"Okay?"

"You're not a bad person. I know that. I believe that.
"I know it because I saw it again today as I have for most of the days that I've known you. She tore you to shreds in front of your best friend and your boyfriend, and you just took it. Not only that: you understood that her pain was just attempting to produce more pain and you forgave that on the spot. I am not any less in love with you than when we first met, Princess. You're still too kind for those beautiful eyes of yours."

I look at him for a while, perplexed before dissolving afresh. The sobs are uncontrollable and once again, Aden cushions my head to his chest. I don't need to explain anything or bring witnesses. Aden knows me, and I love that feeling. I feel seen.

"I don't deserve you. I don't know what I'd do without you. How are you so-"

"Understanding?"

I nod.

"I know better than most what it is to be painted by a foreign brush. It's not a fair assessment that she made of your character - not yours and definitely not hers."

"Please don't say mean things about her right now. I don't want to go into any of that."

"That's not what I meant. I suspect that her attack today was from deeply frozen rage thawing. It has nothing to do with you and it has nothing to do with the person she probably is beneath all that hatred either. But, Princess, please distance yourself from her growing pains.
"It is true that one day the good person in her will emerge, but a lot of forgiveness from multiple parties will be needed before any such event. Don't get caught in the crossfire that'll happen before that day."

I nod, understanding.

"Come here."

His voice is barely audible, but his arms are wide open. I shift and let him embrace me. He is so kind to me. I'm not sure I deserve it, especially after the things Tonya said. Some of those things were true - horrifyingly true.

We agree to continue watching Beauty and The Briefcase, so Aden tucks us in with the fluffy white duvet. Somewhere along the line, he asks to lie on my lap and the next thing I know, he's fast asleep on me.

I seize the opportunity to go on my phone. I need to talk to my friend. When she picks up, I immediately launch into the speech I've been silently concocting in my head ever since I left Tonya's place.

"Hey Danny. Thank fuck you answered. I'm so sorry about all the things Tonya said. I can explain."

"McKay."

"JD?"

"Yeah."

"Wait, why do you have Danatha's phone?"

"She's here with me. Problem?"

"No, but could you please put her the phone?"

"No, it's not a good time."

"I-"

"Goodnight, McKay." And the line dies.

Holy shit. Why is JD holding Danatha's phone hostage? I can sense that something is wrong but being far from them means I can't get through to JD and make him tell me what's wrong.
I continue watching, worried about my best friend, hoping that she's okay. I finish the movie and re-watch some scenes before closing the video tab. My face fills the screen and I jump in surprise, waking Aden.

His home-screen is a blown-up version of the first photo I sent him of myself. Aden sits up, yawning and rubbing one of his eyes.

"I'm so sorry I woke you. I just saw this photo and I was so shocked."

Aden squints at the screen, then grins.

"My gorgeous valentine's girl."

"Never in a million years would I have thought I'd find it here."

Aden chuckles, massaging his chest.

"I remember staring at it for so long. I only got four hours of sleep that night and it was all your fault - for being so adorable."

He kisses my cheek as I giggle and hug him.

"But still - your home-screen? Anyone can see this. Oh shit, the people you work with!"

"Calm down. This is my personal laptop. I have one for work and you're not the home-screen. Only the guys and some of my other friends have seen this. But they have all also met you so, does it even matter?"

"I guess not." I acquiesce.

That's when I hear my phone ring and when I see the name flashing on the screen, I freeze. It's Danatha.
I'm sure she's still hurt because of the things Tonya said. But this is not the time to be scared that my best friend won't forgive me, because from the way JD was acting over the phone earlier, I know Danatha must be hurting a lot right now.

"Dan."

I worry anew when she doesn't even so much as sigh. She would usually refute that nickname right off the bat, even if she were upset.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Danatha, please talk to me."

"There's nothing that-"

"This isn't like you. Please tell me what's wrong."

"Like telling you is going to help. It's whatever; we're fine."

"You can't seriously think I'm going to-"

"Fine! You're such a bully; I swear."

"Good to know. What's going on?"

I rebut, opting to not point out that she's the one who called me.

"It's nothing."

She doesn't need to say it twice for me to understand.

"The same thing? I thought you guys worked it out."

"We did but then it just got worse. JD sent a message to Jude, warning him to back off. But Jude is fucking disgusting. I can't even tell you what he said."

"Potty mouth." I shake my head, instantly knowing that's what happened.

"There's not enough soap in the world."

"But how did JD find it?"

"I played it for him."

"You what?!"

"I'm done keeping secrets in this relationship. I needed to show him for my own sanity."

"But imagine how that made him feel."

"I couldn't keep it from him; not again. Anyway, I don't blame him for being mad at me. But it'll be fine. We'll be fine."

"Yes, you will." I reply, aware it's not me she's trying to convince. "But Danny, you shouldn't let him act like this."

"What ground can I stand on to demand that of him? I fucked up, Kay. We all know I did."

"But he's being too-"

"It's fine. I'm fine. I deserve it."

"Now, I know you're not dumb enough to believe that."

"I do. You know I demand respect always. But, right now, I can't ask that - not after forcing Jude into our relationship."

"Do you want to go get ice-cream and bitch about both of them at Parakeetz?"

"No, really. It's fine, Kay. It's him I should talk to about this. I can't just keep talking to everyone except him. He has to know that I trust him enough to attempt to find a way out of this together."

"If that's what you want."

