The section was dimly lit by purple lights that gave Blessing’s brown skin a soft glow. My hands gravitated to her waist as she went to sit down beside me. I pulled her down into my lap instead. Her throne. Exactly where she needed to be. It had been too long since I felt her skin against mine. I wanted to be in her fucking skin. There was no denying my love for her. She leaned back against my chest, getting comfortable.
“Who told you to come outside lookin’ this good without me beside you?” I asked, burying my face in her neck. Like always, she smelled so good.
“I look this good every day, baby. You know this.” She laughed before grabbing the bottle of tequila from the table. “Open your mouth.”
I did exactly what she asked and allowed her to pour the cool liquor down my throat. She set the bottle on the table, then wrapped her arms around my neck. A surge of energy flowed through me as she pressed her lips against mine. I caressed the back of her head, pulling her closer to me.
The opening notes of Surrender flowed through the speakers of the club. Blessing gasped and pulled away from me.
“Did you tell them to play this?” She asked, smirking.
I shrugged, “Nah I didn’t. That’s the universe letting you know you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. I love you, Blessing. I’m never letting you go. I gave you space, but you’re bringing your ass home tonight. No more running.”
“I love you more, Saint. It’s me and you forever.” She leaned down repeatedly pecking my lips. “I want it boyyy, for the rest of the night.” She sang against my lips.
“About damn time,” Chanel yelled across the section. Blessing raised a hand and gave her the middle finger.
“I’m so hungry.” Blessing slurred as we walked out of the section. I wasn’t even anticipating staying at the club this long, but once those shots kicked in, nobody wanted to leave. It had been a minute since I stayed at a club until the lights came on. There wasn’t a single person in the group sober enough to drive home. I hit Kam up to pick us up in a sprinter. Everybody agreed to crash at my house until the morning.
“We can stop and grab something on the way to the crib,” I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulder, tucking her into my side. My security walked a few feet ahead of us. A sinking feeling washed over me as we got closer to the exit. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to pop off. I could feel eyes burning a hole in the side of my face but I couldn’t pinpoint where they were coming from. Just as I leaned up to tap Messiah, gunshots rang out. Screams filled the club as the crowd rushed towards the exits.
“Side door!” My security yelled. I tightened my hold on Blessing and hurried out the side door. As soon as we made it outside, I let go of the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
“Everybody straight?” I asked, glancing around our small group of friends. “Have Kam pull the sprinter around this way.” I nodded towards security.
“I might be trippin’, but I swear the nigga that started shooting looked like that nigga Rell,” Messiah said with a scowl on his face. I felt Blessing tense at this statement.
“Hell naw. That nigga fell off the face of the earth. Ain’t no way he just randomly popped back up.” Dru shook his head.
“Who the fuck is Rell?” I questioned.
“Damn, I couldn’t get an invite?”
Everybody’s head snapped towards the door we’d just come out of. Security started towards Symone, but I waved them off.
“Beat it bitch before I beat your ass,” Chanel said, sizing Symone up. Where the fuck did she even come from?
“Shut up, lapdog.” Symone spat before turning to Blessing. I protectively pushed her behind me. “I’m just sayin’ tho. Now we can’t be friends cause we fucked the same dick? Come on, Bless. I thought we were better than this.”
Before I could stop her, Blessing reached around me and snatched Symone by her hair. “Bitch you got some nerve even stepping to me.”
“Chill, Bless baby. She’s not even worth it.” I said, trying to pry the tangled hair from her fingers.
“Nah Moo. Let her get her shit off.” Messiah said. “Let her hair go and square up with her Bless. Give her exactly what she wants.”
Blessing dropped Symone’s hair and backed away. She slid out of her heels and tied her hair in a messy bun. “Come on. Let’s get this shit over with so I can go the fuck home and lay up under my man. The man you’re so pressed about.”
Symone snickered and shook her head. “You’re such an idiot. Nobody came to fight you.” Her eyes slid past Blessing and landed on Messiah. “I was actually hoping to run into you.”
Messiah mugged her, “Fuck you lookin’ for me for?”
Symone’s smile widened. “I heard from a little birdie named Rell that your sweet little sister paid him to murder your trifling ass bestie. Seven right?”
“Bitch stop lying.” I snapped, stepping towards her. Blessing would never set anybody up. She wasn’t even built like that.
Before anybody could blink, Blessing lunged. Her fist connected to Symone’s face so hard, I swear I heard a crack. Blood sprayed instantly. Symone screamed as Blessing kept swinging, every punch fueled with anger. They fell onto the ground, Blessing on top. Her punches never slowed. Chanel’s heel smashed against Symone’s face once before security stepped in.
“Aight, Bless. That’s enough.” I grabbed Blessing’s waist, pulling her off. She fought me for a second before freezing in my arms.