Chapter 2
“The best part about being a school social worker is summers off,” I said as I danced in my seat.
I’d just returned from a solo vacation to Barbados two days ago, and I was still on my vacation high. My sisters wanted to catch up, so we met for brunch at Onyx City Eatery.
“Having the summers off ain’t enough to get me to work with kids,” my middle sister, Talia, said.
“Especially teenagers,” Indira, my youngest sister, added.
“Y’all say that all the time but be looking mad and sad when I plan my two-week-long vacation in mid-June every year. Believe me, it’s worth it.”
“That’s true, but I couldn’t do it. I won’t even ask how your vacation was. The pictures and videos you sent us say all that needs to be said,” Talia said.
“I didn’t see a man in any of those videos. Did you at least bounce on the dick of a random stranger?” Indira asked as I shook my head.
If my baby sister didn’t do anything else, she would always say what she was thinking. She had absolutely no filter.
“You know I’m on a break from dating.”
After too many failed dates and situationships, I decided about six months ago to put dating on pause for at least a year. I was six months in and couldn’t be happier with my decision.
“Who said anything about dating?” she asked, looking puzzled.
“Indy, chill out. You know what I mean. I’m on a break from men.”
“Even foreign ones you’ll never see again?” Talia questioned.
“Both of y’all are a mess. Even though I didn’t have sex with a stranger, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”
“Are you ladies ready to order?” the server asked when he approached our table.
We’d been so busy talking, we hadn’t even looked at the menu.
“I’m sorry. Can you come back in five minutes?” I asked.
“Of course,” he agreed before walking away.
“Do y’all know what you want?” Indira asked about a minute later.
“I think I’m getting the apple cinnamon roll French toast,” Talia responded.
“I want the catfish and Belgian waffles,” I said.
“Good. I’ll eat some of y’all’s and get the shrimp, catfish, and grits,” she said.
“As long as you’re sharing too, that’s cool,” I agreed.
The server returned and took our orders. When he left, our conversation resumed.
“Y’all on my head about dating, but when was the last time y’all been on a date?”
“Sis, dating has never been a problem for me, and you know this. Somebody’s son takes me out at least a few times a month. It’s been a minute since any of them have earned a second date, but I love free meals,” Talia said.
“Tell her, Sis. See, we aren’t dating to marry, Lani. We’re dating for food, good conversation, a few laughs, and possibly dick if we choose to take it that far,” Indira added.
“Who says I’m dating to marry?”
“I mean, you’re almost thirty.”
I gasped. “First of all, Indy, my dear sweet baby sister, I’m almost twenty-nine. Secondly, you act like thirty is old.”
“I didn’t mean to insinuate that you’re old. When you were dating, you were looking for your husband, were you not?”
“Kind of . . . at least for the last six months before I started my dating hiatus.”
“Exactly. Lia and I are just dating for fun. If something pops off and becomes something, that’s cool, but that’s not the goal.”
“Listen to you sounding like the big sister. I guess you do have a point. I am approaching thirty, and getting married and having a family does cross my mind a bit more frequently than it did a few years ago.”
“That’s understandable, Sis, but there’s no reason to put pressure on yourself to find a husband. Doesn’t the bible say our husbands are supposed to find us? The right man will find you when he’s supposed to,” Talia said.
“I think I might need to have my big sister card revoked. I’m supposed to give y’all advice, not the other way around.”
“Nah, Sis. You’ve given us plenty of great advice over the years. We’re just returning the favor,” Indira commented.
Our food arrived, and while we enjoyed our meal, the conversation continued.
“What’s your type, Lani?” Talia asked. “The few men you’ve introduced us to didn’t appear to have much in common with each other.”
“Regardless of the type, most of these men are just looking for fuck buddies, and I’m not interested in that. I don’t know my type, but I know that ain’t it.”
