Chapter 19
NINETEEN
Brandy Noel
I SPENT THE REST OF THE evening wrapped up in a blanket, on the couch, in Stella’s lap. She came through after her showing. I was grateful for my tribe. They always made sure I was okay.
We were in the middle of our favorite movie, The Wood, while I sipped soup Stella prepared.
I promised myself that I would let everything go for now and just focus on feeling better.
I was way too stressed earlier and it’d been a long time since I felt that way.
I was tired of Jeffrey having a clutch on my emotions.
Here I was living on a cloud, doing what I loved with who I love, getting spoiled, then bam…
bullshit. I was finally getting accustomed to having a clear mind and minimal worries.
I knew Jeffrey could pop up, but I felt safe knowing I had security protecting me around the clock, just for this bastard to play me in other ways, my damn bank account. I was so sick of this shit.
So much so, I requested to fly how I originally planned.
I didn’t want to engage with Amelia by faking the funk.
I truly wanted to get to know her and I didn’t need her feeling a way about me because I was in a bad mood I couldn’t shake.
The only thing that could help me right now was a big ass hug from my sister.
Chardonnay gave the best hugs. Don’t tell my mama that though. She’d beat my ass for even saying it. It was a fact though. Nay’s hugs felt like the center of a cinnamon bun—warm, gooey, and tight. Thankfully, I was about to get that very hug in a couple of days.
Once our movie wrapped up, Stella made her way to my guest room and called it a night. She had a couple of showings close by the next day so she spent the night. I was grateful for her company regardless. I wouldn't be seeing her for a little while.
I soon arrived in Colton and headed straight to the exit. Thankfully I didn’t need to go to baggage claim because I flew out with only a tote bag and small duffel. A shopping trip would bring my spirits up and Nay agreed.
I texted her to let her know where I was. The second I lifted my head and put my phone in my pocket, there she was with a big ass smile on her face. We ran to each other and slammed into a hug. She was a couple of inches taller than me, so I rested my head right on her shoulder.
“Aww, it’s okay, boo,” she said.
“Sure is, cuz I’m here now, wench,” I said excitedly. We linked arms and headed to her car.
We walked out to a black SUV with dark tints and nice rims. A stocky, good-looking guy in a suit was standing beside the open back door. I looked at Chardonnay and she smiled.
“This is Bryce, girl, my driver and Arlando’s cousin. The only person he trusts me with,” Chardonnay explained as we approached him.
“Hey, Bryce,” I said and extended my hand.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Davis. Nice to meet you,” he said.
He didn’t shake my hand, just smiled and went about helping sis get in the truck. After which he grabbed my duffel bag then assisted me into the truck too. I didn’t know how to feel about that, so I just let it be. Maybe he didn’t like shaking hands. People were nasty as hell out here.
On the way to the mall, we caught up on all the latest. She just about yelled to high heaven when I told her about my money loss. Her mouth was going a mile a minute over how bad she was going to beat Jeffrey’s ass. I just laughed at her because I missed her overdramatic self.
“I’m telling you, Dee Dee, we finding that man and he catching these hands.”
“Like Arlando would let you lift a finger to that man. Girl, bye. I’m fine. I’ve dealt with it. I’m getting therapy right now and I’ll be good with a little retail therapy too,” I said.
“Therapy right now? From who?”
“You, girl. I just needed my big sis. I know who I have around me so it’s not that I don’t feel safe. I’m trying to get his demon ass out of my mental. I’m over him always finding ways to hurt me. It isn’t fair that he has such a hold on me.”
“So cut that bitch loose. You’re holding the scissors, boo.
He can’t control you if you don’t let him.
He can’t affect you if you finally choose yourself and find peace in it.
Cut that damn string, girl, and live. You got a good man now who’s proven more than enough how solid he is.
Lean on him through your insecurities. Let him know how you really feel and move on to what we both know is beautiful. ”
My tears were about to overflow from my lids.
I hadn’t realized I was moving daily with such hurt and resentment under the surface.
I always masked things with a smile, but I was always on edge.
I never knew if the day would be normal or if this man would find a way to disrupt it. I could never fully just be.
“You’re right.” I sighed. “This is the first step right here. Breaking away and loving on my sis.”
