by A'zayler
“We forever. This li’l long distance shit ain’t gon’ break us.”
Cannon nodded in uncertainty. Her doubts were so loud and clear she was surprised Ezra couldn’t hear them.
“I got you something,” Ezra stepped back and pulled something out of his back pocket.
Cannon and Danna watched him lower to his knee in front of her. Naturally, Cannon’s hands covered her mouth as a small yelp came out.
“Boy, what the hell you doing?” Danna walked around him so that she could see his face.
The diamond ring was small, but it sparkled, and it was hers . . . from him. Cannon allowed Ezra to pull her hands from her mouth and slide the ring on the rightful finger.
“The first time we ever made love, you promised me that we would get married and be together forever. I’m ready to make good on your promise.”
Cannon screamed excitedly jumping up and down in place. “I promise. Yes!”
“Promise me that you won’t give your love away while we’re apart.”
“I promise,” Cannon gazed down at the sincerity in Ezra’s eyes.
He slid the ring on her finger before standing back to his feet. “I want you to move with me. Don’t go to Atlanta, come with me.”
“I will,” Cannon told him with no hesitation. “When? Right now? I’ll go now.” Her eagerness overtook her.
“Nah, not right now. It’s too sudden. Let’s just go along with our original plans and when I have time to sort all of this out, I’ll come and get you.”
“Ezzy, what she say?” Vonetta’s voice came out of nowhere.
They all turned toward the front porch where she was standing. Her hands were clasped together in front of her while her signature smile was plastered across her face. Ezra smiled even harder at his mother.
“She said yeah, ma.”
Vonetta clapped happily and waved Cannon over for a hug. Cannon ran straight to her, smiling and jumping the whole way.
“I’m so happy for y’all, baby.” She squeezed Cannon further into her body. Cannon closed her eyes enjoying the sincere love coming from her mother-in-law. “Don’t get too settled up there in Atlanta. Go where your husband is. Absence makes the heart go yonder, sweetheart. Wherever he’s at, that’s where you need to be also.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Vonetta, don’t be up there helping your son steal my new partner in crime.” Danna stomped toward them with her arms folded across her chest.
Ezra, Vonetta, and Cannon all laughed at her pretend tantrum. They were still laughing as Ezra headed for them. He kissed the side of Danna’s head sloppily as he passed by her to get to Cannon.
As soon as he was next to her, Cannon jumped on Ezra with a large smile all on her face. She was beyond happy. Even though she inwardly wished she could just go with him right away, and forget all about Atlanta, she had to be logical. They all talked happily with Vonetta for a little while longer before she went back into the house. The three of them headed back toward Ezra’s truck so that he could hit the road.
“I knew y’all dumb asses would get married to each other one of these days.” Danna smiled happily at the two of them.
Ezra and Cannon were still holding on to one another as they smiled and laughed. The time ticked by, and before long they were parting ways. Cannon and Ezra were both sad but hopeful, while Danna on the other hand hadn’t stopped smiling since she and Cannon had gotten into her car.
“You’re really killing my joy,” she looked at a sulking Cannon.
“Well, you’re getting on my last nerve acting all happy.”
“You need to be just as happy as me. We’re about to have some fun!”
Cannon’s eyes rolled.
“For real, Cannon. You need to stop being sad. You and Ezzy will be fine. It’s natural to miss the nigga, but he ain’t gon’ do no shit that’s gon’ hurt you. Y’all will be alright. Anytime y’all start missing each other, just visit. It won’t be that bad, you’re just being really dramatic right now. Besides, the nigga just said y’all will only be apart until he can get things together. Probably won’t even be in Atlanta a full semester before you’re leaving again.”
“I’m not though. I really didn’t want him to leave me.”
Danna’s hand rested on Cannon’s leg. “It’ll be cool. Y’all needed this time apart to breathe a little. When it’s time for y’all to be together, you both will be ready without the drama.”
