“What is it?”
Mecca took a bite of a fry. “I think Pyro is going to propose to me.”
“Propose? What makes you think that?”
“There have been so many hints, and lately, he’s been talking about kids and a family, and things have been moving swimmingly with us.”
“Swimmingly?” Chanel laughed at the word.
“Girl, it means we’re flowing.”
“I know what it means.” Chanel quickly recognized that her voice sounded a little more assertive than she wanted to come across, so she softened her response with a smile.
“Anyway,” Mecca continued, “I believe him when he tells me there’s no one else.”
Chanel believed it was true. There hadn’t been any women sleeping at the apartment but Mecca.
Mecca didn’t know if she should celebrate or become worried. What if Pyro did ask her to marry him? Was she ready for marriage?
“Well that’s not entirely true, is it?”
Mecca nearly choked on her drink. “What do you mean? Is he seeing someone else?”
“How should I know?” Chanel looked bewildered by the question.
“You just said that Pyro is seeing some bitch.”
Chanel smirked. “Oh, I just meant that Sheree will always be in his life. She is that someone else that you’ll have to deal with should you two get married. Just something to think about.”
Mecca exhaled. “Girl, you had me going for a second. I can handle Sheree. What I can’t handle is Pyro fucking Sheree, but I’m confident that he’s not, so that’s a non-factor.”
Chanel nodded.
Mecca stared at her friend for a beat, looking serious about something.
She started with, “Listen, Chanel, we really do need to talk about something.”
“I thought we were talking,” Chanel said, giggling a little.
Mecca didn’t laugh. She continued with, “Once Pyro and I are married, he probably won’t be able to take care of Mateo anymore. You have to admit, Pyro has spent a lot of money on Mateo’s hospital stay and his physical therapy. I mean, it just wouldn’t be financially sustainable with him having a wife and hopefully more children coming.”
Chanel couldn’t believe what she was hearing—especially coming from her best friend. The smile on her face was gone, replaced by some shock and resentment.
Mecca saw the offended look on Chanel’s face and said, “Listen, and let me explain. I know Mateo has his own money that Pyro hasn’t dipped into yet, sitting in banks and safety deposit boxes and most likely collecting interest.”
“So he tells you everything?” asked Chanel.
“I mean, isn’t he supposed to? He’s my man, and maybe soon to become my fiancé.”
“You won’t have to worry about Mateo anymore. He’s pulling through just fine,” said Chanel with a slight attitude.
“I’m so glad to hear that. And one more thing, Chanel,” Mecca said with her attention fixed on her friend. “Once Pyro and I are engaged, I really want you to move out. I mean it’s cool for now, with him looking out for you. But I’m his woman and I would like to walk around the place naked for my man, and have sex with him throughout the place . . . you know, like giving him some head in the living room, or having sex butt naked on the kitchen counter. And real talk, having you around is gonna fuck up our kinky-ass sex life.”
“So tell me how the fuck you really feel?” Chanel retorted.
“And why would you get offended by that, Chanel? I’m just keeping things real with you.”
Chanel pushed her plate to the side. Her appetite was suddenly gone. “It must be great to be on top of the world, right? Boss your friends around.”