Page 41 of Tainted

“If people are supposed to smile all the time, where is yours?”

“Gone because you took my fries,” I complained.

“Share once, and now they’reyourfries,” Kenyon handed them back over, but my facial expression reminded him he wasn’t off the hook. “Don’t worry, that pretty ass face. I’m straight.”

Now we were staring at each other, trying to suppress goofy ass smiles neither of us knew what to do with. Kenyon was winning that race, but I refused to let him see me fail, so I did the only thing I could.

“Thanks for the food,Friend.” I picked up the bag and walked to Jewel, who had been watching us like her favorite movie.

When I reached my destination, I noticed Kenyon’s hands were still holding an imaginary bag, trying to process what had happened. But that damn smile stretched across his face creating too many negative thoughts.

“I didn’t know y’all were tight like that,” Jewel said when I reached her.

“We’re not.”

“You just walked over here with that man’s food,” Jewel said dumbfounded.

“And?”

“Maybe you don’t know him,” Jewel shrugged.

“Keyes is respectful, but he’s not friendly enough to letanyonetake his food.” Brandy’s voice made us both turn around as she sat beside me.

“We’ve had a few conversations at the club, but that’s it.” I shrugged, holding the fry container toward Jewel. “I guess you have to ask him about that.”

I didn’t want a threesome either, but Kenyon, not being interested, felt too much like rejection as I rummaged through the rest of the bag.

“What is everybody’s fascination with him?”

Jewel’s face twisted in confusion. That seemed like an insane question to ask, but I was new here and curious.

“He has the three C’s every woman wants. Confidence, charisma, and coins. As if God didn’t bless him enough, Keyes is fine as fuck. There’s a lot to be fascinated with.”

“What about Kross? Does everybody love him, too?”

“Yeah, but he isn’t like Keyes. He stays out of the way,” Jewel explained.

“Otto’s homeboy, Romello, asked about you,” Brandy interjected.

“You’re not off the hook that easy, Brandy.”

“So you’re going to stay mad at me forever?”

“I haven’t decided yet. Or maybe I’ll stay mad until Otto pays Nana back.”

“I don’t remember you being such a bitch.”

I didn’t remember her being so stupid and spineless. Though she deserved it, I kept that comment to myself. There was no fun in a fight you knew you could win, and Brandy was no match for me.

“Anyway, back to Romello,” Jewel said, trying to steer the conversation in another direction.

“No thanks.” Entertaining anyone associated with Otto wasn’t happening.

“Romello is cute. Might as well,” Jewel’s advice was only a segue to being nosey. “Unless you’re saving yourself for Keyes.”

“No, I’m not.”

“I wouldn’t blame you if you were,” Jewel boasted confidently. “Whew! I know those bowed legs give him good leverage when he’s deep in it.”

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