Page 50 of Impacted by Love

A frown replaces my smile at the thought of inflicting or causing Asaiah any other duress.

"Chile, Asaiah's parents died, so I've been trying to hold him down. This is part of new relationship topics on which folks don't write a cheat code."

"Oh no. That's so sad. Girl, I know your jaws are tired as hell," Jarielle comments, my face contorted, colliding with the wrinkles filling my forehead.

"What do my jaws have to do with this?" Blinking rapidly, I rub my chin, waiting for Jarielle to clue me in with an explanation.

"When Brent is going through something heavy or depressing, I suck the lining off his dick and give him another reason to shed some tears while forgetting about his pain. If your man needs a mental reset to overcome his torment, suck his dick. I promise it works every time, bestie."

Laughter explodes from my mouth at the mess coming from Jarielle because while I had an inkling of what her initial comment meant, I still didn't see it coming.

"Where is Brent while you're talking reckless?"

"In a post-release coma because I know how to practice what I preach. We're honeymooners," Jarielle provides while laughing.

"Bye, Jarielle." Without waiting for her response, I disconnect the call and shake my head. "My poor bestie ain't got a lick of sense."

Bzz. Bzz.

My text notification sounds before I can lay my phone beside me, and I go to the app to see a message that makes me frown.

937-383-0031:

Hi, Onesti. I hope you don't mind, but my brother gave me your number. Be at Eternal Horizons Funeral Home tomorrow at eleven for the family viewing. Also, I have you down for desserts and soda for the repast.

"Who the hell does this girl think she's ordering around?" I ask the empty room before rereading the demand coming from Asaiah's sister.

The sister I learned was raised by my man due to their childhood circumstances. The same sister who left her brother before the funeral director arrived to pick up her parents' bodies. The absentee sister who has been plucking my nerves since she took over making the final arrangements last week.

Whup that trick! Whup that trick!

My evil angel hops up from her slouching position, bobbing her head while punching her right hand into her left palm.

Oh God! We can't do that.

Your lame tail can't, but I'm totally down for living out my Crime Mob backup singer dreams.

The good angel utters, clutching her pearls while staring at her counterpart with wide eyes.

In taking a breath, I stare at the text again in befuddlement at the nerve and audacity of this woman. It's amazing to me how you can come into town barking orders after fleeing the city to avoid dealing with the day-to-day issues of your parents' demons. Closing my eyes, I whisper my thoughts to God, hoping He's listening.

"Lord, give me strength because if you don't intercede, I might end up spending the night of the funeral answering to detectives at RPD."

Bzz. Bzz.

My stomach knots at feeling my hand vibrate from another message notification that further tanks my weary disposition. Peeking with one eye, I squint to see the sender before popping both eyes open upon seeing Asaiah's name. My breathing accelerates, and the hairs on my arms rise while my shaky hands open the text.

Asaiah:

I need you. Please come back.

Without thought, my fingers trip over themselves while I quickly type out a response.

Me:

OMW

"Alright, God, I'm going back in, but can you please subdue the Jekyll and Hyde persona this man wore earlier?"

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