VJ

31 - Just a little time with friends

Chloe

“I can’t believe I got the job, Chloe!” I smile at Amy and take her hand across the table.

“I can because you’re brilliant.” I wink at her, and she smiles shyly.

Amy is Candi-Rose’s little sister. Twenty-one years of age, she just landed her dream job as a nurse at the local hospital. Amy graduated high school two years early because she was academically smarter than anyone else at her school. We’re all so proud of her for how hard she’s worked to get where she is today.

Amy asked Candi-Rose and me to meet her at Daisy’s Diner for coffee so that she could tell us her news. I have a lot of time for Amy, so, of course, I came.

She’s been bouncing in her seat for ten minutes as she tells us everything. I can’t help smiling at her because she’s such a sweet girl.

“I always knew you’d do it.” Candi-Rose winks at Amy.

“Thanks, sis.”

Candi-Rose smiles and hugs Amy, and I smile at the two of them. I wish I had a sister. I was never blessed with siblings because my parents weren’t lucky enough to have more children.

But I wasn’t lonely growing up, not really. I had lots of friends, and my parents were wonderful. However, there was always that longing and wondering what having a sibling would have been like.

It makes me smile thinking about what I would have gotten up to with my sister or brother had I had one. I look at others with their siblings, and I smile.

I’m always smiling these days. Since VJ and I talked last week and agreed to a relationship, he has tried so hard to show me that he cares. I know it’s not easy for him, but he tries, and that means so much to me.

In front of others, VJ is possessive of me. If we’re talking to a man, he will throw his arm around my shoulder and kiss me in front of them. I know he’s trying to prove a point, that I belong to him, but he doesn’t need to do that when everyone knows already.

I asked him the other day if he didn’t trust me and if that was why he did such things. VJ laughed loudly before telling me he trusted me completely, but he couldn’t help how he was. I got that, so I didn’t make a big thing about this, though I told VJ that he didn’t need to do such things because I didn’t want anyone else. Then he said it wasn’t me that he didn’t trust it was other men. I rolled my eyes at how ridiculous that was, but I let it go because nothing I said would have changed his mind.

It can be embarrassing when he acts like a caveman, but on the other hand, it’s nice that he’s protective. Though he shows me respect when we’re alone, he also treats me like a queen. I catch him staring at me sometimes, and he smiles so sweetly that it makes him look like a completely different man. But I smile when he touches my face and tells me how beautiful I am.

Of course, VJ isn’t perfect, but who the hell is?

I feel terrible that I still haven’t been honest and told VJ about the baby. But I’m scared that it will ruin everything between us. I’m not ashamed of my baby, and if I had to choose, my child would win every time.

However, VJ and I haven’t had enough time to figure out who we are as a couple. Throwing a baby into the mix so soon could be a disaster. VJ doesn’t know how to deal with what he’s feeling at the best of times, and this might tip him over the edge. He’ll blow his top and walk away from me. I’m not saying he’d stay away, and I wouldn’t take it to heart because I know he would just need time to come to terms with this, but I need to ease him into it.

I need to speak to VJ and find out where he stands regarding children. Christ knows I can’t keep this from VJ forever; I’m going to start showing soon. But a few more days won’t hurt. I will tell him soon, but not today.

“Anyway, enough about me. How’s it going with your new man?” Amy waggles her eyebrows behind her coffee cup.

“Really well.” I smile. Candi-Rose huffs and rolls her eyes. I narrow mine. “What’s up with you?”

“You. I can’t believe you’re with him, of all people.”

“Wait,” Amy butts in. “What am I missing? Who is this guy?”

I shift awkwardly in my seat. “Why are you being like this, Candi?”

“Because he’s a monster!”

“No, he isn’t!” I counter back. “Okay,” I rub my forehead with my fingertips. “I know it may seem that way to most people, but he’s not like that with me.”

“Somebody gonna fill me in? Or are you going to leave me sitting here like a lemon?”

I lock eyes with Candi-Rose, not knowing what the hell has gotten into her all of a sudden.

Why did she have to do this here?

“Chloe here is dating VJ.” Amy scrunches her face, not knowing who Candi-Rose is talking about. “VJ of Snakes Henchmen.” She clarifies.

Amy’s eyes shoot to me. “Oh, wow!” She laughs. “He’s hot!”

“For Christ’s sake, Amy! It doesn’t matter what he looks like; the man is crazy! You really think my best friend should be with a man who could kill her whenever the mood takes him?”

“Talk about over the top,” Amy mumbles.

“He would not!” I hiss.

Candi-Rose is just concerned for me; I understand that. However, I don’t like being made to feel like I’m stupid because I’m with VJ. I don’t need my best friend to buy into the rumors people spread about my man, even if most of it is true.

I wrap my arm around my aching stomach, and I wonder if my baby is feeling my emotions. I don’t want my child to think badly of their father.

But how will they not when people never have anything good to say about VJ?

It’s unfair to him. Yes, he’s out of his mind crazy, but there is so much more to VJ than that. Though I know you can’t change a person’s mind when they don’t get to see the man you see. I feel like bashing my head against a brick wall!

“Do you even know what he’s up to right now?”

I shift in my seat. I’m not comfortable with Candi-Rose speaking to me this way. It’s as if she’s trying to make me look stupid in front of Amy. Candi-Rose knows very well that I don’t know where VJ is or what he’s up to right now.

When VJ called earlier, I asked him if he’d be busy today. I had hoped to see him. However, VJ told me that he’d be busy today and that he’d see me later. That’s not a crime; we’re not joined at the damn hip! I also don’t need to know what he’s doing twenty-four-seven!

“Why are you being like this?”

Candi-Rose leans forward in her seat. “Because you don’t have a clue what you’ve gotten yourself into with that man. You’re so googley-eyed over him that you can’t even see what’s in front of you. When did you become so naïve, Chloe?”

I’m a little shocked by how she just spoke to me!

What the hell did I do to deserve that?

“Ease up, Candi!” Amy says while taking Candi-Rose’s arm in her hand. “What’s gotten into you?”

Candi-Rose looks at me for a long moment. She shakes her head and smiles. “Nothing. I’m sorry.” She reaches over and takes my hand in hers. “I really am sorry, babe. I didn’t mean anything by it; it’s my time of the month, and you know what I’m like.”

I do; she’s an utter bitc.h when she starts her period. Candi-Rose has terrible mood swings and takes them out on those closest to her. I don’t know whether I should feel special that she cares or offended that she snaps at me.

Regardless, I squeeze her hand. “I forgive you.” I could give her a hard time, but it would only have her flipping out. Candi-Rose can’t take a joke when it’s her time of the month.

“Thank God for that! Now, where are you taking me to celebrate?” Amy smiles a full set of pearly whites, making me laugh.