping to his feet and grabbing her wrist. Her head hung. “Why can’t you look at me?”

Kas’s tongue rolled over her cheek. “That hurt,” she whispered. His heart burned. “I know I have no right to feel a way but…” Chuckling, she pulled her wrist from his grasp. “Like I said, it’ll never happen again.”

Before he could formulate words, she was heading back inside. He didn’t think he could feel any worse, until Ken told him she’d called things off with her man to be with Dali.