Page 77 of Only for the Week
Janelle
“What the fuck is going on?!” Amerie shrieks again, her voice crashing down around me like a bucket of ice water.
I take my time dismounting from Rome’s lap because I know the minute I acknowledge Ri’s presence, the delicate tatters of our relationship will disintegrate into dust. I thought I would be despondent if Rome and I ever got caught because I thought it would drive a wedge between me, my sister, and my mom. Now, severing ties with them brings me an odd feeling of peace. I never thought I’d tell my own sister I’m not coming to her wedding, but I haven’t questioned that decision since I said it.
Rome lets out a tortured groan and it only takes me a moment to realize why. Not only is Ri standing there but so are Arnold, Evie, Dani, Micah, Christian, and Jalen. Of course.
“I tried to stop her.” Evie grimaces.
Ri rounds on her, steam practically rolling out of her ears. If she were a little lighter, her face would probably be bright red right now.
“You knew about this?!” My teeth rattle from the sheer volume of her voice.
“Ri, please,” Dani begs. “You’re loud as hell. Let’s just dial it down a few.”
“Did you know about this too? Did all my friends know about this?”
“Maybe if you weren’t such an asshole to her, she would’ve told her sister instead of me,” Evie jeers.
“I didn’t know, but I’m not bothered by it either. Who cares?” Dani adds.
“I care!” Her voice goes up another octave. A blood vessel is about to pop in her forehead and glass is about to start shattering at these volumes. Christian winces from the sound, taking a step away from her. Jalen and Micah start looking back the way I assume they came, plotting their exit.
Rome rubs soft circles on my lower back. I want him closer to me, so I lean back to connect my back with his chest. I know my bold behavior shocks him, but we’ve already been exposed. What other fucks do I have to give?
“And then they just sit there all cuddled up, not even trying to explain themselves,” Ri chastises.
“Why would we explain ourselves? We’re grown-ass adults,” Rome asks, his voice calm and unaffected, which only enrages Ri more.
“Grown-ass adults but you’re sneaking around like children. How long has this been going on?”
Neither of us answers her. We don’t owe her that. We don’t owe her anything.
She scoffs at our lack of response. “You know what, Janelle? You’re a fucking con artist.”
“The fuck?” Rome grasps my arm to keep me from jumping up from my seat. How did I become a con artist for not telling her who I’m sleeping with?
“Jesus, okay, Ri. Enough,” Dani whines.
“Yeah, it’s truly not that deep,” Evie presses.
“No, let her speak her piece. Say what you have to say, Amerie,” I demand.
She points her pointer finger in my direction, spit flying out of her mouth as she yells. “You heard me the first time. You’re a con artist! You really had me feeling bad for you and questioning my relationship when you told me Arnold tried to kiss you but you’re the one who’s a liar.”
“What?” Rome’s voice is like a bolt of lightning, striking the epicenter and destroying everything in its path. Now it’s my turn to keep him from getting up from his seat. He fights my hold, but I turn to face him, begging him with my eyes to stay with me.
Chaos erupts all around us. Everyone starts talking at once.
“That’s foul, bruh.” Micah shakes his head.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Dani shouts.
“Shut up,” Ri whispers. No one seems to hear her except me.
“Yo, Rome, what you wanna do?” Jalen asks. I keep a firm grasp on Rome, watching his shaky breaths return to an even tempo before he offers Jalen a slight shake of his head and I turn back to face everyone.
“Shut up,” Ri says again. Her voice is a little louder this time but still, no one hears her.
