Chapter 10
“Thank you so much for coming, Savvy. I swear, I’m ‘bout to lose my mind.”
Kennedy widened the salon’s door and stepped aside, allowing Savvy in while pushing out a relieved breath as she eyed the foam tray of hot coffees in her girl’s hand. She needed it since she’d been up since the sun rose. Her grand opening was in hours, and aside from her nerves setting in, she was losing her cool because things were falling apart left and right. If one more detail of her event went awry, she was liable to spazz the hell out.
“Okay, so what’s going on that you pulled me out of my comfortable ass bed this morning, Kennedy?”
Savvy trudged to the first booth, placing down the drinks before she unzipped her sweatsuit jacket and then adjusted the silk scarf over her pressed hair. Her mouth crooked when Kennedy gave her a grateful but rueful stare.
“Bitch, don’t act like you feel bad about it, because you don’t.”
“I do! You know I wouldn’t have called you for help if it wasn’t important. Was Shabu mad?”
“Girl, no. Him and the kids were all dog piled on top of one another, knocked out and taking over the damn bed.”
Kennedy smiled at that while eyeing the coffee cups, wondering which was hers. Savvy removed her jacket, plucked one from the tray to pass her girl, and then grabbed her own for a sip. She needed to mentally prepare for Kennedy’s anal ass to drive her mad until every detail of the day was perfect.
“Okay, so I need you to use your many resources to find me a photographer. The one I booked claimed she’s sick and cancelled,” Kennedy explain with a shake of her head. “I also had a stylist call in, talking about she might not have a sitter, so that bitch is done before she can even get her foot in the door.”
“Kennedy!”
“What?! If she can’t even show on the first day, I already see the problems I’ll have with her.”
Savvy rubbed her forehead before saying, “What else?”
“You’re going to curse me out about this one. I have a caterer, but I want to add those turnover things you had at the bridal studio. Can you have Ms. Judith make a tray for me?”
“The beef and pork patties?”
“Yes, I liked those, and it’ll send people your way, too. I texted your brother-in-law about it, but he hasn’t responded, and I think it’s because I fucked him.”
The sip of coffee Savvy was in the process of taking spewed from her mouth onto her sweats and the clean floor at the major detail Kennedy slid in. She wiped the warm liquid off her chin and stared, wrapping her mind around a situation she saw coming a mile away but prayed one of them avoided. Savvy didn’t know what to make of it, and from the conflicted expression Kennedy wore; she could tell her friend didn’t either.
“So, you and Relic?” she verified, mind blown. “How and when?”
“This past weekend, and probably how you and Shabu do it. They’re brothers, so...”
“Don’t be cute, hoe! You know what I meant.”
Kennedy laughed before leaning against the booth with an exhale. “I’m trying to make light of it because I know, I fucked up. Y’all told me not to go there, and my fast ass did it anyway. That muthafucka is just so fine, though, Savvy. Tell me, I’m lying?”
“I plead the fifth,” she shot out fast as hell, making Kennedy cackle.
“See! I tried to steer clear of his ass because of all the rumors about him, but once I got in his space, shit.” Her eyes went to the ceiling as she searched for the right words. “Relic is that nigga without even trying. He’s complex, though. Guarded and always in his head, but once you get past that and his brashness, he’s cool. Funny even. I ain’t on him like those bitches in his stable, but I’m curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat, Kennedy.”
Her gaze went to Savvy at the cautious reminder. “The way he killed my cat, I don’t give a goddamn about that,” she quipped, unashamed.
Savvy screamed as Kennedy laughed through a sheepish grin. She wasn’t shy by a longshot, but each time she envisioned her heated sex with Relic, it did something to her. The last time she’d had sex that good; it was with her first love—a nigga who she had no business fucking. Not much had changed in that regard besides her knowing better.
“I figured, it was bomb. That’s why I didn’t even ask,” Savvy admitted, stifling her giggles. “But do you like him, or is it the dick that has you suddenly interested?”
