Page 40 of Tainted

The aroma of his food teased me while he threw back fries like a beer. My stomach was growling while I watched Brandy and Otto hugged up. Then I looked over at Kenyon dressed casually in a black Nike sweatsuit, wondering if his dick would make me as stupid as Brandy.

“What are you doing here anyway?” I asked, trying to push thoughts of Kenyon’sextensionout of my brain.

“I sponsor the DDs sometimes.”

“So Otto is your boy?” I asked with my lip twisted in disgust.

Kenyon smirked. “What did he do to get on the Power Puff Girls' bad side?” He then used his fingertips to pretend to fluff the puffball on top of my head.

“Nothing,” I replied because I couldn’t explain that not only was Nana’s account past due, but Mom’s birthday was around the corner, dredging up feelings I wanted to ignore.

“Birthmark?” he asked, grazing his index finger along my neck.

“Y-yeah,” I stammered, swatting his hand away from the heart-shaped discoloration.

His arrogant face smiled warmly at me. The longer his eyes roamed, the more nervous I became. As if he could see me reaching my breaking point, he revealed what was on his mind.

“You look different tonight.”

That wasn’t what I was expecting, and it showed. “Because I’m not dressed like a stripper?”

“Actually, that big ass forehead isn’t blinding me.” Kenyon shoved the carton of fries toward me. “You’rehangryas fuck and need these more than I do.”

Tossing a few in my mouth, I moved beside him and leaned against the car.

“Thank you.”

“So all I have to do is feed you to fix your attitude?”

“You need to be worried about Sydney’s attitude, not mine.”

“I’m talking about you.”

“That’s what this is about, right? Your girl wants to fuck me, so you’re buttering me up to seal the deal.”

Kenyon was the only one laughing because I didn’t find anything funny.

“I’m not in the business of making anybody do something they don’t want to do. Whatever beef you have with Syd ain’t got shit to do with me,” he declared, throwing his hands up.

“So what is it?”

“What is what?”

“You’re not trying to fuck me, and you told Javier we’re not friends, so why all this interest in me?”

Kenyon’s smooth brown skin stretched into a smile as he reached into the fry container. “You’re always giving me an attitude and shit, so why are you mad about what I told him?”

The way Javier moved through the crowd, confident and unbothered, left no doubt that he was important. His presence demanded attention and respect, making it impossible for anyone to ignore him.

“We may not be friends, but I’m not just some employee like you told him. I don’t see you in everybody else’s business like you are mine.”

“I think we changed that tonight,Friendsince I shared my food with your hangry ass.”

“I don’t know yet. You seem like the kind of friends my Mom warned me about.”

“Now, who’s judging who.” I was so focused on Kenyon’s lips that he snatched the fry container back.

“I’m not judging,” I replied, and Kenyon held the fries over his head until I stopped reaching. I just noticed how different you were in front of him. One minute, you’re laughing and smiling, and the next, you look like you want to kill someone.”

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