Read Online The Ex Files by Victoria Christopher Murray - Free Book Online Page B

want Marcus to leave me for his wife.”
    Asia knocked back the rest of her drink and motioned for another. The friends stayed silent until their food was served. When Noon lowered her head to say grace, Asia glowered.
    Noon Jones had been more than a best friend to Asia, or Chiquita as she was known then. She’d been closer than a sister. They met in the seventh grade at George Washington Carver Middle School, where they bonded thicker than blood. Their connection: they were outcasts. Noon, with her dark skin, long neck, and legs the size of tree twigs, was the target of incessant teasing from girls who had no idea that she would grow up to be top-model gorgeous. But while at school, “Kunta Kinte’s sister” was the chant that followed her from the yard into the hallways.
    Chiquita’s crime—she was the physical antithesis of Noon. Her gray eyes and jet black wavy hair (the genetic gift of her Chippewa ancestors) made gangs of girls want to beat her down because “she thought she was cute.”
    At Compton High, where the bullies’ fancies turned to sex, drugs, and thugs, Chiquita and Noon were able to find more in common than just running home from school together.
    “Come on, girl, you can’t be mad at me,” Noon said, dragging Asia from the past. “You would’ve done the same thing.”
    “That’s not true,” Asia protested. “I would’ve had your back. The way I’ve always had.”
    “I didn’t know what to do,” Noon whined. “I can’t mess up with Marcus.”
    Asia shoved her untouched burger aside. “You would have never met Marcus if it wasn’t for me.”
    Noon pouted, and Asia knew she’d hurt her friend, but she didn’t care. How could she? Noon wouldn’t even be in this game if it hadn’t been for her.
    Noon said, “I’m sorry.” She covered Asia’s hand with hers. “I was doing what I thought best.”
    Asia studied her friend. “Tell me what you know.”
    Now Noon pushed her plate aside. “I don’t really know anything.” She paused; Asia sat steadfast, arms folded. “Promise you won’t say anything. Marcus cannot know I spoke to you.”
    It was her tone that made Asia tremble. She and Noon shared all news, no matter what their men told them. But now, Asia felt a shift—as if Noon knew much more. As if Noon was aware that this world had changed and Asia was no longer part of it.
    “I’m serious, Asia, you’ve got to promise me because if Marcus finds out he might do the same as…”
    Asia’s eyes narrowed. She leaned toward her friend. Gone was her anger; in its place, fear. “Tell me.”
    Noon glanced around the restaurant as if it suddenly occurred to her that someone might be watching, listening. She curled her shoulders forward, dipped her head low, tried to make herself small. She whispered, “Bobby told Marcus that he and his wife are giving their marriage a real try. They…even bought a house in Bel-Air that Marcus said would make you lose your mind.”
    Asia pressed back against the chair. For years, her advantage was that she lived in the city where Bobby played basketball. And his wife did not. It never made any sense to her; if Bobby Johnson were hers for real, she would have not only lived where he lived, but she would have traveled with him to every game. The only time she wouldn’t have been at his side was when he was on the court, and even then, she would have demanded courtside seats because some of those cheerleaders were more scandalous than the groupies.
    But Bobby’s wife had remained in Dallas, their hometown, giving Asia full rein to be the one who, when the Lakers played home games, served Bobby dinner, gave him massages, and loved him through every victory or defeat. Even when Bobby’s wife made the occasional trip to Los Angeles, Asia had never felt threatened. Possession was nine-tenths of the law and she had Bobby ninety percent of the time—in reality, she was the wife.
    But Noon’s declaration revealed that her ten-year plan was being