We laughed because that was the truth. If they started asking me things I didn’t want to discuss, I’d leave in a minute.
“Thanks, Daddy.”
“Besides, she already has a man,” was his response.
Me and Mama looked at each other before I replied. “Who?”
“Kayne.”
“Ugh.” My eyes rolled. “It always comes back to him.”
“Yeah, it does, because y’all belong together,” Mama said. “That’s why you can’t give another man a chance. You’re too busy holding space in your heart for your,” she paused and used air quotes while adding, “best friend.”
I was so tired of trying to convince people that me and Kayne were only friends that I didn’t even bother. I just shook my head as they ping ponged their opinion about my nonexistent love life. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I left and headed straight for Kayne’s place. What the hell was he saying and doing that made people believe we were supposed to be together?
My desire for him was secret. Sacred. Supposed to be hidden. But people made it seem like it was louder and brighter than I’d realized. That pissed me off. It was bad enough that I couldn’t have a relationship with Kayne because I’d dated his brother. I didn’t need people gassing me about a love that could never be nurtured. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. And by the time Kayne opened the door, not even his naked chest and wide smile were able to calm me down.
Ithought I was hearing things while I was showering, but when I cut the water off, I realized someone was beating on my door. I wrapped a towel around my waist and went to answer, surprised by the sight of an angry Jayla. The frown on her face was temporarily replaced with desire. My brows lifted and mouth opened slightly as she eyed my wet body. Licking her lips, she ran her hand down her neck and tilted her head as she stared at me.
She cleared her throat and pushed me to the side gently before storming into my apartment.
“You good, pooh?” I asked with a smile.
“No.”
“What’s wrong?” I followed her into my bedroom, where she pointed toward the bathroom for me to get dressed. I laughed and nodded as I told her, “Tell me what’s up while I dry off.”
“I’m frustrated. I just left my parents’ house and all they could talk about was you. Us. The relationship they swear we’re going to have. It’s always the same thing with them, Brooke,andthe rest of the girls. They all make it seem like I can’t be in a relationship with anyone else because I’m stuck on you.”
“Are you?”
“What?” she almost shouted. “How could you even ask me that?”
“Are you?” I repeated, more seriously that time as I took my towel off to lotion down and quickly slip into my clothes.
“No, I’m not stuck on you, Kayne. We’re just friends, always have been and always will be.”
“Are you attracted to me?” I gave her a few seconds, and when she didn’t respond, I confessed, “I’m attracted to you.”
“You are?” she asked sweetly.
I waited until I was dressed in boxers, sweats, and socks to go out and face her, so I could answer while I looked in her eyes. “I am. I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world.”
Jayla’s body relaxed as she blushed. “Oh. T-thank you.”
“Are you attracted to me, pooh?”
She nodded before the answer left her mouth. “Yes.”
“Sexually, or just physically?”
A nervous chuckle escaped her as she shook her head and took a step back, but I followed. Now that she’d opened this door, I was going to fully step in. I’d been waiting for the right moment to have a conversation about us taking things to the next level.
What better time than this?
“This is crazy, Kayne,” she muttered softly into her chest more than to me.
“Then call me insane, but I need you to answer my question.”