“That makes sense. I want my man to be rugged but still know how to be soft with me. Did you see those two fine ass dudes at Breeze & Melodie’s wedding?” Indira asked. “I’ve been hoping they’d make an appearance at a family gathering, but I haven’t seen them since the wedding.”
Breeze and Melodie were a part of our extended family. Our brother, Sonshyne, was married to Breeze’s sister, Raine. Melodie was Raine’s best friend. They all owned Black Reign Luxury Spa for Men and Women, along with our cousins, Adan and Zayn.
“The ones who were in the back corner?” Talia confirmed.
“Yes. I wanted to introduce myself, but they didn’t look approachable.”
“They sure didn’t. I think they were Breeze’s friends. They came with Rocky, the one with the long locs,” I told them.
I knew of Rocky and his brother, Russell, because they owned a Rush Brothers Youth and Recreation Center and mentored some of the students at the high school.
“I might have to ask Breeze to talk to Rocky to see which one of them is an eligible bachelor. It doesn’t matter which one because both of them have that rugged swag I like.”
“You better make sure Breeze does a thorough background check because they look like they might be into some shit,” Talia warned.
“I don’t know about that, Sis. Rocky and his brother, Russell, are good guys. They own and run the youth center. I don’t think they’d be hanging out with shady people,” I told her.
“They’re a part of Mayhem, too, and they’re always doing good in the hood,” Indira added. “One of those fine gentlemen might just be my new boo.”
My baby sister was a wild one, but I wouldn’t change her for the world. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had to stop by the high school to switch out my school-issued laptop because they’d purchased new ones for the staff.
It was my third year at Onyx City High School. I’d previously worked at Onyx City Middle School and could definitely say I preferred working with the older students.
I intentionally waited until the afternoon to exchange my computer, hoping I wouldn’t run into anyone.
I was cordial with my co-workers, but I only communicated with them during the school year, except for one who I considered a friend.
Unfortunately, there were more people in the building than I anticipated.
“Wassup, Noelani?” I heard a familiar male voice behind me say.
I turned around to return the greeting with a fake smile planted on my face.
“Hey, Kenai. How are you?”
“I’m good. It looks like you enjoyed your solo vacation. The sun was good to you.”
“Thank you, and yes, I did. I got a few errands I need to run when I leave here, so let me go exchange this computer before the tech office closes.”
“I’ll walk with you, and we can catch up.”
Kenai was an academic counselor, so we were in the same department. I knew he was attracted to me on the first day we met, but he didn’t shoot his shot until after I’d begun my dating hiatus.
“Umm, okay.”
I headed toward the technology office with him keeping stride next to me.
“What else do you have planned for the summer?” he asked.
“Not a whole lot. Relaxing is my top priority.”
“Does that mean you don’t have a man occupying your time?”
“Seriously, Kenai. Let’s not go down that road.”
Aside from the fact that I didn’t date people I worked with, I wasn’t the least bit attracted to Kenai. He was handsome and nice, but something about him rubbed me the wrong way, and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“C’mon, Noelani. It’s summer. We aren’t working. It’s not like you’re busy.”
“It’s not about that. I told you before, I’m taking a break from dating.”
“It’s been months. How long of a break are you taking?”
“I’m not sure.” I stopped when I arrived at the technology office and turned to face him. “Kenai, I’m not a fan of workplace relationships, so even when my break is over, I’m not interested in dating you.”
His eyes twitched as he pressed his lips together. He took a deep breath before responding.
“How do you know if we’ve never dated?”
I sighed because I wasn’t trying to hurt his feelings. “I’m sorry, Kenai. You’re not my type.”
“I’m not sure how a good-looking, fit, educated Black man isn’t your type. You must like thugs with tattoos all over and sagging pants. That honestly shouldn’t surprise me.”
“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Have a nice summer, Noelani.”
He turned and walked away in a huff. I shrugged before entering the technology office to do what I’d come there to do. It didn’t bother me that Kenai was upset with me. At least I didn’t have to worry about him asking me out again.