I Take It Black

Meddling Best Friend

Between people calling out sick and one lady up and quitting, I worked my ass off the entire week. By the time Saturday rolled around I was ready to relax and whoop up on Nikki in some spades. I fried up some hot wings, made my special nachos, and was at her apartment on time. Luther answered the door. He was a little too uptight for my taste, but he put a smile on my friend's face. That is all that mattered. I kissed his cheek. He returned the favor and I walked in bouncing to the music that greeted me. I placed my food in the kitchen and the first thing I noticed was all the other food Nikki had purchased. It was entirely too much food for us. There were also four chairs around the card table when there was normally only two. I rolled my eyes and marched around the apartment calling Nikki's name. I wasn't going to play dumb I knew she'd invited Derek without even having to ask.

"Nikki," I busted through her bedroom door, grateful I didn't catch her and Luther with their pants down. It wouldn't be the first time they were getting busy with me in the house. "Can you tell me why the card table has four chairs?"

She kept smearing lotion on her legs like I wasn't standing there.

"Nikki," I walked over and snatched the bottle out of her hand. That definitely got her attention. Fire was surging through my veins. We didn't argue often, but I was sure getting ready to lay in to her. She must've seen it coming because she cut me with a look that reminded me that although she'd worked hard to clean up and educate herself, she'd grown up in the same hood I did.

"First of all, I don't have to explain a damn thing to you." She snatched the lotion back. "Luther and I both live here. I invited my best friend over and so did he. The only one that has a problem is you."

"So now that you're all in love, what Luther wants trumps my feelings?"

"Janet..."

"You couldn't have told me first, so, I could make my own decision on whether I wanted to come or not, instead of pushing what you want on me."

"Girl, you're tripping."

"I'm tripping..." I got up without saying another word. My blood was pumping. How dare she say I'm tripping? I'd been ignoring Derek's calls all week and thanks to my best friend I was being forced to spend the evening with him. No thank you. Yes it was childish, but I just couldn't do it. The world wouldn't end if we didn't hook up. I might lose my self-respect if we did. What would I look like? I mean, I've rolled my eyes at brothers for dating white women. I couldn't out right date the first white man that came along. I had to put up some kind of fight.

Call me petty, but we all have our petty moments. I marched my petty self into the kitchen and collected all the food I'd brought. I was going home and taking my food with me. My attitude had me huffing and slinging stuff around, on the verge of having a temper tantrum. I stacked the tray of wings on top of the crockpot and spun around right to the face I'd been avoiding all week.

"Derek," He scared the hell out of me. I screamed and nearly dropped the wings on the floor. He rushed over to help me, caught the tray of chicken just as it slid over my arm.

He stood in front of me—eyes cast down—and I could tell he'd heard my conversation with Nikki.

"Are you leaving?"

I didn't respond. I couldn't even look at him.

He stepped closer to me and I backed up. He backed me up until I bumped the counter. The chicken and nachos were between us. I was grateful for the barrier, but felt trapped. Instantly I went to fight or flight mode. I made eye contact and let my expression say it all.

You don't know who you're messing with.

He reached around me and placed the food on the counter. This fool was brave, dumb, or had a death wish. He gripped my arms and tugged me forward until my face connected with his chest. He guided my arms around his waist and wrapped his around my shoulders.

"Stay..." He lowered his mouth to whisper in my ear and his breath brushing across my neck caused my skin to pebble. "Not because Nikki invited you, not because she tricked you, but because I want you to."

"I can't..."

He wrapped me a little tighter—cutting off my excuse—and traipsed his lips along my neck. I hadn't had sex in a while. His lips on my skin felt good. My resistance weakened. Don't judge me. I'm human.

"Of course you can. I know that new things can be scary. Some people in your life may have a problem with the interracial thing, but it's 2020. Most people don't give a shit."

I leaned back and looked in his eye. I was being a witch, but he was still being nice to me. Because of that—and the fact that he had my skin tingling—I let my head slightly nod. He smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Thank you." We parted, but he held on to my hand

When I finally looked up Nikki was standing in the doorway. "Luther seems to think I'm wrong for not telling you Derek would be here. I'm sorry." She looked down at our joined hands and smiled. I had some words that would knock that smug look off her face.

I ignored her, turned right around and fixed me and Derek a plate. He carried our plates to the table while I grabbed a couple of sodas. He set our plates down and helped me into my seat before taking his own. Nikki stood there watching us with a silly grin on her face until Derek shooed her away.

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Who do you think is in the wrong? I have mixed feelings. on one hand, if Nikki is my girl and knows how I feel about dating white men she should have my back and respect that. A friend shouldn't put me in an uncomfortable situation. On the other hand, a good man is a good man and skin color shouldn't factor into that. And a good friend should have the freedom to put you in your place when they feel you are in the wrong. I don't know. What do y'all think?