The Reinvention of the Rose - Christina C. Jones Page 0,40

time. Got it.”

“You are completely fucking bugging right now! If me and you are together, I can’t have friends?”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that… if me and you are together, you can’t have that friend,” I shrugged. “Because that bitch is not a friend - she’s a parasitic ex hanging in hopes of becoming more again, and antagonizing any future prospects along the way.”

I knew this from professional experience - I’d neutralized my fair share in order to get the access I needed to a target.

“Wow. We’ve known each other a few weeks, and now you’re telling me who my friends are?”

I let out a dry chuckle. “Obviously you need somebody to. Do you have long conversations about life with her? She supports your dreams? Checks in with you? Makes sure you’re okay? Could you count on her for help if you were in trouble? Anything of that nature?” I asked, digging into my point. “Cause if the answer is no to any of that, and you can’t think of anything equivalent, that’s not your fucking friend - it’s a bitch you keep around to feed your ego, and you know… I won’t deal with that.”

He scoffed. “Deal with what?’”

“With not being a priority for you. That’s how relationships work, right?”

“So you feel like you should be my top priority now?”

“I didn’t say top, I said a priority. If this means anything to you, at all.”

Tristan’s face wrinkled into a scowl. “Of course it does, why would you even say that shit?”

“Because before I got here, I got cursed out by the mother of your child because I spoke to your daughter and she had no idea I existed. Then I get here, and you’re up your ex’s crotch, letting her speak to me any fucking kinda way,” I explained, feeling ridiculous once I’d said it out loud, but… nah.

Fuck that.

My feelings didn’t have to -weren’t about to - be downplayed

“We’re still figuring this out, so no, I haven’t told Von anything about you. Why were you talking to them anyway?”

“I ran into them at the store. And it’s not even really about that - I’m not mad about that. I’m mad because when I came here looking for some reassurance, I found you with your ex.”

“Conducting business.”

“It’s not fucking business!” I countered. “It’s not business, and she’s not your friend. What she should be is a non-factor.”

“And you don’t feel like this - your whole reaction to all this - is extreme?”

“I feel like you’re trying to make me feel crazy so that you can go about doing the exact same shit you’ve been doing,” I told him. “I feel like you’re being purposely obtuse. Or did you forget you snatched an actually innocent man out of my face at the coffeehouse? Meanwhile you wanna scold me for threatening Nya like she wasn’t antagonizing me.”

“It’s not the same!”

“You’re right, it’s not - it’s worse. You couldn’t take the idea of me entertaining someone else, while I’m supposed to be cool with your shit!”

“Nothing is gonna happen between me and Nya!”

“Does she know that?” I asked. “Because it doesn’t seem like it to me. And the fact that you’re so resistant to even the idea of not encouraging her bullshit? Is a massive red flag to me.”

“So we’re back around to you telling me who I can talk to?”

“No, I’m back around to telling you what I won’t deal with,” I snapped. “And it’s exactly this. This thing between us is new, and fragile, and yet your connection to your ex is your clear priority. Not what might be happening with us. And I don’t accept that. I may be new to my own relationships, but I’m very well-versed in bullshit. And for all your charm and whatever the fuck else…you’re full of it.”

Tristan blew a heavy breath through his nostrils. “So…what are you saying? If I don’t fall in line with whatever demands, you don’t wanna do this anymore?”

I shook my head, fully irritated, but also…resigned. “No. I’m saying that I won’t settle for you maintaining a relationship with an ex who has such clear disdain for me. I’m setting the tone right now. If your supposed friendship with her is more valuable to you than what could be with me...I suggest that’s what you should give your attention to.”

With that, I turned to leave, easily shaking Tristan off me when he tried to stop my exit.

“T, hold up,” he asked, but I shook