Page 60 of Tainted

“I don’t know.”

I made decent money at the club but wouldn’t have enough by the due date, leaving only one option.

Sydney.

While Kenyon hadn’t been around much, Sydney moved into Utopia. She had been less pushy but made it clear her offer still stood. Sydney said from her mouth that she had money and we needed money.

“I might know where I can get some money.”

“Where? Bitch, why didn’t you say something sooner?”

I couldn’t believe I was even considering the idea. Just thinking about being intimate with Sydney made me want to vomit. I wished it was Brandy instead of me, but she’d never survive. I wasn’t even sure I could. The only upside was knowing Kenyon would be there, too. Somehow, his presence made things seem less scary.

“Because I have to do something I don’t want to do,” I muttered through my hands covering my face.

“What would you,” Brandy’s eyes widened, “Ooohhhh!”

Despite growing up in cities with a fraction of the population, I had more sense than Brandy. My hands rested against my hairline because I didn’t see another way to get the money.

“Have you ever donethatbefore?” Brandy’s voice was shaky.

“No, I’ve never donethatbefore,” I mocked.

“We could just bring Nana home. I can change shifts at work so we can switch off,” Brandy suggested.

“She needs physical therapy. Occupational therapy. We can’t provide that.”

“Google. YouTube. TikTok. We can figure it out.”

I didn’t know what life had been like for Brandy while I was gone, but I had experienced the worst of it early, so I wasn’t as optimistic.

“You could start saving some money by moving back in with us. I don’t know why you even rented this place.” Brandy suggested, looking around the empty room. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.

“Your man is why I left. Plus, I like having my own space, which you intruded on by dropping by.”

“What else was I supposed to do? You wouldn’t talk to me.”

“I needed a minute. It was Mom’s birthday, and then this stuff with Nana.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I’m not supposed to say anything. That’s the point.”

“Well, nobody’s here now. You can say what you want.”

“I just miss them, that’s all.”

“I know you do. Auntie was the best. I loved coming to visit you guys in the summer.”

“Me too,” I smirked. “She wanted to be the fun auntie so badly that she said yes to everything.”

“Really? It seemed like you guys did fun stuff all the time.”

“We did, but she was extra nice whenever you came.”

“More than I can say for mine.”

“Where is Aunt Misa?” Brandy shrugged, refusing to make eye contact, which frustrated me even more. “What does that mean?”

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