Page 21 of Loyalty, Lust, Love
“I made you stay in the guest room because you’re a guest.”
“I’m also your?—”
“Friend. Nothing more, nothing less. Just because we fuck on occasion don’t make you my woman.”
“I thought me coming here to support you might change that.”
“You thought wrong. What did I tell you when we met?”
She huffed and folded her arms across her chest. “That you weren’t looking for anything serious, but?—”
“Ain’t no buts, Shyla. I like you, and I enjoy hanging out with you, but I’m cool on anything beyond that. The only reason you know about my father’s death is because I was with you when I got the call. I appreciated your concern when you reached out to make sure I was okay, and I felt vulnerable enough to share with you that he’d passed away. I appreciate it, but I didn’t want or expect you to hop on a flight. Let’s not make this more than what it is.”
“You’re such an asshole sometimes.”
“Nah, but I’m always honest. Are you gon’ check that attitude, or are you leaving?”
Shyla wanted to tell him she’d leave, just to see if he’d really let her walk out. However, Lynx had proven to be a man of his word, and she was already on a slippery slope with him. She opted not to take any chances. Besides, she wanted to keep an eye on Lynx and Fateema’s interactions.
“I’m good. I’ll stay.”
Fateema wasthe last of the crew to arrive, and Lynx was surprised to see Cornell with her. He didn’t necessarily mind Cornell being there because it wouldn’t change how he moved where Fateema was concerned.
“I didn’t know your little boyfriend was coming,” Lynx said, teasing Fateema when he caught her in the hallway coming from the bathroom.
“I didn’t either, but he invited himself when I told him what I was doing today. I figured it would be cool since your little girlfriend is here.”
“It’s cool. Come upstairs with me for a minute.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Bunny, I’ve been respecting your boundaries. Come upstairs real quick.”
“No, Lynx. We both have someone here, and I’m not about to disrespect Cornell like that.”
“You weren’t worried about disrespecting him when I showed up at your door.”
“Don’t do that. You know that was different. Under any other circumstance, that wouldn’t have happened.”
“Is he your man?”
“Why do you keep asking that? I already told you he wasn’t.”
“Just making sure ain’t shit changed since the last time I asked.”
He grabbed the back of her neck and pressed his lips against hers. She didn’t bother pushing him away because kissing him was one of her favorite things.
“What are y’all doing?” Octavia whisper-yelled frantically. “Did y’all forget you have guests? And I’m not talking about me, Meaghan, Adam, Joaquin, and Ryan.”
Fateema was startled by Octavia’s voice and pushed away from Lynx. However, he found the situation humorous.
“I asked her to come upstairs with me so we could have some privacy. She refused, so I had to get what I wanted right here.”
“Look, either you gon’ stop playing games and be together, or you gon’ respect those two googly-eyed fools in that other room. What if it had been one of them coming around the corner? Y’all trying to start a ruckus, and what we not doing is fighting in Mr. Keno’s house.”
“Tell him to leave me alone,” Fateema said.
“Girl, you know this nigga will never leave you alone, and you don’t want him to. That’s why y’all?—”
