“We were dancing.”
“So I didn’t see him rubbing up on you?”
Shona smothered a giggle, and I rolled my eyes. “You need to find yourself a decent guy instead of acting thirsty every time a guy looks in your direction.”
She fake gasped. “I do not act thirsty.”
“You know it’s true. But you’re worth more, Shona.”
“Listen to you, acting all boujee now you livin’ in that hick town.”
“You do realize that’s a complete contradiction, right? You can’t be boujee and hick?”
“Whatever.” She stuck her nose in the air, flicking her braids off her shoulder. “All I’m saying is you don’t be calling me no more, too busy with your new friends.”
“You know it’s not like that.” Guilt snaked through me. “I just...”
“Yeah, I know.” Shona shoulder checked me. “I’m messing with you.”
“I got a new cell phone number. So now we can talk all the time. You’ll just have to save me as ‘boujee bitch’ or something.” I grinned.
“You really think I’d be letting Jermaine look at my cell? I’ve barely spoken to him since you left.”
Silence filled the space between as we both looked out at the sea of bodies. There was a thin layer of smoke, the bitter twang of weed permeating the air.
“Shona,” I said, finally breaking the tension between us. “You get why I left, right?”
“Sure, I get it. Part of me was so fucking relieved when your mom told you to pack your bags. But the other part, the selfish part, can’t forgive you for leaving me behind. I know that makes me a bitch, but I can’t help it.”
“I know.” I threw my arms around her and hugged her tight. “I’m sorry I left too.”
“You just make the most of it and remember you got out, Mya. You escaped this place.” She eased back, flashing me her megawatt smile. “Now, tell me about those white boys you been hanging out with.” Her smile turned suggestive.
“They’re just… guys.”
“You like one of them.”
“No I don’t.” Liar.
“Oh you do, it’s written all over your face. Lemme guess, he’s a Justin Timberlake. You always did have a crush on JT back in the day.”
“He’s not—” A commotion over by the door caught my attention.
“Mya, yo, Mya, you up in here?” Jermaine’s voice filtered through the house and my spine stiffened.
“Fuck,” Shona hissed. “Don’t worry, babe, I’ll get Jesse and Leroy to deal with him.”
“And cause World War Three?” I glared at her. “I knew he’d find me. I just thought it’d be on my terms.” Placing my drink down, I began moving past her.
“Wait, you’re sure about this?” she asked me.
“Better than the alternative.” Silent understanding passed between us. If I didn’t go to him, Jermaine and his guys would cause problems for Shona and her brother. Something I couldn’t let happen.
“He puts a single finger wrong and you call me, ‘kay?” Jesse gave me a reassuring nod.
Nervous energy vibrated through me as I cut through the sea of bodies and made my way to the front of Shona’s house. Jermaine stood in the door, his eyes hard and cold. It had been three months since I’d seen him. Three months for him to beef up, cover more of his dark skin in tattoos. Three months to let his love for me turn to hatred.
“Mya, baby, looking good,” he said smoothly, letting his gaze run down my body. I shuddered, his attention no longer familiar and safe.