Honestly, Cannon’s mind hadn’t gone that far because all she could think about was being with him, but Danna had a point. She still wasn’t about to allow her mind to travel into entertaining Ezra and other women, but she could probably take a minute for some girl time with Danna.
“I guess.”
Danna smiled and clapped her hands playfully as she drove. “No, girl, don’t guess. Know.”
“I can’t stand you.”
“You’re going to love me before it’s all over with.”
“Don scarred you. You’re such a savage.”
Danna quieted for only a moment before shrugging. “Niggas don’t give a fuck about you, Cannon, and won’t another man on this planet make me believe any different. Fuck they dog asses.”
“Aww, Danna. They ain’t all the same.”
Danna sucked her teeth. “The hell you say.”
“Ezra ain’t.”
“Look, I would say what I want to say, but I won’t because you’re too sensitive, but Cannon, listen. All niggas will do shady shit if given the right opportunity. That’s just what I believe. I could be scorned, bitter, angry, or whatever justifies my feelings, but niggas ain’t shit. Period. There may be some good ones, but fuck them too.”
Cannon snickered as she watched Danna in empathy. She was truly ruined. “What about Quay? He was a good one right?”
Danna did her best to hold her smile in. “Yeah, Quay was cool, but I’m good on that jailhouse shit. Niggas in the pen got more time to cheat than niggas on the street. Maybe in another lifetime, but for now,” Danna shook her head from side to side. “I’m popping pussy whenever I feel like it, and I ain’t explaining it to nobody. Especially not no nigga.”
“Jesus,” Cannon sighed dramatically. “I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into going out of town with your mean ass.”
“A whole lot of fun, bitch!” Danna screamed in excitement again.
Cannon laughed with her that time. Danna was a damn fool. Even with her being older than her, Cannon could already see she was about to have to be the big sister. Danna was already excited about moving from Columbus and getting a fresh start on life, to add that in with her being on some fuck niggas, shit, there was no telling how she was about to cut up.
“Well let’s get it then, sis.”
“Oh, bitch, we finna’ get it so good, you gon’ be like Ezra who?”
Cannon stopped smiling. “Never.”
Versus saying anything, Danna just laughed and kept driving. When they finally pulled into the driveway of her little townhouse there was another car in the driveway. She and Cannon both squinted their eyes trying to see who was behind the dark tint, but neither of them were able to.
“Girl, what man you got over here waiting on you?” Cannon looked from the large black truck to the Danna.
Her face was frowned in confusion as she bit the side of her lip. Her smile was gone and she looked just as confused as Cannon.
“Chile, I don’t know who that is. I’ve never seen that truck a day in my life.” Danna told her as she pulled in behind the large truck.
“No, bitch!” Cannon pulled at the steering wheel. “Don’t park. You don’t know who that is. What if it’s somebody coming here to kill you?”
Danna’s laughter drew some from Cannon as well. “Cannon, you’re so damn sheltered. Get your hand off my steering wheel before you make me hit something.”
“Okay, you think everything is funny until we’re laid out in the fucking morgue. I just got proposed to, bitch. I’m trying to die as Can
non Mendoza. Kill your own damn self.” Cannon sat back in the seat and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m marrying your fucking brother. You’ll die alone today. I can guarantee you that.”
Danna sat smirking at Cannon, but Cannon wasn’t playing. She knew Ezra and Danna’s father was involved in a lot of street stuff, and she may not have known personally how things went down, but she knew enough not to be running up to unmarked cars. Danna could go right ahead, but she wouldn’t be going with her.
“I’m sick of you. I am really sick of you.” Danna pointed at Cannon playfully. “Sit your scary ass right here.”
“Gladly.” Cannon pouted her lips up and looked out of the window.
Danna was still smiling as she cut off her car and got out. With her purse thrown over her shoulder and her hand tucked down inside of it, Cannon watched her approach the vehicle slowly. Once she was finally at the driver’s side window, it rolled down. Danna’s body visibly relaxed and her hand came out of her purse, assumingly off of her gun. Though, she hadn’t smiled or shown any form of happiness, she hadn’t run off yet, so that gave Cannon the green light.
