Page 86 of The Ninth

“I’ma come get you tomorrow night. Be ready to talk about going forward. If not then yeah. We should lay off each other.”

I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck. I swooned as his hands held my waist firmly. Deep inside, I knew that between the tattoo and Duke shit, Duke was what I wanted more. I'll go to Cassie. Make her speak to me. Get out of my head and feelings. Be the woman Duke deserves.

“I can’t afford to lose you, Duke.”

“Tomorrow then.”

“Bye...”

My body turned, walking down the quiet sidewalk. I wished it was nighttime instead of a clear day. That way the darkness could conceal me from his gaze. I knew he was watching. He always was.

A vibration in my pocket caused me to reach in, pulling my phone out. I saw it was my mother and answered immediately. I just need one person to make me feel like they want me around.

Me: Hello?

Mama: Hi! I’m with Dad and Grandma. We were thinking about you and Cassandra. Is she around?

Me: No, I’m on a walk by myself. Hey guys!

Mama: They say hello. So, how’s everything?

Me: Not as good as it was. I’m finding a lot of imperfections with Cassie...and myself.

Dad: I knew it was all a facade.

Grandma: Yup! You did say that.

Mama: I blame Cash and Tami for allowing her to stay there with people who didn’t care about her like her family did.

Me: Kelisha is actually very loving and still looks after Cassie to this day.

Mama: You don’t know how she was when you wasn’t there! Of course she’s cool now that Cassie is almost thirty years old. But I bet she wasn’t when sh—

I pressed end on the call. Partly because I was now walking inside of Cassie’s building. Mostly because it was like looking into a mirror. I love Cassie and hearing them say those nasty assumptions didn’t make me feel good. But that only made me realize how Cassie felt hearing them from me. There’s a way to say everything. Kenzie told me to talk to her. And then it blew up. It’s my fault, truth or not.

My heart was slightly beating faster as the elevator got higher and higher. For our relationship, it’s time to talk. To work things out. It’s been three weeks. How much longer is this going to go on for?

Once I stepped off, I approached the door, putting my key in. As soon as it opened, the laughter and chatter died down. Taking a deep breath, I pushed inside of the living room.

There were luggage in the middle of the floor. Kenzie was sitting as Cassie and Tati stood around her. Although Kenzie was looking at me smiling, the two of them were just looking away. I cleared my throat as I took a step towards Cassie.

“Hey, Cassandra. Can we talk?”

“Cassie. And no. I’m sorry, but I’m not ready for that right now.”

“I just really wan—”

“Bye Mac Daddy!” Tatianna yelled, cutting me off. “Call me when you land.”

Cassie hugged Kenzie, “Bye baby. Be safe.”

Both Cassie and Tati walked away. My eyes watered as MacKenzie stood, walking to me. This is the most direct she’s been with me since the fall out. I always thought I could count on her being neutral. But maybe she just disagreed with what I said and did as well.

“Don’t get upset, Devyn. She knows y’all need to talk. We’ve spoken bout it countless of times, so don’t think she just discarded you. You just can’t put a rush on other people.”

“You’re leaving?” I asked while wiping a stupid tear that fell down my face.

She sighed, “Yeah. I had some family come into Florida so I’m meeting them there for a little. Just three days. If things aren’t worked out by then, I will come back and force it. I promise.”