Ménage à trios

20. Ari

"So what are you gon' do if she does go back to jail?" Nia asks as we sit behind the counter at work, bored to death. Today is so slow and we still have over two hours left in our shift.

I groan uncomfortably. I don't want to think about Zayne going back to jail. But I have to. Her court date is next week and D'Juan refuses to drop charges.

"I don't know. I've been trying not to think about it."

"Girl, that's my friend! You gotta think about it. Y'all's lil' boyfriend can't help her out?" She asks, making me think of Playboi and our last few dates.

I like him and Rosie likes him too. He's so sweet and I want to say after spending more time with him Zayne does too but...I can't tell. She's hard to read when it's not about me or Rosie.

He's not our boyfriend though. At least not yet.

"He isn't our boyfriend." I tell her but Nia rolls her eyes and disregards my statement. Probably because he acts like he is.

"Can he help her or not?"

"How would he help her? He's an NFL player not a lawyer." I sigh loudly.

"Yeah maybe so but he can afford a lawyer. A good one at that. I looked him up a couple days ago and you didn't tell me he's worth $11 million!"

My mouth drops. $11 million?!

"That's because I didn't know that. He said he signed a big deal but I didn't think about how much he's worth." I say.

"Yeah girl, I guess he's the next big thing right now. Y'all better get on it while his attention is on y'all. I would have him get Zayne a lawyer though 'cause that ain't right. She shouldn't have to go to jail again."

Nia's right. Zayne shouldn't have to go to jail again or ever again for that matter. I just wish I could keep her out of trouble...ugh.

The rest of the day drags by slowly. I'm too busy lost in my thoughts to pay much attention to Nia's conversation once I get to thinking about Zayne sitting in jail again.

After we clock out and lock up, Nia and I walk through the parking lot both engulfed in our phones. I read over the messages in the group chat and smile at Zayne's attitude.

Her and Rosie are at it again.

"Get home safe, boo." Nia calls out as she ducks into her car parked right next to mine.

"You too. See you Monday." I say, excited about my two day weekend even though she has to work tomorrow.

When I make it home fifteen minutes later, the smell of steak greets me at the front door. I take my shoes off, lock the door behind me and follow the argument happening in the kitchen.

"You know I don't like the bitch." Rosie says before turning to see me.

Zayne's smile leaves shivers up and down my spine.

"What did I walk into?" I ask, not bothering to hide the amusement in my tone. Rosie rolls her eyes and turns her back on us.

"If you responded in the group chat you would know."

"Don't be rude to my baby 'cause you mad at me." Zayne says as she pulls me into her arms. I melt right away.

"Whatever." Rosie lets out. "Dinner's ready. I'm goin' upstairs. Enjoy your food."

"Okay well first, come here and give me a kiss. You can be mad at Zayne all you want but I didn't do anything."

Rosie turns and gives me her attention for a second. She sighs and walks over to my open arms and then places a kiss on my bottom lip.

"I'm sorry, baby." She mumbles, pulling away from me. "I'm not hungry. I'm goin' to bed. Love you." Rosie leaves a second later, leaving me and Zayne in the kitchen alone.

I don't like coming home to them fighting because it never has anything to do with me and somehow, I'm always in the middle. I hate it.

Zayne grabs our plates from the counter and brings them over to the table while I grab our drinks from the refrigerator. When we're at the table and ready to eat, Zayne let's out an exaggerated breath of air.

"Why are y'all fighting?" I ask as I dive into the baked potato on my plate.

"Rosie mad that I was with Lori all day. She went through our messages and said I was bein' too friendly." Zayne shakes her head but I don't miss the smirk itching to come out.

My stomach turns. Zayne's friend Lori has always made Rosie uncomfortable and we both know that. So I don't know why she would expect Rosie not to be upset about them hanging out all day.

"Well..." I bite the inside of my cheek and stop myself from saying something that's gonna make Zayne mad or feel like I don't trust her.

"Well what? You know damn well I ain't friendly. Lori is my friend and that's it."

"Yeah babe but you know she doesn't like her and honestly neither do I. What did y'all do all day?"

"Talked business." She says. "She's who wants to go in business wimme on the dispensary. We been plannin' on it since like...high school. Y'all don't have no reason not to like her. Like, that's my bitch. We just friends, baby. Foreal." Zayne reassures me but I'm not the one threatened.

I focus on the food on my plate because I already know how this conversation is going to end. As bad as she wants me to like her friend, I'm with Rosie on this one.

I don't like her.

"You tell her how you was textin' the bitch you miss her and can't wait for y'all's dreams to come true together?" Rosie's voice startles me as she enters the kitchen, obviously ready to argue.

I groan as Zayne scoots her chair back.

"First of all, cap. That ain't even what the fuck I said to her." Zayne snaps aggressively as she closes the distance between her and Rosie.

I take a sip from the glass of water in front of me quietly.

"Whatever, Zayne. You can go fuck the bitch for all I care. You're a liar. I just came to show y'all what Playboi sent to my phone."

Rosie pushes Zayne away from her and hands over her phone. After Zayne reads the message, she comes and shows me next.

My stomach flutters reading his words.

Playboi
Miami tomorrow. Y'all game?