Runner Read online

  "Damn," I said.

  "Yeah, but he's like my brother. We have been friends since we were in pull-ups and I wasn't about to snitch on him. So I went ahead and did those 2 years" he said.

  "Why are you looking like that," he asked chuckling.

  "Nothing, I just wouldn't do that," I said.

  "I mean if you had a sister and you got caught by the police and they asked you to give a list of names of everybody that was involved... would you tell on your sister," he asked. I started to think.

  "I can't really answer that cause I don't have a sibling. I don't know what it feels like to love somebody like that" I said to him. His face softened.

  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disappoint you. I'm just asking" he said.

  "It's ok. But I guess if I had a sister, I can't even lie, I would take that charge" I said to him. He chuckled.

  "I just wanna know why me? Why do you want to help me" I asked him? He sighed.

  "I just...I don't know. I'm not about to lie. Yesterday, I had a bad day and I don't have them often, but yesterday was tough. I dropped down to my knees and I had to pray. I'm not about to tell you what I asked for exactly, but I see he heard me" he said smirking. I smiled. I understand that because I did the same thing and I never pray. My heart was just too heavy. I really need a miracle.

  We've been talking for so long, I didn't even realize it was getting dark outside. I yawned.

  "I know you've had a long day. So you can just go on to bed" he said smiling.

  "Yes. I didn't even realize it was this late" I said.

  "And you don't have to worry about Dre. I got you" he said smiling as he walked upstairs. I followed and went inside my new bedroom. I laid across the bed and finally, in years, I felt peace. My heart didn't feel heavy. I wasn't worried about anything. I felt comfortable as if I'm where I need to be. I turned over and got comfortable and soon sleep took over.

  Chapter 3: New Beginnings

  Lorenzo’s POV

  February 2nd

  11:00 am

  I woke up to the sound of pots banging. I jumped up and walked downstairs. I saw Nia downstairs picking up pots off the floor.

  "Hey, good morning. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you and I didn't know if you minded me going in your fridge" she said. As I got closer, I saw blueberry waffles, bacon, sausage, cinnamon rolls, and toast. Damn, I can't believe she's really cooking for me. I chuckled and helped her pick up the pots on the floor.

  "You good, I told you to make yourself at home. It smells good in here. It's been a minute since I woke up to the smell of breakfast" I said to her as I grabbed a piece of bacon and sausage. She smiled.

  "Do you like it?" she asked. She looked at me as if she was scared. I nodded.

  "It's good," I said as I grabbed a plate. She quickly started to fix my plate for me. She stood there and watched me as I took a bite. I narrowed my eyes at her. I hope she ain't poisoned me or some shit.

  "You did some to my food," I asked. She looked at me shockingly.

  "What? No. I just want to make sure you enjoy it" she said smiling. I walked around her and sat down at the table. She followed me and continued to watch me.

  "You want something to drink? I can get you something" she said. She is kind of weird as hell. It's like she's a slave or some shit. It's like her goal is to please me. Dre really fucked her up. She's beautiful as hell tho. Why take advantage of and abuse a woman?

  "I'm fine. I can get it myself. How about you fix your food and sit with me" I asked her. She looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language, as if I was wrong to ask her to sit with me.

  "Okay..." she trailed off as she fixed her plate. She brought out two bottles of orange juice for me and her. I sighed and smiled at her.

  "Thank you, Nia," I said to her.

  "You're welcome," she said as she started to eat.

  "Let's say grace," I said to her. She dropped her fork and turned her attention to me. She reached for my hand and I grabbed hers.

  "Dear God, I thank you for allowing us to wake up this morning. I thank you for allowing me to be in the position to help Nia. God, I thank you for this food. And I ask that you bless it and only give us the nutrients and nourishment for our body. Watch over us and protect us today Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen" I said as I opened my eyes. I noticed slit marks on her wrist. I guess she noticed me looking and quickly pulled her arm back.

  "Um, I'm about to go upstairs to eat," she said as she walked off quickly. I sighed. I finished my food and started to clean up the kitchen. I walked back upstairs to take a shower and threw on some clothes. I have to meet my homebody, CJ, in a few.

  I slid on my Jordan's and my chain. I grabbed my keys and walked down the hall to Nia's room. I knocked on the door.

  "Come in," she said. I opened the door and walked in.

  "I'm about to go out to handle some business. Make yourself at home and if you need anything let me know" I said to her.

  "Can I go outside?" she asked. I laughed. I stopped laughing as I saw that she was serious. Damn.

  "Yea, if you want. As long as you leave the gate closed when I leave or if you decide to leave, you good. But I don't think you need to go nowhere until Dre gets from around here. My security guard, Rod, is out there in the box. He gets off round 6 and by that time I'll be back, but he got you, though. He knows not to let anybody in" I said to her.