“I have no idea because Relic is a fucking sour patch. He’s sweet in his own way one minute, and in the next, I’m ready to punch him in his shit because he’s so damn rude. I never know what to expect from him because every move is a chess play to him, but that’s a part of him I like. It might sound crazy, but he’s like a beautiful anomaly. Am I being delusional?”
“I married his brother, so I can’t judge, boo. What I will say is, figure out what you want and fast before you get sucked in.” Savvy set down her drink and stood as she forewarned her, “That’s what these Blaise men do. They suck you into their world so fast and deep that you don’t realize it until you can’t pull yourself out, and there’s no turning back. In by love, out by blood. Make sure you’re ready for that before taking it any further with him, Kennedy.”
Foreboding nestled in the pit of her stomach as she caught the concern flickering in Savvy’s bright orbs after giving that advice. The urge to press for clarification struck Kennedy, but she willed it down because she wasn’t certain if she wanted to know. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to see a crystal-clear image of Relic instead of the grainy one that she filtered through for a better visual each time they made contact. She didn’t want to see him through anyone’s perspective but her own.
“I’m going to grab a towel to clean up this mess. A truck just pulled up, so that might be for you,” Savvy stated before heading toward the back of the salon.
Kennedy immediately pushed her situation with Relic to the back of her mind because she had more important shit to focus on than a nigga who hadn’t hit her line since fucking her brains out almost a week ago. She wished his dick was wack so that she wouldn’t care about being ghosted by him for the umpteenth time. With a deep breath, she mustered a smile and opened the door for the white man in uniform with a clipboard in his hand. Her brows tipped as she noted two other men in the same attire heading toward her while carrying a huge box together. A final man followed suit as he carried a ginormous rose bouquet she could barely see his face through.
“Are you Kennedy Sutton?” the man at the door verified, and she nodded. “I just need your signature to confirm you received the items, and they’re all yours.”
He handed her a pen, and she scribbled her name at the bottom of the slip before passing it back while moving to let the men inside. After instructing them to set the box on the floor and roses on the receptionist desk, she spun to question the delivery driver about the sender but froze when she spotted a familiar face waltzing toward her with a single dimple stealing the show. Kennedy’s mouth gaped as Lomar sauntered up while holding another bouquet, taking her by surprise.
“Wow.” That was the most she could muster up, and he chuckled.
“I don’t know if that’s a good or bad reaction, mama. You got a nigga feeling like popping up on you is giving stalker vibes more than a persistent gesture.”
“No! You caught me off guard with all of this, is all. Come in.”
She waved a hand to welcome him inside while thanking the men as they exited. Once she locked up, she turned to him and smiled.
She and Lomar had been messaging here and there, but outside of flirty banter, nothing had come of it. The one time he’d invited her out, she cancelled on him because the workers remodeling the salon were taking their precious time, so she’d shown up to light a fire under their ass. He hadn’t asked her out again since. Kennedy had felt bad about it, so she kept their line of communication open and had mentioned her event the other day. The last thing she expected was for Lomar to pop up, but she could admit that he was the perfect distraction from Relic.
“So, this is you?” he asked, nodding his head in approval as he peered around the chic salon with neutral colors, gold accents, and bright lighting. “This shit is nice. Some money was put into it, for sure.”
“I just manage it, but yes, the owner dropped a nice bag on bringing it to life.”
“It’s the same nigga that started a record label from this area, right?”
Kennedy frowned at the sudden interrogation. Instead of responding, she took the flowers from him to place on the booth next to her purse since the other bouquet took up the entire receptionist desk.
“How do you know about him?” she asked, turning to Lomar with crossed arms and a distrusting gaze. Her circle’s notoriety made it hard to decipher genuineness from ulterior motives, and she’d learned that valuable lesson from Ronnie.
“Shit, how else you think? The net. I was looking up your salon for the address to surprise you, and they were in the comments debating if he owned it. Was talking ‘bout the nigga like he was a ghost or some shit. I ain’t ever seen him around myself, but I ran the same circles as P at one point. Someone mentioned that was his family.”
“Who hasn’t run with Pierre? Everyone knows his ass,” she replied with a roll of her eyes as he laughed.
