Page 9 of Her Pisces Allure
“Tuh. I love your ass too, but I hope figuring it out means the next time we talk, you’ll be sharing the juicy details of Quintyn blowing your back out. Fuck Roman!” Jaina adds, causing me and Tomasina to giggle before I disconnect the call without another word.
Calling my friends for wise counsel and direction proved fruitless because I wanted to call Quintyn instead. It was easy to avoid my feelings for Quintyn when he wasn’t in town. Yet, knowing he’s back home and I’m the cause of our silence has been keeping me up at night. It’s a wonder I don’t have bags under my eyes from the restless sleep I’ve been getting when I finally go to sleep. As a woman who enjoys a good night’s sleep, I’m in agony over this situation.
Distancing myself physically from Quintyn has been challenging but damn near impossible emotionally. Loving the man whose presence has been a constant in your life nearly all your life isn’t easy to shake. I miss Quintyn more now than when he was traveling for work, mainly because I know I’m the reason he’s not speaking to me.
“Why the long face, baby?” Mom asks upon entering the tent I’m sitting under.
I have been melancholy since waking up this morning and thinking about my life. I would have rather been at home right now, but I know Mom would have a fit, so here I sit. Mom is having a cookout, and nearly all of my family is in attendance. Yet, I’m not feeling like being bothered, so I’ve been watching everyone enjoy themselves. The worst part about it is Quintyn’s presence. He and Rome arrived together which hasn’t aided in my need to do anything but sit like a bump on a log. For the past hour, I’ve been fighting the urge to pull Quintyn to the side for a private conversation. The problem is I’m scared of his rejection, forcing me to hide even more.
“I’m fine. Just enjoying the festivities. You outdid yourself as usual.” Plastering on a fake smile, I stare at the beaming face of my mother.
“You know it. I keep telling your aunts that I’m not new to this. I’m true to it. A cookout is what I do well,” Mom boasts, causing me to shake my head.
“And do. Pop your collar, girl,” I encourage despite feeling anything but jovial.
Something in the distance catches my eye, and my smile drops upon seeing my cousin rubbing her hand up and down Quintyn’s arm. The lust in her eyes along with his panty-melting smile can be seen from here, which causes my blood to boil instantly.
“Uh, excuse me, Mom. I forgot to speak to Quintyn.” Without waiting for Mom’s reply, I leave the tent with quick strides toward Quintyn.
“You look like you’ve gotten bigger since I saw you last, Quinnie. Maybe I need to give you my?—”
“Excuse me, but I need to talk to Quintyn for a minute.” Interrupting my cousin’s thirst trap, I grab Quintyn’s arm and pull him away.
“Oh, now your little ass is jealous. You do know I don’t want your ho-ass cousin, right?” The humor in Quintyn’s tone hits my ears but doesn’t slow my strides.
Speaking to various family and nodding to others, I lead Quintyn inside the house and up the stairs toward my childhood bedroom. Heat warms the tips of my ears, and my racing pulse prevents me from speaking until we reach our destination. Pushing the door of my old room open, I pull Quintyn inside and shut the door. My brother isn’t on my mind now because confronting Quintyn has taken precedence. I’m sick of this distance between us, and it’s time for me to fix it.
“What’s up, Lay? I don’t think secret missions should be on your scary ass agenda. Did you forget your brother is roaming around here somewhere?”
My bottom lip trembles and my shoulders shake before tears fall rapidly from my eyes upon hearing Quintyn’s dismissive tone.
“Man, fuck!” Quintyn grunts before pulling me into his arms. “What the hell are you crying for, Lay?”
“I-I miss you, and I’m sorry about my meltdown,” I cry.
“Look, I can’t do the wishy-washy shit with you.”
“I know, but he’s your best friend. I don’t want to come between your friendship. My feelings for you are deep, and I want you, but not at the cost of you losing your friend. The two of you have been friends for years.” My spiel ends when the pressure in my chest becomes too much, and my tears continue.
I want Quintyn, but I’m afraid of what it’ll mean for Rome and me and the two of them. I don’t know if Quintyn feels the same and is willing to risk everything for me. The thought of solely being someone Quintyn gets his rocks off with has my chest hurting and my breath hitching.
What about Fayth Lael Mileshas me ready to go to war with my best friend? As I fight the urge to walk away from this frustrating woman, I remember when I knew things between us were anything but reminiscent of brother and sister.
“Who is that nigga with Fayth?”
“He’s the latest man vying for Sunshine’s affections. I’m sure he will do something for her to send him packing because Sunshine is rough on these niggas,” Roman informs me.
My eyes are on the man holding Fayth’s hand with his chest out and a goofy smile that I want to knock off. Murderous thoughts invade my mind at him touching, kissing, and fucking Fayth. Heat is boiling my blood at Fayth bringing this nigga to the cookout and prancing him around her family. The longerI stare at Fayth and this lame hold hands, the faster my heart beats. I feel like I’m being violated, and Fayth isn’t more to me than my best friend’s sister. Yet, the offense makes me want to snatch her from the man’s clutches.
“Say something, Quintyn.” Fayth’s tear-filled voice cuts into my thoughts as her hands grip my shirt.
My chest is palpitating, and pain is radiating across the entire top part of my body upon feeling Fayth’s shoulders shake in my arms. Knowing that I’m not the only one feeling the effects of the distance between us has me ready to wave the white flag. Holding Fayth in my arms and feeling her heart beat rapidly against my chest feels right. Closing my eyes, I savor this moment before attempting to comfort and calm Fayth.
“Ssh, Lay. I don’t mean to yell at you, but I’m frustrated as fuck. I’ve been struggling with my feelings for you. I want you, and having to consider outside entities isn’t something I want to do. I want to have the freedom to explore what we can become without you worrying about Roman. I know this is complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. You want to put the cart before the horse before knowing if we’re even compatible. I’m not feeling it. I’m a grown-ass man, so walking on eggshells isn’t something I’m open to doing.”
Fayth’s head lifts from my chest, and the water glistening in her eyes has me ready to do whatever to remove her pain.
“I want you, too, so what do you suggest we do?”
