Chapter 14

“I can’t get over this new car.” Charlotte raved as we sat at the island in her living room finishing our breakfast.

When I showed up and told her how my key went missing, she was in the middle of making breakfast. She invited me to stay, and I was grateful to hang around. Cheese eggs, sausage, and buttery toast hit the spot in my hungover state. We agreed that Graham was behind all the random occurrences going on with my car.

“I don’t know how I’m going to get it through his head that we’re done.”

“Stand your ground. Eventually, he will realize that you are really through with him.”

“I’m trying, sis.”

“Fuck Graham, girl. Can we focus on a nigga who understood the muthafuckin assignment ? How long have you and Graham been going back and forth about you running out of gas and breaking down on the side of the road? It took like two times before Psalm said fuck that. I’m getting my baby an electric car.”

“I know, right! It’s not just that. He anticipates my needs. He sends me flowers every week. I didn’t even realize until today that he sends me flowers every Monday because I’m always griping about Mondays. Girl, I don’t know what I did to deserve this man.”

“Fuck that! You need to be asking yourself what that man did to deserve you. You’re a good catch, sis. Just because Graham stopped seeing your worth until it was too late doesn’t mean your value declined.”

“Why does everybody want to make me cry today?” I shook my head.

“Sometimes a good cry is all we need.”

“Whatever! I never see you crying.”

“That’s because I’m not a crybaby like you.”

“Wow.” I shook my head.

I looked down at my watch and noticed I had been at Charlotte’s for over two hours. Time always seemed to fly when we were together. I’d gotten the spare key from her and decided that I would go by a spot I frequented to get a new key made. I knew it was best to let Charlotte keep her key. The place I used was literally a coffee shop that also made keys.

The owner said he lost his keys so much when he was out drinking that he figured there was a market for it. He was right. This would be my third time getting a key made there. This was the first time that I lost one key instead of the whole damn set though.

I sat at the bar drinking a caramel macchiato and watching Paternity Court on one of the TVs in front of me. It was crazy how people just aired out their dirty laundry for the world to see.

“Anya Flint, it’s been too long.”

Even if I didn’t recognize Michael’s voice, the chill that ran down my spine made me painfully aware of his presence. I couldn’t put my finger on the one reason that he rubbed me the wrong way, but he was always successful in doing so. I took a deep breath before turning in my seat to greet his smiling face.

“Fancy meeting you here.”

“I know, right. One of the girls was bragging on the coffee here,” he mentioned.

“Yeah, it’s pretty good.”

“What do you recommend?”

“I’m having a caramel macchiato. The lattes are good too. I’m pretty sure you can’t go wrong if you’re a coffee drinker.”

My phone rang, and I reached into the pocket of Psalm’s basketball shorts to retrieve it. When I saw Psalm’s name running across the screen, I remembered that I was supposed to be back at his house by now. It had been a little over three hours. I would let him know I was running behind after having breakfast with Charlotte and stopping to get a new key made. I needed to know where we were going so I would know how to pack. When the ringing ended, my phone dinged to let me know that I had a text message.

Psalm:

Call me, baby. I need to talk to you about something.

I assumed he had nailed down a vacation spot. I smiled as I sent a reply letting him know that I would call him in a few.

“You got a new boo thang? Didn’t you and your husband get a divorce, or are you working it out?” Michael wondered.

“Nosy, aren’t we?”

“I’m just curious. I know you were having a hard time for a minute there.”

“I never said I was having a hard time.”

“Well, you went on that personal leave. I assumed you were working through something. I figured that was what drove you to smoking.”

“If you thought I was going through so much, why did you threaten me with a drug test instead of offering assistance?”

“I offered assistance, over and over. You were just too stubborn to accept it. You quit in the middle of a shift because you were so resistant to my help.”

“I quit because you couldn’t take a hint or accept when someone isn’t interested in you. You purposely made my job harder during a time where you admittedly realized that I was going through something. Why would I ever waste my time with someone like you?”

He had the nerve to laugh. “You can’t see a good thing when it’s standing right in front of you. That’s what kills me about you women. Day in and day out, you complained about your husband never making time for you. When I was right there trying to put in time with you, you continued to push me away for a man who clearly didn’t deserve you.”

“Get up, Ny.”

I almost jumped out of my skin when Psalm’s disturbingly calm voice sounded directly in my ear. I wasn’t doing anything wrong. So why the hell was my heart pounding in my throat?

“Psalm, what the hell are you doing here? You scared me.”

“That’s what I was about to ask you. I still got your pussy on my breath from last night and this morning, and you’re sitting up here giggling in another man’s face while I’m at home waiting on you. Get up , Anya.”