With her nerves still jittering a bit from uncertainty, Cannon slid from the car and headed toward Danna. She heard his voice before she saw his face, so she too relaxed. Don’s large body took up the entire front seat of the car as he sat leaning slightly out of the window talking to Danna. His eyes were low and red, but his haircut and everything else were on point.
Cannon could even smell some sort of cologne. When he saw her coming, he paused his conversation long enough to nod his head at her. Cannon waved briefly before walking to Danna.
“Let me get your keys, I’ma go in the house.”
“You don’t have to go nowhere. This nigga finna’ leave.” She stated, matter-of-factly.
“Danna, I just told you, I ain’t about to do this crazy shit with you today. I just want you to take a ride with me for a second.”
Cannon waited on Danna to respond. When she didn’t, she took that as her cue to reach for the keys again. If Danna wasn’t going to ride with him, she would have vocalized it immediately. The way she stood there looking at Cannon as if waiting for some sort of approval let her know that she was contemplating it. Which Cannon could totally understand. Love was hard, and when you were in it, there was no telling what you would do. Danna loved Don, and no matter what had transpired between the two of them, it wasn’t going to go away that fast.
“Just go with him. Hear him out, sis.” Cannon encouraged her.
The last thing she wanted Danna to do was turn Don down because she felt judged by Cannon. That would surely only make things worse.
Danna sighed and looked at Don, “Where are we going?”
“Anywhere you want to go.”
“I won’t be gone long, Cannon.”
Cannon shook her head and held her hands up. “Don’t rush for me. I’m a big girl. If I get ready to go, I’ll have my mama come get me.”
Danna nodded and walked to the passenger side of the truck. Don’s eyes followed her the entire way. He even leaned over to open the door for her. He may have been a cheating dog, but he loved her. It showed. Cannon wouldn’t give him any passes for his past transgressions, but everyone deserved a chance at real love.
“Be safe.” She waved and headed into Danna’s front door.
She waited until they’d pulled off before closing and locking the door. Maybe the time Danna spent with Don would change her mind about niggas. It was a long shot, but Cannon had faith. If it didn’t, she was in for a wild ride with Danna and her heartbreak recovery methods.
19
Now or never
Don sped down the highway, headed toward the small hotel he’d gotten on the outskirts of town. He’d finally made up his mind about his plan, so there was no need for him to go to his house. The last thing he needed while trying to win Danna back was for Totiana to pop up with her drama, which he was sure would be soon. He hadn’t talked to her since the day he’d left her house in pursuit of Danna.
True enough, it was wrong for him to leave her there like that, but it had been just as wrong for Danna to have to see him there with her when he was supposed to still be in jail. If he had never known how much he’d loved Danna before, he knew that day. To see her crying and falling apart like that tore him up and solidified his deepest desires all at once.
“Why you so quiet?” Don’s hand went across his console and rested on top of hers.
Danna’s back was turned to him as she looked out of the window. He couldn’t see all of her face, but the side that he could see was enough. Her smooth chocolate skin, the thickness of her well defined lips, and the long locs that waved and swayed every time she turned her head, had him all riled up. He wanted so badly to just grab her and make love to her right there in his rental truck, but he knew that wasn’t happening. She was barely speaking to him, so he was sure sex was the last thing on her mind.
“I don’t have anything to say.”
“Why not?”
She shrugged. “Said it all before.”
“I’m really sorry, Danna, and I promise nothing will ever come between us again.”
Danna said nothing, but she did nod her head. That was enough to give Don some hope. Hope that she could and would still love him, even after her father was found dead. He’d been watching Vonetta’s house for the past four nights and Echo was there every one of them, at the same time. Tonight would be his final visit.
