“Please, not tonight. I got a point to prove and you don’t want to start right now, with this fine-ass nigga watching my every move. Great,” she groaned, as she attempted to restart her car. It chugged a little bit, but didn’t start. She gripped the top of her steering wheel with both hands and then let her head fall onto her knuckles, as she tried to control the sobs that were threatening to spill out of her. Why life was this hard, she didn’t know, but Alani was ready to throw in the towel. Before, she had a reason to be this exhausted, a reason to go so hard. She used to have a little person depending on her. But doing all this, appreciating the struggle, dealing with the exhaustion, and waiting for the glow up, wasn’t so worth it when all she was doing it for was herself. She felt Ethic’s presence but refused to lift her head. He opened the door and then rested his hands on top of her car, as he leaned down. He reached for the latch to pop her hood and then rolled up his sleeves, disappearing behind the lifted hood. “Your engine’s done,” he announced. He walked to her back door and opened it to grab the belongings he’d seen her carrying, and then reached out his hand for her. She didn’t take it. Instead, she wiped her tears and stood. She took her tote from his grasp and started walking. It wasn’t that far of a walk. She could make the 10 blocks to her house.

“Alani!”

Her feet stopped moving. It was like they were playing red light, green light and the nigga had suddenly switched the signal to stop. Alani froze. She didn’t even want to, but she heard the impatience in his voice.

“I don’t usually have to repeat myself,” Ethic said.

Alani placed a hand on her hip and was across the parking lot in a flash. “Oh, little Ms. Seltzer Water must be super obedient,” she snapped. “Who is she? Your little girlfriend?”

Ethic smirked. “I’m a little old for the girlfriend thing.” Ethic showed teeth, this time, finding her amusing.

“You’re a piece of work,” she said, pointing a finger, as she turned to start her walk. When she thought of something else to say, she spun again, marching over to him. She was pissed he hadn’t moved; as if he had expected her to double back. “And I told you not to call me Alani,” she fussed.

“Is she the reason why you didn’t call?” she asked.

“She’s not the reason I do anything,” Ethic responded. “She doesn’t belong to me.”

“You’re lying,” Alani said. “That big-head-ass girl was looking at me like she was ready to slap me for even speaking to you.”

“Why does it bother you? Seeing me with her?” Ethic asked.