“Aye, man, cool it!” Michael interrupted.

“I wasn’t talking to you.” Psalm held up his hand to dismiss him.

“You need to calm the fuck down,” Michael suggested.

“Baby, am I not calm?” Psalm asked, tilting his head to wait for my answer.

“You are.” I agreed, nodding quickly. I was terrified at how calm he was, actually.

“Don’t let him scare you, Anya. Who the fuck is this?”

Before I could respond, Psalm had a gun pressed to Michael’s temple. A searing pain shot through my chest as horror consumed me.

“Psalm!” I shouted, trying to pull his attention away from Michael who now had his hands raised in surrender.

“See, I said I wasn’t fucking talking to you, but since you like to talk, let’s talk. Why are you sitting up here grinning in my woman’s face?”

Psalm’s question was met with silence. I yanked at his arm, trying to get him out of the coffee shop. There was no doubt that someone had already called the cops.

“Talk, nigga!” Psalm demanded.

Silence again from Micheal whose eyes were downcast as he waited for Psalm’s next move.

“Let’s go, Psalm,” I urged.

“I thought you would see it my way. Everything’s on me today except whatever this nigga’s having,” Psalm said as he placed a wad of money on the counter. He hesitated before sending another withering glare Michael’s way.

I snatched my new key off the counter and stuffed it in my pocket as I stormed out of the coffee shop. Psalm strolled behind me casually as if anything that had just transpired was normal. How the hell did he even know where I was?

“I can’t believe you!” I yelled when he finally walked outside.

“Nah, I can’t believe you. I been calling you to tell you I made dinner reservations for us in Rome. When you weren’t answering or replying, I went by your spot to make sure you got inside, but your new car wasn’t there.”

“Is that how you found me? This fucking car has a tracker on it?”

“Well, yeah, but that’s not how I found you. I just want you to know while you’re sitting up here on a coffee date, I’m out here thinking the worst. I scanned your car, and somebody put another fucking bug on it. Do you understand what was going through my mind knowing that I couldn’t contact you when there is someone out here that won’t let you go? There are trackers on your car and all kinds of weird shit going on. I’m thinking something might have happened to you. Yet, I find you out kicking it with some dude. Is that what we’re doing, because I didn’t think we were rocking like that, Ny? Tell me something, because I’m all in. Is that not what we’re doing?”

“Psalm, you didn’t have to go that far. I was having a key made and getting coffee. I wasn’t on a date. That was my old boss.”

“Don’t be calling no nigga your boss, Ny.”

“Oh my God, all of y’all are crazy! Aren’t you? Why did I think I got the sane one?”

“Anya, this ain’t the time to play.”

“I’m being serious. Why the hell did you just do that?”

“I went ahead and scared him off just in case he thought he had a chance with you.”

“You’re about to scare me away.”

“You were never in any danger. You will never be in any danger when you’re with me.” He shrugged.

“You’re ridiculous,” I said as I climbed into the car.

“Pack your bags, Anya. We have dinner reservations.”

“You’ll be lucky if I go anywhere with you after the stunt you just pulled.”

“I knew I was lucky to be in your presence even before I pissed you off. Go get ready so I can feed you. You know you start tripping when you’re hungry.”

“What’s your excuse?” I queried.

“Your ass drove me crazy, and you know it!”

“Well now you’re crazy, and I’m mad.”

“You can’t stay mad with me. I’m your baby.”

“Wanna bet?” I challenged.

“Baby, I really didn’t do anything.” He lifted his shoulders, feigning innocence.

“Are you being serious right now? You showed up out of nowhere and pulled a gun on my boss in a public place.”

“First of all, that’s not your boss, so stop saying that. And OK, yes, I did interrupt your date to ask you on another date.”

“That’s not how I remember it at all.”

“I’m sorry, OK. I tried to be reasonable, but he kept pushing my buttons. I asked the man to leave me alone, Ny. You were sitting right there. If anything, you should be mad with him for disrespecting your man.”

“Psalm, not only did you scare me to death, but you put yourself in jeopardy. It doesn’t matter that we were the only ones there. The owner could have shot you or called the cops.”

“I know the owner. I set up their security system.”

“What about the man you were threatening? It won’t take much for him to figure out who you are. If nothing else, he knows you’re connected to me. I don’t want the cops questioning me and trying to make me give you up.”

“Don’t be mad with me, Ny. See, this is why I smoke weed. It keeps me leveled. I’ve been trying not to smoke so much, but you see what happens.” He dropped his head before looking back up at me with his signature adorable smile.