The previous night would have been it for his ass, had Danna not been there. Just as he was about to pull the trigger on the gun he’d had aimed directly at Echo’s head, Danna had walked in and saved him. From the driver’s seat of his truck, he’d had the perfect shot, but the moment Echo had pulled Danna to him for a hug, Don lost focus. When he could do nothing else to gain another clear shot, his vengeance had gotten the best of him, and he’d gone inside.
The small going away party they’d had for Ezra had been a perfect distraction. The look on Echo’s face had been priceless when he’d laid eyes on Don. The boiling hate that Don had been feeling for Echo for so long had damn near spilled over in the middle of dinner with his family, but because of Danna, he’d been able to reel it back in.
Every time he looked at her and how much she doted on her father, he calmed his trigger finger. Her smile, her touch, everything that involved her and Echo had sent Don’s blood pressure through the roof, but he’d had to fight to contain it. Danna’s continuous banter about hating him was also a major help. The way she expressed her dislike for him had deterred his mind just enough to keep him from breaking Echo’s neck after dessert.
“Where are we going?” Danna turned to face him.
“Riding.”
“For what? I don’t feel like driving around for no reason.”
Don held his open hand out to her. “What do you want to do? Tell me, so we can do that.”
Danna looked at his hand as if it were on fire. “I want to get the fuck away from you,” she sneered. “I want to go back to my house and get into my bed, so I can finish crying over your dog ass.” She looked at him. “That’s what I want to do.”
“Danna,” Don sighed. “I’m sorry, baby. How many times do you want me to say that?”
“I don’t care how many times you say it, I’m still not going to believe you, so it doesn’t matter.”
“Well, tell me how I can make it better.”
Don took the exit toward the hotel and stopped at the light. Danna’s body was now facing the front of the truck and she was looking at him.
“I’ll do anything,” he told her.
The truck was quiet as he waited for her to tell him the cure to her pain. He’d do it. Whatever it was, he’d do it, because she was who he planned to be with. After finding out her father was dead, she would need comfort, and he’d be right there to provide it. Echo’s death would be the perfect reason for them to get out of town. She’d been telling him for months how she was ready
to leave the city and get a fresh start; he was down if she was.
“I want to get married and have kids, Don. I want to go on dates and be happy. I want people to see us together. Posting pictures, and making cute videos and shit. That’s what I want, but you can’t give that to me.” Her eyes watered. “And I’m tired of trying to make you. What we have may be real, but it’ll never work.”
“Why it can’t? I can do all that shit you just named.”
Danna turned to face him. “What about my daddy?”
Don’s body got hot. If anybody kept them from being together, it wouldn’t be Echo, and that was on his life.
“Fuck your crybaby ass daddy.”
Shock covered Danna’s face before she started laughing. “Don’t talk about my daddy.”
“I couldn’t say shit if he hadn’t been sitting there with water in his eyes last night. I couldn’t even eat my damn food for waiting on that nigga to go ahead and cry us a fucking river.”
Don could see her trying her best to hold in her laughter, but she couldn’t. Danna’s smile lit up his car. He’d definitely kill to see that every day. Fuck anybody that tried to get in the way.
“What about Totiana and your kids?” Danna’s voice was softer that time.
Don’s mind drifted off momentarily. “Fuck them.”
“Fuck the kids?” Danna asked in disbelief.
Don’s tone was serious when he looked her way. “We can have more.”
Danna’s eyes remained on him as he drove and parked. He’d pulled into the parking lot of the hotel and was parking, so he couldn’t make eye contact, but he could definitely feel her eyes on him. The remark about the kids had probably thrown her for a loop, but that was just how much he loved her.
Her ignoring his calls and running away from him had opened his eyes to her, and he had no plans of ever closing them again. At least, not without closing hers as well. If she decided not to be with him, he was going to kill her as well. He’d never loved a woman the way he loved Danna and if she thought he was going to let her ride off into the sunset with another nigga, she was sadly mistaken.
“Why are we at a hotel? Why couldn’t we just go to your house?”
