7. Pressure Mensah #2
And right when the silence was startin’ to settle, Taffy Royale clapped her hands loud as hell.
“Period! That’s my man, y’all! Big Pressure! You hoes better clock it! My future baby daddy done spoke, so y’all better fall in line before we start packin’ you bitches up one by one. Don’t play with him.”
She looked dead at me, flipped her hair, then smacked her lips.
“Okay, baby daddy—so what we doin’? ‘cause I ain’t come here to play.”
A few girls rolled they eyes, but nobody said nothin’. Even the ones who wanted to say somethin’ knew better.
I looked at Taff for a second, and thought about sayin’ somethin’. Then just shook my head and walked off.
I almost smiled…Almost.
Blaqson nodded and started movin’ the women along.
Later that night, me, Blaqson, Renza, and Kay’Lo was posted in the war room. The liquor was flowin’ while blunts got passed.
We was surrounded by screens and names, photos pulled up on the big monitor, each girl’s info laid out in neat little rows.
Blaqson leaned back in his chair, blowin’ out a slow stream of smoke. “They a wild mix, I’ll give you that.”
Kay’Lo cracked a grin. “Shit feel like one big hood pageant.
Renza pointed toward the screen. “That one right there? She cool. She ain’t been in no drama, but she seem fake humble to me. Like she tryna figure out who to be dependin’ on who watchin’.”
Blaq tapped his glass. “Mmm. The one with the slick mouth? She a liability. Fine as hell, though.”
Kay’Lo laughed. “Nigga, they all fine. That’s the problem.”
I stayed quiet, just sippin’ slow, watchin’ each name fade in and out on the screen. I already had a short list in my head. Not of who was leavin’, but of who I was watchin’ close.
“Some of ’em real loud,” I finally said, my voice low. “Too fuckin’ loud. Shit gon’ have my head hurtin’”
“Some of ’em real quiet too,” Blaq added. “Them be the sneaky ones.”
Renza exhaled smoke. “Taffy cool, but you can tell she can get real crazy if her feelin’s hurt.”
I cut my eyes at him. “Man, why you even bring that big-ass woman to my house?”
Renza held his hands up, tryin’ to keep a straight face. “She got personality!”
I stared at him. “Nigga, do it look like I’m tryna marry a damn linebacker?”
Blaqson started coughin’ from laughin’ too hard.
“Nah, for real though,” Renza said, still grinnin’. “She might be a lot to look at, but I bet she fun as hell. You ever had a big girl ride you like she on a spin bike? Nigga—that shit’ll change ya life.”
Kay’Lo damn near choked on his drink. “This nigga stupid as hell.”
Renza wasn’t done. “And I know she can cook. I seen the way she looked at them shrimp skewers. She was already pickin’ out what she was gon’ plate for breakfast.”
I shook my head, tryin’ not to smile. “You wild.”
Renza pointed his blunt at me. “But you laughed, though.”
I did… just a little.
Kay’Lo smirked. “I like her though. She loud, but she own it. That confidence real.”
Nobody brought up Pluto or Kashmere, but I caught the look Blaq gave me when their names hit the screen. He ain’t say nothin’, but he saw me lookin’ at them, especially Pluto.
“She the only one ain’t tried nothin’,” I said, more to myself than them.
“Who?” Renza asked.
I just shook my head. “Don’t worry about it.”
We sat there a while longer, laughin’ low, talkin’ shit and pickin’ up on the little things—the girl that rolled her eyes when she thought nobody was lookin’, the one who only smiled when we looked her way. The ones who was tryin’ too hard, and the ones who wasn’t tryin’ enough.
I took one more pull from the blunt, tapped the ash in the tray, then leaned back in my seat.
“I’mma sleep on it,” I said. “I’ll have an answer in the mornin’.”
Then I stood up, slow and easy, like I hadn’t just flipped the entire night upside down.
Tomorrow, somebody was gettin’ they asses sent home.
It was eight in the mornin’, and I was already up and burnin’, The God Smoke curlin’ off my blunt.
I was posted in the livin’ room, one leg stretched out, leanin’ back, a cup of Saka coffee in one hand and the blunt burnin’ in the other.
