I was done playing games—letting her think she had the upper hand. Keke was a flaw in my perfect plan, and it was time to get her out of my way.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I’ve always had a problem with my temper, Marriott. I remember my mother giving me spankings for throwing tantrums over things I couldn’t have or couldn’t do.
I remember being thirteen and purposely breaking Mama’s favorite lemonade pitcher because she wouldn’t let me go to a sleepover. Granted, my grades weren’t so good, and it served as a form of punishment that I couldn’t attend said sleepover, but all I remember was thinking how unfair she was and getting pissed about it.
If only I’d known that a year later, she would be gone forever. I never would have broken her favorite pitcher and hid the glass pieces. I never would have been such a pain in the ass.
I wish I could say I had outgrown the tantrum phase at this point in my life, but that would be a complete lie. If anything, my tantrums manifested into something much, much worse. How does the saying go, when you bottle up too many emotions? Yeah, it’s that sort of thing for me.
I was desperate to get closer to Lola. No one was going to stop me, spread rumors about me, or get into Lola’s ear on my watch. Keke was going to keep telling Lola that she didn’t like me—that she found me weird and off. I couldn’t have that, Marriott.
I guess Keke’s blabbermouth was good for one thing, though. Last night, Keke told the whole cabin she couldn’t wait to wake up early and go for a run so she could keep her body in shape. Faith and Arabel forced smiles at her, and Lola was so out of the mix that she didn’t respond to her.
There was something on Lola’s mind. Was what Vonyetta told her about being intimidating to the pregnant women really bothering her that much?
Too bad I didn’t get the chance to ask. Keke must have noticed the same thing about Lola because she climbed out of her bed to sit beside Lola and ask her what was wrong. I overheard Lola mentioning she was tired, and then she told her she was going for a shower. When Lola walked out, Keke glared my way before going back to her bed.
Who would have known Keke was into jogging? She always seemed like the shake-your-ass-and-dance-to-workout type. A little twerk here and some jumping jacks there.
Keke woke up at five fifteen in the morning, got dressed, and left the cabin at five thirty. I know because I watched her as she did so the morning after she mentioned going for the jog.
Five thirty was right before the sun slipped over the horizon—before the palm trees would begin to sway, and while the soil in the earth was still cool.
I stepped out of the cabin, barefoot and in a matching set of pajamas, watching Keke run toward the first trail in view. I peered up at the sky, which was a mass of lavender and blue, the orange swirls from the sun slowly filling in, and then I focused on the trail Keke had taken again.
There were many shadows and trees on that trail.
I looked around. The camp was quiet. No one was awake at this hour.
This.
This would be the way I got rid of Keke. While everyone was sleeping. On a shadowy trail, where no one could see. It would be quick. Easy.
But it wouldn’t be right now.
No, the next morning seemed much more promising.
* * *
An alarm went off at 5:15 a.m.
Keke groaned as she sat up, then she sighed and rolled out of the bed, going for her suitcase. From where I was, I watched her take her workout clothes to the bathroom. She flipped a switch, and part of the room illuminated with light.
Faith, Arabel, Xena, and Lola were all sleeping, practically dead to the world. Arabel was a light snorer but, according to Lola, nothing in comparison to Olivia.
Keke got dressed quickly and trotted out of the bathroom. She stuffed her feet into black Nike running shoes, grabbed her phone and headphones, and headed out the door, clicking it shut quietly behind her.
As soon as she was gone, I twisted the doorknob in front of me and stepped out of the only closet in the cabin, dressed in yoga pants, a black T-shirt, and tennis shoes. I adjusted my black baseball cap and hurried for the door, making sure to keep my steps light. The door creaked as I shut it and I mentally cursed it for being so loud. But no one woke up. The coast was still clear.
I jogged toward the trail. I couldn’t let her get too far ahead of me.
I’d thought about how I’d handle this situation all day yesterday. In between painting protruding bellies, prepping snacks, and helping Lola make mocktails for the dine-in movie, all I could think about was getting Keke out of my way.