Chapter 10 #2
“I don’t know.” I shrugged and exhaled. “Is that an option?”
“If you want it to be, yeah. Jayme would love to take you out and see where shit goes.”
“And what about you?”
“I’m not going anywhere, Dyani. If you and Jayme want to see where shit goes, that’s cool. And I still want to see where shit goes with the two of us, and even me and Jayme.”
“So you’re inviting me to be a third in your relationship?”
“Jayme and I aren’t necessarily a solid relationship or anything, but if that’s how you want to take it, sure.
” Arris plucked his straw up and ripped the paper off.
He kept his eyes on me. “I don’t want you to think about it like me and Jayme are together and inviting you in or some shit.
It’s all separate. What we have going on doesn’t have shit to do with what you and Jayme have going on. ”
“And what you and Jayme have going on doesn’t have anything to do with me?”
“That’s right.” He took a drink from his cup then pushed it away.
“Look, I’m not going to tell you I know what all this shit means, because Jayme and I have only ever shared beds with other women.
Never our time or hearts or none of that shit.
But what I can genuinely tell you is that if we decide to try this out, I’m going to prioritize you and it’s only ever going to be you and Jayme.
I don’t want a completely open type of arrangement.
Whether shit works out with one of y’all or both, there’s nobody else I want to try to fuck with.
I think the three of us could be something amazing together too but there’s no pressure for that, Dyani. ”
“And what do you think Darryl is going to say about me sleeping with his best friend and that best friend’s baby mama?”
“Who cares?” Arris snickered. “Dyani, I would lay yo’ mothafuckin’ brother on his back.”
“You believe that, don’t you?”
“I know that shit for a fact.”
“Okay, Arris.” I rolled my eyes with a smirk.
He didn’t smile with me. “I’m serious. If you want or don’t want to do this, cool. But let it be because that’s your choice, not because of grown ass Darryl. That nigga has to live his life just like you have to live yours.”
I exhaled. “I know.”
“And I don’t need an answer right now, or even today, but I wanted to let you know what was going on, see where your head was, and see if there was anything you wanted to talk about or find out so you can sit with shit and see how you’re feeling.”
“Look, I like you and I like Jayme and I’m not against anything but…” I paused while I thought carefully about my next words. “I’m not sure how things would work out long term or if I’d even really be interested in something like that long term.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with that.” He gave me a small smile.
I exhaled and fidgeted in my seat.
“So, what does that mean?”
“As of right now? Nothing. The ball is in your court and we can still hang out just like we’re doing without a title or some shit like that.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“I’m positive.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
“You want to see the tattoo I’m supposed to be doing tomorrow morning?”
“Of course.”
I sat up and he dug his phone out of his pocket to show me.
It was a huge back piece that seemed to be more beautiful the longer I stared.
He pointed out a few details he’d added and told me about what parts he was most excited to tackle and I appreciated it.
I liked hearing him talk all excitedly about what he had going on.
I liked that he wanted to tell me about something he was passionate about.
I knew he was just trying to bring our conversation into safer territory.
By the time we finished eating, I was more sure than before that there was something worth discovering between us, and honestly, I wasn’t against seeing if there was something similar between me and Jayme as well.
Arris walked me to my car and casually kissed me at the door before opening it for me. I had a huge smile on my face the entire drive back to my place.
I shed my clothes at the door and collapsed onto the couch, still tired from the night before. I was asleep in seconds.
When I woke up, my apartment was dark and it took several long moments for me to adapt to the lack of light and come back to my body. I dragged myself up, cut the lights on, and headed to the bathroom to pee, brush my teeth again, and splash water on my face.
I’d slept the entire day away. I was obviously not built for long nights and early mornings anymore.
I checked my phone while I drank water. I had one message from Darryl and one from Arris.
I went to my text thread with Jayme instead though and debated reaching out to her. I’d already spoken to Arris, but Jayme was her own person and he was right. If anything happened with me and Jayme, it would be because we chose for it to happen.
Our relationship wasn’t dependent on him.
I exhaled and just rushed through a quick text.
Happy Birthday, Jayme.
She liked the message almost immediately and I watched her response bubble pop out.
Thank you!
I locked my phone and set it down. I put my clothes in the washing machine and took a quick shower. I rummaged in my fridge for a snack, then sat at my island for a moment before I went back to my messages with Jayme yet again.
Me: Do you have any birthday plans?
Jayme: Nope. Recovering and baking with Blake.