“Why are you not scared of the consequences of pulling a gun on a man in a public place?”

“You already said I was crazy. I turned off the security cameras. If ol’ boy wants to talk, I guess I’ll have to face the consequences.”

I frowned at his statement. “How did you turn off the cameras?”

“I can’t tell you. Trust me, the less you know, the better.”

I shook my head because in that moment, that was all that I could do. This was crazy. Psalm was absolutely ridiculous. Seeing the stupid cute grin on his face had me fighting back a smile.

“Bye, Psalm,” I said, finally closing my car door.

He took a step back but spoke to me through the door.

“Tell me you’re not mad, baby. I’ll behave as long as you keep niggas out of your face.”

“Bye, Psalm.”

Tearing my eyes away from him, I pulled out of the parking lot. I had no idea how to proceed going forward. All I wanted was for Graham to give me a divorce and set me free. Before I could even get that settled, here came another controlling ass man. Psalm was on a different level. He was deranged and resourceful. I still had no idea how the hell he found me.

After everything that transpired, I didn’t feel like going to Charlotte’s to take the key back. All I wanted to do was get home, shower, and take a nap. I was livid after Psalm humiliated me at the coffee shop. I understood his need to protect me, but he had gone overboard. The shop wasn’t far from my house, so I got there in no time. Thankfully, Psalm’s car wasn’t parked outside.

I literally didn’t know what to expect from him anymore. Graham would have never popped up on me and threatened a man just for talking to me. Hell, Graham wouldn’t have realized that I was gone. He would have been too busy hoping I wouldn’t call and need him for anything.

Psalm liked being there for me. He wanted me to need him. Graham made me feel like a dependent, but Psalm made me feel special. Why was I comparing the two? There was no reason that I had to deal with either of them or their foolishness.

When I made it to my building, I took my phone out of my pocket. I shook my head at myself as I searched how long a flight to Rome would take. It was over nine hours. Psalm told me that Bishop had a private jet, so I was pretty sure that was how we were traveling. Psalm had got on my nerves, but he was right. He was my baby. As much as I wanted to stay mad with him, I couldn’t. I actually hoped that he did scare Michael’s persistent ass off.

As I approached my apartment door, I was frozen in my tracks. My mouth fell open, and my eyebrows shot up to my hairline when I noticed that it was cracked. Who the hell had been in my apartment, and even better, were they still here?

My breathing quickened, and my heart raced as I considered my options. I didn’t want to go inside and face whoever might be waiting for me. My hands trembled as I pulled up the keypad on my phone to dial 911. Years ago, someone had broken into my car, and the police came out and took my report. They even scanned for fingerprints.

Other than giving me something to submit to my insurance company, the investigation didn’t go far. They didn’t make me feel safe or protected. Even after I called the cops, I knew I wouldn’t want to be alone. Hell, I was afraid to move closer, let alone go inside when everything was said and done. Tears flooded my face as I turned and rushed back to my car.

“I need you.” I sobbed into the receiver as I plopped down in the driver’s seat of my car.

“What’s wrong, baby? Where are you?” Psalm rushed.

“I’m home. Somebody has been in my apartment. The door is open.”

“I’m on the way, Ny. Stay on the phone,” he urged.

“OK. Hurry up, please. I’m so scared. Make sure you bring that gun!”

“I’m coming, baby. Don’t move, OK. I’m on the way.”

“Who would do something like this?”

“Did they take anything?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t go inside. You remember I told you that my key was missing last night or whatever. So I know that the door was closed and locked when I got home last night. I just walked up to my door, and it’s cracked open. I didn’t go inside because I don’t know if somebody is in there. Psalm, what the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know, baby, but I promise I’m going to find out. Did you call the cops?”

“Not yet. I called you first.”

“I’m right around the corner. Just hold tight.”

Tears trickled down my cheeks as I sat helplessly waiting for Psalm to get here. It was crazy that someone would break into my apartment after everything else that had gone on. Graham was crazy manipulative, but I never expected he would stoop this low.

I fumbled with my keys to start my car up so I could turn on the air conditioner. I felt like someone kicked me in the chest when I realized that my house key was on the key ring. Not the new one that was stuffed in my pocket along with Charlotte’s black glittery key. The glittery pink key that I had been using since I’d moved out on my own was dangling on the ring with the rest of my keys.

I was tipsy the previous night, but contrary to what Psalm thought, I wasn’t that damn drunk. I wouldn’t have missed a shiny pink key. What the hell was going on? I was under a lot of stress, but there was no way that I was losing my damn mind. There had to be an explanation.