I had on a chocolate-colored two-piece from Casablanca—some slick silk shit with gold accents, buttoned halfway down my chest.
Renza, Kay’Lo, and Blaqson were sittin’ around too—half-woke, half-watchin’.
The Diamonds was all gathered again in the foyer, grouped up in little clusters like high school girls before a fight.
Some of ‘em still had scarves on, others fully beat to the gods at damn near sunrise. They hair was laid, lashes flappin’ and perfume cloudin’ up the air like it could save ‘em from gettin’ cut.
Renza stood first, stretchin’ like he had somethin’ real important to say. “A’ight ladies. Hate to break it to y’all, but one of y’all gotta go,” he said, smirkin’ like it was a damn game show.
I took a slow sip of my coffee, then spoke without lookin’ up. “Nah… we gettin’ at least five up outta here.”
Renza blinked. “Five? Nigga, what?”
I finally looked over at him and nodded once. “Too many bodies walkin’ around this house. I can’t even think.”
Kay’Lo laughed under his breath. “Nigga said we got too much estrogen floatin’ in the vents.”
Renza shook his head. “Damn, bro. Five though?”
“It’s necessary,” I said, standin’ up. I walked toward the foyer, takin’ my time, blunt still in hand. All the women stood straighter when they saw me, like I was passin’ judgment from a throne.
I scanned the room once. Then again.
“Renae Dior,” I called.
She stepped forward real smooth, and confident like she already knew I was keepin’ her. She wore this sage green silk wrap dress that hit just right. I pointed to the space beside me. “Bring your pretty ass over here.”
She smiled and walked over.
I kept goin’.
“Jayla Noelle,” I said.
Jayla stepped up, her gloss poppin’ and her eyes locked straight on mine. She was always cool with it, never doin’ too much, and I liked that. She joined Renae on my right.
“Khari Belle,” I said next, watchin’ her eyes light up like a Christmas tree.
She was fine, yeah, but she had somethin’ behind those pretty eyes. She stepped beside me and stayed quiet.
Then my eyes drifted to the back where Pluto Monroe was.
She was just standin’ there, leanin’ against the staircase rail with Kashmere.
She wasn’t tryna smile, pose, or be seen.
That’s what made her stand out. Her whole aura was chill, like she ain’t have nothin’ to prove, but she was still watchin’ me—eyes locked like she was tryin’ to read my soul.
There was somethin’ about the way she looked at me… like she wasn’t scared of me, and that shit turned me on.
“Pluto,” I said, and her brows lifted just slightly.
She didn’t move like the others. She took her time, like she was sayin’ “I got this” without even openin’ her mouth. I watched her until she made it to the line.
“Kashmere,” I added next, not even lookin’ away from Pluto when I said it.
Kashmere damn near danced her way over. Her body was movin’ to a rhythm only she could hear. I smirked and gave her lil’ cool ass a head nod.
Then I scanned the room again and saw Toni Roc… loud ass, wild ass, ghetto ass Toni.
“Toni,” I called, already halfway amused. “Bring your ghetto ass over here.”
The room laughed a little, and she rolled her eyes but strutted like she owned the floor.
Just as she stepped forward, Chanel Banks muttered loud enough for everybody to hear, “I don’t even know why he picked this ugly bitch.”
Toni froze mid-step and turned her whole body around.
“Say that shit again,” she snapped, already ready to go.
“I said what I said,” Chanel replied, foldin’ her arms. “He could’ve picked literally anybody .”
Toni took a step toward her. “Bitch, you better go find somebody else to play with this mornin’. You mad ’cause I got picked and you over there sweatin’ through that liftin’ ass wig, hoe!”
“A’ight, a’ight, chill,” Kay’Lo stepped in quick, gettin’ between them. “Y’all got some real beef or y’all just need breakfast? Y’all been goin’ at it since y’all stepped foot in this bitch, damn!”
The other girls giggled and whispered, but I ain’t say shit. I just shook my head slow, already peepin’ the tension.
Toni brushed past Chanel and made it to the front like she ain’t just threaten to drag her across the foyer. When she got to me, she smiled, real extra, and wrapped her arms around my neck like she was locked in with a nigga. Then she kissed my cheek.