"It's what I need right now. I'm tired of feeling like I'm alone in this."

"But-"

I'm cut off by a beep. I find Sybil's name on the screen.

"Danny, I'm putting you on hold."

"No, it's cool. I'll go."

She hangs up, allowing Sybil's voice to fill the line.

"Could you please bake a cake and bring it along tonight?"

"For what?"

"My get-together. Remember?"

"Oh, shit. No, I can't. I forgot to tell you: Aden is leaving tomorrow."

"No, you're coming here. Don't make me look like a lonely loser in front of my boyfriend, please. Bring Aden along if you want to but come."

"Is that an order, major Tweedy?" I laugh.

"Shut up."

"I don't know if you've heard, but Tonya and I got into an argument earlier today, so."

"So what? It's not the first time. You'll sort it out here. Please, I'll owe you."

"Alright. I can't bring a cake though. I'm staying at the Montecristo."

"Buy one."

She hangs up before I can reply.

Luckily, Aden is quick to agree to the new plan for the evening. We head out, swing by a supermarket to buy a cake then arrive at Sybil's house. Sybil lets us in and I'm grateful for her and Antwan's enthusiasm since no one else in the room seems willing to join in my agreeable mood.

Danatha is in the corner of the room, sitting on JD's lap, scrolling through a screen he's holding up while Tonya is filming herself and the only bottle of whisky for her new WhatsApp story.

"I'm guessing she's not here to apologize then?"

"Trust me, I tried." Sybil shrugs.

No matter. I focus on trying to make this good for Sybil. I'm sure she's been dreaming of arranging for her friends to meet her man forever.

I introduce them to Aden and sit next to him on the couch, holding hishand. Surprisingly, Aden and Antwan get along swimmingly. Somehow, they come up with the idea of teaming up for a comedic video series that Aden will voice, and Antwan will animate.
Sybil raises her brow at their eagerness and moves to sit next to me as I grin at them.

Just as she's about to say something, Tonya jumps up and rushes to the door. When it swings open, I am genuinely horrified. Amanda smiles and kisses Tonya.

"What the...?" I mumble as they walk in hand in hand.

At least Amanda has the decency to look sheepish as she walks in. Tonya on the other hand is obviously clueless and doesn't read the room at all.

"Everyone remember Amanda?"

Amanda waves timidly and we all reply half-heartedly. I shake my head when Aden looks my way: I have no idea what's happening either. Once everyone is there, it's easier to relax into conversation and laughter. It's not as hard as I supposed it would be - especially with Aden being a celebrity. Even Danatha and JD join in and mingle for the most part.

Three hours later finds me seated in a circle with Amanda, Danatha and Sybil talking about musicals. Only God knows what Tonya is talking to Antwan about by the dining table. Meanwhile JD and Aden chill in a corner. I smile at the harmony in the room, nothing is complicated - that is, until Danatha stands up, phone in ear.

I see the moment JD spots her and I don't have to work hard to guess what's on his mind. His strides are wide and hurried as he reaches for Danatha's arm, briskly spinning her around.

"JD." I say involuntarily, standing up. "Don't."

He shoots me a warning glance, prompting Aden to head to me and stand between us.

"John."

"Switch it off."

"No," Danatha whispers harshly.

"If you don't-"

"Don't try to threaten me. You know you'll lose."

"Right, because he already won you."

He thrusts her arm away and walks off. Danatha immediately launches herself onto his back. This just causes JD to turn and grip her wrists in the air.

"Listen to me!" she begs.

"I've heard enough from both of you for an entire lifetime!"

Danatha's face twists in pain as JD tightens his grip. Aden rushes to force JD to let go of Danatha. I'm queasy at the fire and hurt I catch in JD's eyes. This is serious. This is too much for him. JD releases Danatha and faces Aden.

"Get the fuck out of my face. You might be white but you're no one's shiny knight."

My stomach sinks at JD's statement.

"I'm not going to let you hurt-"

"You have some nerve coming to me right now! You're that motherfucker's friend!"

"Let's go home, John." Danatha pleads in the background.

"That's not true." Aden defends.

"If you didn't exist, my girlfriend would never have met that little bitch! In fact, it's you!" he points my way. "You dragged my girlfriend into your dumb shit!"

"Leave McKay out of this."

"John, let's go!" Danatha insists.

"I'm not going anywhere!"

He doesn't even look at her. His eyes are homed in on Aden.

"Fine, then I'll go on my own."

She spins on her heel and heads out.
I know Danatha, she's not going to leave JD here with us when he's so belligerent in his drunkenness. But I watch the door slam behind her. Holy fuck! She's gone. What the hell are we supposed to do with her boyfriend? Before I can react, JD gets up in Aden's face.

"Dirty cops don't ride alone; that's what my momma always tells me. You're pathetic. I heard you were thirsting after my girlfriend when you met her. I am not about to forget that."

"You've already told me that."

"One girl isn't enough for you then. You want two girls. You're coming for Danatha next."

"I told you to stop talking about McKay."

"You can't even deny it! You know what is? Alright, let's switch girlfriends. I can think of a few things I could do with-"

Air is knocked out of me at his comment. Where is this coming from? Why would he say something like that about me?

"DON'T say another word!"

Aden says, stepping to JD, his fists screwed at his sides.

"You're a fucking fraud - a fucking curse!"

I watch on in horror as JD's hands land on Aden's chest and push. I already know this is not going to end well