Chapter 15
C
ourtney closed the laptop and wiped her tears as she finished her first counseling session.
She had never even considered going to therapy before, and she had been intimidated to go.
She thought it would be strange to divulge the things she was ashamed of to a stranger, but oddly, it was a release that freed her from suffering alone.
It was the safest she had felt in a long time, and knowing that the woman would never share her secrets with anyone gave her the confidence to speak up on things she had silenced for years.
It was the best gift she had ever received, and she had Sloan to thank for that. Ten thousand dollars, and a year of paid therapy was her Christmas present from Sloan. It was better than anything she could have unwrapped.
“Court! You have a delivery!” Shy shouted.
Courtney dapped her eyes and replied, “Coming!”
She made her way out to the living room, where Shy was sitting with baby Christian. She motioned toward the bouquet of flowers, and the white gift box that sat on the kitchen island.
“I’ll come take him. Thanks for watching him while I took my appointment,” Courtney stated.
“Girl, he’s fine. He’s not bothering nobody. Auntie Shy got to get her time in,” Shy cooed as she covered him with kisses.
Courtney really did have a tribe of women around her who loved her. They didn’t count favors, and she appreciated them beyond words. “You need rest. Go do nothing, Court. But first, let’s see who sent them fucking flowers.”
Courtney plucked the card from the bouquet. “It’s from James,” Courtney said. She was a little shook. All they had done was argue and text battle. “He asked me out on a date. He wants to take me to the company Christmas party at his job.”
“Didn’t you say he was being hella shitty about you leaving?” Shy asked.
“Yeah, it’s been bad,” Courtney stated.
“I promise you that nigga bipolar,” Shy said. “The flowers are beautiful, though. What’s in the box?”
Courtney opened the box and pulled out a Macy’s garment bag. She held it up, unzipping it to reveal a black cocktail dress.
“It’s a pretty dress,” Shy said casually. “I’m more of a Neiman’s and Saks girl myself, but he gets an A for effort. Are you going?”
“I don’t know, maybe I should. I mean, he’s trying,” Courtney said. “It’s a nice gesture.”
“He’s a 50-year-old man. He needs to do better than just try,” Shy said. “But I’ll watch the baby if you want to go.”
“Or you, Ellie and Sloan can come as my backup in case I need to get out of there quick,” Courtney proposed.
“I can get Lola to watch the baby,” Shy said, getting hyped. “I love a good corporate party, and my glam team can do everybody’s hair and makeup. I can hit some stylists I know and have them pull dresses because that little Macy’s getup ain’t gon’ work.”
“The dress is fine, Shy,” Courtney shot back. “But I will take the glam. Okay, now I’m excited.”
“James don’t even have to be your focus. It’ll just be girls’ night out, and you can save him a dance,” Shy stated. “That way, you set some boundaries, and he don’t think he back in from some flowers and a hundred-dollar dress.”
“Okay, you really got to stop doing that,” Courtney said. “Your digs. They ain’t cool. Everybody can’t live like this, Shy. A hundred-dollar dress is big money to me and my family.”
Shy stood up in shock. “I’m sorry, Court, my bad. I didn’t mean anything by it. I was only joking.”
“The jokes aren’t funny when they’re always at my expense,” Courtney admitted. “Like, damn, bitch, are you my friend, or am I just around to make you feel bigger?”
“You’re my friend, Courtney! Of course, you’re my friend!” Shy defended.
“Then don’t act like your money makes you better than me,” Courtney said. It was a conversation that was long overdue, and from the shocked look on Shy’s face, she wasn’t prepared for it at all.
“I never said it made me better,” Shy said. “You make it seem like I got to turn down my light…”
“Oh, bitch, everybody sees your light. Ain’t nobody asking you to dim your shine, Shy, but you’re fucking obtuse to everybody else in the room sometimes!
You’re my bitch, and I want you to be the biggest. Bitch, you are the biggest!
You’re the baddest. Car the nicest! But don’t flex on us, ho!
We cheering you on. You deserve everything you got!
I know where you came from. It just seems like you’re forgetting,” Courtney said.
Shy had been slapped in the face, and Courtney was holding a mirror up to her.
“If you feel like that, maybe we not as close as I thought, Court.” Shy was in her feelings, and Courtney knew she would be, which is why she had never said anything, but she couldn’t take the little snipes and jabs.
