Chapter Five
“You know when you said you wanted to get together and talk, this is not what I had in mind,” Aria huffed. Her idea of hanging out was day drinking, shopping, and eating crabs, not running up a damn hill. “I could’ve stayed in bed.”
Since Shane was back in town, Tyler suggested they get together before her studio session.
Aria wanted to go to a day spa, Shane wanted to go to brunch, but Tyler had other plans.
After a night of partying all night with Dexter, all she wanted to do was detox and get some fresh air.
Being the supportive friends they were, Shane and Aria dragged their asses up one of the tallest hills in Metro Detroit so Tyler could sort out her bullshit.
“And I get you wanting fresh air, but ain’t shit about this stale ass air fresh,” Aria continued. “Stop complaining. That’s why you can’t keep up,” Tyler tossed over her shoulder.
“Bitch, I can’t keep up because you got them long ass legs. Your one stride equals two of mine,” Aria whined. “And Lord, I don’t even see poor Shane anymore.”
“We’re almost there,” Tyler encouraged with the clap of her hands.
“I’m looking for the hoessssss,” Shane sang as he strolled by on a scooter. “See you at the top, bitchessss,” he waved.
“I can’t stand his skinny ass,” Aria breathlessly jeered, watching Shane fly by them with his leg kicked up.
“Didn’t I say stop talking? You need to preserve your breath,” Tyler instructed.
“Preserve these nuts.”
By the time Aria and Tyler made it to the top of the hill, Shane was sitting in the grass sipping from a bottle of water.
He thought it was good that Tyler used running as a form of therapy, but he wasn’t with the shit.
If he wasn’t running to the bank to cash a check, he didn’t want to run anywhere.
“You suck.” Tyler placed her hands on top of her head to catch her breath.
While her friends hated running, Tyler loved it.
After witnessing her mother's brain being beaten out of her head, the child therapist who was assigned to her case convinced Tyler that running could help control her thoughts, and it was true. If she was counting how many times her feet hit the pavement and focused on her breathing, she didn’t have time to think.
As an adult, the burning in her lungs temporarily distracted her need for any substances.
The soreness in her arms and legs wore her out and would allow her to have a good night’s rest without a sleep aid.
“No, bitch, you played. We’ve been friends since I borrowed your ponytail holder in first grade. You know damn well I wasn’t running no damn where. I don’t even run for a late flight, if I miss the muthafucka, then it wasn’t meant to be.” Shane twisted his lips. “Here, take a sip of water.”
“Water?!” Aria dramatically fell to the ground. “I need a damn lung.”
“You're exaggerating. It wasn’t that bad,” Tyler said, taking a sip of her water.
Shane couldn’t help but admire his best friend. She had on a pair of brown Skims biker shorts with the matching sports bra. Her titties were sitting pretty, and instead of wearing a wig, she rocked a fitted cap, taking her sporty look to the next level.
“And best friend, the body is bodying. If I was a nigga-” Shane popped her on the ass, making it jiggle.
“You are a nigga,” she reminded him.
“You know what I mean.” He flicked water on her. “If I was a nigga I’d tear that ass up.”
“Eww, Shane,” Aria laughed.
“Oh, you not half-stepping either,” Shane winked.
Aria blew him a kiss. She knew her ass was sitting up in her black Yitty short set, and the blonde bob was icing on the cake. Standing at five feet six inches, Aria was stacked in all the right places. She had hips, thighs, titties, and thanks to her daughters, everything was natural and soft.
"Tell me something I don’t know.” Aria cupped her round ass.
“Bitch, I thought you were dying so fast,” Shane laughed.
“I was until you started feeling on Ty.” She touched his leg. “You know I like that freaky shit.”
“Uh, eh.” He swatted her hand away.
“I might need to let him hit. I haven’t cum in so longgggg,” Tyler groaned. “At this point, I’m sexually frustrated.”
“I thought the sex between you and brokie was good,” Shane said with tooted lips.
“Don’t call him brokie and it is. It’s really good, but I can’t ever reach my climax.”
“How long has it been?” Aria chewed her bottom lip.
“Bitch, too fucking long,” Tyler stressed. “I’m always horny. I’m about ready to pay a nigga to torture the nut out a bitch. Shit, even Shane is looking good right about now.” She blew him a kiss.
Tyler told no lies. Shane’s shoulder length hair was braided straight to the back and his tapered line-up was crispy.
His eyebrows were flawlessly arched and his mink lashes were curled and full.
Keeping it clean, Shane’s beard was thin, and his mustache matched.