  "But call me if you need anything," I said to her as I wrote down my number. I walked downstairs and out the door. I hopped in my olive green Dodge Challenger Demon and sped off down the highway. All I could think about was this shit with Nia and Dre. I don't even know what to do.

  Nia's POV:

  I hopped out of bed and walked downstairs. I grabbed some coffee and laid on the couch. I flipped through the channels as I tried to find some to watch. I sighed as I could feel my anxiety start back up. I know that Dre can't find me here, but I don't know what to do. I don't know how to start my life. I need to find a job, but that will only give Dre access to me. I don't want to be in fear and running from him all my life. Yes, I love him, but I have to move on. He's not good for me and he has been showing me that for the past year.

  I just really thank Lorenzo for helping me out. I will make sure I get on my feet as quickly as I can so that I can get out of his hair. I looked around the living room and spotted a picture of him on the wall. He was indeed fine as hell. He seems like the perfect man. It's like he has been waiting on me or something. He's so laid back and chill. He has a calm, comfortable vibe about him. I've never met anyone like him and it's interesting to me. Everything is like whatever or just ok with him. It seems as if nothing phases him.

  Although he is fine, I'll never cross that line with him, though. I don't want to ruin our living situation and I don't want to get into him when I'm not even over Dre and the shit I went through with him. I just hope Lorenzo doesn't have different intentions.

  Lorenzo's POV

  I pulled up at my boy, CJ’s crib. I hopped out my whip and knocked on his door. His girl, Violet, opened the door.

  "Wassup Vi," I said, calling her by her nickname.

  "Wassup Lo," she said as she stepped aside to let me in.

  "CJ downstairs," she said as I walked through their house.

  "Yo, Vi, I might need a favor from you, I'll let you know" I yelled out to her as I walked down into the basement.

  "Wassup bruh," I asked, dapping him up.

  "Shit, chilling," he said as he handed me a wood.

  "What's good? You never come over here unannounced" he said chuckling as he laid back in his chair. I stared at him.

  "Man, I met this girl" I started to say as he cut me off.

  "Aw, hell. I never thought I'd hear you say that again" he said making me laugh.

  "I mean I just met her about 2 days ago and she’s living with me," I said.

  "WHAT," he asked looking at me.

  "What kinda pussy she got? Let me try that shit out and see if she makes me get
rid of Vi" he said to me. He’s crazy as hell.

  "Man, nah. It's not like that and you know you love that woman, quit cappin'. But this girl has been through a lot of shit and I just saw her. Some told me to help her" I said. He shook his head at me.

  "You are always trying to be Captain Save-A-Hoe. When I see shit going down, I look the other way cause it doesn't have shit to do with me. One day yo ass is going to help the wrong person" he said as I passed him the wood. I shook my head at him. Yeah, he's right, but I just follow my heart. I wanted to help her cause something in my heart told me to.

  "Why do I even talk to yo stupid ass," I asked. He chuckled.

  "Cause I tell you right. If you would've listened to me in the past, you would've never dealt with that bitch, Amber" he said. He always thinks he’s right. But Amber is my ex, and she really did a number on me. We dated for nearly 5 years. I was about to propose to her, and just before I was about to, I found out she was cheating. Females are slick as hell, though. The whole time you thinking one loyal, but she low key fucking everybody behind your back.

  "Man, whatever," I said to him as he handed me the wood back.

  "Tell me what happened, though," he said. I began to tell him everything that happened the day I met Nia.

  "Man, you know Dre is going to come after you," he said.

  "And you know I don't give a fuck," I said to him.

  "It's just I see some in that girl. I want to be here for her. Man, you should've seen the fear in her face when she found out he found her" I said to him. He sighed.

  "You going to fuck her," he asked. I smacked my lips at him.

  "That's all you think about. Like I said, I don't know why I come to yo ass" I said to him. He chuckled.

  "Cause you know I don't be lying," he said as I stood up and handed him the wood back.

  "I'm about to head back, bruh. I'll see you" I said to CJ dapping him as I got ready to head out.

  "Yo, Lo. Be careful man. Call me if you need me" he said as I nodded. CJ is my brother. We have been friends for a long ass time. Probably since we were lil ass kids. He has always had my back and I've always had his.

  Chapter 4: Getting To Know You

  Nia's POV

  February 10th

  11:30 am

  ||| One Week Later |||

  I slid on my black yoga pants and a long-sleeve shirt. I put my hair in a ponytail and grabbed my sunglasses. My shirt was nearly too small and I tried my best to pull it and stretch it some. I looked in the mirror and it was hugging my stomach and my love handles so tightly. I swear I need to get on a diet. Andre really wasn't lying, I am fat. I sighed and put my sunglasses on.

  Right now, Lorenzo and I are going out for breakfast and then to the mall. He banged on my door around 8 this morning asking me to go with him. If he would've told me last night, I would've been up and ready. I was tired as hell and I really ain't get up till 10 this morning. I am really not in the mood.