Courtney was going through enough. She didn’t need to be torn down by her friends at the same time.
“Yeah, Shy, I’ma go home,” Courtney stated.
“I didn’t say you had to go home, Court,” Shy shot back. “I don’t trust James.”
“I don’t like feeling like your charity case! Like your little, poor friend!” Courtney shouted.
Baby Christian felt the energy in the room, and he started wailing.
“I knowwww, nephew. I’m sorry,” Shy soothed as she walked him around the room. “Your ugly-ass mama getting on my nerves.”
Courtney couldn’t help but laugh. “Bitch, have my glam ready with your rich ass,” Courtney shouted as she turned to walk back to her room. “And you better not say shit about my damn dress later!”
The two had argued plenty of times over the years, and there would be plenty of arguments to come going forward. They were friends who had become sisters, not by blood, but by loyalty and love. Arguments came with the territory.
The smell of coffee roused Ellie out of her slumber.
Her entire body hummed with satisfaction.
All the stress she had been carrying in her body for years had been worked out last night.
She could hear Loyal on the phone, and she climbed out of bed, wrapping the white sheet around her body before following his voice to the kitchen.
She stood at the edge of the counter, watching him move around the kitchen as he handled business.
He was fully dressed in denim, a white, slim-fitted t-shirt, and Alexander McQueen sneakers.
“I’ll confirm the final guest list this afternoon,” he informed. “Are Christmas bonuses set to go out today?”
Whoever was on the other end of the phone confirmed, and he replied, “Good.” He looked to Ellie and walked over to her, pulling her in by the waist, and planting a kiss on her neck.
“I might have one more change to that guest list, but I got to talk to my lady before I can let you know. Give me a minute. I’ll hit you back. ”
He hung up the phone and gave Ellie his full attention.
“Good morning,” he said, tilting her chin and kissing her lips before picking her up and placing her on the kitchen island.
“Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked. “You seem busy. I can be dressed and out your way. I know you missed a whole day of business for me yesterday.”
“Wake you for what? You were sleeping, E. Just because I got to handle some shit don’t mean you got to leave. Stay if you want. I put the spare key by your bag and sent you a text with the door code and the alarm info,” he stated.
“Loyal, I can just leave…”
“You can just relax and make yourself comfortable in your man crib,” Loyal stated sternly.
She sighed because she knew she had no wins in this argument, so she gave in.
“Okay,” she complied.
“I’ve got this thing tonight,” he said. “A company Christmas thing. It’s kind of a big deal. We do it every year. I’ve got to be upfront with you about something.”
She tensed, and he leaned into her. “This ain’t no bullshit, E, you don’t got to brace yourself. I’m bringing it to you because I want you to tell me how you’re comfortable with me handling it. If I was on some bullshit, I wouldn’t even tell you.”
“Why am I not liking how this is starting?” she asked.
“I invited Tisa to my company Christmas party before I met you. I can uninvite her, but I think it would land a lot better if I handled her with some grace. For the sake of us, my son, and her, I think honoring the invitation is better than pulling the rug from under her feet. I can tell her it’s over tonight, after the event. ”
“You’re telling me you’re going on a date with your baby mama?” she asked.
“I’m asking you to let me keep my word so that I can keep a civil relationship with the woman I raise a child with,” he stated. “I’ll let her know before I drop her off that it’s over, but I want to handle this as respectfully as possible.”
“Okay,” she whispered unsurely. She didn’t love it, but what could she say? He was raising a whole human with this woman. His intentions seemed pure, but she wondered if she was playing the fool.
He could see her overthinking, and he feathered her arm with one finger. “Why don’t you and your homegirls get dressed up and come? I can put you on the list at your own table. Cassidy’s supposed to pull up.”
“Yeah, okay,” she said, forcing a smile.
She didn’t want to start a situation with him with insecurity in her heart.
If he was on bullshit, he just wouldn’t have told you.
Girl, relax, she thought. “Why not?” she answered aloud.
He pulled his wallet from his back pocket and removed a platinum American Express.
“For whatever you and your girls need to get ready. The keys to my Benz are hanging by the door. I’ll have a driver arrange to pick you up for the party.
I take it you’re leaving from Bishop’s?” he asked.
“Yeah, probably so,” she answered.
“It starts at eight o’clock. I’ll have the car come at around 7:30,” he said.