Nine Teagan
Nine
Teagan
T he Phoenix Desert Smash cocktail party did wonders for Williams & Associates. I networked with several movers and shakers and consequently picked up two new assignments. My gamble on joining the country club is paying off.
But isn’t that life? When one thing goes spectacularly, the rest falls to shit. Or at least that’s how I feel after Dominic Fletcher strolled back into my life as if he had a right to be there.
I was happy and going about my life as if he never existed, as if the year we spent together wasn’t the best I ever had. But now all those old wounds are reopening and I see the scabs never truly healed. He hurt me so much I’ve never let another man get close. I’ve not had a serious relationship in over a decade.
I enjoy men casually, will even fuck them if the mood is right, but none of them have ever rocked my world like Dominic . I’m angry because he took away something priceless, my ability to trust, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever get it back. I’ve only trusted the Gems. I know they’ll never hurt me. They pull through in the clutch and are there when the going gets tough. They pushed past reporters and even my father to get to me. And that’s no easy feat. The Gems are who I need now to make sense of the madness.
It’s a good thing I already had an appointment in my calendar, flying to North Carolina to help Egypt try on wedding dresses. It’s hard to believe another Gem is headed down the aisle. Nonetheless, I’m here to do my bridesmaid duties. It’s not Egypt’s fault I’ve got problems.
To save on costs, I didn’t fly in the night before like the other Gems and instead chose to come directly for the fitting, have a one-night hotel stay and head back to Phoenix tomorrow. When I arrive to the bridal shop, everyone is already there. The ladies squeal in delight when I walk in wearing torn denims, a white tank and a blazer.
“Ooh, I love the greeting, Gems,” I say with a smile.
“Come on over here and give us a hug,” Egypt commands. She’s always been headstrong, much like myself, which is probably why we occasionally bump heads.
“Hey.” I rush over and give her a warm squeeze. “Congratulations!”
Her beautiful brown face spreads into a smile. “Thank you, girlfriend. It’s good to have you. We couldn’t get this party started until the last Gem arrived.”
“That’s right!” Lyric pulls me into her embrace. “I’ve missed you.”
“Same,” I respond. Whenever I get together with my girls, I feel like I’ve come home. The outpouring of love I receive from them I can’t find anywhere else. “Let me have a look at you.” I hold Lyric’s hand and spin her around. “Happiness looks good on you. How’s Devon and Kianna?”
“Absolutely wonderful,” Lyric responds with a wide grin.
“And the living situation?” Asia sashays her petite form in between us so Lyric can spill the tea. “Are you enjoying being a mom? ’Cause, girl, had I realized having a toddler was going to be this difficult, I would have kept my legs closed.”
Several of us chuckle. Trust Asia to keep it real. She’s always been a spitfire, but it’s what we love about her.
“Actually, it’s been better than I ever imagined,” Lyric answered. “I always wanted a family of my own and now I have that.”
I reach across the distance between us and squeeze Lyric’s hand. “And you, Wynter?” I lean my head so I can get a look at our travel influencer, who’s lounging on a chaise. “How’s the baby-making coming along?”
Wynter shakes her head. “Not a word from me until we get this one—” she winks at Egypt “—in some dresses.”
“Aw, Wynter, you’re such a softy,” Egypt states, “but yes, today is all about me, so we’ll dish later. Find me some dresses, ladies.”
We each rush off to different parts of the store and riffle through the racks. In the end, Egypt decides on the crepe chiffon dress because it will travel well.
“You look stunning!” I say. The dress hugs her ample behind while the sweetheart neckline shows a touch of bosom and the slit reveals her toned thighs.
“You look hot!” Asia announces. “I’d fuck you.” Asia’s no-nonsense answer makes us all break out into laughter.
“Thank you, darlin’,” Egypt replies. “But the only person I’m interested in fucking is Garrett.”
“Oh, lawd!” I roll my eyes. “Can we get on with it?”
