Chapter 19
SKYE
“Oh my God, thank you so much for agreeing to do this on such short notice,” my cousin, Noni, said as she wrapped her arms around my neck.
Her thick hair fell in wavy layers down her back, streaked with subtle highlights.
She was dressed in an easy, put-together outfit that looked more like work than performance.
“This is the last day I have to shoot this video, and my lead girl came down with the fucking flu. You were the only person I could think of that would be able to get the job done in such a crunch.”
“Mmhmm, just make sure that check hits the bank with a little something extra.”
She sucked her teeth. “Wow, that’s how you do me? You really think I wouldn’t give you a little something extra for helping me out?”
I laughed. “Relax, I’m just fucking with you. I know you got me.”
“Good. You better know.” She poked me in the side. “So, how are you feeling? I know things have been crazy.”
“Yeah, they have. But I’m good.”
“Well, you look good. Glad to see you’re not looking like what you’ve been through.”
“Yeah, me too.” I adjusted the large duffle bag that was slung over my shoulder and glanced around the space, taking in the low lighting, the concrete floors, and the sleek car positioned just off-center.
It was one hundred percent a Noni G vibe.
Laidback, edgy, cool. Everything felt intentional without trying too hard.
“Okay, I see what you’ve got going on here. This is nice.”
“Thanks.” She smiled. “I worked hard to put this together. I’m trying to be more hands-on with everything.”
“I can tell. Looks like you’re doing a great job.”
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
“Of course.” I pulled her close and gave her a tight squeeze. “So, where do I need to go for hair and makeup?”
“Right back there,” she said, pointing toward a short hallway lined with closed doors. “I have a room set up just for you.”
“Perfect.” I turned to head that way, but she grabbed my hand.
“Real quick. There’s something I need to tell you.”
I frowned, her sudden sense of urgency not sitting right with me. “What’s up?”
“Brookia’s here too.”
I blinked twice, leaning my head forward like I’d misheard her. “I’m sorry, what?”
I could tell she didn’t want to repeat the words again. But she was definitely going to have to because there was no way I’d heard what I thought I did.
“I said, Brookia’s here.”
“What the fuck, Noni? Why would you have me here with a bitch that got pregnant by my—”
“Look, this whole thing was booked way before all that shit came out. She’s under contract.”
“I don’t give a—” I paused, silently counting to ten to help calm my nerves.
I was doing way too much about a man that wasn’t really my man because he was too busy being everybody else’s. Not to mention, I was done with that shit now. I didn’t even want his ass anymore.
“Noni, how am I supposed to be in a video with this woman? Everyone knows what went on. I’m going to look crazy as hell.”
“No, you’re not. You’re going to look like you’ve moved the fuck on, which I hope you have. Please tell me you have.”
“Of course, I have. There’s no way I could still have feelings for someone that pretty much tried to kill my ass.”
“Thank God.” She sighed.
“Whatever. Let’s just get this shit over with, so I can get out of here.”
“I’m really sorry, cusso.”
“Mmhmm,” I groaned before heading toward the dressing room.
Just before the hallway, there was a long table. It was filled with little finger foods, drinks, and snacks.
I stopped and grabbed a bottle of water.
“Well, we meet again,” I heard an unwanted voice say behind me.
My stomach turned.
I could feel the bile forming in my throat, making its way into my mouth.
“What the hell are you doing here, Enzo?” I asked, turning around slowly.
“What do you mean? I produced the song. Why wouldn’t I be here?”
“You producing the song doesn’t require you to be in the video.”
“No, but seeing as I was asked to be in it, I couldn’t say no.”
Of course.
Noni had no clue about him kidnapping me.
“For what? I know damn well you’re not the love interest because there’s no way—”
“Chill, I’m on some background shit,” he said, grinning. “What’s the matter? I don’t scare you, do I?”
“Nigga, fuck you!”
“Aw man. I thought we were better than that. Especially after I let you go. I didn’t even hurt you.”
“That’s because your bitch ass knew better. You don’t want that kind of smoke with Ocean.”
“Oh, right, so you’re Ocean’s girl now.”
“I’m not anybody’s girl.”
He scoffed, his hand lowering to the bulge in his pants. “Well, just let me know when you’re ready to hop on the next dick. I’ll definitely be interested.”
Before I could catch myself, my palm collided with his face.
I could feel the rage taking over.
Suddenly, letting Ocean teach him a lesson didn’t sound so bad.
I got in his face. “Let me tell you something you big teeth, little dick ass nigga. Never in this lifetime or any fucking other would you have a chance with me. For one, I’m not your type.
..I’ve already hit puberty. Second, you’re a bitch that lets everyone else do your dirty work.
I like niggas that can handle their own,” I spat.
“Now, stay the fuck away from me before I unleash the shit you don’t want. ”
I spun around and stormed down the hall.
When I made it to my dressing room, I slammed the door shut and dropped my head.
I shouldn’t have agreed to this.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out.
It was Ocean.
I shook my head, knowing now wasn’t the right time to talk to him. He would hear the frustration in my voice as soon as I answered, and this video shoot would be a wrap.
I declined the call, then dropped my phone in my bag.
There was a knock at the door.
“What?” I shouted, yanking the door open.
“Um, hey,” Brookia whispered, her hand resting against the baby bump that was partially hidden beneath her oversized t-shirt.
I looked away, the quiet sting of seeing her carry what I’d once wanted settling heavy in my chest.
“Hey,” I replied dryly.
“Look, I know I’m probably the last person you want to see, but I just wanted to clear the air.”
“No need. We’re good.”
I tried to close the door, but she shoved her foot in the crack.
“We’re not good, and trust me, I know we probably never will be. But given our profession, I know we’ll probably run into each other a lot. I just want things to be cordial between us. I don’t want this,” she said, looking down at her stomach, “to mess up our bag.”
“Trust me, it won’t. Like I said, we’re good.”
She sighed. “Skye—”
“Damn, bitch, I’m trying to be cool. What the fuck do you want from me? You and I aren’t best friends, you don’t owe me any loyalty. And even if you did, that shit’s not in your DNA. You’ve always fucked around with whoever, whenever. You ain’t never gave a damn about whose man was who’s.”
“Okay, but I didn’t know Mecca was supposed to be your man. That nigga was fucking everybody.”
“You know what, you’re right, which is why I told you we’re good.”
I was trying to dead the shit.
But I knew damn well Brookia knew how Mecca and I got down. She’d seen us together on more than one occasion, and there had always been whispers lingering around about us. Her hoe ass just decided to ignore it.
“Okay, fine.” She lifted her hands. “I’ll leave you alone.”
“Thank you.” I slammed the door in her face.
My phone vibrated again, and without looking, I could tell it was probably Ocean.
I ignored it.
I’ll see him when I get home.