Chanel rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth. “Tired-ass behavior.”
I decided not to speak on the catty shit. I just let it play out and kept puffin’ my blunt. But I made a mental note—Toni and Chanel? Yeah. This beef shit they had goin’ on was gon’ be a problem.
I went down the list. A few more came forward—women I already knew had some type of hold or interest. I didn’t need no second guesses.
By the time I finished callin’ them, there was seven left standin’.
I folded my arms, just starin’ at ‘em. A few was lookin’ down, some tryin’ not to cry, others still tryna smile like they had a shot.
Taffy Royale stood in the back with her hands clasped together, lookin’ nervous but still dressed like she ain’t come to play.
She had on a deep red silk pajama set that flowed over her curves with just enough cling to make you stare twice.
The top was tied at the waist, and the pants hung low over some big, furry slippers.
Her lashes were still on, and even though she looked like she was bracin’ for the worst, she still carried herself like she belonged.
She was big, yeah, and I usually didn’t go for that, but she had a light to her.
She was funny, honest, and didn’t try to act like nobody else. She was herself, and I fucked with it.
She looked like she was already halfway out the door, whisperin’ somethin’ to herself.
“Big Taff,” I said.
She flinched like she didn’t believe I actually said her name.
“Come here,” I told her.
She looked up fast, her eyes wide, then gasped like she just won the damn lottery.
“Oh my God!” she squealed, joggin’ her dramatic ass over to me and wrappin’ her arms around my neck. “I knew you saw me! I knew it! Thank you, baby!”
“Chill out,” I said, tryna hold in a laugh. “You lucky I fuck with your vibe.”
“I’mma keep it up! You won’t regret this!” she beamed, then wiped her eyes.
There was only one woman left to choose from now, and that was Imani Blaze.
She was standin’ there like she had a bad taste in her mouth, but I could tell she was nervous as hell. She sighed, flipped her long hair off her shoulder, and crossed her arms.
I stepped a little closer, just to make sure she knew I wasn’t softenin’ shit up.
“Last night, you was talkin’ crazy,” I said, my voice low but cuttin’.
She nodded slowly, like she’d already heard it in her head ten times.
“Flappin’ at the mouth like somebody owed you somethin’, but I’m feelin’ generous this mornin’,” I continued, eyein’ her from head to toe. “So I’mma let you stay… but if you wanna keep standin’, you better keep that attitude in check.”
She looked surprised. “You serious?”
I gave her a look. “I look like I’m jokin’?”
She shook her head quick and hurried over, slidin’ into the line like she didn’t wanna draw no more attention.
I looked at what I had. Fifteen women… All with different styles, energies, and intentions. But the other five? Nah.
I turned toward the ones left behind— Kalea Monroe, Tamara Rose, Aubrii Gold, Brittany Luxe, and Milan Sweetz.
Milan stepped forward like she had somethin’ to say. “Wait… so I ain’t get picked? Like… why?”
I tilted my head slow and looked down at her crusty ass feet.
“Milan…” I said, draggin’ her name out just enough to make her nervous. “Do you really wanna know?”
She folded her arms. “Yeah.”
I looked back down, then up at her again, and raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”
“I said yeah.”
I gave her the most blank expression I had. “You wore them toes in my house. That’s why.”
Kay’Lo burst out laughin’ in the back. Renza had to turn around to keep from spittin’ out his drink. Even Blaqson let out a low whistle like, Damn.
Milan looked down, embarrassed as hell. “Wow. Are you serious?”
“I’m dead serious,” I said. “Baby, it don’t look like you had ya feet done since the pandemic.”
She didn’t say nothin’ after that. She stared at me for a second, shook her head like she couldn’t believe it, then turned around and walked off without another word.
Renza clapped his hands together. “A’ight y’all. Time’s up. If you ain’t standin’ in that line, go ahead and grab your bags.”
Tamara huffed and walked off without another word. Aubrii tried to smile it off. Kalea looked like she might cry but didn’t, and Brittany shrugged and strutted like she was still the baddest, even walkin’ out.
The others stayed posted beside me, glancin’ at each other, tryin’ to figure out what came next.
I took another hit of my blunt and sipped my coffee.
“Who want breakfast?”