Chapter 14
Dyani
I ripped a piece of the waffle in front of me and popped it into my mouth. Then I nodded.
“How did you get these this soft?” I groaned. “They’re amazing, Jayme.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
She did a little dance in front of the stove and went back to work, pouring her special waffle mix into the oversized waffle maker Arris owned.
The man in question stood beside her at the stove frying bacon and scrambling eggs, a blank expression on his face.
It was obvious Arris was not a morning person, so Jayme and I were letting him have a minute while he went through the morning with us like it was second nature.
I turned around and looked down at my phone when it started ringing from where I’d tossed it on the counter.
I saw it was Darryl, silenced it, and flipped my phone over so I could be present with Arris and Jayme.
The phone stopped ringing for a moment then started again. I flipped it over to see if it was Darryl again. It was. I was immediately worried and confused. I plucked my phone up and answered.
“Hello?”
“Man, you screening my calls or what?” He jumped straight to the chase.
“No. I was just waking up. What’s up?”
“Where you at?”
I looked around the kitchen and awkwardly cleared my throat.
“I’m home.”
“Mine or yours?”
“Mine?” I said in confusion. “Darryl, why would I be at yours?”
“Well shit I don’t know. I thought it was a possibility since I’m sitting in your spot, feet on the coffee table and all, nigga. Where are you for real?”
“Okay. I got a little drunk last night and stayed with a friend, but I can be home soon if you need me to.”
“Nah. You’re good, but just don’t do that lying about your location shit. What if something pops off and I don’t know where you are?”
“Yeah, no. You’re right and I’m good. What did you need though? I know you didn’t call just to give me a lecture.”
“Actually I did,” Darryl chuckled, “I was on this end checking some shit out and decided to just stop by while I was out here.”
“You’re annoying.” I laughed, “Get out of my apartment and go on about your business please.”
“Yeah, alright. Just know I’m on yo’ ass next time I see you,” Darryl chuckled and I giggled.
“Can’t wait.”
“Love you, man. Bye.”
“Love you,” I echoed.
I hung up the call and tossed my phone back on the counter. I exhaled but didn’t comment on it.
Arris glanced at the food he was making, then shifted slightly to grab a mug and the newly-filled coffee pot. He poured half a mug then set the pot back down. I watched him take a slow sip and nod to himself.
“You drink that black?” I grimaced.
“That’s right.” He winked at me from behind the mug and took another long sip. “You getting Blake tonight, right?” He nudged Jayme as he spun back around to the stove.
“Yes, sir.”
“And tonight are we sleeping together or apart?” He looked from Jayme to me and back.
“If you’re asking if you can sleep over, the answer is yes.” Jayme chuckled while she moved waffles to the large plate beside her. “And you’re more than welcome to come over whenever you want too, Dyani.”
“Thank you, baby.” I smiled at her.
She looked back over her shoulder and winked at me.
I laughed softly and shook my head.
She and Arris were one in the same. It was interesting to me seeing how similar they were without even knowing it.
“It’s a date then.” I wagged my eyebrows up and down.
“That’s right.” Jayme turned the flame of the stove off. “If you’re in the mood to eat something specific, let me know. I plan on going to the store and getting something to cook for tonight.”
“Whatever you make is fine.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Arris?” Jayme nudged him lightly.
“Pork chops fo’sho.”
Jayme snickered.
“I should have known you had a request in the chamber.”
“That’s right, baby. You can ask me for my input on the menu any time.”
“I’ll text you about sides then.”
“That’s cool.”
Arris turned his burners off and adjusted the skillets he’d been using.
“Since y’all did the cooking, I’ll do the plating,” I offered and walked over.
“Alright.”
Arris smacked me on the ass as soon as I was close enough and maneuvered around me to collapse at the table. Jayme grabbed glasses and poured orange juice for the two of us while I plated the food. Then we sat at the table and had a slow, cozy breakfast.
Afterwards, we all got ready for our day.
It was nice being with them this way, and by the time we all headed out, I felt even more sure of the choice I was making being with them.
We all left thirty minutes before Arris’s first appointment of the day. Jayme and I had carpooled over so we rode back to the apartment complex together. I had some art I wanted to check out and she was supposed to be meeting someone at the shop to do their hair in an hour and a half.
