“Look, we crossed a line that we should’ve never even gotten close too. From the time we met, I’ve never lost contact with Eden. These past two weeks without her have been torture. I’m fucked up. I need my wife back. You and I both knew it was a fling. It was sex and lies, nothing more, nothing less,” He admitted.

Envy rolled her eyes.

“I don’t know why you’re so broken up over Eden’s ass. I’d think you’d be glad to get rid of her. I mean you said she was boring and-”

“I never said she was boring.” Jermaine interjected.

A heatwave of embarrassment hit him. He had said she was boring, but his words had been taken out of context. He spoke with no malice, but he should’ve known that saying anything that could be perceived as negative to Envy was a horrible idea. Jermaine shook his head as he thought back to the day, he and Envy crossed the line.

****

“I’ve walked around this big ass house five times. Where is Eden? I need to borrow some money,” Envy said when she walked into Jermaine’s office unannounced.

The sound of Envy’s voice made him jump. He knew that Eden had left for her weekly spa visit, and he had no idea that anyone, especially the sister that Eden wasn’t fond of, had entered their home.

“Envy? How the hell did you get in here and what are you doing here?” Jermaine asked as he stared at his sister-in-law.

“Did you not hear me? I said I need to borrow some money. Where is Eden?” She ignored the “How’d you get in here” question because there was no need to tell him that she made a copy of Eden’s key.

“Eden is out doing whatever boring task makes her happy. She could be at the library reading a book, at the community garden planting roses, or teaching a course at the community college. It’s the weekend, she could be anywhere. She should be back in a few hours. I’ll tell her to call you.” Jermaine said. He hoped that she’d get the hint and leave.

“Well, I still need to borrow some money. Call her and tell her to wire me $3,200 and hurry up, I need to catch a flight to Vegas,”

Jermaine’s jaw tensed. He wasn’t used to the mouthy way that Envy spoke. His mother had never spoken so brazenly, and Eden would never disrespect him by speaking to him as if he weren’t a man.

“Envy, watch your mouth when you’re talking to me. Borrowing money means you intend on paying it back. We both know you don’t plan to do that. Eden and I aren’t your personal ATM. Your Vegas trip won’t be sponsored by us.”