Page 219 of Lovers' Dance

“Out back with that trifling nigga, Omar,” he replied in disgust.

I stopped knotting the full garbage bag and stared at him. “She’s still with him? But he’s—”

“A trifling nigga,” Jamal reiterated. “But you know Jen, ‘Don’t tell me what to do.’” He mimicked her voice.

I chuckled, trying not to let my worry show. I never liked Omar. He was crass and not deserving of my younger cousin. “Don’t let Aunt Cleo hear you using that word, Jamal.”

He took another swig of his beer and watched me finish tying up the garbage bag.

“Cuz, you know that man is using you, right?” He didn’t blink as he voiced his unwarranted thoughts.

“Shut up,” I said.

“Look, I’m calling it like I see it. He’s having his bit of fun before settling down with a wifey who looks like him. Don’t be mad ’cos it’s the truth. If you’re in it to live the high life, that’s cool. You do you, cuz, but, if you think he’s serious about you, I have to tell you that’s not reality.”

“Shut up,” I said, this time in a low, hard tone.

“All right.” Jamal shrugged as he started out the kitchen. “As long as you know that no matter how nice they act, at the back of their minds they see us as beneath them.”

“Matt’s not like that,” I said. “How can you say that anyway? We both have white friends. Are you implying that your friends think they’re better than you? Look, I’m done with this ongoing head fuck. You tidy up the mess. I’m going for a walk.”

“Your business is out there, Madi,” Jamal warned as I stormed off. “People are talking about you, and they’re talking about us because of you.”

“Let them talk,” I yelled. “Those people should learn to mind their own damn business.”

As Matt would say: Bollocks. I didn’t need this right now. I grabbed my coat on the way out and stepped into the crisp night air, taking a few deep breaths to soothe my boiling anger. Couldn’t they see how hard Matt was trying? I saw it. Why couldn’t they?

Thanksgiving morning was tense around the breakfast table. Jamal and Jenny were glaring at me over the freshly squeezed orange juice, silently judging me in sync with their stupid sibling bond. Auntie Cleo and Uncle David were aware of the tension between us three, but in the dark about its origins.

“So,” Uncle David said to break the unspoken tension. No one spoke. I shovelled eggs into my mouth and chewed stoically. How dare they judge my relationship? I had never once complained to their faces about their love life.

“Everyone should arrive at noon,” he continued. “What time is Matt coming, Madi?”

“He should be here soon, Uncle David,” I replied coolly, ignoring Jamal’s roll of eyes.

“Hmph,” Aunt Cleo muttered. “Bodyguards. Who does he think he is? Justin Timberlake? Ha.” She was clearly still annoyed over Monday’s night outing.

I exchanged a look with my cousins and the three of us burst out laughing. It was so funny we forgot about the strain between us.

“What do you know about JT, Ma?” Jenny asked between her giggles.

“Oh, she knows,” Uncle David said dryly, shooting her a mock scowl. “She knows a whole lot about that boy. Your mother thinks I don’t know she’s got the hots for him. Oooh, Justin.” Uncle David ended in a falsetto, then added with glee, “But he’s married now, so there.”

I laughed so hard I swear a trickle of pee came out. Aunt Cleo batted her eyes at Uncle David and started humming one of his songs. I missed this craziness.

The doorbell went and I jumped up, mouth stretching in a wide grin. I caught Jamal’s look, and my smile wavered before I gave him defiant eyes and strode out of the kitchen to go open the front door for my knight.

Matt’s was staring at my head. “Good morning, poppet.”

Shit. My head scarf. Of all the darned things to forget. I snatched it off my head while he laughed at me.

“Happy first Thanksgiving, Matt,” I said, stepping back to let him in.

He entered the house, cast a quick look around to check we were alone, then grabbed me up in a hug that included hot kisses.

“Damn it,” he murmured, forehead resting against mine. “I miss waking up next you.”

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