Chapter 8 #2
I laughed with Chasity and Trina as we sat in the middle of the living room floor, sharing popcorn and wine.
Trina and her son came to town on Friday evening.
She missed me and I missed her deeply. Chasity joined as well since this was the first Saturday she had off in a while.
We dropped all the kids off at Chasity's mom's and decided on a girls' night.
My heart healed slowly with every laugh and outburst, being surrounded by them.
We were on our second bottle of wine, and I was feeling it.
"Best friend, I swear there is no man out here willing to do all of this for a complete stranger. Are you sure you never gave that man any cat?" Trina teased.
Chasity chugged her wine and poured another glass.
"Shit, believe me, she would remember if she did," Chasity chimed in. "Trey is fine, rich, and more rich. There ain't no woman alive that would forget bouncing up and down on that dick!"
Trina burst out laughing. I tried my best to muffle my laugh, but between the wine and the two of them being drunk as well, I couldn't.
"I won't lie. Trey is fine as hell, but a man like him wouldn't even look my way on my best day. I told y'all a woman called his phone on the way to lunch, basically begging for his dick. I want nothing to do with a man like that."
"Shit, if I wouldn't!" Trina said.
Trina and Chasity high-fived each other.
"Girl, you should see his homeboys. Every time they enter the diner, women are fighting to be their server," Chasity said.
Trina's eyes widened. "Damn, it's more! I might need to move to the city."
"Y'all are crazy. Trina, as much as I would love to have you closer, I know you ain't moving."
She waved. "Girl, say the word and I'll pack our shit now. Y'all know y'all are the only family I've got. I'm lonely, and it's nothing for me to find a job, enroll Trent in school, and find a place to stay. I won't lie, I've been looking at places here."
I smiled. "Really?"
She nodded. "Yeah, it's time for a fresh start, anyway."
I leaped over toward her and wrapped her in my arms, rocking us back and forth. My heart leaped with joy as I thought about my best friend moving closer. Granted, I had Chasity, but with Trina, I feel as if she would complete the circle I needed.
"Alright, relax. I still have to iron out the kinks, but I can see it happening soon."
"I love you, best friend."
"I love you, too."
We looked over at Chasity, and she was sniffing and wiping at her eyes.
"Chas, are you crying?" I asked.
She nodded. "All of this is so beautiful."
"Girl, I think you had too much wine," Trina teased.
Chasity nodded again.
"I think so, too."
All three of us fell over laughing and poured more wine. Before I could sip from my glass, the doorbell rang. I looked at the girls.
"Did y'all order anything?"
Trina shook her head. "No, I didn't."
"Me neither," Chasity answered.
My mind wandered who it could be. It was five o'clock in the evening on a Saturday. All the apartment staff were gone, so it couldn't have been them.
I stood and walked over to the door. I tried my best to peek through the peephole, but it was too high.
"Open the door. We've got your back!" Chasity assured me.
When I spun around, Chasity and Trina stood behind me. Trina had the broom in her hand, and Chasity held the vase from the table.
I opened the door and was stunned by what stood on the other side.
"Damn," Trina mumbled behind me.
I blinked rapidly to make sure my eyes weren't fooling me.
"Mr. Houston, what are you doing here?"
I looked to his left and right, and Owen and Vance stood beside him.
"Hey, y'all!" Chasity greeted from behind. I could hear the smile in her tone.
"What's up, Chas?" they replied.
She giggled like a little schoolgirl, making me roll my eyes.
"Mr. Houston, again, what are you doing here?"
I took in his appearance. He was relaxed, just as he had been the first time I met him. This time he wore a pair of gray sweatpants, a plain white tee, and some sneakers. He had on a gold Cuban link and a hoop earring. I tried my hardest not to take in how sexy he looked.
"I just stopped by to drop this off for you."
I noticed he had a box in his hand. It was a pink footstool with white Polka dots. There was a white bow at the top of it.
"Mr. Houston... I?—"
"That's so sweet of you. Oh my goodness. Come on in," Tina interrupted, stepping in front of me. "Hell, all of y'all come on in."
Chasity shoved me to the side, smiling harder when Vance crossed over the threshold.
"Y'all want some wine?" Chasity offered.
"Sure, I can take a glass," Vance stated.
"Y'all ain't got nothing harder?" Owen asked.
Their voices faded as they walked further away from the door, leaving Tremaine and me there.
"I didn't think you had company. I should've called before I just popped up over here."
"It's okay. A phone call would've been a nice warning, though."
"Next time, I'll make sure I call."
My stomach did cartwheels at his sincere tone. Instead of trying to process my feelings, I diverted my attention back to the stool.
"Thank you for the footstool." I went to reach for it.
He placed it in my hands, and our hands softly brushed against each other. I couldn't help but feel the electricity shooting through my body.
"You're welcome. I couldn't help but think about how hard it must be for you to be trying to reach stuff in here. I just want to make your life easier."
I fought hard to hide my stupid blushing.
"You don't think you're doing that already?" I lifted my hand in the air to reference the apartment.
He smiled, which sent a chill down my spine. "Nah, I'm just getting started."
"Mr. Houston, I?—"
"Aye!"
I spun on my heels and saw Owen standing there holding a cup of wine.
"I need you in here, Trey. They done whipped out some UNO cards, and this wine is good as hell." Owen walked away before Trey could even respond.
"Again, I'm sorry for intruding on y'all like this."
I shrugged. "It's cool. Come on in."