Page 13 of All's Fair In Love & War

“You don’t scare easily,” she said finally, and it didn’t sound like an insult.

“Neither do you,” I replied, the edge in my voice dulling just a little.

She gave a small shrug, arms still crossed, eyes scanning the room like she was sizing it—and me—up. “I’m Tandy, by the way.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Okay? And why the hell should I care?”

“You shouldn’t.” Her lips curled into the faintest smirk. “But since I’m the only one down here trying to put you on game, you might want to listen.”

I stared at her, jaw tightening. “Go on, then. You have the floor.” I waved my hand around the room.

She exhaled like she was already tired of the dance. “Look, I’m not your therapist. I don’t care about your trauma, and I’m definitely not your friend. I’m here because Naeem offered me ten grand to talk some sense into you,” she said, the truth rendering me speechless for a second.

She nodded slowly. “Yeah. That’s right. I came down here to stare at your pissed-off ass, hoping to talk some sense into you.”

I blinked, caught between offense and admiration as she continued to lean against the wall, cool as ever.

“They didn’t send me down here because I’m soft. They sent me because the woman I am is the woman they expect you to be, and I’m not here to manipulate you by telling you anything different. I’m here to put you on game, but I’m not sure you’re hearing me.”

I sat up straighter on the cot, one brow raised. “Oh, I heard you loud and clear. Were you expecting a thank you?”

“Please.” Tandy laughed. “I don’t need gratitude. I need you towake up,because whether you like it or not, you’ve been drafted into a war where the wrong move doesn’t just cost you—it costs everybody connected to you.”

That made me pause and tilt my head. “And what makes you think I care about any of them?”

“You don’t have to.” Her tone didn’t change. “But if you care aboutyou, the version of you that still wants to come out of this alive, with some dignity left, you need to stop acting like you’re starring in a box office movie. You aren’t the main character here, baby. Not yet.”

Something about that stung, and not because she was wrong. Because she wasright.

I leaned back, arms crossed. “So what, you think I should just bow down to Khalil? Play house and pretend I’m happy?”

Tandy chuckled, low and dry. “Hell no. That’s not what I’m saying. I’d never tell a woman to shrink. I’m telling you to play smarter. You can be loud, but make it count. You can be dangerous, but only if you learn when to strike. And Khalil?” She paused, eyes narrowing. “He’s not the final boss. He’s just the first one that thinks he’s already won.”

Judging from the expression on her face, I could tell she’d expected me to have a rebuttal, but I stayed quiet because, for once, I wanted to hear everything.

Tandy reached inside her bag and removed a joint. “Now that we’ve got the introductions out of the way, wanna smoke?” She asked as she brought the lighter to her weed.

My mouth watered at the sight—but not for the Kush. It was the thought of gettinghigh—reallyhigh—the kind that burned behind your eyes and made your soul feel quiet for once. My bones ached for it. Crossing my arms over my waist, I leaned forward, every nerve in my body leaning with me, straining toward the promise of oblivion as the drugs called out to me like an old lover I swore I’d never see again.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to fight back the tears the ache in my bones had caused. “Weed won’t do. I need something stronger.”

Silence stretched between us, and when I opened my eyes, Tandy was watching me, not with pity, but with thought. Like she was weighing her options… or maybe my worth.

She reached into her purse and slowly pulled out a small orange bottle, her fingers dancing along the label before she popped the cap with a soft click. The sound alone made my breath catch.

“These are my mama’s,” she said. “Just filled the prescription today. She takes them when her anxiety gets too bad to pretend she’s okay.”

She shook one into her palm and held it out to me. I stared at the small, white pill. Could it be peace in capsule form?

“What is it?” I asked, already knowing.

“Xanax,” she said. “Nothing crazy. Just enough to take the edge off.”

My mouth went dry, and my body screamed yes before my pride had a chance to intervene.

“Why are you giving it to me?” I asked, still staring.

“Because you’re shaking like a leaf and trying to play it cool. Because you’re not gonna be able to think straight, let alone plot your next move, if you’re crawling out of your own skin.”

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