Page 100 of Without Bound
“What if it’s important?”
“Nothing is more important than this moment. But, we should get dressed because your parents will be coming back soon.”
Like we didn’t just wear each other out, Anais hops off the bed and grabs her clothes, slipping them back on in record time. As she’s putting herself back together, her phone rings three more times.
“Baby girl, I think you should answer it.”
“Ugh,” she groans and stomps over to where her purse sits.
She rummages through it and comes free with her phone. With wide eyes, she stares at the screen of her phone completely unmoving. I grow worried and roll off the bed, tucking myself back into my sweats before walking up beside her.
“What is it?” She turns the phone to face me and I see three texts and four missed calls.
All from Phoenix.
“Why don’t you see what he wants?” I suggest.
Her jaw clenches and her nostrils flare. “No way. He can go to hell.”
“Hey. C’mon, baby. Don’t talk like that. He’s still your uncle. Please see what he wants. It must be important if he’s called that many times.”
Her face turns sour and you can really see that young lady coming out. The one who wants to stomp her feet and slam her arms in frustration. I give her a look of my own, using the one that says more than any words could. I see the moment she backs down and resolves to call Nix.
She taps the screen and holds the phone up to her ear. “What?” she sasses like the little brat she can be.
Her face grows bored as she listens to whatever it is he’s saying.
“No thanks. If your apology comes with conditions I don’t want it. You can shove it straight up your a–” I jut out my hand and cover her mouth before the word can leave her mouth.
She looks at me and I shake my head. Her eyes roll and I drop my hand.
“I don’t want anything to do with you. What you did is unforgivable. I’ll never forgive you, Phoenix. So quit wasting your breath.” She pulls the phone away from her ear and hits the end button.
“I’m assuming Nix wants you to go down to his house.” She nods and crosses her arms over her chest. “I think you should go.”
“What? You’re crazy. There is no way I’m going over there. He said he wanted me and mealone, and that won’t fly with me. He owes you an apology and then some. Until he gives it, I won’t even consider making up with him.”
I rest my hands on my hips and let my shoulders sag. From the very beginning, this is exactly what I wanted to avoid. Breaking a family apart is not something I want to be the root of. There are only two ways I know that can fix this. Either break up with Anais, or never see my friends again.
The question is, which one won’t shred my heart when I let them go?
The answer, I lose either way. I either lose the one I know I’m meant to be with, or friendships that are thicker than blood.
33
Anais
I stand on the front stoop, building up the courage to ring the doorbell. I gave myself a pep talk the entire drive here, and called Bishop a couple of times to beg him to let me turn the car around.
I take one last deep breath in and out, then ring the bell. I take a step back, putting a little more space between myself and whomever answers, and wait. The locks click and the door swings open to reveal Phoenix standing in front of me, looking like he hasn’t slept in weeks.
“Hey Peanut,” he greets and reaches out to hug me.
I stick my hand out in front, stopping him before he can even touch me, and harden my stare.
“Phoenix,” I reply coldly, not bothering to address him as Uncle.
His smile drops and he steps aside. “Come on in. Viv made some dinner for us.”
