Page 83 of Obsessive Love

“We?” Xoey questioned, and I nodded. “As in you and me?”

“Do you see anyone else here?”

She looked around, eyes big with wonder as she did so. “No.”

“Yes,” I countered as I washed my hands. “If you want to eat, you’re going to help.”

“I have never cooked a day in my life,” she said, shaking her head. “Listen, Bestie, and before I start, please understand that what I am saying is not being disrespectful but the truth.”

“Okay.”

“Some women, and men for that matter, are meant to be in the kitchen. You and Shaka are perfect examples of that. Y’all get down in here,” she explained. “And some women and men aren’t. I’m in that second option. I can kill with no problem, but cooking? Oh no, ma’am, that’s where I draw the line.” She poked at the pack of chicken and shook her head. “That is not my ministry.”

“It will be today,” I said. I walked behind her and grabbed her shoulders. “Now, wash your hands so we can start.”

“I don’t think Pyrite wants me in his kitchen.” Even though she was putting up a bullshit fight, Xoey still washed her hands. “We’ve been friends for years, and I have never done this at his house, like ever.” She looked over her shoulder with a worried expression on her face. “I would rather kill someone for you.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I laughed. “But until then, we are going to cook together.”

She finished washing her hands, and I handed her a paper towel. After she dried her hands, she turned off the water andthrew the paper towel away. “What we are making isn’t even hard.”

“And neither is skinning someone alive, but I doubt you can do it,” she replied, and I shook my head. “Exactly, so how about we stay in our respective lanes?”

“No.”

She threw her hands in the air and dropped her head. “I don’t understand this friendship at all.”

“Join the club,” I laughed, bumping her with my hip. “Now, let’s get to work.”

I started preparing the food, and Xoey stood beside me, watching me closely. How she had survived this long without being able to cook was wild.

“Can I ask you a question?” I poured the seasoning I wanted to use on the chicken and passed the bowl to Xoey. She looked at me and then at the bowl, a confused expression on her face. “Use your hand to mix it.”

“Like touch it?” she asked, and I nodded. Her face twisted in disgust, and it took everything in me not to laugh at her expression as she touched the meat. “This shit is nasty.”

“You’ll get used to it.” I returned to the pantry to grab the brown sugar and set it on the counter.

“I come and go as I please,” she randomly said, and I looked at her in confusion. “You asked me what I was doing here, and that’s my answer.”

“You just randomly come over?” I clarified.

“Yeah,” she nodded. “Pyrite said it's easier on his life if he just lets me be.”

“What’s up with y’all?” I couldn’t help but ask. Even though they never displayed affection beyond a brother-and-sister type relationship, I still had to ask.

A sneaky smile appeared on her face before her head dropped, and she laughed. “I enjoy Pyrite's company, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Okay,” I nodded. It wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but I had to respect her for speaking her truth. “Good to know.”

Xoey looked up and tilted her head to the side. “We are friends, nothing more, nothing less. I wouldn’t fuck on my friend’s nigga. What kind of weak shit is that?”

“So, he does have a girlfriend?”

“Yep,” Xoey answered, then pushed the bowl away from her and went back to wash her hands. “I expect them to be engaged by the end of the year, if not sooner.”

“Damn, it’s that serious?” I asked, and she nodded. My ears got hot, and I had to bite my cheek to avoid going off. Pyrite didn’t spend all his time with me like I did with him. He had a life that allowed him to come and go as he wanted. “He’s never mentioned her since I’ve been here.”

“Have you asked?” she replied, and I shook my head. “Then that’s why. If you ask, he will tell you all about her. He talks about her nonstop to me. Always with the questions.” She shrugged. “I always have to tell him that he has to ask the questions, not me. We are friends; she’s his future wife, mother of his children, life partner.”

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