Me: Sounds fun.
Jayme: Want to come over?
I locked my phone and popped a chip into my mouth, then another. I tapped my fingers on my kitchen island.
I liked Jayme. I knew that. I’d liked her before I ever had her lips on mine, but now that I had, things would be different. Or would they? I’d kissed Arris too. I’d slept with Arris too. Things hadn’t been weird when I’d seen him.
I didn’t have regrets. Jayme was beautiful and funny and kissing her had been good. Having her head between my legs and her body pressed against mine had been even better.
And Arris made it sound like I could have it all.
I unlocked my phone.
Me: On my way.
I hopped up and slipped on clothes, then hurried out of my apartment up to Jayme’s.
She answered the door almost instantly. Her hair was all piled on top of her head and she wore sweatpants and a cropped T-shirt.
“Hey.” She smiled and gestured for me to enter.
“Hey.” I walked further inside and waved at Blake who was sitting on their kitchen island stirring cake batter in a large bowl.
He waved back and I followed Jayme over to him.
“How are you feeling?” I asked as I surveyed the different ingredients on the island and counter.
“Good. I got to sleep in late today, so I’m taking it as a win. What about you?”
“I had a horrible hangover earlier but I’m feeling good now. I’m not the young party girl I used to be.”
“Whew. I felt that.” Jayme laughed. “Hey,” she turned to Blake, “Crack this please.” She handed him an egg and we watched as he tapped it on the counter multiple times before actually cracking it.
“I’m good on going out for the foreseeable future,” she said as she leaned in to make sure he wasn’t dropping shells into the batter.
“Me too,” I admitted. “I feel like I’m getting tired just thinking about it.”
Jayme laughed and I grinned at the sound.
“It was a fun night though. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
“Yeah?” I watched her nod. “Me either.”
“Good.” She lightly bumped me with her hip while she circled the island.
I resisted the urge to dig deeper into that statement while we were in front of her son.
“Alright.” I walked over to the sink and washed my hands. “Just tell me what you need me to do and I’ve got you.”
“Okay. Great.” She clapped her hands together. “We’re making cupcakes.”
I dried my hands and nodded.
Jayme got to work instructing me and Blake on what to do and how to do it.
It was insane how she remembered measurements off the top of her head.
She was great at keeping Blake on task while doing her best to not just throw instructions at him.
Blake was one hell of a character. He was hilarious.
He had such a big personality in his little body.
We got the cupcakes in the oven in no time and Jayme put me in charge of making the icing with her recipe.
Blake picked out the colors he wanted to do and we watched him mix the different batches in his favorites.
Then we all sat at the island and iced a few cupcakes.
We each ate one then Jayme plucked Blake up and took him for a bath.
Then she tucked him in and sprinkled kisses all over him.
We cleaned the kitchen side by side then collapsed on the couch. I stretched and yawned.
“Thanks for having me over and happy birthday again, Jayme,” I said.
“Thank you, Dyani.”
I smiled at her. She smiled at me. We both laid our heads along the back of the couch. We looked at each other. I was the one who reached for her hand. She let me grab it and her fingers linked through mine.
“I had fun tonight,” I said. “Blake is a cool kid.”
“Isn’t he?”
“I mean he does get it from both sides.” I wagged my eyebrows up and down and Jayme giggled.
“Don’t tell Arris that.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Good.” She lifted my hand and kissed the back. Then she let her head tilt forward and closed her eyes.
“Jayme?” I said quietly.
“Hm?” She opened her eyes.
“I had lunch with Arris today.”
“Okay?” It was apparent from how she responded that she wasn’t sure why I was bringing it up. Part of me was unsure how to broach the subject. I didn’t respond for a beat and was thankful when she broke the silence. “How was it?”
“It was okay.” I turned further into her.
“We talked about last night and dating and how the two of you may be trying something out and that I could maybe try something out with you and Arris, together and separately.” I swallowed nervously.
Jayme didn’t say anything. She just looked at me and patiently waited for me to continue.
I shifted slightly. “I think I’d like that, if that’s okay with you. ”
A smile crossed Jayme’s face.
“That’s okay with me, Dyani.”
She grabbed me lightly by the back of my head and I reveled in her touch. My eyes fluttered shut automatically and my breath hitched when I felt her shift. I didn’t open my eyes. I just simpered when her mouth softly met mine. She kissed me sweetly then smiled against my mouth.
“More than okay,” I whispered.
Jayme nodded. “More than okay.”