Life of Sin Book 1

Chapter Nineteen

My shower was everything I needed. I was cranky, my muscles were aching, and I really just needed that solo time. As I walked into the kitchen, Nikki looked as if she wanted to eat me alive. She probably does. I fixed her some dinner and fixed myself a small salad, cozying up next to her while we ate.

“When's Janay coming through?”

“I don’t know, she should’ve been here by now.” Time passed and I got increasingly aggravated at her disrespect towards my schedule. Finally, an hour later, she was at my door.

“Hey sorry, things just got so busy at home,” she said, walking in without an invitation. I didn’t know we were still on those terms, but okay? She stopped in her tracks when she noticed Nikki sitting on the couch.

“Oh, I didn’t know you had a… guest.” I rolled my eyes, walking downstairs ahead of her and sitting back in my same spot.

“What's up Janay?” Nikki said, greeting her with a mouth full of food. Normally that’d annoy the hell out of me but this time she did it specifically to bother Janay.

“Hi…”

“So, what’s up? What’s there to talk about?” Janay gave my ex some side eye but Nikki couldn’t have cared less. She just gave me a look that said “gather your friend before I do.”

“Do you think maybe we could talk privately?” Janay asked, clearly triggered by Nikki's presence.

“I guess if we must.” We both waited as Nikki took her precious time transitioning to my room. Finally alone, Janay sat down.

“So how’ve you been?” She asked, trying to break the ice.

“How have I been?” I scoffed at how ridiculous that question was. She had to have some idea of how much mayhem her fiancé was causing.

“Are you serious?”

“I was, but I guess I already know the answer.”

“Janay, why are you here?” She made an annoyed face, pressing her lips together. I wasn’t here to be her friend, I’d already tried that. I only wanted information, something that would give me more power over QP.

“I’m getting married in two weeks.”

“Really? Hm, good for you.”

“Quentin's changed so much, Dev. I wish you’d give him a chance. He’s actually doing right by me and he told me he can’t wait to make me his wife.” Serious Déjà vu. I could’ve sworn we had this conversation before. The mention of his name was enough to make my skin crawl and hearing that she still has plans to marry this creep makes me sick to my stomach. And did she really just tell me to give him a chance? This wasn’t just denial anymore, it was delusion.

“So he’s ‘changed.’ That’s debatable, but what does it have to do with me?”

“I know we’ve gone through so much turmoil but I still want you to be my maid of honor. You’re my best friend, it just wouldn’t feel right without you.” I sat silently for a moment, considering her words while I finished up my food. Janay looked on expectantly.

“I’m your best friend? Really? You’ve gone without me for weeks, months. Why do you want me around now? When I tried to be there for you and talk sense into you, you pushed me away,” I said, standing up to go put my bowl in the sink. She followed after me, sighing before continuing.

“Dev, we’ve been friends for years and we’ve never let these little disagreements split us up.”

“That was in high school! We’re adults, which means I don’t have to put up with your shit just because we’ve been friends for so long. I can’t rock with the shit you’re doing.”