“Yeah, well, Kade’s not here, is he? So he probably invited you knowing it wasn’t him who has to be in your presence for so long,” I bite back.
She laughs an ugly sound. “You’re still in your dream world, aren’t you? I’m the number one girl in his life, not you. You'll never be because that position is taken. So enjoy him until he gets sick of you!”
“So, this is the bitch,” Sasha purrs, walking up behind Ashley.
“Who the f**k are you?” Ashley spits out at Sasha.
“Your worst f**king nightmare. Just leave, Nikki worked hard putting this together and you aren’t going to disrespect her,” Sasha demands, her eyes ice cold. Why was this girl my enemy? Shit, I’m glad she’s on my side now.
“So what? Nikki can’t even stick up for herself now?” Ashley says with an evil grin.
“Oh no, Nikki can stick up for herself. Trust me, I once had a black eye to prove it. But Nikki’s hands are tied since you and Kade are friends. Well, guess what. Kade and I aren’t friends, and I have no problem putting you in your place. Layla is my cousin, my blood. I heard you f**ked with her once, and it won’t be happening twice. Now, either get the f**k out, or we will both walk outside, where I will beat the shit out of you before Layla even knows what’s going on. Are we f**king clear, or do I need to give you a demonstration?” Sasha tells her in a scary tone. Holy f**k, even I gulp.
Ashley gasps, her eyes narrowing into slits but she says nothing. She just huffs and leaves. Good riddance. Sasha gives me a small grin, and I shake my head at her. The chick is badass.
******
After a few hours, the shower is starting to die down, and people are starting to leave. James, Kade, Chase, and Derek show up, because apparently showing up at the end of a baby shower is manly, but attending is not. Men! The first thing I notice are the looks going on between Riley and Derek. Something is happening there, they can’t keep their eyes off each other. Secondly, I notice James and Sasha talking outside, in what appears to be a heated conversation. Sasha looks like she's yelling, her hands flying in the air in various gestures of anger. When I see her start to cry, my emerald eyes narrow. What has James done that would make such a strong woman like Sasha break down? I decide to step in and save her, just as she did me.
“Sasha? Is everything okay?” I ask, walking up to her and James.
“Fine,” she mumbles to me, mustering a small smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. I watch as she storms back into the house.
I turn to James. “What the f**k, man?”
“It’s nothing, Nikki,” James growls out, still looking in the direction Sasha left.
“It’s not nothing, James. Way to ruin the evening!” I yell at him and walk away.
I storm back inside the house and start to clean up. Layla walks over to me, a huge smile on her face. “Thank you for everything, Nikki. It means so much to me.”
I smile back at her. “You know I’d do anything for you, Layla. Did you notice me and Sasha getting along?” I ask with a cheeky grin.
“Yes, that was indeed a surprise. How did that come about?” Layla asks in a curious tone.
“We called a truce, we didn’t even remember why we didn’t like each other.”
Layla shakes her head. “Well, I’m glad you guys are alright now.”
“Yeah, and Sasha even got in on hating Ashley. You should have seen Ashley’s face when Sasha went all GI JANE on her ass.” Layla and I both erupt in fits of laughter. What? It’s funny. It was my highlight of the night, that’s for sure.
“What are you going to tell Kade?”
“No point telling him anything. Ashley can do no wrong in his eyes. He'll probably get angry at me, saying Sasha and I teamed up on her or something,” I complain.
“It will finally hit him one day. Let’s just hope it’s not too late by then,” Layla mumbles. She gives me a warm hug and wishes me luck with Kade. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.
“Good luck with what?” Kade asks from behind me, causing me to jump in the air in surprise.
“You scared me!” I exclaim, as he wraps me in his arms.
“Good luck with what?” he repeats, kissing me on my neck. I shudder. Pulling myself away from him, I turn around and face him head on. May as well get this over with.
“Ashley was acting her normal bitchy self tonight. You shouldn’t have invited her, Kade. Layla doesn’t even like her,” I say bluntly.
Kade frowns. “What did she say?” I explain to him everything that took place.
“Nikki, you really need to f**king stop. You seem to thrive on this drama with Ashley. I hate being in the middle of this,” Kade hisses at me, starting to pace.
“I’m not f**king lying, you jackass! Call Sasha up and ask her if you don’t even believe your own f**king girlfriend! Ashley was being so nasty that Sasha, who doesn’t even like me, stood up to her and told her off!” I yell at him. Now I’m getting pissed.
“What, you and Sasha tag teaming now? Can’t believe you would stoop this low!”
With that parting comment, Kade storms off. You know what? If he wants to live in denial over his precious Ashley, that’s fine.
But how long am I going to put up with this for?
******
The front door slamming lets me know Kade is finally home. James gives me a sad smile, and musses my hair. I sigh. James said he's going to try to talk to Kade. This is my last option right now. I told James I'll call up Sasha to confirm what I had told Kade, but James said I didn’t need to because he knows I wouldn’t lie. At least he believes me. James walks out of my room, and gently closes the door. After about ten minutes, I can hear James and Kade yelling at each other. Shit, this was a mistake. I don’t want them to fight over this, over me. I hear my name, and Sasha’s name being thrown around. After a while I just put on my iPod and let Blake Shelton put me to sleep.