Chapter 11 - Don't Get Comfortable

Trey can't shake that shit from the other day. Zay's words keep echoing in his mind, bouncing around like they got nowhere else to go.

He's tryin' to be cool, though. He don't need to be thinkin' about no nigga in his head all day. Ain't nobody got time for that.

But for some reason, today's different.

He back home after a long-ass day, just chillin' on the couch. The place quiet, only sound the hum of the fridge and the city lights shining through the window. He takes a deep breath, tryin' to relax, but then-

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Trey looks at the door like it's a damn intruder. Ain't nobody supposed to be knockin' this late.

He ain't even gotta ask. He already know who the fuck it is.

He stands up, strolls to the door, opens it-yep, Zay's standing there like he's supposed to be there.

"Ayo, Zo. What's good?" Zay says, smilin' like he ain't just invaded Trey's personal space again.

Trey just looks at him for a second, then rolls his eyes. "Nigga, why the fuck are you here?"

Zay shrug, still smilin'. "I was in the neighborhood."

Trey scoffs. "Nigga, you ain't never been in my neighborhood a day in your life."

Zay laugh, not even phased. "True, true. I was just seein' if you needed some company. You know, for the loneliness."

Trey sighs, step aside so Zay can walk in, but he ain't makin' this shit easy for him. "You real bold for someone who don't live here."

Zay just grins and makes himself comfortable, kicking his shoes off by the door. "I got the vibe that you want me here."

Trey don't even look at him, just heads to the kitchen. "Man, get the fuck outta here."

Zay follows, his footsteps light. "Ayo, don't act like you ain't thinkin' about what I said."

Trey freeze by the counter, gripping the edge tight. "Nigga, I'm thinkin' about how I'm finna kick you out."

Zay chuckles, leaning on the doorframe. "Nah, you don't want that. You just don't know it yet."

Trey turn around, lookin' at Zay like he lost his damn mind. "You pushin' it."

Zay smirks, pushin' off the wall and walkin' toward Trey. "Nah, I'm just bein' real. You can't tell me you don't wanna kick it with me. You just scared to admit it."

Trey don't back up, just stare him down. "I ain't scared of shit."

Zay takes another step closer, eyes steady on him. "Yeah? Then why you so defensive?"

Trey growl under his breath, his patience thin. "I don't know you like that, bruh. Quit actin' like we're homies or some shit."

Zay stops just inches away from him. "We can be more than homies. You just gotta let go of that tough guy act."

Trey stares at him for a long moment, his chest tight. This nigga's good. Too good. Trey can feel it, feel Zay breakin' down walls he ain't even know he built.

But Trey ain't about to let this nigga in like that.

"You don't know shit about me." Trey's voice low, steady, but with a warning in it.

Zay don't move, don't even blink. "I know enough."

Trey clenches his jaw, step back, and grab a bottle of water off the counter. "You gotta go."

Zay tilts his head like he's actually thinkin' about it. Then he shrugs, backing up toward the door. "Aight, I'll dip. But remember-if you need someone to talk to, you know where I'm at."

Trey looks at him like he just spoke a different language. "I don't need shit from you, Zay."

Zay smirks again, that cocky ass grin that Trey's gettin' tired of seein'. "We'll see about that, Zo."

Then, without another word, Zay heads out the door, leavin' Trey standin' there like he just lost a round in a fight he didn't even know he was in.

Trey takes a deep breath, his heart beatin' fast. He don't know why the fuck this nigga's always messin' with him. But as the door closes behind him, Trey's already feelin' the absence like something's missin'.

That shit ain't supposed to matter, though.