  This past week with him has been pretty chill. He's really a laid back dude. We do spend a lot of time together. He is funny and he's sweet, but I am not into him. I actually could get used to having him as my friend. He puts me in my mind of one of those "Classic Men". He's hardworking, he's easygoing, and he respects women. I'm so used to men being all disrespectful and shit to me that he just really surprises me.

  "Nia, you ready" I heard him ask from the other side of the door. I opened the door and he stood there looking good. He had on his diamond-studded earrings with his matching watch on. He had on a Jesus cross-chain too. He licked his lips and rubbed his hands together.

  "Took you long enough," he said chuckling. I laughed. He had on a black shirt with some sweatpants on.

  "Whatever, Lorenzo," I said to him. He looked at me from my head to my toes and smirked.

  "What," I asked as we walked down the stairs. We walked out the front door and got inside his Mustang.

  "Nothing. You just look good" he said, making me smile.

  "You don't have to lie," I said rolling my eyes. I could feel him staring at me.

  "Listen, I'm so tired of hearing you put yourself down. You are a beautiful woman. I wish you could see what I see" he said with so much venom in his voice. I stared out the window and he lit up a blunt.

  "You want a hit," he asked. I shook my head "no". I dealt with addiction to drugs when I was 19/20. I was doing heavy drugs like coke. It nearly killed me and if it wasn't for me meeting Dre, I probably would've died. I watched him as he inhaled the smoke. I might as well take a hit. I need to feel something other than all this pain I feel inside.

  "I'll take one," I said as he handed it to me. I inhaled it a few times and let the smoke out. I pulled it again and Lorenzo laughed at me.

  "You said one," he said as he switched lanes. I continued smoking it and then I handed it to him.

  "You good," he asked. I nodded as he pulled into Jackie's Soulfood. He brought me here last weekend and I enjoyed the food. We got out and I grabbed my purse. I sprayed perfume on me then we walked inside. The host sat us down and we looked over the menu. I could feel Lorenzo staring at me.

  "What," I asked. He chuckled.

  "You're just interesting, that's all," he said.

  "What do you mean," I asked as the waiter took our drink orders. I ordered a Mimosa and so did Lorenzo.

  "You just... I don't know. I just ain't never met a woman like you" he said. I laughed. I swear I don't understand him. Like I don't get what he sees in me. I’m not perfect, I’m far from it. I have flaws.

  We got our food and started to eat. It was so good. I love the way they fry their bacon. It's so crisp and good. I could feel Lorenzo staring at me while I ate. He made butterflies come in my stomach.

  "What are your intentions," I asked him. He laughed.

  "I just want to make sure you are safe. I don't know what the future holds, but at least I can keep you safe" he said. I nodded. Good, cause I hope he doesn't have the intention of being with me. That'll never happen.

  "Why you ask," he asked. I shrugged.

  "I just don't want you to get the wrong idea," I said awkwardly laughing. He stared at me intensely.

  "I just don't want us to cross that line. I thank you for helping me and this week has been great with y-" I started to say as he cut me off.

  "You think I want some in return from you because I'm helping you? Nah, I'm helping you cause I want to help you. I don't need anything from you" he spat at me. I nodded and finished my food. We left the restaurant and he sped off down the highway.

  2:00 pm

  I looked out the window as I listened to the music. Roddy Rich - Ballin blasted through the speakers.

  I put the new Forgi's on the G

  I trap until the bloody bottoms is underneath

  'Cause all my niggas got it out the streets

  I keep a hunnid racks, inside my jeans

  I remember hittin' the mall with the whole team

  Now a nigga can't answer calls 'cause I'm ballin'

  I was wakin' up gettin' racks in the mornin'

  I was broke now I'm rich, these niggas salty

  "Yo, I didn't mean to be rude to you, I just don't want you to think I want something from you. I notice the smallest things and I can tell Dre fucked you up" he said. I frowned my face at him.

  "I'm n-not saying y-you fucked up or anything, but you get what I'm saying," he said as he switched lanes.

  "Yeah, I do have a few bad habits," I said to him.

  "I don't want you to be on pins and needles with me. I don't want you to try to please me, either. Just be yourself. I won't judge you. I wanna know the real you" he said staring at me licking his lips. I don't know why but every word he just said sent chills through my body.

  He pulled into the mall and we hopped out. He walked next to me as we walked inside. I could feel my anxiety flare as we pushed through the crowds. It was really packed as hell. I'm guessing Lorenzo noticed the fear on my face. He wrapped his hand around my waist.

&nbs
p; "I got you," he said. I nodded. He makes me feel safe and that's something I have never felt before.

  "What store you wanna go in," he asked.

  "It doesn't matter. This your trip" I said to him. He chuckled.

  "I gotta get you some, too," he said as we walked inside Puma. I walked to the women's clothing section and started to look at the leggings.