Chapter Four #2
To say that I was appalled by Ri’s behavior during her wedding would be an understatement.
Going into the two-week affair, I was expecting the normal drama that comes with a wedding, especially a destination wedding.
What I wasn’t expecting was for Ri to spend the entire time being a bitch to everyone around her, Nelle most of all.
If I were in Ri’s shoes, I would probably kiss the ground she walked on instead of making her miserable.
Maybe that’s just me, but I highly doubt I’m alone.
Ri isn’t always the easiest person to get along with, which is why I find myself being the peacemaker more often than not, but that trip stretched my abilities beyond their limits.
“Nope. And I have no desire to. When she gets back, we can figure out where we go from here, but until then I’m enjoying my peace away from her.”
“That’s fair. I’m really sorry if it felt like I was taking her side.”
“Dani,” Janelle says. “I’m gonna stop you right there. None of that shit is on you. This had been building for a while, so I’m glad everything finally came to a head.”
I nod my understanding before she continues.
“And I hope y’all don’t feel like you have to choose between us. I love y’all and I’m never coming up off you. So, even if me and her never figure our shit out, we’ll”—she motions her index finger between the three of us—“always be good.”
Evie raises her hand like she’s in a classroom.
“Yes, Evie?” I ask with a snicker.
She lowers her hand and clears her throat. “That was so nice. Love you too, all that good shit, but um, I’m good on Amerie.”
I can’t say I’m surprised by her statement. Evie’s always been less tolerant of Ri’s antics than anyone else, but her tone of voice when she says it makes me laugh all the same.
Janelle joins in the laughter. “You’re just done with her?”
“Been done, actually. We’re just too old for the shit she pulls, and I’m over it. Apparently, we’re gonna be tangled up with these men for a long time since you wanna slob down Rome, and you”—she points to me—“got whatever you got going on with Micah.”
“Nothing’s going on with me and Micah.”
“Oh, so we’re just not talking about you spending time with Jalen and his son?” Janelle adds.
“Your boyfriend tricked me into that!” Evie retorts.
“‘Boyfriend’ is crazy, first of all. Second of all, all he did was ask and you said yes.”
My brows peak as I try to hide my amusement.
Our last brunch was eventful to say the least. I received devastating news, and our chauffeur, Rome, asked Evie to help his nephew with some kind of video game competition.
She agreed, but I think in her mimosa-filled haze she forgot that doing so would put her in Jalen’s orbit.
They were very flirty at the wedding. I’m curious to see if she’ll do what she always does and push it away or fall into it.
“Not you defending a man. That’s what’s crazy. Your boyfriend”—she emphasizes the word—“took advantage of my drunken kindness and I won’t forget it.”
Janelle rolls her eyes. We know Evie’s not actually mad, because if she was, everyone and their mama would know.
“Whatever, Evie,” Janelle says.
“Whatever my ass. What was I saying before you two started ganging up on me?”
“Some nonsense,” I tease.
She flips me off and the action seems to switch the light bulb on in her head.
“Oh! Back to your raggedy sister. Since y’all got us tangled up with her conniving husband’s friends for life, I’m not gonna stop coming around or not go somewhere just because she’s there.
But, she better not even think about hitting me up one-on-one.
I don’t wanna talk to her, see her, kick it with her, skate with her.
Nothing.” She folds her arms across her chest and turns up her nose.
“You get on my nerves.” Janelle laughs.
We joke more about the entire situation and move on to grilling Janelle about how things are going with Rome, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking about how my relationship with Amerie will be going forward.
Evie may be ready to give up on her, but I can’t do that. We’ve been friends for seventeen years. She’s seen me at my worst and never gave up on me. I have to believe that person is still there.
Thinking about it is giving me a headache, so I tune back in to Janelle and Evie, sighing with relief when Janelle runs off to use my shower and Evie orders snacks and drinks for everyone.
I text Omari for a rain check on my dick appointment. Dicks come and go, but your girls are forever.
Hours after the girls and I have downed multiple bottles of wine, gorged ourselves on junk food, watched our favorite episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, and raided my perfume collection to “help” me with my video edits, they’re fast asleep in my bed.
Evie’s soft snores match the pace of my heartbeat, and I count each one while staring at my ceiling. Sleep won’t come for me, not when the words of Micah’s text flash across my eyelids every time I close them.
I do have to face him eventually. Not for him, and definitely not for me. For Tanya.
Sighing, I roll over and grab my phone from the nightstand, shooting off a response before I change my mind.
Me: I’m okay, thanks. We should probably get started on Tanya’s neverending list