Page 5 of Loyalty, Lust, Love
Fateema recalled their conversation and sighed. “There’s not much to tell about me and Cornell, but he knows I’m dating because I’m always dating. He talks shit anytime I go out withsomeone more than a few times. For some reason, he thinks I should be sitting around waiting for him.”
“But y’all always end up fucking each other’s brains out when you see each other,” Meaghan reminded her.
“Not always.”
“Tuh! Lying doesn’t look good on you, but okay. I’m not praying for your downfall, but friend, I don’t think you and Lynx will ever be able to leave each other alone,” she responded.
“The lust and chemistry between us is real, that’s for sure, but I want more than that.”
“You don’t think Lynx loves you?” Octavia questioned.
“Lynx loves the hell outta me. I’m his best friend and soulmate, so he’ll always love me, but he’s not in love with me.”
“What? You’re crazy if you don’t think he’s in love with you,” Meaghan said.
“If Lynx was in love with me, he wouldn’t be okay with me seeing other people. Besides, we promised we wouldn’t force anything and jeopardize our friendship. Nothing real can happen between us if we’re living hundreds of miles apart. As long as we remain best friends, I’m good.”
“If you say so,” Octavia said.
“Right.” Meaghan agreed.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you what Mr. Frasier thinks of Cornell,” Octavia said, and Fateema was grateful she’d changed the topic.
“He’s been Team Lynx since he found out we were messing around years ago. He met Cornell once when I stopped by his house to pick up something while I was with Cornell. I thought it was rude to leave him in the car, so he came inside with me, and I introduced him as my friend. I’m sure he hasn’t thought much about him, but he was nice to him.”
“We’re nice to him, too, but we don’t like him for you,” Octavia admitted.
“Right now, it’s not even that serious. We’re just feeling each other out, and it’s been going well. I’m pretty sure he’s dating other women, so I’m not rushing into anything with him. Can we change the subject now?”
“Changing subject… kinda. I’m kinda glad you and Lynx decided to do a birthday trip instead of a party to celebrate your thirtieth. I am in dire need of a getaway,” Meaghan said.
“And to Negril, Jamaica, at that! I can’t wait,” Octavia exclaimed.
“I’m excited too. Work has been killing me.”
“Me too. I swear, as soon as Ryan proposes, I’m getting knocked up and becoming a stay-at-home mom,” Octavia said.
“I enjoy my job, but I’m looking forward to a vacay. You’re a good one, Tay. All these niggas are trash, and I’ll never leave my livelihood in their hands,” Meghan spat.
Fateema was a physical therapist, Octavia was a bank manager, and Meaghan was a realtor. Their jobs were demanding, so a vacation was definitely in order. They continued discussing their upcoming vacation until it was approaching midnight.
When the ladies left, Fateema was tired but couldn’t turn in because Cornell had caught a late flight back to Chicago from Los Angeles and asked if she could pick him up from O’Hare. After a quick shower, she changed into one of Lynx’s oversized T-shirts that she’d stolen and would slip on some sweats when she left to pick up Cornell.
Soon after she’d gotten comfortable on her couch and scrolled through the guide on Netflix, there was a loud pounding on the door to her apartment.
“Who could that be?” she whispered.
She tiptoed to the door and looked out of the peephole, gasping when she saw a distraught-looking Lynx. Quickly, she pulled the door open, and he almost fell against her.
“Lynx, what are you doing here? What’s wrong?”
He backed her into her apartment with his arms wrapped tightly around her waist and buried his face in her neck. She didn’t realize he was crying until she felt moisture from his tears.
“Lynx, what happened?” she pressed.
His answer was to lift his head and press his lips against hers. She was so used to kissing Lynx that she’d momentarily forgotten he didn’t answer her question and pushed him away.
“Lynx!” she shouted, hoping it would get a response.
