Nookie (Nookie Series) by Anieshea Dansby

looked dry and her hair was all over the place. The white shirt she had on was wrinkled, and for the first time she noticed the odor coming from underneath her arms. She stripped off her clothes and hopped in the shower, making the water as hot as she could get it, to wash the days of dirt and funk off her body.
    After her shower, she was surprised at how much better she felt. She threw on some jeans and a t-shirt and decided to go to the police station again. As she was closing the bedroom door, she heard footsteps coming up the back door entrance.
    Kevin opened the door, looking like she had 30 minutes earlier. She rushed over to him and tried to hug him, but he pushed her away.
    “Baby, I’m so glad you’re okay. What happened?” she said, trying to ignore his diss.
    For a minute Kevin didn’t say anything. His jaws were clenched together like he was trying to control his anger. He took five deep breaths before he spoke. “Because of you I spent over a week in jail. I had to hire a lawyer I couldn’t afford, just to get out. They weren’t trying to let me out. The guy who was here was Josh’s cousin. He told the police that I killed his cousin.”
    “Kevin, I —— ”
    “You shut the fuck up and listen. They questioned me for hours about it, asking what kind of car I drive, telling me that a car that matches the make and model of a car registered to me was seen leaving the scene. Do I own a gun? You better be glad that gun wasn’t registered to me. I can’t believe you dragged me into this shit. I should have known you were more trouble than it was worth. Nothing but drama from the day I met you. The only reason I got out is because they had no proof. Joey admitted to coming over here and fucking up the shop. He had a gun on him; he was going to kill me,” he yelled in her face. “You fucked up my life and I only known you for like two months. I have to go to court in a few weeks. You know how much work I missed? That I’m gonna miss? Do you care? I should tell the police it was you.”
    “Kevin, no,” Joy said, beginning to cry.
    “Now you cry, you dumb bitch. I’m no snitch. They might drop the attempted murder charge, or rule it as self-defense. They didn’t charge him with anything because they say he was under duress. What if he comes after me again? I have to still deal with this mess, and my lawyer told me not to worry about the murder charge because they have no evidence.” His voice was much calmer now.
    Joy didn’t know what to say. She was afraid he would go off if she said the wrong thing. So she stood there and looked at him, tears trickled down her face.
    Kevin left the room and headed straight for the closet. He started pulling out all Joy’s clothes and shoes, piling them in the middle of the floor.
    When Joy saw what he was doing, she ran to him and begged. “I never meant for this to happen, I’m sorry. Please don’t throw me out. I have nowhere to go.”
    Kevin stopped and turned to look at Joy. She saw fight and pain in his eyes. Kevin turned his back and returned, piling all her stuff on his bedroom floor he said, “Get your shit and leave.”

    Chapter Twenty-two
    Joy looked out the window. It took five trash bags but she packed it all and pulled them outside, then sat on one and tried to think of what to do. The friends that she used to have, she hadn’t spoken to in a long time. She scrolled down her phone list and Tanya’s name stood out. She dialed and prayed that she would answer.
    “Girl, you should have called me sooner,” Tanya yelled over the music.
    Joy told her everything that had happened, Tanya wasn’t even mad. She told Joy she would be right there as soon as she got her boyfriend’s car. True to her word, twenty minutes later she was there. Now they were on their way to the boyfriend’s apartment, where Tanya stayed.
    “Thank you for coming to get me. Are you sure your boyfriend won’t mind me staying at his apartment?”
    “Yeah, I asked him