Chapter 19 #2
Nyelle followed Joi to her tiny living space and the two women got comfy on the sofa.
Both women sat cross-legged with their backs against the arms on opposite sides while Joi explained everything that happened after she left Nyelle’s condo last night.
When she was done, Nyelle sat shaking her head, feeling emotional about the entire thing.
“You should have told me that’s where you were going.
I would have made you take your ass home like East asked you to.
Even if Reg hadn’t been the one to follow you, it could have been anybody.
I feel like it’s kinda my fault too.” Nyelle thought about the fact that she normally would have checked on her girl to make sure she made it home safe or even talked to her on the way.
Had that been the case she would have insisted Joi went home but she was so caught up in Vega, then Reese popping up, that she never even checked on Joi.
“It is not your fault. I should have gone home but everything in me kept telling me he was lying. It’s hard not to think all kinds of crazy shit when every man you trust lets you down.
Hell, I trusted Reg and his ass was definitely cheating.
Even if I didn’t know it back then, I found out for sure last night. ”
Nyelle shook her head at the thought of Reg following her with another woman with him. That had to be the most insane part of the story in her opinion. He was really on one.
“I can’t believe this muthafucker had a whole ass woman with him and was following you like you didn’t have the right to move on with your life. And this dumb bitch was riding with him and watched him put his hands on you. Trust, she’s catching a fade as soon as we find that hoe.”
Joi grinned, feeling slightly better. “She got one coming. Believe that. I don’t care how salty she was, her dumb ass was riding with him and let it go down. That’s some fuck shit.” Joi felt anger all over again thinking about it.
“That’s some insecure shit but she got that. She just better be prepared when we find her. That’s my word.”
“I’m not worried about her right now.”
“Damn, I hate even looking at that.” Nyelle’s eyes surveyed her girl again and she cringed.
“It’s not as bad as it looks.” Joi didn’t want anyone feeling sorry for her, the situation was messed up enough as it was.
“So, what happened with East?” Joi had only mentioned that he was arrested and her aunt and Cabo helped get him out but left it at that.
She was still unsure about how things were between her and East because they didn’t really say much this morning and the only communication she had with him throughout the day was a text he responded to with a “yeah,” after she asked if she would see him later.
“He was pissed but he stayed here last night. I’m supposed to see him later but I’m not sure what to expect.”
“Don’t stress, I get why he’s pissed but it seems to me like the cop was going to do whatever he could to get at him.”
“True but I handed that over to him.” Joi still couldn’t believe how things played out. The only good thing was the connection East had with Cabo. She was sure he would have handled things out of the love he had for her aunt but the fact that he actually knew East made it that much better.
“Joi, don’t. I mean you fucked up. You should have gone home like he said but you can’t put all that on yourself.”
“Easier said than done, Ny. The man got arrested.”
“But they fixed it, right?”
She nodded, considering the conversation she had with her aunt a few hours ago, assuring her that aside from the memories they all had about last night, none of it existed anymore. East didn’t have a record of arrest and no one could prove he was ever there.
“Now if I can figure out how to fix us.”
“Us?” Nyelle grinned at her girl. “So you’re feeling him like that?”
“Yeah but it’s not up to me. I’m sure he isn’t trying to deal with my insecure ass.”
“Girl, stop tripping. So what, you’re insecure?
Hell we both are, but for good reason. It made you do something dumb and you will continue to do dumb things but it’s not like anyone can blame you.
Look at your history. Anyone who goes through a list of cheating ass men and says they don’t have trust issues is a gotdamn lie.
You’re allowed to doubt. Lord knows I do, it’s human nature, but you have to think before you react.
You damn sure don’t need to put yourself in situations you can’t control. I swear if I would have known…”
“Don’t. If it’s not my fault then it’s not yours either.”
“So what about the chick who was with him? You think something’s up with that?”
Joi considered the woman from last night. “Based on his reaction to her, my gut says no, but I can’t be a hundred percent. I can’t penalize him because I have trust issues.”
“True.”
Joi angled her head to the side, looking at Nyelle like she had just sprouted two heads, which had her laughing instantly and holding her hands out in front of her, palms facing Joi, like she was trying to keep space between them, even though Joi hadn’t moved.
“Hold on, hold on. Stop looking at me crazy. I know I’ve been the main one on the ‘don’t trust these men’ mission but I’m bitter too. Reese’s stupid ass had a whole baby on me. You can’t expect to get good advice from my crazy ass because I was on some ‘I hate ’em all’ type shit.”
“So you’re admitting you were being a bad friend?” Joi rolled her eyes slightly but pushed out a smile.
“Yes and no. I’m a good friend because I wanted you to protect your heart from a man who wasn’t going to treat you right, and in the process, I may have fed into your insecurities.
But in my defense, I was being a good friend because I didn’t want to have to cut a muthafucker over you.
I just wanted you to be smarter than I was because I damn sure dropped the ball. ”
“Well so did I with Reg.” Joi shook her head, getting angry all over again.
“We both did but it’s not like we had facts to back it up. I just should have trusted my gut and you should have trusted yours. Even now, you have to trust your gut.”
“It’s so hard because I feel like East is not trying to be on any dumb shit but then my mind starts overthinking, making me second guess.”
