Like a sex addict? Sky knew they existed, but that wasn’t his problem. Steven was just a selfish pig. Was Nia really starting to buy into his bullshit after less than twenty-four hours? Sky was more angry than shocked. “Are you serious?” How many times did the man have to cheat before Nia understood Steven would never change? Some things just happened like clockwork—The sun rose in the east and water was wet. Those things were facts and were not changing, and neither was Steven.
Nia kept talking. “He’s never been willing to try therapy. Sex addiction is real.”
Sky responded. “So is the bubonic plague. Both of them can kill you.”
Nia didn’t hear her as she glanced down at her phone, and briefly closed her eyes. “He’s calling again.”
“If you don’t want to talk to him, turn off the phone.” Easy enough for a person who really doesn’t want to be bothered. “And, I was serious about physical bodily harm. Considering I’m a doctor, I could have come up with a great medical excuse for why Steven didn’t need his man parts and why they found their way into that woman’s esophagus. You’re a lawyer. You’re smart enough to figure out the legal reason to justify it. If an attorney can get a privileged white kid off for murder due to that made up affluenza defense, we certainly could come up with an excuse way more creative and convincing than that.”
Nia lifted her head slightly and turned sad eyes toward Sky. “No matter how much money you or I make, with our brown skin, we would never get away with an affluenza-like defense. They would lock us up and throw away the key.” Nia sighed.
Sky swirled her wine around in her glass. “If you say so. I still think it was worth a try.”
“You were kidding right?” Sometimes she couldn’t tell if Sky was serious or not.
Sky didn’t blink or crack a smile. Her void of emotions resting face, or as Nia like to call it—the disguise—usually hid what Sky was feeling.
Slow to respond, Nia answered for her. “I know you didn’t really mean that.” At least Nia hoped she didn’t. “Anyway, I’ve told you, I wouldn’t make a good inmate. I’m not cozying up to big Bertha for protection.”
Sky licked her lips and simply stated, “Okay.” Then, drained the rest of her drink.
Nervously, Nia laughed. “I-I’m going to just chalk that suggestion up to the wine talking.”
Sky placed her glass down on the table. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. “If you must. But, look since we’re both almost drunk don’t hold my words against me in the morning. Steven’s only problem is that he’s a jerk. He was a cheating scumbag when we were in college, and he still is. I don’t think he’s ever going to change. I’ve seen him belittle you and tear down your self-confidence. You have too much going for yourself to continuously put up with his crap. Give yourself a chance to be appreciated by someone else. Hell, give another guy a chance to screw up. But, if you’re not going to do that, or commit to choking him to death, for your own sanity, change your number, the locks to your doors, and forget about him.”
Fresh tears rolled down Nia’s cheeks. She whispered. “Sky . . . I’m not like you. I want love in my life. I love being in love. I can’t just shut off my emotions.”
Sky scrunched up her face as if tasting something sour. What was she talking about? Sky wanted to find real love too, and she didn’t turn off her emotions. Just because she didn’t let them rule her and wasn’t so quick to give her heart to undeserving assholes didn’t mean she didn’t want love. “I have feelings and standards. You should try it. I’ve heard it’s sexy.”
Nia began to rationalize her situation. “Look, you’ve never really been in love, or in a long-term relationship since college. I know you’re dating Noah, but I can’t honestly tell how you feel about him. In relationships, there is give and take. You don’t just cut someone off because they make mistakes which is what you do all the time. I know Steven is a hot mess, but he’s my hot mess. It’s not like there are that many eligible black men around. So, I understand how he can be tempted by women throwing themselves at him.”
Nia’s words stung and pissed her off. Sky couldn’t help herself. “Oh, my god. Are you really buying into the endangered black man myth? Men are like a pair of shoes. They are everywhere! You can get a good or bad pair. I don’t wear anything that makes my feet hurt. I prefer Jimmy Choo’s not bargain basement or thrift store specials. And, for the record, Steven’s not just your hot mess but hers too.”
Pissed, Nia sat up straight. “He said they were only together once!”
“One time is too many!”
The fight went out of Nia as she sagged back into the couch. “I don’t know if I want to give up on our relationship? I know you can’t stand Steven, but he has some amazing qualities. And, let’s not forget, I’ve invested too many years to give up and start over. I want a family. I’m not getting any younger. If therapy can work maybe, I should at least give it a try.
