Page 13 of Arris, Jayme & Dyani
Babydaddy: Everything good over there?
Me: Yep.
Arris liked the message immediately. I locked my phone, tossed it on the bedside table, and slid beneath my blankets.
It wasn’t long before I was fast asleep but I woke up to the sound of my phone beeping. I jumped up and reached for itwhile half asleep. I’d accidentally set my alarm for one in the morning instead of one in the afternoon. I corrected it. A yawn forced itself out of me. I stretched.
I looked over and saw Reena still hadn’t been in bed. I pushed the covers off, climbed up, and started the trek to the living room. I found her laid on the couch, one leg stretched out across it and the other hanging off. Her head was resting against the side of the couch and the television was still on, playing a random movie. She had one hand behind her head and the other holding her phone damn near to her ear.
I walked over, turned the television off, and paused. A soft noise came from somewhere in the room. I looked around and walked slowly trying to follow it as well as I could. It took me a few moments to realize the noise was coming from Reena’s phone.
I didn’t hesitate. I walked over and lightly pulled it out of her hand. She was on a call that was quickly nearing the two hour mark. The contact name said Z. I didn’t know a single Z in her life, but I didn’t ask a single question. I hung the call up and headed straight to my bedroom.
I closed the door, locked it, and grabbed my own phone to call Arris. He answered on the first ring.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as soon as the call connected.
“I think Reena is cheating on me,” I blurted.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“Why do you think that shit?”
“Because I do.” I didn’t feel like giving him a rundown. “When can you be over here?”
“When do you need me?” he countered.
“Now,” I admitted.
Arris sighed. “Give me ten minutes.”
“Alright. Don’t knock. Just text me when you’re downstairs and come on in when you get to the door.”
“Yeah, alright.” He cleared his throat and I heard him rustling around before addressing his coworkers. “I’ve got to make a quick run. If someone comes in for me, take a message or drop them on my schedule. I’ll be right back.” He yawned. “I’m on the way, Jay. You want me to stay on the phone?”
“Nah. You’re good. I’ll be here when you get here.”
“Alright.”
I sat at the foot of my bed and went to Reena’s text messages. I saw she and Z didn’t have an existing text thread but I sent a text anyway.
Me: My bad. Jayme woke up.
Z: Oh. Okay. Call back tomorrow on ur break?
Me: Yeah. I miss you now though.
I waited patiently while the texting icon popped up and my nerves got worse by the moment.
Z: Damn. Already?She inserted a series of laughing faces.U just saw me but plz feel free to come over tomorrow after work. I’m not complaining.
Me: Damn. You don’t miss me back?
Z: U know I miss u baby.
I nodded at that, locked Reena’s phone, and hopped up. I took a few deep breaths to try to calm myself but it wasn’t really working.
