Temptation Island

Chapter 13: Ashanti

Hiding my sickness from my friends was something I'd worried about prior to our trip. But it actually proved to be easier than I thought. However, being able to hide it didn't change the fact that I still was. Sick, that is. I felt it every day during our vacation even when I pretended I didn't. The nausea was easy to hide because I could just say it was from the alcohol. My tiredness didn't take much to mask because we all slept a lot. The sadness I felt didn't hit me until our final full day together. It wasn't hard to hide that either, since our last day together was usually a tearjerker.

That morning we got up just like we had the other days and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Our cooks had definitely shown out the whole week by making our favorite dishes. I was happy I thought to book them that time around. I didn't mind trying other cultures' food, but sometimes a person just wanted to stick to what they knew. Kimberly and Melody were already at the table eating when I got to the kitchen.

"Good morning, ladies," I greeted them as I fixed myself a plate of shrimp and grits. "After yesterday I'm surprised any of us are up this early."

"Whew! What a time!" Kimberly smiled, reminiscing. "Handsome men and water play are always a good mix. And it felt even better without someone asking questions about my family. I love my girls, but it felt good being an individual."

"Oh, I forgot you dumped the ring! How'd that go for you?" I asked.

"I mean, y'all were there the whole time, and you know he didn't even get to first base. But it felt good being desired, you know? I don't know the last time Alex made me feel anything."

"I definitely understand that. I think we all enjoyed ourselves. And watching Kel fall off that jet ski was hilarious!" Melody added, laughing hysterically.

"Hey, not nice," I said, pointing at her.

I set my plate of food on the table and sat down with them. My words didn't stop Melody from laughing, and playing the memory back in my head, I had to laugh too. I still didn't know how Kelendria and Andre flipped over like that in the water. I was glad my girl was okay, but after that, she'd had enough. We didn't see her again until after we were done parasailing.

"Good morning!" The sing-song voice interrupted our laughter.

Kelendria had finally come to join us. She seemed to float as she walked around the kitchen, and she had a certain glow about her. Frozen on her face was a small smile like one on a child when they had done something no one else knew. She made her plate and joined us, humming to herself.

"We were just talking about you," Melody said, trying to stifle her laugh.

"Oh, really? What about me?"

"Girl, she is over there cracking up at how you flipped off that jet ski!" Kimberly said, busting Melody out.

"That's all right. She can laugh her heart out. I'm happy it happened. It gave me a reason to have some alone time with Andre."

There was something about the way she said it. Not only that, but the matter-of-fact face that she paired with it. I raised a brow as I watched her take a few bites of toast. I couldn't let it go. "What's that supposed to mean? Alone time?"

"I fucked him," she said with a shrug.

Across from me, Kimberly choked on her orange juice. Melody's fork hit her plate, and my fingers went to my lips. Kelendria , on the other hand, didn't miss a beat. She continued eating like she hadn't just dropped that bomb on us.

"You did what?" I asked.

"I fucked him," she repeated but then made a thoughtful face and tapped her chin. "Actually, I think he fucked me. I came so hard. Whew! I needed that."