I shook my head and disappeared into the dressing room. “I don’t even know if I have the energy.”
Mikki scoffed as Sia added, “Okay, fine. How about something real low-key and chill with a few of your lash ladies and us? Games, confessions, drinks, food, and music. Nothing crazy…right, Mikki?”
Mikki rolled her eyes. “Boring.”
I laughed, finally feeling lighter. “You already know her ass is tryna have strippers jumping out of cakes on some wild shit,” I said as I stepped out of the dressing room. Chasidy guided us toward the bridesmaid section at the back of the boutique.
Mikki flipped her hair. “I mean… if the cake is big enough, why not?”
My mother gave her a dry look. “Because that is so played out, ladies.”
Sia shrugged. “Besides… Knuck ain’t going for none of that anyway.”
I laughed as the stylist showed off bridesmaid dresses. I wanted sage, and Chasidy pulled out some dope options. Mikki’s was silk, strapless, with a long side slit; Sia’s was silk, off-the-shoulder, with a back slit.
“Ooooh, this is cute,” Mikki said, holding hers up in the mirror. “I look expensive as hell in this color.”
“Because theyareexpensive,” Sia said, smirking. “They take payment plans?”
Mikki scoffed. “And you talk about me being extra…”
Shaking her head, my mother laughed. “I’mpaying for all the dresses, girls. Chasidy, come and take their measurements. Then, ring up all three dresses and cut them off of the champagne before it’s too late.” Mikki, Sia, and I damn near fell out laughing as Chasidy took their measurements before slipping away with my mother.
“So, back to thisboringbachelorette party, Ny,” Mikki started up, scrolling on her phone. “Ihavebeen manifesting some good strippers and…”
Sia laughed. “Manifesting strippers is crazy.”
“Whatever. So, I guess it’s the ladies’ night in vibe?”
I thought for a second, running my hand over my growling stomach. “Honestly, yeah. I’m cool with that. I just wanna be low-key and chill. Food, music… everything Sia mentioned.”
“Period,” Sia nodded. “It’s giving classy ratchet, Mrs. Jones.”
We all hugged, and I found myself smiling as reality set in. I was really getting married, and for the first time in weeks, I felt at peace. I was surrounded by everything that mattered: love and loyalty.
T h i sl i l ’n i g g awas really lookin’ me dead in my face while laughin’ wit’ a fat ass turd in his pamper. “Yo,” I muttered, holdin’ Kassim up by his thighs. “Why you do me like this, son?”
He just giggled like the shit was funny, knowin’ damn well the shit was disrespectful as fuck.
“Yeah, you think this shit’s funny now,” I said, walkin’ toward the nursery. “Watch. When I get old, I’ma return the favor.”
After cleanin’ him up, I carried him downstairs to the livin’ room to put on some Mickey Mouse or some shit. It was just me and my lil’ man vibin’ for the day. No work, no stress. Coolin’. As I settled on the couch, my phone sounded off wit’ a call from a number I didn’t have saved. This same number called threetimes already over the last couple days but I didn’t fuck wit’ unknown calls.
I accepted and answered the call. “Aye, who the fuck is this?”
“’Bout time you answered the fuckin’ phone, nigga.”
I knew that raspy ass aggressive voice. I had been hearin’ the same voice since ‘09, but now the shit sounded bitter. “Coogs? I heard you was gettin’ out, nigga. My fault. I don’t be…”
“It’s been fourteen fuckin’ years,” he cut in. “I know your ass ain’t wait ‘til I got out to switch up.”
Kassim kicked his lil’ feet as soon as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse came on the TV. Turnin’ it up, I made sure he was secure in his bouncy shit before I stepped away. “Watch your mouth, nigga. Ain’t got a funny bone in my muthafuckin’ body. You hit my line when you needed money on your books.Ibeen that nigga while everybody else left your ass hangin’.”
“Yeah, whatever, nigga,” Coogs grunted. “I been layin’ low, but I got more mouths to feed, Knuck. A nigga need back in.”
“In where?” I asked flatly, watchin’ Kassim drool and grin at the TV while clappin’ his lil’ hands.
“You know where, nigga. I kept my mouth shut and did my time like a fuckin’ man. Y’all out here eatin’ and you think I’m just gon’ sit back watchin’ you young niggas floss?”