Page 55 of Trust Issues
“Girl…what?” Naima stammered. Oh, she tried like hell to sound convincing but I knew her she had that contrived serious voice.
“You heard me. You two have been spending an awful lot of time together and I haven’t heard about you going on one more date, Cadence. After that first guy didn’t work out all your time went to Naima. Am I wrong?”
“You’re not in the courtroom right now, Kyla. You don’t have to prove your point,” Cadence told me. She folded her arms across her chest and I smirked. I could tell I was ruffling her feathers but she’d be okay.
“Why can’t we be friends? Why does it always have to be something extra with you?” Naima smacked her lips together. “Max, do you think there’s something going on between me and Cadence?”
“Me? Nah, don’t bring me into it. That’s between you three.” He pointed to us and shook his head.
“Then I’ll answer on his behalf. Yes. It absolutely seems like something is going on between you and Cadence. I haven’t missed the way you both light up when the other one comes around. But what really did it for me was when you spent the night, Naima. You came back home in the same clothes and without a single bag.”
“Why are you all in my business? God!”
“I know you’re not talking about being in anyone’s business!” I squeaked, tossing my hands in the air for emphasis. “You practically knocked me down to get to Max’s draws in my hand last week. I don’t want to hear it. You harassed me for not telling you immediately so I’m returning the favor. There’s not a word you can say to make me believe you’re not bumping uglies.” I looked over my shoulder at Cadence and said, “Your word choice, right?”
“I was being discreet at work,” she scoffed.
“Anyway. Tell me I’m wrong and I’ll leave you both alone.”
“Please answer her or else she won’t leavemealone,” Max groaned. A few silent seconds ticked by and Cadence and Naima shared looks and a language of glances all their own.
Finally, Naima threw her hands in the air and said, “Okay…we might kind of be exploring a budding relationship.”
I hopped up and down in the air and pointed my finger at them both like a child proven right when the world tried to make them feel wrong. “I knew it!” I gloated. “I fucking knew it!” I calmed down and placed my palm over my racing heart then I smiled. “Now that we got that out of the way. I think you two are incredibly cute and seeing you together makes me happy.” I tossed one arm around Naima’s shoulders and the other around Cadence’s. They were both shooting daggers at me with their eyes but I didn’t care.
“Let’s celebrate, shall we? To new relationships?” I moved into the kitchen a cracked open the tequila.
“Ours or yours?” Naima asked slyly. My spine stiffened and I pressed my hands on the countertop.
“Yours. Clearly. Max and I are still feeling things out.”
“Exactly,” he chimed in.
“We’re still feeling things out too,” Cadence retorted. I exhaled deeply and shut my eyes for a moment. I could feel everyone piling into the kitchen behind me.
“Well, let’s toast to feeling out new relationships. There. Is that better?” I poured myself a glass first and topped it off with a splash of pineapple juice.
“Fine. It’s an excuse to drink,” Naima said. “God, I can’t believe how annoying you can be.”
“But you love me,” I cooed, laying my head on her shoulder.
“I question that sometimes.”
After everyone had their drinks, Max pulled me into the hallway so we could be alone for a moment. My head was spinning from the tequila in my bloodstream. It was a good spin though. Like a spin on a carousel, not one where colors were swimming and walls were dancing.
“I’m gonna head to the grocery store, do you or Barks need anything while I’m out?”
“Um…nothing I can think of,” I smiled up and him and leaned my petite frame against his. If I didn’t think we’d get in trouble I’d probably screw him right where he stood. I’d settle for dry humping him a little though.
“So, no chips?” He cocked his eyebrow up at me and I laughed a little.
“Okay. Chips.”
“And dip. Gotcha. My place or yours tonight?” His fingers slid through my hair and I shivered.
“If Naima goes home with Cadence then we can hang out at my place.” I tugged on his shirt until his lips brushed mine. The warmth of his mouth made me dizzier than any bottle of tequila could.
“Text me.” We shared a long slow kiss while his huge hand slipped down the small of my back to grip my ass like he owned it.