On any given day, he resembled Arrogant Tae, and while most would take that as a compliment, Shane didn’t play that shit; he was Shane…
Big Muthafuckin Shane, if you will, and he had his own name and fame.
“Aht aht. I’m strictly dickly.” Shane scooted away from her. “And spill the tea. You got us out here at the crack of dawn, running up hills. You damn near killed Aria, but I’m sure a lil gossip will heal her punctured lungs.” He patted the top of Aria’s head.
“Yall are horrible.” Tyler playfully rolled her eyes. “But I guess I'll fill yall in.”
“I feel like I need some wine and cheese for this.” Aria kicked her feet in excitement.
Since Shane had been out of the loop, Tyler started from the beginning to catch him up.
She went over what happened after they were released from county, outside the club, and the visit with her mom.
They were both aware of Maple’s situation, and while they couldn’t relate, Shane and Aria stood by their friend's side through it all.
They were acquainted with running from jetways right into hospital rooms. They dealt with sleepless nights while turning around to help Tyler prepare for a concert.
“I gotta go see Ms. Maple.” Shane smiled. “Slip my girl some candy, she’s a whole vibe.”
“Nigga, no. Every time you go up there, she starts trying to stand up and twerk.” Tyler shook her head. “She can’t even walk straight, and the minute she sees you, she’s leaning over her chair shaking her Depends.”
“Period!” Aria laughed. “Maple said my mind gone but this ass is still here.”
“Bitch,” Tyler snickered. “Her booty is still big though. Anyway, Carla changed the numbers on her forms again. Apparently, she hadn’t been eating, and they were trying to reach out to me, but Carla has been ignoring them.”
“I don’t like that lady.” Aria shook her head in disgust. “She reminds me of a hemorrhoid on the crease of my asshole.”
“Oh, I hate those.” Shane frowned. “And I hate how she be trying to handle my friend. I can’t wait for you to fire her ass.”
“Wellll, since you brought it up, I have been thinking about going independent,” Tyler said just above a whisper. “It’s kinda scary, but I can’t keep doing this. I need something new.”
“Aht aht, I’m going to need you to say that with a little more bass in your voice.” Shane frowned.
“I’M THINKING ABOUT GOING INDEPENDENT!”
“I know that’s right. Shout that shit from the bottom of your feet to the treetops,” Aria cheesed.
“Oh my godddddd!” Shane smothered her with hugs and kisses.
“So, yall think it’s a good idea?” Tyler questioned skeptically.
“Bitch, YES! I’ve been waiting for you to go independent. The world deserves to hear the real you, and you could benefit from a little image clean up.” Shane released her.
“What do you mean?” Tyler furrowed her eyebrows.
“First off, let me say yall hoes gotta chill. Ty, they’re going to make an example out of your ass if you keep putting your hands on Dex.
I know he deserves to be slapped around, but chill.
Go do kick boxing or yoga, anything besides going upside that man's head whenever he pisses you off,” Shane pleaded and turned his attention to Aria.
“And you! When I'm not around, you’re supposed to make sure her hot-headed ass keeps cool, not be hot-headed right along with her.”
“Well, that’s just stupid. You gotta know if she jumps, I'm jumping right beside her,” Aria responded with a frown. “Tag teaming bitches and niggas. WWE style if you will.”
“And that’s the problem.” Shane bucked his eyes. “Maybe I need to enroll both of yall asses in anger management classes.”
“I don’t need that shit.” Tyler pursed her lips. “People,” she paused. “Dex just needs to stop playing with my mind and I’ll be ok.”
“Or you need to leave his ass!”
“Leaving Dex is the least of my problems.”
“No, leaving Dex is the answer to your prayers. He’s an enabler, right along with your aunt. They both like to see you drunk and high because not only do you act up, but you’re also vulnerable. You’re building a brand, and you can’t do that shit with bad press.”
“You're acting like they force feed the shit to me.”
“Might as well. Carla is a drug pusher in a skirt. Every time she thinks you’re getting out of line or start thinking for yourself, she’s in your face with a drink or that dumb ass mint can.”
“Are you calling me weak?” Tyler questioned with furrowed brows, highly offended by the accusation.
“Bitch, did I say weak? You’ve known me long enough to know that I don’t sugarcoat shit.
You need to get your panties out of a bunch, Ms. I don’t need anger management.
I’m just stating facts. Whether you want to hear it or not, your aunt is using you for her benefit, and it just helps when you’re high.
As far as your brand, sure, you didn’t set out to create a brand, but it’s happening.
When your name is attached to anything, it blows up, so whether you like it or not, you have a brand. Protect your brand and your peace.”
“Whatever, Shane.”