“And staying put, hoe. You can’t fully get over him if you keep running. Dallas is a great city but come to Colton, sis. It’s quiet yet the community is always engaging. There’s always free events and lots of opportunities with your yoga studio and teaching in general.”
“You don’t have to sell it to me, sis. I felt the energy shift the minute I landed. Then the route here was scenic and beautiful. Also, way less traffic.” I laughed.
“Yes, girl, that’s the best part. Okay, take a deep breath and hold it. Exhale slowly after four seconds.”
“You sound like me.”
“My lil sis is the GOAT.”
I smiled then did as I was told. I closed my eyes and put my mind on this fresh start to a beautiful journey ahead. Once I opened my eyes, I felt a little better. And thankfully we arrived at the mall.
I swiped my eyes then smiled at my sis. I leaned into her and she patted my head like I was a little kid.
We headed into the mall and started with Macy’s. They always had hidden gems in those racks. We perused a couple more stores then headed into our favorite place, Nordstrom Rack.
We spent a little time looking at shoes then went to the dresses. I was grabbing little things here and there at the other stores but here I was solely focused on Chardonnay.
“So… I gotta tell you something,” I said as I roamed through the rack across from her. We were standing back-to-back.
“Ooh, what’s tea, boo? I knew something else was going on in that head of yours. I was trying to be patient,” Chardonnay replied. I couldn’t help but giggle.
“Sooooo, I got invited to your dinner too.”
“Huh? Of course, you did. I invited you, dummy.”
She turned to face me and I couldn’t help but chuckle lightly as I turned around.
“Not from you, dummy,” I replied and playfully shoved her arm.
“What you mean? Armond invited you?”
“Yep.” I smiled.
“Damn, it took two years for Arlando’s dusty ass to let me meet the folks and you gon’ meet them after two months!”
“I guess so.”
“What! How you bag that?” she asked excitedly.
Her voice carried through the store and drew eyes to us, but she didn’t care. She did a little shimmy pop of her hips and I couldn’t help the laughter that expelled from me. I joined her in a little dance too.
“Girl, when he asked me, I was shook. I thought he was playing for a split second, but we’ve gotten close. I wish I’d met him sooner! He’s like the perfect gentleman and he’s nasty too.”
“Ooh, girl, that runs in the family! Arlando be having me spread open any and everywhere.”
“They wanted nasty good girls… well, they got ’em!”
Chardonnay stuck her tongue out and we slapped hands before falling out into a burst of giggles.
“Man, that’s wild. Arlando told me about his brother and talked about him all the time.
But that man travels more than Arlando’s ass.
Shit used to have me thinking he was making his brother up.
If I didn’t hear him in conversation, then I would still think he was bullshitting.
Now my sis has met him in Puerto Rico and baby it all makes sense.
Ain’t no way you would've met him in these states. Ooh, this is going to be so great! Have you picked out your dress yet? You think their parents will like us?”
Chardonnay’s excitement dwindled suddenly as her nerves took over. The smile that once graced her face was now consumed by furrowed brows, a creased forehead, and a pout that mirrored my own when I was worried.
We were both the spitting image of our mother and our expressions mirrored each other’s too. I couldn’t help but wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly.
“I hear their father is a tough cookie but their mother should be more welcoming. Their sister is really cool. I met her on our flight home from Puerto Rico. Maybe they’ll be more chill like her.
Girl, we just gonna show up as us and if they don’t like us then oh well.
We ain’t fucking them,” I said bluntly. That garnered a smile from my sister and that was all I wanted.
“That’s right, sis. We’re the definition of them , okkkurrtt,” she said, then laughed.
“Besides, you and Arlando have been going strong for so long that they’ll have no choice but to love you.
You’ve been their family. Me on the other hand, I’m brand new to this, and I’m nervous as hell.
Armond is so sure about me but what if I do something else to run him off?
He literally almost broke up with me when I played that leave bullshit.
I don’t know why I did that. I mean, I know why, but girl, that look on his face just about killed me. ”
“Well, I’m glad he loves you so much that he forgave your silly tail.”
“Love? Girl, no. He doesn’t love me. We just started dating and…”