Chapter 18

18

N eko

Over One Year Later

It didn't matter how much time passed—Malorie's face was one I'd never forget. Her hair was an auburn brown now, falling just under her armpits, and it looked phenomenal against her honey brown skin. The last time I saw her was at her mom's wedding. It was hard as hell staying away, but we kept our distance. Tonight, it was Malik's birthday, and I was surprised he was comfortable with the both of us being in the same space.

We'd reconciled after the wedding, and I loved Mal a little more when Malik told me she was the reason. Regardless, I continued to keep my distance from her. There was no way we could ever be just friends. She was the kind of woman you'd have to be all or nothing with. Since I couldn't have her all, we'd be nothing.

The liquor and blunts were flowing, and Malorie had cooked a feast for her brother. About two hours of partying had passed before Malik told me he wanted to talk to me outside. He'd rented a beach house for the party, and the shit was lavish as hell. I followed him outside to the pool, and the sight of Malorie being out there caused my feet to stop moving. He looked back at me and chuckled.

"Come on, so I can get back in there."

"What you doing, mane?"

"Fixing shit between y'all since she fixed things between us."

With a sigh, I followed him and walked over to her. It had been hard as hell keeping my eyes off her all night. Her skin was glowing, and she looked more toned and firm. Whatever she was doing was definitely working for her.

The only space between Malorie and I was the width of Malik's body. He looked from me to her.

"Y'all need to get along again. I miss being able to party with my sister and best friend. I know I'm the reason shit is how it is between y'all, and I need to make that change. What has to happen for y'all to be able to be in the same room and not be weird?"

Neither of us spoke. He rolled his eyes and huffed, causing me to smile and her to laugh.

"Aight, let me ask it another way," he continued. "Mal, do you want to be with Neko?"

"I'm never going to say or do anything to come between you and any of your friends. He's off limits, and I understand that now."

I knew that, but something about hearing her choose him over me stung more than it should have at this point. We hadn't fucked with each other for two years, but the wound of her words felt like I had her in my bed and heart just hours ago. I wasn't expecting her rejection to affect me this way, but I meant it when I said I loved her, so I shouldn't have been surprised.

"Neko, do you want to be with Mal?"

"She just made it clear that will never happen."

"But do you want to—"

"No."

Her eyes closed and she gritted her teeth. I watched as her nostrils flared. She had no reason to feel some type of way after what she'd just said.

"Aight, so that's settled. There's nothing romantic between the two of y'all, so let's try to be friends again. I appreciate the sacrifice y'all made for me, and I want the both of you happy and in healthy relationships, even if it can't be with each other." He paused. "Just promise me if something pops off between the two of you again—"

"It won't," she said.

"But if it does, just promise me that you'll tell me. Don't keep me in the dark, and please don't do anything to hurt each other. If you can't commit to one another and treat each other right, stay the fuck away from each other. Mal, this is my brother. Don't use him and don't devalue him. Neko, this is my sister. Don't disrespect her and don't cheat on her. I guess this is kind of my way of giving y'all my blessing though it seems damage has been done. Just please don't fuck with each other unless y'all serious about making it work."

He walked away and left us there alone.

Avoiding my eyes she said, "I'm not willing to do anything to have issues with him again. It took a year for him to talk to either of us again. So regardless of what he says, I think it's best if we just… stay away from each other."

Before I could say anything either way, she was walking away. I guess that was for the best since I didn't have anything to say anyway. Even if I was willing to give us a chance it was clear she wasn't, and I couldn't blame her. I might have gone a year without my friend, but she'd gone a year without her brother. I couldn't imagine that pain. It hurt to know we'd never have a chance to be together, especially now that he seemed to be okay with it, but if that was what Malorie wanted… that's what she would have.