Page 69 of Love Always, Nova Black
“You lame ass piece of shit,” Kendra said before slapping Jarell upside the head.
Nicolette yanked Kendra’s hand and spun her around, forcing them to be face to face. “Have you lost your damn mind? Don’t put your hands on my husband.”
“Well, he needed to have some sense knocked into him, and since you didn’t feel the need to do it, I figured I’d handle it for you.”
“No, what you need to do is keep your attitude in check. You can’t be running around here putting your hands on people. That shit will get your ass beat.”
“You would know, wouldn’t you?” Kendra shot back.
Nicolette frowned. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
I’d had enough of the pretending from everyone, and I was beyond sick of Nicolette prancing around like she was the one that had it all together. “It means that we all know that your perfect little marriage is straight bullshit,” I chimed in. “You think we don’t know that the two of you are fighting like cats and dogs because he can’t keep his damn dick to himself.”
“Excuse me?”
I nodded. “Mmhmm, we all know that Jarell likes to screw the women that he drools over at the strip club, and because you’re so desperate to stay married, you just deal with it.” Shock and embarrassment rested on her face, causing me to jerk my head back. “What? I know you didn’t think Aunt Patricia and Granny had been keeping that shit quiet. They’ve been singing like canaries for months. But, yet and still, everyone makes it seem like you’re the one that has it all together, all because you’re sticking it out and accepting the bullshit.”
Furious that I had put her ass on blast, Nicolette rushed towards me, stopping just shy of her nose touching mine. “First of all, you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. Second, don’t try to make my life sound miserable because you couldn’t make your shit work. Jarell and I aren’t perfect, but we’re good.”
“You’re good?Girl, bye.” I waved her off. “Save that bullshit for someone interested in buying what you’re selling. I’m tired of all of this. I’m ready to move the hell on.”
“Oh yeah? If you’re so ready to move on, why won’t you talk to your husband? Since all this went down, all he’s been trying to do is have a conversation with you. Why won’t you, huh?” She questioned, her head tilted to one side. “Is it because deep down you know you want him back?”
I froze.
My eyes widened, but nothing came out of my mouth.
Nicolette continued. “I don’t care how hard you try to act like you’re unbothered, we all know that you are. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have acted a fool about him being here with another woman.”
“You…you can’t believe that?”
“Oh, but I have every reason to believe it. Especially, since you said that you wish things were different, and you would save your marriage if you could.”
“Who the fuck told you that?”
“Never mind who told me. Just know that I know it was said, so don’t act like you don’t feel shit, because that’s a lie.”
“I don’t know where you got your information, but—”
“Look, it doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, there’s nothing wrong with fighting for your marriage,” Nicolette said. “You don’t give up on something just because things get a little rough. You hold true to your vows and figure out how to make things work. I’m not like you. I don’t run just because things aren’t going my way. If I did, I would probably be just like you, standing here whining about my husband being with another chick.”
Clapping her hands slowly, Kendra rolled her eyes and stepped forward. “Bravo, sis. That was one hell of a speech. Lame as fuck, but definitely one for the books.”
“Shut up!”
“What? I’m just saying…if you were trying to get the award for the best speech from a woman that can’t recognize a toxic ass marriage if it slapped her in the face, you’re receiving the grand prize…hands down.”
“Okay, that’s enough,” Aunt Patricia finally stepped in. “This has gone on long enough. Not only have you embarrassed yourselves, but you all have embarrassed the hell out of me. I think it’s time that you guys leave.”
“Gladly,” I said before storming towards the house to grab my things. I glanced around to see if I saw Don, but he was nowhere in sight.
After getting my things, I headed to the front and found him waiting in the car. I was kind of surprised. It wasn’t like him to leave me hanging during an argument.
“Why did you just disappear on me?”
“It sounded like you guys had a lot of things to iron out,” he replied, his expression nonchalant, a little cold even.
“I’m confused. You saw the one person that I can’t stand at my Aunt’s house and your response was to just leave without making sure that I was okay? What the fuck?”