She parked a few spaces down from me and we headed to the front door. I reached for her hand halfway there and she smiled as she linked her fingers through mine.
“Thank you for helping me and Arris get it right,” I said softly.
“I did nothing but take Blake on a little train ride.” She ran her thumb along the back of my hand. “I have faith we’ll all get it right though.”
“Me too,” I admitted.
I hadn’t been navigating this relationship long but I honestly couldn’t imagine myself not talking to Jayme and Arris anymore.
I squeezed her hand in mine.
“Well damn.” A small voice came from in front of us and I dragged my eyes from staring at Jayme.
A woman stood beside the entrance, her arms crossed over her chest and a stank look on her face. I gave her a once over then glanced at Jayme to see if she knew this woman or if we were being harassed by someone.
Jayme didn’t even give her a second look. She yanked the front door of the building open and gestured for me to head inside ahead of her. I was just about to when the woman who’d addressed me reached out to grab the handle too, successfully blocking me from entering.
Jayme looked from her arm to her face and a smile slowly took over her expression.
“Move your fucking arm before I break it, Reena,” Jayme threatened. “And please don’t act like you don’t know that I’d try.”
“This is your type now?” Reena gestured to me. “For real?”
“You want me to fight you or are you actually here to accomplish something?”
“I have a few things I left at your spot and want to pick up, but I mean now that I see you have somebody else already you may have thrown my shit out.”
“Trust me. Me burning your shit had nothing to do with dating again and everything to do with you being a piece of shit and cheating on me, bitch.”
“Well damn.” Reena held her hands up in mock surrender and chuckled. “Come on, man. I know you didn’t throw my shit away.”
“I did.” Jayme reached over and smacked Reena’s hand off the door. “Now, move.”
“Jayme.” Reena put her hand back. “You fucking with me?”
“No.” Jayme hit her hand again. “Now, move.”
“Bitch, I had shit in my stuff that I can’t just go out and replace!” Reena sniped.
“Oh well.” Jayme hit her hand a third time.
“Don’t fucking touch me again, Jayme!”
“Then fucking move!” Jayme hissed.
“Nah. You’re going to—”
Jayme cut her off. “You’re not going to tell me what I am or am not going to do and I’m giving you one more chance to move then I’m going to rock your fucking jaw, Reena.”
“Fuck you. You always—”
Jayme cut her off again. “Are you going to move or not?”
“Nah. I’m not moving until you—”
Her statement was cut off a third time by Jayme’s fist cracking into her jaw. They immediately started fighting. Jayme punched Reena into the door so hard it flew back and the little glass cracked.
I was in literal shock as Jayme and Reena fought in the doorway of the apartment building until Reena seemed to get Jayme in a headlock. I dropped my bag, walked over, and hit Reena in the mouth as hard as I could. Reena let go of Jayme and we started fighting instead.
I hadn’t ever fought and my hand immediately hurt from my first hit.
My head started hurting when Reena grabbed me by my hair and jerked me in so she could whack me in the face with her other hand.
I grabbed her hair and somewhat dragged her down.
Then I was dropped to the ground when Jayme popped Reena with a quick three piece that sent her stumbling into the back wall.
Jayme got ready to straddle her and punch her more.
“Oh shit!” Two of our neighbors ran toward us. “Break it up! Break it up!”
They jerked Jayme back then one of them circled around to help Reena to her feet.
“Every time I see you, I’m going to knock your head off, Reena!” Jayme walked over to my bag and grabbed it. “And you were right! I’m fucking my baby daddy again, bitch!” She grabbed my hand and pulled me along through the broken door.
We walked to the elevator in silence then tumbled in side by side. We were both breathing hard, hand in hand. Jayme looked over at me then did a double take. She reached up and I almost flinched before she touched the corner of my forehead.
“You have a little mark there,” she said softly. “She probably had a ring on, weird bitch.”
“It’s fine.” I reached up to touch it myself and exhaled. “We jumped someone,” I said quietly.
Jayme looked over at me. She giggled. I smiled.
“We beat that bitch up.” She shrugged.
“Yeah. We did.”
Jayme leaned in and kissed my forehead. I looked at her and she kissed my mouth too.