“Yeah, I’m the same way with Vega but I’m going with it until something feels off or he shows me different. If things feel right with East, then you have to trust that, and I’ll keep my big ass mouth closed with my opinions unless I really feel like he’s on some fuck boy shit. Deal?”
Nyelle leaned forward and extended a hand to Joi who looked at it then her girl.
“Did this hoe really put her hand out expecting me to shake on it?” Joi mumbled before she lifted one of the throw pillows and threw it at Nyelle. She caught it and hugged it against her chest, falling back against the arm of the sofa again.
“You’re so damn hateful.” She rolled her eyes and pushed out a sigh. “Now it’s my turn.”
“Oh lord, do I even want to hear this?”
“No, but you’re going to listen.” Nyelle sucked her teeth before she began. “So, after you left, Reese decided to pop his happy ass up at the exact time Vega kissed me.”
“Oh shit?” This time Joi’s eyes doubled in size.
“Oh, shit is right. It was insane.”
Nyelle’s phone vibrated with a notification and she looked down at her lap where her phone was and smiled at the name. “Speak of the devil.”
“Reese or Vega?”
“Vega,” Nyelle answered Joi before she bit down on her lip as she opened and read the message.
You been quiet today. You good?
Yes, just a lot going on at work and now I’m with Joi.
Your shorty good?
Yes, Vega, he’s fine. You don’t have to keep asking me that, but I appreciate that you’re concerned.
He’s a kid, of course I’m concerned. He didn’t need to see all that.
Agreed.
Can I see you later? We need to talk about last night. I can wait until he’s asleep if you’re cool with me being at your place while he’s there.
Yes, and yes we do. He’s with my mom for a few days, so when?
Later, I have a few things I need to take care of. We can chill at my spot if you’re cool with it.
I have to work tomorrow.
You know I got you. It won’t be too late.
Let me know when you’re home and I’ll come up.
Aight, bet.
When Nyelle finished her conversation and noticed her girl staring at her with a goofy grin, she rolled her eyes. Yet another example of how Vega had a way of forcing Nyelle to get lost in him. A simple text conversation had her full attention in a matter of seconds. “Don’t start.”
“I’m just saying, sis. He got you like that?”
“Mmmhmm.”
“So, I guess that means they didn’t kill each other?” Joi knew Reese well. He was a softie where Nyelle and Nick were concerned but he was the total opposite when it came to anyone but them.
“No, but only because of Nick.”
“Nick?” Joi’s face balled up, confused by what he had to do with the two of them facing off, then it hit her. “Oh shit, did he wake up?”
“Sure did, just in time to see Vega and Reese with guns aimed at each other. I was scared as shit. Both of those fools could shoot each other but had my baby been caught in the middle I would have lost it.”
“Oh, that’s messed up. What did Nick say?”
Nyelle pushed out a long sigh. “Long story short, they both knew they were wrong, had a few words, then I put them out. I had to explain to Nick why they had guns and he still isn’t feeling it. I don’t want that for him, Joi. My baby was scared but still trying to protect me.”
“My little baby. Where is he anyway?”
“With my mom and trust me when I say Brenda ripped me a new one when I had to explain why I wanted her to keep him for a few days. I need to sort things out with Reese and Vega and I’m not trying to have my baby in the middle of their ego war.”
“I know she did. She doesn’t play about you, but she really doesn’t play about Nick.” Joi laughed at the thought, shaking her head at the same time. “But it was that bad?”
“It was that bad. Reese really tried it. I’m like, you have a baby with another woman, sir, please exit stage left.”
“What about Vega?”
“I’m not upset with him. Not like I am with Reese. I hate that Nick saw either of them with guns, but I have to expect that from the type of men they are. I’m really not trying to be in the middle of that life again, but I really like Vega.”
“Then figure out a way to make it work. I don’t think he’s the kind to disrespect Nick by having that life around him.
Hell, I hate to admit it, but Reese isn’t either, that just means they were both in their feelings about that,” Joi pointed at her girl’s waist. Nyelle frowned then rolled her eyes, making Joi shrug.
“One is crying about losing it while the other is trying to get it, sis.”
“You’re so damn silly.”
“But where’s the lie though?”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Nyelle grinned and shrugged before she widened her hips a little.
“So, I guess you dropped a wannabe baller and picked up a real one.”
Joi shut her eyes, really considering the thought. She knew Nyelle was referencing East’s connection to Cabo.
“I knew it was who he used to be but apparently he’s still in it.”
“You good with that? From what you said, Cabo is like the shit, right? He’s not fucking with corner boys.”
“No, he’s not. I don’t really care one way or another, but I know what comes with that.
East is already…” Joi paused, thinking, and only one thing came to mind, “East. So, I know if people in that world know him it’s a million times worse than I can even process.
I probably just need to date a basic man like an accountant or something. ”
“So he can do what? Your damn taxes?” Nyelle and Joi both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“I’ve seen some thug ass accountants before. It might work.”
“You’re so damn slow. You better stop playing and sit on East’s face tonight so he’ll forgive you for making him do a bid.”
“Fuck you. It was a few hours.”
“Girl, time is time for a Black man. A few seconds feels like years. Don’t play.”
“True.”
Joi was grateful for her girl. She didn’t have many people in her life she could trust with her truth, but sometimes all you needed was a real one, and she had that in Nyelle. Something Joi would never take for granted.