Page 105 of Friend Zoned

It’s a long and busy day, but I manage to get through it, and the next week flies by despite Aiden’s busy schedule. We leave the house around the same time each morning, but he doesn’t come home until nine. The practices are long, and he’s busy watching old games or taking phone calls. He’s also been dealing with a player by the name of Wakowski and a missing potential baby mama. Despite his busy schedule, it’s been nice having him home for over a week since the first two games are in New York. The Mischiefs win those two games, and I cheer louder than anyone in the stands, even though I was at the Chastains’ apartment with Layla.

He flies to Denver right after that second game, leaving me without him for the first time in over a week. He’s hoping they’ll win game three and four, sweeping the Finals and freeing him for the next few months. I’m hoping the same thing.

One day after he’s gone, I decide to get a manicure and pedicure in preparation for my trip west. It’s my day off, and I’m lonely without him. We’ve only texted this morning when he warned me he’d be busy until tonight. With the two-hour time difference between New York and Denver, I likely won’t hear from him until after eleven my time.

“Hey, Mika,” I say to the owner of the salon. I’ve been coming here for years. I discovered this place and used to come with Leah and Camille about once a month after graduating college. It took me over a year to start coming back here by myself, but I’ve been coming back the fourth Wednesday of the month for months now. The first time was in preparation for dinner at Aiden’s house all those months ago.

I was okay before I met him. I’d dealt with Quintin’s betrayal and the collateral damage he left behind, but Aiden gave me something I’ve never had before. He gave me acceptance and love without conditions. He’s made himself at home in my world too. He’s what I always needed, and I had no idea.

“You by yourself again,” Mika asks. “Where are your girls?”

“Just me,” is all I say. She escorts me to the back of the salon. It’s a secluded section with three pedicure spa chairs. She’d always sit the three of us here.

“Is this okay?” I take a seat. I take off my shoes while she fills the spa with hot water. A couple of minutes later, I’m sitting back with my feet in the hot water as the chair massages me.

I pull out my phone but there are no missed calls or texts from Aiden. I send a text letting him know I miss him and slip my phone back into my purse before closing my eyes and taking a deep relaxing breath. I don’t open my eyes when I hear someone walk into my secluded section. I expect Mika or another nail tech, but I feel someone slip into the spa next to me. The water comes on, and I hear Mika say, “We have two of the three musketeers.”

Her voice is playful, but the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and my eyes fly open to find Camille sitting next to me.

“I’m going to let you girls relax here for a bit, and I’ll be back.” Someone comes with a tray with two bottles of water and two glasses of champagne. I take the champagne and down it. Once we’re alone, I close my eyes and try to put Camille out of my head. If she thought she’d upset me enough for me to leave, she’s miscalculated.

“I figured you’d be here since you’re such a creature of habit. I’m surprised though. I figured that guy you’re whoring for would pay for you to go somewhere more upscale since you’re so damn superior.”

I set the glass down and open my eyes. I look at her and chuckle. I can go anywhere I want. Or not. I can request someone come to his place to do this for me, but this is a small neighborhood business that I’ve been coming to for years. That’s not going to change because of this bitch.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t use the word whore ever again about someone else,” I tell her. I close my eyes and dismiss her, but she’s clearly sought me out here.

“I saw him first,” she says. I open my eyes and arch an eyebrow. “I wanted him, but he saw you and it was all over. I don’t see the appeal.” She looks me up and down. “Despite your seven-hundred-dollar jeans. That’s your problem. You think you’re better than everybody. Better than me. Better than Leah. You just dumped her as a friend.”

The very idea that Camille is lecturing me about the virtues of friendship is laughable. “Well, I got him. I fucked him for almost a year before you found out. I told Leah, and she chose me.” She points at her chest.

“Why are you here instead of with him?” I remember Leah’s words and let out a dismissive scoff. “You finally got him, girl. Good for you. You won.”

She purses her chapped lips and flares her nostrils. “He’s supposed to be mine, but he’s only gotten more obsessed. All he does is look at those lame as fuck pictures and videos of you.” She puts her hands to her head and pulls on her hair. It’s one of her nervous tics. Whenever she’s stressed, she pulls on her hair. I can tell she’s been stressed a lot because it looks like she’s going bald around her edges. “I gave him a son and he doesn’t give a shit. It’s always about you. You didn’t even have the decency to stay home the day of our baby shower.”

“Stay away because of you?” I snort. “You and Quintin? That’s cute, Camille. A little arrogant but cute.” I giggle.

“You ruin everything.”

“Maybe you should go ask your man why he felt the need to book your baby shower at the hotel that I manage. Or why he feels the need to show up there every couple of weeks. You might need to ask yourself why you have no one in your life who cares enough about you to throw you a shower. Quintin planned it, right? Well, when you come on my turf, be prepared for whatever happens. For the record, I don’t care about you or him. You got what you wanted, so enjoy it. Your duplicity set me free to find the one man I’m meant to be with. You wanted Quintin, you have him. Why the fuck can’t you people just leave me alone?”

“I want you to leave us alone. Let Quintin go,” she orders.

“I divorced him and left my sloppy seconds for you.Youleavemealone,” I counter. “But I did hear that he dumped you. Couldn’t hold on to him, huh?” I tsk and shake my head. “You better hurry up and go home. I’m sure your mom won’t babysit for you for too long.”

Her eyes darken. She stands and steps out of the spa, leaving a big puddle of water on the floor. I flick my wrist in dismissal of her and pull out my Air Pods. She knocks them out of my hand, and they fall in the water.

I scoop them up, but I’m sure they’re ruined.

“I’m not done talking,” she hisses. “I’m so fucking sick of you getting everything. This was supposed to break you but look at you.” She gestures at me.

I sigh, already sick and tired of this conversation.

“Camille, in what world do you think you and Quintin can break me? Girl, please.” I wave her away and scoff. “What did you think? You were going to take my place? How did that work out for you, sweetie? Does he love you? Does his family welcome you with open arms? No and no. I already know how his mama feels about you. She told me. And you know why? Because you’re trash and everyone knows it. It oozes out of you. Not even your own family cares about you. And that’s your problem with me, isn’t it? Everything I have, you’ve always wanted. From Quintin to my family. Well, you have Quintin, but you really have nothing. He’s just as trashy as you.” I stand, grab my shoes, and walk out of the secluded section.

“Mika, I’ve got to go. Email me an invoice, and I’ll pay it online.” I leave water along the tiled floor and ignore the footsteps behind me. That was a mistake. I feel a pair of hands on my back, and I’m pushed forward. I slip on the water and start to fall. I use a hand to break the fall, and I feel something snap in my wrist from the impact. My face still hits the floor and a pool of blood oozes from my nose.

“Jeannie! Camille, what the hell are you doing?” Mika yells.

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