Chapter 10

Lena turned up her music, trying to ignore the way her heart was pounding.

Von had a way of making shit feel way deeper than it really was. Like he wasn't just some nigga she barely talked to. Like he already had her figured out.

And she ain't like that shit.

She focused on the road, shaking off whatever spell he had tried to put her under. She had plans today. Brunch, vibes, and good energy. No reason to be thinking about Von and his toxic ass ex.

By the time she pulled up to the spot, Ray and the crew were already there, sitting outside on the patio. Music played softly over the speakers, the sun beaming down just enough to make her glow.

Ray waved her over. "There go my bitch!"

Lena smiled, walking up as the rest of the group acknowledged her. The energy was just what she needed.

"Damn, you look good," Cinco said with a smirk, his grill shining as he leaned back in his chair.

Lena rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. "Boy, you say that every time you see me."

"'Cause you fine every time I see you."

The group laughed, but Lena just shook her head, taking a seat between Ray and one of the girls, Bree.

The waitress came over, taking their drink orders, and the conversation flowed easy. They talked about everything—school, social media, random street drama happening in the city.

But what really caught her attention was when Bree brought up Von.

"Y'all saw Keelah go live last night?"

Lena sipped her mimosa, trying to act uninterested.

Ray smirked. "She always going live. What happened?"

Bree leaned in. "She was on there talkin' bout Von, talmbout how he still hers and how any bitch tryna get close to him need to stay in they lane."

Lena let out a small laugh.

Not her problem.

Cinco scoffed, shaking his head. "She still on that shit? Von ain't stuntin' her ass."

Bree shrugged. "Somebody in the comments mentioned Lena and she got mad as fuck."

Lena frowned, looking up. "Wait, what?"

Ray snickered. "Yup. Somebody said Von been looking at you different, and Keelah damn near lost it."

Lena raised an eyebrow. "And what that gotta do with me?"

Cinco smirked. "Everything."

Lena sucked her teeth. "Ain't no way she pressed over me. I don't even talk to that man."

Cinco laughed, shaking his head. "Shit, you might not, but he damn sure been looking at you."

Lena paused.

She wanted to brush it off, act like it didn't matter. But she couldn't ignore the way her stomach flipped a little.

Still, she played it cool.

"Ain't got nothing to do with me," she muttered, sipping her drink.

Ray gave her a look. "Yeah, aight."

Lena ignored it, keeping her face neutral. She wasn't about to let them get in her head.

But deep down?

She knew they weren't all the way wrong.

Lena tried to brush it off.

She really did.

But even as the conversation moved on, she could feel everybody's eyes on her. Like they were waiting for her to slip up and admit she cared.

She didn't.

At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

The food came out, and the energy stayed light. Mimosas were flowing, jokes were being thrown around, and Lena was finally feeling back in her zone.

Until her phone buzzed.

She glanced down, already knowing who it was.

Von: Where you at?

Lena sucked her teeth.

What was his problem today?

She locked her phone without responding and took another sip of her drink. Not her problem.

"You smiling real hard over there," Ray teased, nudging her.

Lena rolled her eyes. "Y'all so messy."

Cinco smirked, leaning in just a little. "It's Von, ain't it?"

Lena tilted her head. "Why you worried?"

Cinco chuckled. "I ain't. I just know that nigga been on your ass lately."

Lena shook her head. "Ain't nobody on my ass."

"Yet," Cinco added, his voice low.

Lena looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Cinco, what is you on?"

He smirked, licking his lips before leaning back. "Shit... just making sure you know your options."

Lena laughed, shaking her head. "Boy, shut up."

But the way he was looking at her? He wasn't playing.

Lena let it go, finishing up her food as the conversation drifted into different topics. She wasn't about to get caught up in no extra mess.

Von? Not her problem.

Cinco? Ain't got time for that.

Keelah? Definitely not worried about that girl.

At least, that's what she kept telling herself.

