5. Aspen Webb #2
Massaging his beard, Mahari replied to Lavender, but his gaze remained on Aspen. “Someone else is acting like they can’t speak either.”
“Mahari, don’t even try that,” Aspen responded, frowning. “Justin walked right over here and acknowledged me. You could’ve done the same, but I see how you do your best friend.”
Her feelings were truly hurt. It bothered her that Mahari hadn’t embraced her like he usually did, and Aspen believed it had everything to do with Dynasty being with him.
Mahari wasted no time getting up and making his way over to Aspen.
He plopped down on the couch next to her, threw his arm over her shoulders, and kissed her cheek.
“Hey, Bunny.”
“Hi.” Aspen spoke dryly, and Mahari laughed.
“Don’t be like that. I was just letting you get your time with Justin.”
She peered over at Mahari’s handsome face. “Since when we started lying to each other?”
“I would never lie to you, Aspen. You know that. I’m being serious. I let him talk to you and made my rounds. By the time I was done, he was eye fuckin’ Lavender, and she had stolen your attention. I was just waiting my turn.”
“You never have to wait your turn. I always make time and space for you, and you know that.”
“I’m sorry for not coming over here first. Do you forgive me?”
How could she not when Mahari’s pretty, pink lips were formed into a fake pout, and those pools of dark ash were boring into her.
Aspen flitted her eyes upward and said, “I guess so.”
“You didn’t have a choice, or I would’ve poked you all night.”
“And we would’ve been in this section fighting.”
“You look beautiful, Bunny. I like this look on you. Reminds me of when we were kids.”
“Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself. I see you’re matching with your girlfriend.”
Mahari side-eyed Aspen, removing his arm from her shoulders and leaning forward with his knees resting on his elbow. Aspen was a little disappointed because his scent had been comforting her.
“Don’t start talking crazy now.”
“What? You’re the one who came here with her. Why haven’t you introduced me?” Aspen peered over at Dynasty and waved when she realized Dynasty was intently watching them.
Before Mahari could respond, Dynasty rose to her feet and made her way over to them.
She gently pushed Mahari back and sat in his lap.
A smirk danced on her glossy lips as she and Aspen stared at one another.
When Mahari wrapped his arm around Dynasty’s waist and rested his hand on her thigh, Aspen clenched her teeth and forced a smile.
Running her hand through Mahari’s locs, Dynasty asked, “Why did you leave me over there by myself, babe?”
“I was coming right back.” Mahari waved his hand between Aspen and Dynasty. “Bunny, this is Dynasty. Dynasty, this is my best friend, Aspen.”
“Oh, the one you drop everyone and everything for when given the chance?” Dynasty sarcastically questioned before holding her manicured hand out to Aspen. “Nice to meet you. Congrats on the babies. I know you and Lance must be thrilled.”
As badly as she didn’t want to, Aspen shook Dynasty’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you as well. I thought I would’ve had a chance to speak to you the other day when you called and I was with Mahari, but he didn’t answer. And thank you. We are.”
Behind Aspen, Lavender snickered and sat up with her chin resting on Aspen’s shoulder. “And I’m her best friend, Lavender, the one who doesn’t play about her.”
Dynasty slowly swiped her tongue over her lips before pursing them together. “Nice to meet you as well.” She reverted her attention to Aspen and questioned, “Where’s your man? I haven’t seen y’all together since I’ve been here.”
“Well, he is the guest of the night, so he’s been working. I’m not pressed about us being together, so you shouldn’t be either.”
As if he could sense the tension in the air and the conversation floating around him, Lance appeared. Mahari tapped Dynasty’s thigh for her to get up and greeted his cousin. Lance inserted himself in between Aspen and Mahari and kissed her.
“You good over here, mamas?”
Aspen smiled. “I’m hungry but good.”
Rubbing her belly, Lance inquired, “Why didn’t you grab you something from the bar?”
“Why didn’t you think to bring her something?” Lavender chimed in. “I mean, she is pregnant with your babies. You should know she’s always hungry.”
Dynasty snickered and mumbled something underneath her breath, and Aspen shot daggers at her.
Lance waved Lavender off. “And hey to you too, Lavender.” What she said must’ve gotten underneath Lance’s skin because he stood up and helped Aspen to her feet. He tossed his arm over her shoulder and led her over to the bar. “What you want, baby?”
“Just some buffalo wings and fries.”
“I got you.”
“What time do you perform? I’m getting tired,” Aspen admitted and yawned. The nightlife was no longer for her. She’d put all her energy into showing up, but it was getting late, and all she desired to do was climb into bed.
After ordering her food, Lance checked his watch and replied, “I go on in about an hour.”
Aspen wanted to stay and watch him perform, but she wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold out.
Just as she was about to let him know, a woman in an outfit that left little to the imagination came over and invited Lance to take shots with them.
Without any regard to how Aspen would feel, Lance accepted and allowed the woman to grab his hand and led him to her friend group.
Folding her bottom lip and tugging on it, Aspen tried to keep her emotions at bay. She was tired, overwhelmed, and upset.
Lance had pissed her off.
Mahari had pissed her off.
Dynasty had gotten underneath her skin.
Too much was going on for her to handle, and seeing Lance doing body shots off the women sent Aspen over the edge.
Despite how badly she wanted to cause a scene, she didn’t.
Instead, Aspen stormed to the furthest restroom and locked herself in.
She leaned with her palms gripping the sink and allowed her tears to fall.
The thought of calling Denver to come get her crossed her mind, but she didn’t want anyone feeling like she was running from her problems.
She just didn’t have the emotional capacity to deal with them.
Minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Assuming it was Lavender, Aspen waddled over and unlocked it without opening it. She went back to the sink to wash her face, only to see Mahari walking in and shutting the door behind him.
“You better leave before your girlfriend gets mad and comes looking for you,” Aspen spat, running a paper towel under the water.
“Dynasty isn’t my girlfriend, Bunny. If she was, you would know.”
“Pfft. That’s not how it seems to me the way she’s all over you.” Aspen slammed the paper towel in the garbage can after wiping her face and turned toward Mahari. “And the audacity of you to act like you didn’t speak to me because of her. I thought we were better than that.”
“We are.”
“Then why ignore me?” Aspen watched as Mahari’s tongue slid over his lips as he ran his hands through his beard. She crossed her arms and waited for him to answer. When it took too long, Aspen snapped. “Stop trying to come up with a lie and be real!”
Mahari walked up on her, invading her personal space. He roughly cupped her chin and glared down at her. “You’re going to get enough of playing with me, Aspen. If you know one thing, you know I’m not a liar, so stop trying to paint me as one. I’m not Lance.”
“So you’re going to sit here and tell me she’s not the reason?”
“She’s not. Dynasty knows your place in my life. She knows when it comes to you, my parents, and my sister, I’m choosing y’all over everything else. Why do you think she made that slick-ass comment earlier?”
“There’s no need for her to be jealous when I belong to someone else.”
That was the only thing Aspen could say to remove Mahari from her space before she broke down and spoke on her true feelings. Not only was it a reminder to Mahari, but also to herself. Even though it was him who came to check on her and console her, he wasn’t the man she belonged to.
Slowly, Mahari bobbed his head and backed away with his palms up. “You’re right. You do belong to someone else, but let’s not stand here and act like we don’t know who has your heart, Bunny.”
Aspen’s eyes ballooned as Mahari opened the door and left. He left her speechless, knowing his statement was the truth and nothing but.