Page 77 of Thirst

I nod, my eyes darting around the room as it hits me that I really am with Amari. I made my choice.

“Yeah,” I say. “We’re doing it, and I'm just hoping for the best.”

Nae’s head never stops nodding, but I see the worry in her face. “Okay. Cool. Well, congratulations. If you like it, I love it.”

I scoff. “Uh-uh, don't do me like that. What?”

“I just … I don't know. You've been on the fence about him from the jump, so I just wanna make sure you're doing the right thing. I know he's rich … but he likes to drink blood and shit, girl.”

“Ugh, I knew you’d linger on that part,” I say, half smiling.

“Of course I would. He likes to play with your blood. No kink shaming, or whatever, but you know that is different.

She doesn't know the half of it.

“I know, but I like him and I'm cool with it,” I say, trying to calm her nerves. “We just have our own thing, and what we do in the bedroom isn’t anybody else’s business. So, don’t trip. Especially if he's gonna play a part in me getting to paint for a living. It’s like you said before, I gotta get my foot in the door of the art world and out of the strip club. If we break up somewhere down the road, I’ll still be an artist.”

Nae finishes off her wine and refills it. “Okay, I see you playing the long game. I see the vision. In that case, I’ll toast to us.” She raises her glass. “To two bad bitches locking in and making their dreams come true.”

“You already know,” I reply with a smile as I cling my glass with hers.

“And you know I'm gonna be there supporting you. Just tell me the time and place. Hell, I might even buy one.”

“Ooh, don't. I plan on having these prices busting through the roof.”

We laugh together, and it feels good to experience joy with my girl.

“Good for you. Break their wallets. You're worth it, and your stuff is dope. I'm glad to see you making moves, and I'm so hype to see you with somebody you feel like you connect with. You're turning the corner, girl. I'm here for it.”

“Thank you,” I reply, but I can't help the tinge of guilt I feel knowing that there is so much more I could tell her. Janae is my best friend, and it kills me to have to keep secrets from her, but I know I can't tell her everything about Amari. As much as I would love to see her reaction and hear what she has to say, I just can't put her at risk like that.

Is that what I'd be doing? Putting her at risk? I know vampires don't like their business on front street. At least that’s what books and movies have told me. But if Janae found out that Amari is a one-hundred-fifty-six-year-old vampire, would she be in danger? Would he hurt her for knowing? Would he kill her? He said he isn't much into killing people, but he also said he wanted to kill Stanley—not that Stanley didn't deserve it. But is the secret so important that he's willing to kill people for finding out? He also has the ability to Influence people, so he could just make her forget, right?

As I sip my wine again, I realize just how little I know. The future and the present are both wrapped in a layer of uncertainty that makes me feel uneasy, and the feeling isn't going to go anywhere anytime soon, because I made the choice to be with Amari. Now I have to lie to my friend and keep secrets from everybody, because I don't know what would happen if I said too much. I made the choice to travel down this road. Now I don't know if I could get off of it even if I wanted to.

Maybe there will come a day when I can tell Janae. If Amari and I don't work out, and he doesn't Influence me to forget that he's a vampire, maybe I’ll tell her everything and blow her mind. It would definitely make for great conversation, and we would need a lot more wine and time than we have tonight. That would be great. Maybe one day. But for now, I have to keep her in the dark, even if it strains our relationship. Because even though I trust Amari … better safe than sorry.

Forty-Six

“Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?”

Majesty turns to me with a startled look on her face, eyebrows high and eyes wide. She wipes lingering beads of sweat from her brow, then fans herself trying to cool down after having just gotten off stage. I finished my stage show right before she went up, and since I'm still getting myself together, I figured this would be the perfect time to shoot her an invite, because my exhibit is tomorrow. Tomorrow. If I was any more excited, I might spontaneously combust.

Majesty grabs her compact and cracks it open. “I actually have the day off. Finally. Probably gonna hit the studio first thing in the morning. I'm trying to finish up this slow track my man produced for me. Why, what’s up?”

I turn on my seat until my head is nearly touching her shoulder. “Come to my exhibit tomorrow.”

Her eyebrows raise. “You got your art exhibit set up?”

My smile is full of pride. “Yeah, girl. I took your advice and said yes to Amari. We’re together now, and he's working with Stanley to make it happen. It’s scheduled for tomorrow night. You gonna be done with your song by then?”

Majesty smiles wide and leans over to give me a hug. “Oh, I'm so happy for you, Aaliyah. Hell yeah I’ll be done. Even if I wasn't, there's no way I wouldn't come support you. You know we gotta support us, girl. I got you. Congratulations. It’s all working out.”

“Yeah, I guess it is,” I say with a shrug, playing nonchalant even though I can't stop smiling.

“And your new man is helping Stanley? That’s great. See, look at you. Going for what you know. I can't wait to see it.”

“Well, I needed a little push, to keep it real,” I admit, finally angling my body toward my own mirror. “You and my homegirl, Janae, really got me over the finish line. I was stressed as hell trying to figure it all out. I'm glad I got my girls.”