“Well, it doesn’t excuse him from acting poorly and controlling,” Izzy said, her tone sharp.
“I know.”
“Blocking your boss is crazy, Carm,” Mantis added. “Not gonna lie.”
“I know,” I repeated, quieter.
Jayda raised a brow. “And getting rewarded with pussy is even crazier.”
“Exactly,” Alyssa said. “Especially after that same jealous behavior had him going off on you for being in his coworker’s office.”
“I know all this,” I muttered.
“So why are you doing this to yourself?” Izzy asked.
I swallowed hard.
“I don’t know, Izzy. I just—” I hesitated. “I don’t wanna lose what we worked so hard for. I’ve waited years to be with him.I can’t let something as stupid as this break us up. It’s a simple fix.”
Alyssa tilted her head. “And what fix is that?”
“I’m just gonna remind him that we belong together and I’m not going anywhere. He just needs some reassurance, and I plan to give it to him.”
“With more pussy, I assume,” Jayda muttered. “You’re stupid as fuck.”
My stomach turned. This was exactly why it was best to keep your relationship to yourself, because your friends couldn’t understand the relationship dynamic entirely anyway. Now I look like an idiot who lets her man get away with whatever.
Doubt: You kinda are.
Shut it!
I scoffed, as if she were in any position to judge my relationship. “Fuck you, Jay.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Y’all stop,” Izzy cut in.
“Exactly,” Mantis said. “No need to be like this.”
I exhaled. “Look. I ain’t looking for relationship advice from y’all or anything like that. I’ll fix this little hiccup we’re having, and that’s all that matters.”
“We’re not trying to overstep,” Alyssa began, “but you—”
“Lyssa, girl, save your breath,” Jayda interrupted. “Her mind is made up.”
“Just think it through, Carm,” Izzy said gently. “That’s all we’re saying.”
I groaned. “Look, are y’all gonna help me figure out how to fix this, or judge? ’Cause I could call my mother if I wanted judgment.”
“No, no. We’ll help,” Mantis said quickly.
“Thank you.”
“If that’s what you want, then…” Alyssa trailed off with a small shrug.
“Jay?”
“Ohhh, I thought it was ‘fuck me’?”
“Yes, bitch, itisfuck you—’cause I jumped in to cuss Tyler out for you, but you don’t wanna help me? You see the difference? Right or wrong, I’m on your side, Jay.”