“I take it, you don’t fuck with him.”
“He’s not my favorite person, but he’s dating my lil’ boo and is label mates with my nephew, so I tolerate him.”
Lomar angled his head, piecing together her statement before he deduced, “Big Tek is your nephew. Damn, it’s a small world. Here I am, thinking I met a regular ass girl, and you’re connected to rappers, record label owners, and shit.”
“Restuarant owners, too. My friend, who’s in back and probably eavesdropping on us as we speak, owns a restaurant. The building next door is run by my girl who’s an esthetician. Her grand opening is today as well.”
“A clique of female bosses. I fuck with that. No wonder you ain’t got no kick it for a normal nigga like me. I ain’t yo speed, huh?”
Her eyes bucked at his assumption. “That’s not true! I know I seem standoffish, but my last relationship was a while ago, and he fucked my head up a bit, so I’ve been iffy on niggas. Trust me, you’ve lasted longer on my line than most. Not to mention, I was so focused on preparing for today that it took precedence over everything. I’ve yet to even get my damn car fixed.”
“Well, shit. What better time than right now. Give me your keys.”
“Give you what?”
She’d heard him, but his request caught her off guard. Kennedy was beginning to realize Lomar was good at that—taking her aback in a good way because most men didn’t care to solve the simple problems that made women most appreciative.
“Let me get your car key. I can leave my shit here and take yours to the shop. By the time you’re done with your event, it’ll be fixed. Then maybe, you’ll let me take you out afterward to celebrate your accomplishment. You still owe me a date, mama.”
“I do, don’t I?”
She cracked a smile at his determination before grabbing her purse—fishing her keys out to remove her car key from its ring. She held it out but retracted when Lomar reached for it.
“I’m trusting you with my baby. Don’t bring her back looking worse than when she left.”
“I got you, and I’ll even get her detailed. How long does your event last?”
She dropped her key in his palm before answering, “It’s from twelve to five. Be back on time, and know where you’re taking me by the time you get here. I don’t want to deal with the back and forth of us figuring out where to go. I will take my ass home and get in my bed.”
“Don’t worry about none of that. Focus on your day and enjoy this shit, mama. I know you’re busy, so I ain’t gon’ hold you, but let me feel you up right quick before I head out.”
Kennedy burst into laughter before giving a playful roll of her eyes while Lomar wrapped his strong arms around her waist, copping a feel of her ass that sat nice in the simple joggers clinging to her like a second skin. He released her and fixed her baseball cap that’d shifted during their embrace.
“How you some fine shit even when you chilling, mama? Goddamn.”
“There you go, laying it on thick again. Bye, Lomar.”
“See you later. Don’t let them muthafuckas tire you out either, ‘cause I’m getting my time by hook or by crook.”
He kissed her cheek with that assertion and then swaggered out while Kennedy watched him head to her car, hopping inside like he’d driven her shit before. Once he pulled off, she spun around and clamped a hand on her chest at Savvy standing beside the booth with a teasing grin.
“I guess I don’t need to help you get your roster up after all. You went from an empty bench to two starters. How you do that, friend?”
“Girl, go to hell. I knew you were listening.”
“I was half listening, half handling business. Judith was already at the restaurant prepping for the day, no surprise there. She started your order, and Michi said she’ll bring it when she comes,” Savvy relayed, dropping the towel in her hand onto the floor. She stepped on it to mop up the mess she’d made while adding, “Titan got us a deal on a videographer and photographer, but we have to tag them in every post from today on all our pages.”
“Shit, that’s nothing. He’s a lifesaver.”
“Right. If you don’t mind, I asked them to get a few shots at the skincare salon, too, since I didn’t think to do either. My ass should’ve been cheating off your checklist. Please, don’t tell me you got decorations because the most I got was a ribbon for Nubia to cut.”
Kennedy gave a tight-lipped smile. “I did, and she should be here any minute. It’s not much, though. A balloon arch for the door, a backdrop, and table settings for the finger food.”
“Fuck me. Relic was right, I am slacking.”