I threw my head back and closed my eyes to combat the pounding headache that was gradually getting worse. A knock on my window almost made me jump out of my skin. I opened my eyes and saw Psalm’s worry marred face. The relief that consumed me had me pushing the door open and jumping into his arms.

“Hey, hey, relax, baby. I got you, all right?” Psalm assured me.

“What the hell is going on?”

Psalm pulled out of my embrace and held me by my shoulders. “I don’t know, baby. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. I swear.”

“Why would somebody do this? I don’t have anything for them to take. Somebody wants me to think I’m crazy, Psalm. All of a sudden, my house key is back on the ring. I know it wasn’t there last night. I’m not crazy, and I wasn’t that damn drunk.”

“I don’t think you’re crazy, Ny. Do you want to go inside with me to make sure nothing is missing?”

“Yeah.” I nodded weakly.

“Lead the way.”

Psalm took my hand and nodded for me to take him to my apartment. I had been grateful to get an apartment on the ground floor. Now I wasn’t sure that I wanted someone to have easy access to my windows and doors. A locked window could be broken if someone was determined to come inside.

When we made it to my partially opened door, Psalm brandished that same gun he was waving earlier and used the barrel to nudge the door open further. He released my hand, stepping in front of me to walk inside. We moved through the living room that, from what I could tell, had not been touched.

Psalm stuck his head in the bathroom and used the gun to push the shower curtain back. The bathroom was empty. As we proceeded down the hall, he opened the linen closet, which was so full of shelves, no one could get inside. From there, we walked into my bedroom. I gasped when I saw that my bed had been stripped, and all of the linen was on the floor. My drawers were all opened, and my closet had been rifled through.

“What the hell were they looking for?” Psalm asked exactly what I was thinking.

“I have no idea. I don’t have anything here. I don’t even carry cash on me. Why would they think I had something to hide here?”

“What about your ex? He into anything illegal?”

“No. He does construction work.”

“See if anything is missing. I want to scan the place to make sure there aren’t any cameras or listening devices here.”

I felt like I was in The Twilight Zone as I looked through my things, trying to determine whether or not my intruder had taken anything from my bedroom. From what I could tell, nothing was missing other than my sense of security.

“I don’t think they took anything.”

“I’m going to get my equipment out of the car to do a quick scan.”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” I shook my head.

“Well, you can’t stay here, Ny. I’m not letting you stay here after this shit.”

My neck snapped back at his statement. “Psalm, you don’t have to let me do anything.”

“Well, I’ll feel better if you come stay with me.”

“I’m not doing that! You can’t fix everything. I know you’re used to coming up with solutions, but this is not your problem to solve. This is my business.”

“You are my business.”

“I’m not your business, Psalm. How did you even get here so fast? How did you know where I was earlier?”

At this point, I didn’t know who to trust. Psalm kept running to my rescue, making me feel like I was so safe and secure with him. Maybe he was the person doing all the things I had been accusing Graham of doing. None of this foolishness started happening until I met Psalm.

“Anya, I understand that you’re stressed, but you have to be rational.”

“I think I’m being rational for the first time in a long time. I’m sitting here thinking about how you came in and swept me off my feet. All of a sudden, all this crazy stuff started happening. I didn’t blink twice when you kept coming to my rescue because I felt like you were just a good guy. Now I’m wondering just how good of a guy you are. How do I know you’re not the one messing with me, trying to get me to fall into your trap?”

“Come on, now. Why the hell would I do that?”

“Why would you ask me to move in with you out of the blue?”

He threw his arms up. “Because I don’t feel safe with you staying here. You’re refusing to let me scan the place. How do we know whoever was here didn’t plant something in here like they did to your car?”

“You probably feel good that you get to rescue this trainwreck when your situation is a mess too. Stop trying to fix everyone else and work on your own shit!”

“Wow! Is that how you really feel?”

“I don’t know how I feel, but I want you to get out.”

“Anya.” He sighed as if I was overreacting.

“Get out!” I shouted.

“Come on, baby. You gotta know I wouldn’t do this. You seriously think I gotta pull all this to keep you?” Psalm asked, walking over to stand in front of me.

“I don’t know what to think. I just know that I want you to get out of here so I can think.”

Psalm scoffed, shaking his head as he leaned in to kiss my forehead. “Then I’m out.”

I followed Psalm to the living room to make sure he left. He didn’t bother looking back as he walked through the door, slamming it in the process. I felt like the room was spinning as I fell back against the wall. I slid down, letting my ass hit the floor as fresh new tears spilled down my cheeks.