Ding.

I rolled over to see what Sophia said, but it wasn’t her. It was Lisa. My heart sank. Lisa had become a thorn in my ass. The bitch knew exactly how to fuck with my life. She’d become a master manipulator toward the end of our relationship.

Lisa: I’ve missed you terribly, and I haven’t heard from you in a long time. Where have you been?

I sat there deciding how to handle her. Even though she ruined my life, I had gone back to her for a short time. I was lonely, at rock bottom with no salvation in sight, when Lisa called me after my arrest. She wanted me back and convinced me that she still loved me.

I went against the court-ordered no-contact order and spoke to her. Of course, it was all in the past, but a part of my past I was ashamed of.

I was already living in New Orleans when Lisa called to say she missed me and regretted all that had transpired between us. I had nobody serious in my life but my regular girls, and Lisa knew I still harbored feelings for her, so she used that to her advantage.

I bought her a plane ticket to spend a weekend with me. I thought her feelings were sincere, but I soon learned I was just being used. The entire weekend her phone was turned off or placed facedown, so the screen was hidden from my view. I knew something wasn’t right, but I put it out of my mind for a chance at happiness again. She asked for money to help pay her bills, and like a fool, I still believed she was there for me and not my money.

Me: Stop playing games. I fell for your shit once before. What do you want?

Lisa: Don’t be shitty. I was cleaning and found something you may want.

The bitch always looked for leverage.

After Lisa returned home after visiting me in New Orleans, she turned into the same rotten bitch I had known she was. My despair had led me astray. She took the nice guy in me, chewed him up, and spit him out. The result was a callous-hearted person. But Sophia had been changing me, giving me faith in love again, and I felt Lisa wanted to rip it into a million pieces.

Me: You have nothing I want, Lisa.

Lisa: I have your grandmother’s wedding ring. Want me to just pawn it?

Me: Fuck no! I need that back.

Lisa: I’ll be in NOLA in a couple of days with some friends. Want to meet for a drink, and I’ll bring it to you?

Motherfucking bitch.

I left Florida with nothing. I had a no-contact order and could never go back to get my things. I wanted something, anything that was mine. My grandmother’s ring meant so much to me, and I wanted it back from her. But at what cost?

Me: I just want the ring, no drinks.

Lisa: If you want the ring, you’ll have a drink with me. I’ll call you when I’m on my way to Bourbon Street.

I couldn’t tell Sophia about seeing Lisa. I’d have one drink with the bitch and only one drink. Any feelings of love I had for Lisa died during her last visit. I wanted nothing from her but the ring.

A few days later, Lisa texted me that she would be in the French Quarter on Friday around seven. We’d meet at the Cats Meow, but I had to come up with a lie for Sophia. She would be expecting me to Skype with her.

Me: Hey, baby doll. I’m going to meet a couple of the guys for a drink for an hour on my way home from work. Can we Skype a bit later tonight?

God! I fucking hated lying to Sophia. My stomach turned as I waited for her reply.

Sophia: No problem. Just text me when you’re on your way home. I’ll wait up for you.

Me: I will. I’ll still have my phone if you want to text me or need me.

I arrived before Lisa and picked a spot at the bar. My goal was to get the ring and fucking jet. I ordered a shot and a beer while I was waiting. I needed a drink to calm my nerves. I wasn’t nervous about Lisa. I felt like shit lying to Sophia. I downed the shot of tequila and sipped my beer as I saw Lisa walk through the door.

She looked beautiful, but I knew the devil that hid under the veneer. She walked toward me as I looked away and turned my attention back to my drink.

“You never change,” Lisa said.

“Neither do you,” I said without looking in her direction.

She sat down next to me and ordered a glass of wine. She touched my arm, and I recoiled as if it burned.

“What the fuck, Kayden?” she said due to my abrupt movement.

“Don’t touch me, Lisa.”

“You once loved my touch.”

“I don’t love you anymore. You’ve devastated me for a long time, but I’m on the right path again, no thanks to you,” I said while looking her straight in the eye.

“What do you mean, you’re on the right path? You’ll always love me, even if you can’t admit it,” she inquired with her eyes squinted to display her leeriness.

“I’ve found someone. She is kind and loving and nothing like you. I’ve moved on. I know you did way before your trip to see me months ago.”

“A love like ours lasts forever. She may occupy your time for now, but you’ll be back,” she told me with a smirk on her face. “You always come back.”

“Never! You’ve done enough damage to me, and I don’t think I could survive another round,” I responded. “Excuse me for a minute.”

She was driving me crazy. I walked to the restroom and stood at the sink for a moment. I looked at myself in the mirror, not happy with the person staring back.

I shouldn’t be here right now, alone with Lisa.

I lied to Sophia and felt like shit about it. I wanted to be different in this relationship, and I’d started it with lies and secrets.

I’m an asshole.

I splashed water on my face and dried off before looking in the mirror one last time. I needed to get the ring and get the fuck away from this bitch. I needed to see Sophia and be reminded that not all women were users and abusers. I reached into my pocket for my phone, but it was missing. Fuck. In my haste to get away from Lisa, I left it at the bar with her. That sneaky bitch always crept through my personal shit. I prayed she hadn’t looked through my phone, but who was I kidding? I quickly returned to the table to see that my phone was still where I had left it. I picked it up and flipped through it, and everything seemed in order.

“I’m tired from working all day. Can I please just have the ring?”

“Sure. I’ll be here a few days. Want to get together another night?” she asked, ignoring my question.

“No. I just came for the ring. I want no part of you,” I said as I stood up and threw a twenty on the bar.

“Come on. I have many parts that you’ve always wanted.” She grabbed her breasts.

“Just the ring. That’s the only thing I want from you.” I held out my hand, waiting for her to hand it over.

“Here, but if you change your mind, all you have to do is call.” She placed the ring in my hand.

“I’ll keep that in mind.” I jammed the ring in my pocket, ready to get the hell out of there.

I didn’t look back as I walked out.

She was my past, and I needed to get home to my future.