Chapter 2

Two

Neo

On the other side of town…

Like I always did,I had a low playlist going while I did my makeup live. For tonight, I chose to get ready on TikTok because they hardly ever hassled me about the music that played in the background. Music was such a huge part of my life that I almost always had it playing, and when it wasn't playing, I was singing or humming a tune in my head and heart.

I didn't really talk much while I was live, so I didn't care to keep up with comments. If someone complimented me, I thanked them or offered names of products I was using for women who asked, but that was about it. I wasn't an influencer or anything; I just liked sharing one of my favorite moments with the world.

The alarm announced the opening of the garage door, letting me know Steven was home. A smile instantly spread my lips. I had no idea what he had planned for us for this evening, but I was excited for it. Since he put together our plans for the evening, I'd hired a chauffeur. I didn't subscribe to the notion that men didn't deserve effort and romance, so even though he wanted to treat me tonight, I wanted to make the evening about him too. Before he entered our bedroom, I quickly stood and stuffed his gifts in the gift bag on the bench in front of the bed.

He was stepping inside as I made my way back to my vanity.

"Hey," he spoke softly, walking over to me.

"Hey, honey. How was work?" Steven gave me a tender kiss, lowering his hand between my legs. Pushing him away gently with a giggle, I pointed to the phone. "I'm live, Steven."

"Then get off."

"I'm almost done," I mumbled as he kissed my neck.

"Listen… we're gonna have to reschedule our plans for the evening."

My smile dropped, and I gently pushed him away from me.

"What do you mean?"

Steven squeezed the back of his neck as he sat on the bench in front of our bed.

"Asia wants to do something with China tonight, and you know I can't say no to my baby girl."

Sighing, I grabbed my phone to disconnect the live. I could tell this conversation was about to get a little heated, and I didn't want hundreds of people that I didn't even know, with a few of my friends and family members sprinkled in, knowing my business.

"You're not saying no to your daughter; you're saying no to her mother."

"It's the same thing."

Chuckling, I shook my head as I set the phone on the vanity. "No, it's not. I hate to sound crass, but Valentine's Day is a day for lovers. I'm more than okay with you doing something with your daughter before we go out, but I'm not really comfortable with you not doing what you planned for us to spend time with them as a family."

His body slouched as he gritted his teeth. "It ain't really that big of a deal, Neo. Valentine's Day is a day meant to put money in other people's pockets anyway. Real couples…"

"Show their love every day," I mocked, narrowing my eyes. "That's what everyone says when they don't want to put forth the effort to make today special. But you don't show me your love every day. We haven't even been going out as much as we used to. That's why I was really looking forward to today." Twisting my mouth to the side, I inhaled a deep breath. "Like I said, I don't mind you spending some time with China and taking her something if you'd like, but I'm really not feeling you canceling our plans to spend time with them. I don't think that's fair."

"Well, baby, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to let my daughter down. Asia has already told her that I was taking them out, and I want to make sure she has the right expectations when it comes down to men, so I'm going to show up for her today."

"Let me get this straight." Releasing a low bark of laughter, I sat back in my seat. "You want your daughter to know what this day means, so you're going to take her and her mother out while your woman sits at home and does nothing… on Valentine's Day… the day for lovers." When he didn't respond, my laugh grew louder. "Go ahead, Steven. I'm not going to beg you to honor the plans you made for me."

"Come on, Neo. Don't make this a thing."

Ignoring him, I sat forward and continued to do my makeup. I didn't want to show my hurt over his actions. I hated feeling like a bitter woman who didn't want him spending time with his daughter, because that certainly wasn't the case. I felt robbed, more than anything. What I'd said was true—we hadn't been spending a lot of time together. He'd been promising me that today would be the start of us getting back on track. Now, he expected me to be okay with him canceling our plans to be with his daughter and her mom.

Hell, I would even feel better about it if he got China and brought her here with us. However, something about him including Asia wasn't sitting right with me. I had no reason to believe he was still messing off with his baby mama, but she was single, and I felt like she was using their daughter as a way to get Steven to treat her this evening instead of me. If that was the case, it would have been a waste of my time trying to get him to see that.

"You're going to ignore me now?" he continued, pressing his palms together between his spread legs.

"You've made it clear how it's going to be, so we don't have anything else to talk about."

"Yeah, but I don't want you to feel like you don't have a say."

"I don't," I replied with a chuckle. "You have decided to spend the evening with them, and I'm not included in that. What say do I have?"

He sucked his teeth. "I just didn't think you'd want to spend the evening with us."

"That's fine, Steve."

My tone was clipped, and I hoped he dropped it. It was bad enough he'd ruined our plans for the evening. I wasn't trying to argue tonight too. Grabbing my phone, I decided to call my best friend, Innvy, and see if she wanted to do something tonight.

"Hey, boo," she greeted after answering, and I could hear the smile on her face.

"Hey, babe. What you doing?"

