8. Mahari Creed
It was day two of their four-day trip, and Mahari couldn’t handle how distant Aspen had been.
When she came downstairs for breakfast, she greeted Lance with a kiss and gave everyone a cheerful greeting except for him and Dynasty.
They were given a dry ‘good morning’ before she focused her attention on Lavender.
Mahari understood she was upset with him, but he had to be real with himself and admit that she had no reason to be. He hadn’t been acting funny or anything just because Dynasty was there. When Aspen wasn’t feeling well yesterday, Dynasty wasn’t too happy with Mahari going out his way.
“What are you doing, Mahari?” Dynasty interrogated, hot on his heels as he headed into the villa, straight to the kitchen.
“I’m getting Aspen some stuff and going to make sure she’s straight.”
Dynasty clicked her tongue several times with her arms folded underneath her busty bosom. “Isn’t that what Lance is for? I could’ve sworn he was her man and not you.”
“I don’t want to hear that shit, Dynasty. I’ve always kept it real with you about my relationship with Aspen. That’s my best friend, so of course, I’m going to make sure she’s straight. If that’s a problem, then maybe we need to rethink our friendship as well.”
“Are you serious?”
Mahari finally turned around to look at Dynasty, whose mouth was wide open.
“Close your mouth before something flies in it.”
“That’s not funny. This isn’t the time to be playing games. Are you serious about what you just said?”
“Have I ever said anything to you I didn’t stand on?” When Dynasty shook her head, Mahari concluded, “Okay then. You know what it is with me, Dynasty. If you can’t handle it, let me know so we can move accordingly.”
Biting her bottom lip, Dynasty invaded Mahari’s personal space by slithering her arms around his waist. “My bad, Mahari. It’s just . . . I want us to have a good time here together, and I don’t want anything or anyone to ruin it.”
“Remember, only you can do that.”
After that, they were good and had a good first day. Mahari tried his best not to dwell on Aspen’s sudden mood shift. He kept reminding himself she was pregnant, and her hormones weren’t balanced. It was hard for him not to take it personal when he was simply worried about her.
But from the way she acted toward him, he knew it was personal.
“What’s going on with Aspen?” Justin asked as he and Mahari stepped on the back patio to smoke.
Smoking wasn’t something Mahari indulged in often, only for special occasions as such. After lighting the blunt and taking a deep inhale, Mahari passed it to Justin with a shrug of his shoulders.
“I don’t know, mane. I know she isn’t the biggest fan of Dynasty being here, but I haven’t done shit to her. I’ll talk to her about it in a little.”
“Is she going to be receptive to having a conversation with you?”
“She won’t have a choice. This isn’t how our friendship works. We talk things out and let it go.”
“Friendship, huh?”
Mahari snapped his head to glare at Justin. He wanted to knock the smirk from his lips. “Don’t start your shit, Justin.”
“Aye. All I’m saying is it’s crazy how the jealousy is in your friendship. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I don’t think Aspen’s jealous.”
“Then what would you call it?”
That question stumped Mahari. Running his fingers through his locs, he thought about the way Aspen had been acting when it came to Dynasty.
The constant picking, eye rolling, and aggravation were telltale signs of her being envious, but Mahari didn’t think it stemmed from what Justin was getting at.
“If she is jealous,” Mahari started, blowing smoke through his nose, “it’s because she doesn’t want anyone coming in and interfering with how close we are. To be real, I’d probably be the same way if she was dating anyone other than Lance.”
“The only reason you don’t have a reason to feel jealous when it comes to Lance is because he ain’t shit. That’s my brother, and I love him, but we both know what it is. You’re more present in his relationship than he is, and that speaks volumes. I’ll let you keep thinking otherwise, though.”
That was the end of the conversation. Lavender and Dynasty joined them on the patio.
Dynasty clung to Mahari’s arm while he swiveled his head around, looking for Aspen.
Lance hadn’t joined them either, so he assumed they were spending quality time together until Lavender informed them that Lance was on a call.
The thought of going to see where Aspen was crossed his mind.
Even though she was acting funny, he wanted to be sure she was good.
“I’ll be right back,” Mahari stated.
“Where are you going?” Dynasty quizzed.
Mahari didn’t bother answering. He closed the door behind him and searched the five-bedroom, four-bathroom villa for Aspen.
