Friends

Chapter 8

Jasmine POV:

"I'm going to need your help," I utter timidly, feeling my body tighten even more, my arms constricting around me. Making eye contact is impossible; asking for help feels like an admission of failure. I've always been independent, worked through undergrad without debt, and refused help from my parents. Even now, working as an intern to afford rent and car payments, the thought of reaching out feels alien and wrong, especially to a man.

"I understand you hate asking for help," he says gently, grabbing my chin, and forcing me to look at him. "I'll always be here for you, whether you ask me or not. I understand you've done everything on your own, but we became a team when we moved in together. Anything you need, I got you," he assures me with calm confidence, releasing my chin.

This side of him is unfamiliar. He's usually joking, never taking anything seriously. Now, he's confident and strong, yet gentle. It's a different kind of dominance, one that lacks Kendrick's anger.

"I don't know. I've never been in this situation. Just hold me accountable. I've always been delulu about Kendrick. I'll have the urge to text him when I'm lonely. Can I text you instead?" I shift nervously, looking down at my feet.

He steps closer, his hand lightly touching my arm. "Of course."

I feel a flicker of relief and continue, "I always crave his companionship and -"

He interrupts, raising an eyebrow. "By companionship you mean dick?"

I flinch, pulling back slightly. "We do more than fuck."

His eyes narrow, a smirk playing at his lips. "How many times have you two hung out by yourselves the last 30 days without fucking?"

I had yet to consider this. Memories scroll through my mind, bringing an answer I don't like.

"Just because we enjoy sex doesn't mean we're using each other for it."

"I never said 'used.' I know how you feel about Kendrick. I just wanted you to realize that if sex wasn't involved, Kendrick couldn't be bothered. You bought a new dress the other week and instead of him saying he wants to take you out so he can see you in it, he just told you that he would love to fuck you in it. That's why sex to you equals closeness with him because he's never even taken you out on a date in the 4 years you two have known each other."

"We've gone on dates!" I yell noticing the anger building up within me.

"A date. One singular date. That you, literally, had to beg him for. As to which he holds against you till this day and tells you that you're lucky he did it. There's anger in your voice, I see this conversation may have triggered you."

Who does this asshole think he is? Anger boils in my chest, my heart pounding. How dare he judge my relationship? He doesn't know Kendrick like I do.

I take a step back, my voice rising even higher. "You don't understand our relationship. You're not going sit here and talk about it like you do."

He uncrosses his arms, reaching out to me. "Jasmine, I'm here to help, remember? I reassured you that we're a team, and I'm always gonna have your back. I'm not here to pick a fight with you," he says with the most gentle and reassuring voice.

"Fuck you, asshole." I walk away towards my room feeling my heart sink into my stomach wallowing through the painful truth

"You forgot your coffee," he says while smiling. "You don't need to be angry and have to go through caffeine withdrawals," he says with a slight chuckle

"I hate you," I say fighting the urge to laugh while trying to hold onto my anger