"Nothing right now. I was thinking about going out to eat, but I know everybody gonna be packed tonight."

"Right. Well… we can hit up a bar or something. That'll probably get us quicker service than a restaurant."

"Wait. What happened to your plans with Steve?"

"We'll talk."

"Oohwee. Okay. You come over here and we can Uber so we can drink drink."

Laughing, I nodded my agreement. "Okay. I'll text you when I'm on my way."

After disconnecting the call, I canceled the driver I'd requested for tonight then returned my attention to my face. I would have kept it, but an Uber was cheaper. I was almost done; I just needed to add my blush and set my face.

"I guess I'ma head out since you're ignoring me."

"Okay, be safe."

Chuckling, Steven left the room with a shake of his head. As soon as I heard the garage door slam, I had to keep myself from crying. As much as I loved him, I was losing more and more resolve and interest when it came down to our relationship. Things were so good between us, and now, it seemed like he was changing right before my very eyes.

It didn't seem to matter if I brought things I didn't like or weren't comfortable with to his attention. If he didn't agree, it wouldn't change. Love was starting to not be enough to keep us on solid ground, and as much as my heart didn't want to admit it, it was probably best for me to start getting ready for things between us to end.

As Innvy andI prepared to leave, the man I'd been talking to for most of the evening wasn't letting up. His friend was shooting his shot with Innvy and we, Merc and I, ended up talking while they did their thing. Merc wasn't flirting with me, but he made it clear he didn't respect the fact that I had a boyfriend and was spending the evening with my girl. Now that I was trying to pay my bill, things were becoming clearer. Not just with Merc… but with Steven too.

"Merc, please," I said, trying to remove the ticket from under his large, tattooed hand. "I can pay for this myself."

"I know you can, but I'm not letting you. It's bad enough you got somebody claiming you who got you here for Valentine's Day instead of with him. The least he could do is pay for you and your girls' drinks."

"I'm sure he would if I asked."

Merc chuckled, and I couldn't deny how sexy it was. What was even sexier was the fact that he didn't try to make something happen between us, even though we were attracted to each other. We kept the conversation casual, and I truly appreciated that.

"Aight, I'll make you a deal." He licked his lips and flipped his hand, connecting his fingers with mine. "Call ya man and if he pays, I'll leave you alone. If he doesn't, you have to break up with him."

"That sounds like a good idea to me," Innvy said, not making this any easier.

Usually, I wasn't the kind of person who felt I had to prove anything, but a part of me wanted to see if Steven was willing to at least take care of the bill since he couldn't take me out. So, I agreed, but decided to text him instead of calling.

Honey, Innvy and I are getting ready to leave the bar. Will you take care of the bill since we didn't go out tonight?

"There." I set my phone on the table. "I hope y'all are happy now."

Chuckling, Innvy swirled the last of her water around in the glass. We'd kept it simple for the evening, sipping tequila while the guys alternated between whiskey and beer, but when we started to wind down, we both opted for water.

"I'll be happy when you leave Steven."

"I thought you liked him?"

"I did when he was treating you right." My eyes rolled as I huffed. "I love you, and I love spending time with you, but you should've been with your man tonight, not me."

Before I could respond, my phone lit up and vibrated on the table. Innvy grabbed it quickly as Merc asked her, "What it say, sis?"

"Oof." Her head jerked and eyebrows raised. "Give that man your number, boo," was what she said, putting my phone face down on the table.

I refused to believe Steven said no, so I grabbed it, and Merc read the text with me.

Honey: I'm already paying for Asia and China. I'm not paying for you and her too. Take care of that shit bae. I got you when WE go out.

With a shake of his head, Merc put two hundred-dollar bills on top of the receipt, which was more than enough to cover all of our drinks. Gently, he took my phone out of my hand. Before I could stop him, he was leaning closer, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, and taking a picture of us. I couldn't stop my body from reacting to his closeness. He smelled so damn good, and my nipples hardened from the heat of his body being so close to mine.

Merc sent it to Steven and texted him, don't worry about it bruh. I got her.

"Merc!" I yelled as I punched his shoulder. Innvy's laughter only pissed me off more as my heart raced. "Why would you send that! Now he's going to think I'm cheating on him."

"Nah, he's going to think he has competition, which will make his ass act right," Merc countered. "It's fucked up you have to do that, but maybe he needs a reminder of who and what he has in you."

He shot me a wink and smile as my eyes watered.

I couldn't even bring myself to argue with him. Innvy reserved our Uber as silence found me. Merc didn't say anything else, which I appreciated. When our Uber driver arrived, the guys walked us out. Innvy promised to call Merc's friend, which sucked, because that meant I'd be seeing him around.

I wasn't sure what hurt worse—the fact that Steven didn't even bother to respond to the picture of me and Merc, or if Merc had spoken the truth. I did deserve better, and it was getting harder and harder for me to ignore that.