“Yeah, I’m back,” I said with a nod. In more ways than one. I made a vow right then and there to go back to who I was before Chase, before Malcom, before I feltrealbig girl heartbreak.
I was going back to my hoe phase.
We sat there and spilled tea while we filled our bellies and got good and tipsy, then ended the night with a dance off. I didn’t realize how much my soul needed a good twerk, but it healed a part of my sad spirit. We even let Mona sing. It was more like a drunken wail that, ironically, sounded something like a drunken whale, but clearly, she needed that too. By the time Laila and June left, all Mona and I could do was take our drunk asses to bed and pray for a better day tomorrow.
CHAPTER 18
THE UGLY TRUTH
Me
Amaya, I know you’re upset, but it’s been a week. Please talk to me.
Please just call me back, text me, anything.
Amaya
MSG NOT DELIVERED. Please contact carrier for more information.
NOTIFICATION: You have 37 missed calls.
The soundof my doorbell pulled me out of a deep sleep—one where I was dreaming of sweet caramel, chocolate skin, thick lips, and even thicker hips and thighs.
I made a vow to unplug that fucking doorbell, because I was tired of the shit.
“What’s good?” I asked, seeing Niko, Justin, and Johnathan standing there. Niko was also holding up a phone with Rome on a video chat.
“Nigga, areyougood? We been callin’ your ass allday!” Niko fussed.
“I’m good,” I said, a deep frown settling over my face. “What the fuck is this, an intervention?”
“Call it what you want, nigga,” the tiny version of Rome said. “I just needed to lay eyes on you. I’m about to go on set. I’ma call you later, and if you don’t answer, I’m on a flight tonight to personally put my foot up yo ass. I?—”
“Go to work, nigga. I’ll answer,” I promised, hitting the end call button and abruptly hanging up. The other three dramatic ass niggas bogarted their way inside, looking around like they thought I had a hostage in there.
“What the fuck are y’all looking for?” I asked, even more annoyed by this point.
“We told you, we just came through to check on you. What have you been doing today?”
“I been in the bed… haven’t been feeling that good.” I sighed and rubbed my hand over my face. From the way they were looking at me, I must have looked just like I felt—shitty.
“Y-You didn’t work out today… or yesterday,” Jonathan said softly. I usually texted him a simple arm muscle emoji early in the morning after every workout. I didn’t think he even paid me any attention, but clearly, I was wrong if I had the nigga ready to do a welfare check on me over a couple missed texts.
“Ijusttold you I wasn’t feeling well!” I snapped making him immediately shut up. I walked to the living room with the three stooges on my heels.
“Yeah, we heard you, but you the same nigga who I have to force out the gym when he’s sick or injured. You don’t miss a gym day, let alone two,” Niko said.
“Whatever,” I grumbled and melted back into the couch where I was sleeping before. “I’m fine.” They all came and sat across from me and gave me a blank stare.
“Nigga, if you don’t start talkin’ right now, I’m callin’ ya mama!”
“Now why the fuck would you do that?”
“Because, if you ain’t gon’ talk to us, you gon’ talk to somebody! Clearly something is wrong!”
“I told y’all niggas that I’m fine! Why are y’all on my dick like this?”
“I just put this water on your table, and you didn’t sayshit!” Johnathan said, and for the first time I noticed his water cup sitting bare assed on my coffee table. “Last time I did that, you threatened to beat my ass with a coaster. I think this nigga is dying y’all.”