That got a laugh out of Kennedy before she kneeled beside her receptionist desk, using her keys to cut through the tape sealing shut the box she’d been anxious to open since it arrived. She wondered what Lomar could’ve gotten her without knowing her taste. A light smile spread on her face as she yanked open the flaps, but the moment she laid eyes on the box’s contents, her heart jolted so damn hard that it ached, while tears welled in her eyes. Kennedy couldn’t decide whether she loved or hated the precious gift because it made her sick to her fucking stomach with grief.
“Kennedy, are you alright?”
Savvy’s worried voice seemed miles away as Kennedy laid a trembling hand on the glass case. A gorgeous, crystal chessboard rested inside with silver accented chessmen occupying one end of the diamond studded board while gold accented ones lined the other. Gems embellished the top of each intricate piece.
“This is the bullshit I’m talking about, Savvy. The cunning, sweet shit that I don’t know is genuine or a fucking mind game. I—” She choked on her words and blinked, refusing to let a single tear fall.
The urge to curse Relic the hell out doubled because his gesture left her emotions teetering on a fine line, and it was the second time he used her brother’s memory to pull a reaction out of her. She wouldn’t give him a third.
“Wait. That’s from Relic?” Savvy strolled over to squat beside Kennedy. She peered inside the box and gawked at the beautiful board before saying, “I thought your guy friend who just left gave it to you.”
“So, did I, but he couldn’t. Lomar wouldn’t know to get me this.”
“But Relic would,” Savvy finished, giving her friend a soft smile as she studied the teary gaze that stared back at her. “It clearly means a lot to you. Why do you think he’s playing mind games?”
“Because I don’t trust him any more than he trusts me. Every move he makes has a purpose, and I don’t know the one behind this.”
“Maybe the purpose is as plain as day, but you don’t see it because a small part of you expects the worst of him like everyone else. Maybe Relic sent you a gift to make your day special, Kennedy, and it’s as simple as that.”
As much as Kennedy wanted to believe that was the case, she couldn’t because Relic had told her about his ideology on women and the screwed-up advice from his father. One night of great sex wouldn’t change an outlook he’d carried since a teenager.
Adoration she shouldn’t have for a man who’d never see her as anything more than a helping hand sprouted in her chest as she stood, unable to remove her stare from the chessboard. She glanced at Savvy when her friend stuck a hand into the box and pulled out a notecard without an envelope.
“ Pou larenn mwen an ,” Savvy read the handwritten inscription. “This is kreyòl, but I’m not sure what it means.”
“Good. I don’t even want to know what it says right now. Relic’s slick ass threw me off, and I need to focus.”
With that, Kennedy shut the box and pushed it toward the wall since it was too heavy for her to carry. She’d have someone help her to move it later. If it were up to her, it’d stay against the wall near the receptionist desk where she’d forget about it while mingling with her attendees once her grand opening started. She preferred it out of sight and out of mind for the time being, just like Relic.
All the bullshit Kennedy had dealt with that morning was worth it.
If she were a crier, she’d have tears streaming down her face as her eyes swept the packed salon, taking in future clients who were mingling while munching on finger foods and sipping unlimited champagne or wine from the mobile bar service she hadn’t ordered but was delivered just before opening. Another surprise from Relic. Two of her stylists were in the process of wrapping up their client’s hair who’d won a raffle she’d done for the first thirty people to show up. The photographer Titan had found ambled throughout the room, taking pictures of it all, and Kennedy couldn’t wait to go through them and upload it to the salon’s official site. It was a day she’d remember even if there were no pictures to commemorate the moment.
Women pranced past her in their best fits—a few smiling while others gave her either inquisitive looks or a turn of their heads before their repulsed expressions could show. Kennedy had prepared herself for it. Between the traction the salon was getting, and the stale faces of the bitches she used to work with who’d come but left just as fast; the last thing she cared about was anyone judging her scars.
“Happy grand opening day, bitch!”