To his dismay, she was nowhere to be found.
His first thought was to go out back and ask Lavender where Aspen went, but he decided to call her.
The phone rang all the way through the three times he called.
He hated how stubborn she could be when she was upset.
Answering her phone was the least she could do, especially with them being in a different country.
Just as Mahari was about to go ask Lavender, he spotted Aspen off in the distance.
She was far away, but he would be able to spot her from anywhere.
With haste, he made his way to her. It took him no time since she couldn’t move too fast. He didn’t miss the way she rolled her eyes when he walked alongside her.
They didn’t speak for minutes, but Mahari could feel the anger rolling off Aspen’s body.
“Are you going to tell me why you’re mad at me, Bunny?” Mahari broke the silence and glanced down at her.
“Who said I was mad at you?”
“Your actions. Your silence. Your lack thereof.”
“I’m not mad.” Stepping in front of Aspen, Mahari blocked her path until she stomped her foot and gave him her undivided attention. “What, Mahari?”
“I thought we didn’t lie to each other, Aspen.”
“Oh, you’re calling me a liar now?”
“I know you’re not being truthful with me. It’s unlike you to not speak to me or show me some type of affection. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were avoiding me.”
Aspen swiped her hair from her face and stared out at the water. “I’m ready to go home. This trip isn’t what I thought it would be, and I’m annoyed with everything.”
“Then why do I feel like you’re only taking it out on me?”
“I’m not trying to.” Her eyes found Mahari’s again. “Am I annoyed Dynasty is here? Yes. Am I annoyed Lance lied to me? Yes. Am I annoyed I keep dealing with this stupid shit because I’m pregnant? Yes. Every little thing is bothering me, and I just want to go home.”
Before Aspen could start crying, Mahari had embraced her.
Her tears made him feel bad for coming at her how he did.
Selfishly, he thought her emotions were all directed toward him, but it was a ball of things.
They stood in the same spot for three minutes as he soothingly ran his hands up and down her back while assuring her it was all going to be okay.
“Look, Bunny. If I would’ve known bringing Dynasty would’ve upset you like this, I wouldn’t have.”
“No, no.” Aspen sniffled. “I can’t be like that.
If that’s who you wanted to bring, I can’t be upset with you, even though I don’t care for her.
” She released herself from Mahari’s embrace and used the bottom of her shirt to wipe her eyes.
“I’m taking my frustrations out on you, which is wrong, but Lance has truly pissed me off. ”
“What did he do?”
“I was stupid enough to think he truly brought me here to rekindle our relationship. When I woke up this morning, he was on the phone, whispering. I didn’t move and acted like I was still asleep when I heard him say something about a tour.
I popped up, and he looked like a deer caught in headlights.
He brought me here to lessen the blow of possibly not being here for the twin’s birth. ”
Mahari’s eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
“Yeah, exactly. He’s going on a five-month tour with some other artists, and some of their dates fall between the time the twins can come to my due date.
When I asked if he was going to take leave from the tour during that time, he said no because he wouldn’t get paid the full amount.
” Aspen closed her eyes and rubbed her stomach.
Her eyes were glossy when she opened them, making her nose red.
“I don’t know if I can do it anymore, Mahari. ”
“Do what?”
“Be with Lance. I love him, but I’m tired of being second to everything in his life.
I really thought he brought me here to work on us, and I was more than willing to see how things would go.
It’s only the second day, and this trip has already gone to shit.
I just want to go home, move back with my parents, and get through the rest of this pregnancy. ”
Everything Aspen said had Mahari temporarily speechless.
Lance was selfish. Mahari had picked up on that when they were kids, but to know he was once again choosing his career over Aspen and the twins showed how selfish he truly was.
Aspen’s pregnancy had been one of the most vulnerable times in her life, one where she needed Lance the most, and he continuously dropped the ball.
If Aspen was going to end things with him, Mahari wouldn’t blame her.
He would pick up the pieces as he had been, but deep down, he didn’t think she would go through with it.
They’d had this conversation before, and somehow, Lance would find a way to change Aspen’s mind.
Mahari wanted to have hope in her that she’d stick it through this time, but only time would tell.
Mahari held his palms out for Aspen. Once she took them, he kissed the back of her hands. “You know I’m behind you with whatever you decide, Bunny. I hate this trip and your relationship isn’t going how you deserve it to go.”