—

A few hours later, Lena was back at her apartment, stretched out on the couch, scrolling through TikTok when her phone rang.

It was Ray.

"What's up?" Lena answered.

Ray didn't even say hello. "Bitch... Von and Keelah arguing right now."

Lena sat up. "What?"

"Girl, she pulled up to his shop on bullshit."

Lena frowned. "And what that gotta do with me?"

Ray smacked her lips. "Everything, bitch. You ain't see the comments on her live?"

Lena's stomach twisted. "Ray... what comments?"

Ray sighed. "Hold on, I'm sending you a screen recording."

A few seconds later, her phone buzzed again.

Lena opened the video, her heart damn near stopping at what she saw.

Keelah, standing in front of Von's shop, going off.

Keelah: Y'all bitches really got me fucked up thinking Von finna be out here moving like he single. Like I don't know what's really going on.

Comment: Sis, who he talking to??

Keelah: Y'all know exactly who I'm talking about.

Comment: Lena?

Keelah: I ain't say no names... but if the shoe fit...

Lena paused the video.

Her stomach was tight.

She knew people loved drama, but now her name was in it. For no reason.

She exhaled, rubbing her temple. "Ray..."

"I know, girl," Ray said, sighing. "She mad cause he ain't claiming her no more."

Lena shook her head. "That ain't got shit to do with me."

Ray hummed. "Maybe not... but it look like you in it regardless."

Lena let out a deep breath.

She didn't sign up for this.

She tossed her phone down and leaned back on the couch, exhaling hard.

This was too much.

She wasn't even talking to Von like that, and yet her name was getting thrown around like she was the main character in this messy-ass situation.

Her phone buzzed again.

Von: Call me.

She stared at the message.

Did she want to? Hell no.

But the way her stomach twisted told her she was gonna do it anyway.

With an annoyed sigh, she grabbed her phone and hit his number.

He answered on the first ring.

"You seen that shit?" His deep voice came through the phone, low and irritated.

Lena rolled her eyes. "Obviously."

Von sucked his teeth. "Man, I don't know why the fuck she keep bringing your name up. I ain't never gave her no reason to think I'm fucking with you."

Lena frowned, a little annoyed at how he said that.

"Okay?" she responded dryly.

Von sighed. "I'm just saying, you ain't got nothing to do with this, but now she got you in it."

Lena smirked slightly. "Sound like a you problem."

Von let out a short laugh, but she could tell he was still pissed.

"I'ma handle it," he muttered.

Lena sat up. "You need to. Cause I don't play behind my name."

Von was quiet for a second.

Then, "That why I fuck with you."

Lena bit her lip, ignoring the way her chest tightened at his words.

"What?" she asked, acting like she ain't hear him.

"You don't entertain bullshit."

Lena smirked. "I don't. And I suggest you let your lil ex know to do the same."

Von exhaled. "Bet. I'ma take care of it."

Lena wasn't sure what that meant, but she didn't press it.

"Good. Cause if she say my name one more time, I'ma have to say something back."

Von chuckled. "I'd pay to see that."

Lena rolled her eyes. "Bye, Von."

He was still laughing when she hung up.

—

The next morning, Lena was in her kitchen, making coffee, when Ray called again.

"Bitch..."

Lena sighed. "Now what?"

"Von went off on Keelah last night."

Lena blinked. "For real?"

Ray laughed. "Yup. She went live again crying talmbout how he embarrassed her in front of his whole shop."

Lena shook her head, trying not to be amused. "Damn."

"Damn is right. He really told her to stop speaking on you."

Lena paused.

That was interesting.

And kinda... cute?

She shook the thought off. Nope. Not going there.

"Anyway," Ray continued, "we outside tonight. You coming?"

Lena grinned. "Hell yeah."

And just like that, she was back in her element.

She wasn't about to let no drama ruin her weekend.

And Von?

He was still not her problem.

At least... that's what she kept telling herself.