Nubia’s loud voice cutting through her thoughts sent her gaze shooting to the doors as her girls strutted in looking like the boss bitches they were. Savvy, Michi, and Lexi were with Nubia, donned in similar woman suits they’d sent to the group chat to coordinate. Kennedy grinned because Nubia looked damn fucking good in her brown and black pinstriped trouser shorts that put her thick thighs on full display. She didn’t blame Los even a little bit for snooping through Nubia’s phone and clocking her girl every time she left the house. If her wife had divorced her and morphed into an even badder bitch; she’d want her back, too.
“Same, boo! How’s it been over there?” she asked, making Nubia roll her eyes as they hugged. Both had been so busy that it was the first time one got a spare moment to visit the other.
“Girl, busy but no complaints. I like the girls Savvy hired, and it’s only four of us in our own treatment rooms, so there shouldn’t be any issues. I did two customers free after Savvy mentioned your raffle, and child.”
Savvy sniggered before lecturing, “You can’t talk about your customers, Nu.”
“I’m just saying. We need to add a hygiene class to the services offered because it’s adults who don’t know to wipe from front to back.” Nu scrunched her nose in utter disgust and tugged her shorts out of her ass while giving Kennedy a once over. “Well, don’t you look extra cute today. This ain’t what you sent to the chat. You must be trying to add yourself to Relic’s long list of bitches he’s fucking and get that back blown out or a few extra duckets.”
“Spare me! He’s not coming, and I’m not pressed about his ass. Y’all are more worried about him than me, but I know you’re not talking. Has your husband seen you today?”
A crooked grin stretched Nubia’s nude shaded lips. “You know, he did. I made sure I sent his ass a few attachments, along with my lil’ boo. I’m ‘bout to just put their asses in a group chat, so I don’t have to keep sending the same messages twice.”
Michi and Lexi cackled while Savvy shot Kennedy a pointed look and subtle head nudge that she caught, although surprised. Savvy was signaling her to mention Los knowing about Nubia having a little friend.
“I mean, you might as well. It’s not like Los doesn’t know about him,” Kennedy said in a casual tone, and Nubia jerked back her head.
“Los knows about who?”
“Your boo,” Michi replied before Kennedy could. “Much as the boys clown him about it, I thought you knew and didn’t care. Don’t tell me, you thought you were low with it?”
“Bitch, yes, I did think that! How long has he known?”
“I’m not sure, but I heard Titan and Shabu gossiping about it on the phone the other day. I guess some bitch is checking for Los, but he ain’t going, and they don’t get why since you’re playing the field.”
“Relic had said something to Los ‘bout him tricking on his ex-wife while she’s fucking another nigga, but I thought he was being his typical petty self. So, there’s truth to it?” Kennedy interrogated as if she hadn’t gotten the real tea from Savvy. She figured Savvy must’ve decided to spill the beans as a warning to Nubia since Los had bitches checking for him.
Nubia brushed a finger across the sleek side swoop to her ponytail because the fire she was under had her sweating. Los knowing about her boo for weeks made total sense because she noticed he’d been short with her and coming to the house less and less. She assumed he was trying to play hard ball to make her break and take him back.
“There’s truth to it, but what did he expect? A bitch has needs. I’m not trying to fuck Los and have him thinking I folded. Who is the bitch, Michi?”
Michi threw up both hands in mock surrender. “I don’t know, I swear. They switched the subject once Titan realized I’d walked in the room. Why you worried if you’re moving on?”
“Because I am, bitch. The fuck,” she retorted, making them burst into laughter. Savvy shook her head.
“Girl, if you don’t stop playing and get your husband back. I feel like you’ve set the tone to let him know you can move right the hell on without him, even while having another baby for his ass. Now, if you really don’t want him, that’s different.”
“I don’t know what I want besides my freedom right now. I like doing me, I love focusing on getting this money, and I damn sure love dropping the kids off with his ass so that I can have peace in my house. I don’t give a damn what he paid for either.”
“I heard that!” Lexi cosigned with three snaps. She finger-combed her bouncy bundles and added, “Let that nigga suffer and still break bread. I’m damn sure doing the same to P.”
Savvy scrunched up her face as Kennedy spit out an exasperated groan, knowing shit was about to go left. Her hopes had been high about everyone getting along until the events were over.