Page 39 of Between the Lines

“I’m not deleting shit,” I countered. “And a sitz bath…is really for post-partum mothers, but I’m just implying that her pussy stinks.”

“Ellie.”

“I didn’t start it,” I huffed.

Even though Iknewthat wasn’t how it would be seen.

She was trying to be undercover petty, but I wasn’t into all that—I was a fighter.

Literally.

If I sent that tweet,Iwould be painted as the aggressor and her part would be all but erased, while I just looked like a bully.

She may have startedthis, but my response would be starting a whole other thing.

I hated it.

I hated itso much.

Especially once the narrative became that I was “too scared” to reply, which was far from the truth—at least in the way they meant it. I had a brand, a reputation,contractsto protect, and I couldn’t put all that in jeopardy based on some weird bitch’s inability to handle her emotions.

The full-circle moment of it all washeavy.

Six months ago, I was so envious ofherit made me sick to my stomach—the difference was, I never blamedherfor that.

And of course, there was the fact that Shaw and I weren’t even doing anything.

A question the hosts onArnez and Arizonahad no qualms asking me directly a few days later when I was a guest ontheir live radio show. Really, this was supposed to be another promotional piece forKinfolk, but with all the buzz about my personal life in the last week, of course it went there.

“Shaw Brooks. Whassup with you and that pretty-ass dark chocolate man?” Arnez asked me in a low voice, leaning in, as if he weren’t connected to a mic.

“Shaw is a great friend of mine—has been since we didOne Day Sobertogether a few years back. It’s why I knew I could go to him in that vulnerable moment when I was terrified after being attacked. It’s a shame that people are turning it into something it wasn’t.”

“Okay, but was itev?—”

“Speaking of the attack—” Arizona spoke at the same time, talking over her co-host. “Some people are saying you overreacted—that you should have just talked to the guy. What do you say to that?”

“I think they should spend that energy educating people on how not to approach someone you allegedly just want to talk to—lurching at them, grabbing them, screaming at them, all that. None of those are ways to get a conversation. They’re ways to get pepper-sprayed, which is exactly what I did, because I feared for my life.”

“As you should,” Arnez agreed. “We all saw the videos of that man running up on you, and he wasnottrying to ask if you were familiar with your Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”

“Thank you!” Arizona chirped. “I don’t know why folks want to act like you were supposed to…hell, I don’t know what they thought, but I woulda did the same shit you did, boo.”

I laughed. “Thank you, the support is appreciated.”

“We got you, friend,” Arnez said. “You know some of these folks just wanna have something to say ’cause they don’t like you, which is laughable, cause you don’t be bothering nobody.Just being pretty and making your TV shows, now, but even back in the day, you were just the fun drunk girl at the party.”

“That’s…very accurate.” I giggled. “And it was fun while it lasted, but I had to grow up, so I could get serious about my career. My family has a legacy I want to continue forever.”

Arizona nodded. “Which is absolutely a vibe. But…okay, you’ve kinda mentioned two things here—making a change, and preserving your family legacy. Both of those things were recently the subject of some messy ass tweets from Stella Bellamy—who was romantically attached to Shaw recently. What’s the tea, friend?”

“There isn’t any.” I shrugged. “I’ve never even had a conversation with Stella, so for her to take to the internet to try to ‘drag’ me is honestly strange. I’m worried about her. I hope her friends and family are making sure she’s okay after an episode like that.”

Arnez let out a bark of laughter. “Not you saying the bitch was having a mental health crisis.”

“I’m not!” I denied. “I have no idea what’s happening with her, but I hope she seeks healing instead of trying to come for a woman who harbored no ill will toward her.”

“Sis, I caught the past tense on that, but I’ma let you cook.” Arizona laughed. “Especially sinceIknow you’ll throw hands.”

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