Trina started to read and we all listened in. We added our opinions about the book, and started conversing with each other more and laughing. That moment took me back to when we were all in the sixth grade. We were laid across the bed in my bedroom, reading books to each other. Had our PJs on and stayed up all night discussing those books, laughing about the characters and wishing that we could be some of them. The books made the characters’ lives seem so perfect, especially when our lives were all jacked up. I couldn’t help but to feel as if this moment in time was special. Maybe it was the turning point we all needed.
Chapter 20
Evelyn
I had been in the hospital for almost a month. Trina came to see me almost every day, and after that amazing day with my BFF’s, Kayla had stopped by several times too. She baked me my favorite: a German chocolate cake with a whole lot of icing. She also helped me with therapy. I was feeling much better and was one day away from going home. While I was definitely looking forward to it, I wasn’t looking forward to my uphill court battle with Bryson. From what Trina had said, he was ready to fight me all the way in court. His wealthy parents had hired some of the best lawyers in St. Louis for his defense.
As for me, I couldn’t afford an attorney. I had spent a substantial amount of the money Bryson had given me. Somehow, he got a hold of my banking information and withdrew the rest of my money. There was no question that the whole case would be interesting. I had a lot of solid evidence against Bryson that could prove he was guilty. But I was well aware that the attorneys his parents hired would tear my evidence apart and make me look like a thirsty, gold-digging whore. There was a chance I would come out on the losing end.
It was getting late. I sat in bed, finishing the yucky dinner that I hadn’t finished earlier. As I ate my peas, I glanced at the numerous cards Kayla and Trina had given me. Kayla’s plant had already started to grow, but Trina’s balloon had deflated. I smiled while thinking about their kindness. I had to admit that my BFF’s had come through for me this time. Never did I think we’d be able to repair all the damage that had been done, but putting everything else aside, it seemed as if we were well on our way to being the good friends we used to be, many years ago.
I finished my dinner and pushed the table away from the bed. Fluffed my pillow and then lay back to get comfortable. I felt myself fading a little, but when the door squeaked open, I widened my eyes to see who it was. From the shadowy figure, I could tell it was a man. My heart started to slam against my chest and beat faster. I thought it was Bryson, coming to finish what he’d started. Instead, it was Cedric. Seeing him put me a little at ease, but after him beating my ass, he was still considered one of my enemies.
He had a card in his hand and a smile was washed across his face. “Hey there, stranger,” he said walking farther into the room. “Baby, how are you feeling?”
Baby my ass. Save it, I thought. “Better,” was all I said, trying to keep our conversation short.
Cedric laid the card on the table then sat in the chair beside my bed. He crossed his legs and massaged his hands together. “So, when are you getting out of this place?” he asked.
My tone was very nasty. “In a few days. Why?”
“Because I kind of miss my partner in crime. Kind of need you to handle some things for me, and if you do, there will be some great rewards.”
I was slumped down in the bed, but sat up to give him my full attention. “What kind of things do you want me to handle? And, I’d like to hear more about those rewards.”
Cedric passed me an envelope and asked me to open the letter to read it. It was a letter from Paula Daniels, the woman I thought had attempted to kill him. According to the letter, she wanted to speak to Cedric ASAP about Jacoby’s involvement. That was all she said, but she also assured him that everything wasn’t what it seemed to be.
I slowly folded the letter and gave it back to Cedric. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I asked Cedric why he couldn’t handle this.
“Jacoby is fragile and Kayla is weak. I don’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings, plus I’m always being lied to. That’s why I need you. I need someone like you to check things out for me, and since Kayla is back on your team, maybe you can find out what’s really going on for me.”
A part of me didn’t want to be used by Cedric again, but I still wanted to hear about those rewards. “If I do get involved, what’s in this for me?”
“Depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“Depends on what you want or what you need. Like a lawyer to help you fight your case, a new house, sex, whatever you want.”
“Hmmm, but you haven’t said the magic word yet. The one thing that energizes me and turns me into the woman I always wanted to be. A rich woman.”
Cedric snapped his finger and smiled. “Oh yeah, that’s right. I almost forgot and how could I forget about that. Money, right? However much your heart desires, as long as it’s within reason.”
I laughed and shot him a slow wink. “It’s a good thing that you know me so well, Cedric. But let me think about this. When I get out of here, I’ll definitely be in touch.”
Cedric stood and straightened his suit jacket. He licked his lips then moved closer to the bed. He leaned in and planted a wet kiss on my cheek. Saying nothing else, he strutted to the door. It slammed behind him.
I, on the other hand, sat with a huge smile on my face, thinking about my best way forward.
BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS
1. Who did you think shot Cedric? Why and were you correct or surprised?
2. To what extent do you think Jacoby is involved in Cedric’s attempted murder case?
3. If you were in Kayla’s shoes, would you have divorced Cedric? Why or why not?
4. What do you think of Trina and Keith’s relationship? Will they survive?
5. What would you do if you were in Kayla’s situation? Would you tell Cedric about Jacoby’s involvement, considering how Cedric is?
6. If you had a friend like Evelyn, what would you suggest to her?
7. Would you be able to forgive a friend who had sex with your husband and got pregnant by him? If yes, why? If no, why?
8. If you found an open box of condoms in your significant other’s possession, knowing that you were unaware of them, how would you handle it?
9. What would you do if you discovered your sibling was on the down low?
10. Trina and Kayla struggled with forgiving Evelyn. Would you? Why or why not?
11. How do you feel about women who continue in relationships with men who cheat?
12. Bryson’s secret is now out. Who was more wrong for telling his business? Evelyn, Trina, or should Bryson have been honest and told his family and friends?
Urban Books, LLC
97 N18th Street
Wyandanch, NY 11798
BFF’S 2: Best Frenemies Forever Series
Copyright © 2015 Brenda Hampton
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-6016-2706-3
This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or to real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places, and incidents is entirely coincidental.
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