Getting It Right (BOOK THREE)

Chapter 56

"You really love the sprinkler don't you?" Corey says, watching Ariana run through the cool water as it sprays into the air.

"Yup," she says and holds out her had for the juice pouch he was holding for her. She takes a long sip then runs off with the other little kids, her wet hair bouncing as she goes.

Corey is at a cook out with Alonzo's family once again for the Fourth of July, and he opted for lounging in a chair under the shade, watching as other interact, laugh and dance with each other. He's been quiet since they left the house, only speaking to Ariana and anyone else that stopped by him to offer a hug. The smile he flashes is fake, his worry free attitude is fake. He doesn't want to be here any longer, his suitcases are all packed and with the ticket Uncle Renny gave him he could literally board the plane and go, but for some reason he can't bring himself to leave.

"Um," A soft voice nearly whispers. "Is this seat taken?"

Corey doesn't respond, he just keeps his eyes on his sister, hoping the intruder gets the point. Instead, she lowers herself down in to the seat beside him with her eyes burning into the side of his face. Corey sighs and stands up to walk away but she quickly stands up too.

"Corey can we at least talk about this?"

He turns around and looks Risa dead in the eyes. "Talk about what? Your intentions were mad very clear that day at the diner, so nothing else needs to be said."

"But I already explained to you what happened. It started off as a plot but my feelings for you were real. The kiss was real. Everything was real after I started falling for you."

"Then why didn't you break up with your boyfriend when you started falling for me?" He asks with venom in his voice. "If you were really feeling me, you wouldn't be going behind his back like that. You'd be up front and tell him the truth."

"This isn't about him." Risa says, her eyebrows crinkled together.

"Yes it is. Say I did stay here and we became a couple, would you do the same thing to me? See some fresh meat and go after it with me still believing that you're content with me? You're a backstabber Risa, Joe and Denzel warned me and I didn't listen."

Risa shakes her head. "You don't understand Corey. Yes I should have told Byron but I wanted to make sure you liked me too."

Corey face palms himself, "You're just making excuses for your actions Risa, and you can make up as many stories as you want but nothing changes what you did. I can't trust you and I don't want anything to do with you anymore." He starts walking away from, signaling that the conversation is over, but Risa continues talking.

"Well it's not like you were completely honest with me either,"

He stops in his tracks and looks at her like she's lost her mind. "What ignorance is about to come out your mouth now?"

Risa crosses her arms over her chest, "Did you ever take the time to notice how much you talked bout your "best friend" Sevyn? Every time I said or did something, you would find a way to bring up Sevyn or compare me to her."

"So? You guys act alike, except I can trust her."

"Oh really? So you didn't like me just because I'm similar to Sevyn and you're in love with her?"

Corey thinks back to some of their conversations and it's true, he did bring up Sevyn a lot, but it's because Risa and Sevyn have unmistakable similarities. Like their independent attitude, goofiness, and feminist mindset. "Maybe I brought up Sevyn because I miss her, and the rest of my friends. I thought you and Sevyn were one and the same but obviously I was wrong, she would never act as shady as you do. She knows the meaning of honestly and loyalty, while you have a reputation of getting around and then break hearts. Face it Risa, you're notorious around here and you're just mad because I figured it out."