Sharing this moment is bittersweet because I’m nostalgic about a time when I saw a future with Dominic, even dreamed we might get married one day with me in a dress as beautiful as Egypt’s. I haven’t been sleeping because visions of him are breaking free from where I bottled them up to be ignored and forgotten. And now I can’t forget him.
Why can’t I let him go?
* * *
Once we’re seated at Flame later that afternoon for cocktails, I plan on telling the Gems everything that’s happened. Everyone is giving updates on what’s going on in their lives. Shay catches us up on the latest expansion of her studio, Balance and Elevate.
“Memberships are up,” Shay states. “We had a slow start with the cycling studio but once word got out about B&E and our fabulous instructors, classes are packed. I even have a waiting list.”
“That’s amazing,” Egypt responds. “And you, Asia. How’s Six Gems doing?”
Asia named her jewelry store after our group. I was proud to see her handmade rare gemstone pieces on display when she first opened. “Business is strong and steady,” Asia replies. “I’m not expanding like Shay, but my customers are a lot different. They aren’t coming for a service. They’re buying one-of-a-kind pieces that can only be found at Six Gems.”
“Do you still love designing now that you have Ryan?” Wynter asks.
Asia smiles and takes a sip of the fruity concoction Egypt’s bartender made while the rest of us sip on wine. “Actually, I enjoy it more because it reminds me I’m not just Ryan’s mom or Blake’s wife, though I love both my Coleman men to the moon and back.”
“So profound, Asia.” Lyric chuckles. “Who knew you had it in you?”
“Are you giving me shade, Red?” Asia calls Lyric by a nickname only she uses because of the auburn shade of Lyric’s hair. “Because you know, I’ll give it right back.”
“Bring it on, Asia. I ain’t scared of you,” Lyric responds with an affectionate grin.
“Girls, girls, do I need to step in?” I inquire.
“Maybe you should.” Egypt swivels and turns to look at me. “’Cause you been awfully quiet tonight. You usually have an opinion about everyone and everything.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m listening and giving everyone a chance to talk.”
“Since when?” Egypt asks incredulously. “Earlier at the bridal shop, I sensed you had something on your mind. So spill the beans.”
I glance around at the beautiful, strong, independent women sitting at the table. “Well…if you must know, Dominic is back!”
“You’ve got to be joking!” Egypt stares at me in disbelief.
“We need deets,” Asia replies, “like where, when and why would the man who ruined your life suddenly return out of the clear blue sky?”
“It’s because of the tennis tournament, isn’t it?” Lyric asks.
“What tennis tournament?” Wynter inquires, looking back and forth at me and Lyric.
“I needed to drum up business for Williams & Associates because of the current real estate market. I decided to join the Phoenix Country Club. My thought was to schmooze with the wealthy and hopefully get some leads. Instead, I’ve ended up not only playing tennis, but getting talked into being on the tennis tournament committee.”
Asia’s mouth forms an O and even Wynter sits back farther into her chair, flabbergasted.
“Y’all know what a big deal it was for me to pick up a racket again.”
“Yeah, you vowed never to play again,” Shay states.
“And I meant it, at the time . I never assumed joining a country club meant opening up Pandora’s box. And so with a door opened to tennis, Dominic walked right through it. The cochair of the committee recruited him as a tennis star to lend authenticity to our charity tournament. Imagine my surprise to see Dominic at one of the fundraising events.”
“How’d he look?” Asia asks.
I glare at her. “How do you think? Fine as hell and as sexy as I remember.”
“Did you speak? Did you confront him? What did you do?” Wynter peppers me with questions.
“Not exactly. We spoke, but got interrupted. He asked me to come back to his place to talk later, but I chickened out. I didn’t think we had anything to say. I refuse to be a victim on the Dominic Fletcher train ever again.”
“It’s not his fault how the press portrayed you,” Lyric says quietly.
“Whose side are you on?” I snap. My brown eyes burn into hers.
“Yours, of course,” Lyric responds. “Always yours, Tee.”
“Then you have to know how hard it was seeing him again.” My voice cracks when I speak. “He—he’s the only man…”
Egypt reaches for my hand and squeezes. “You don’t have to say it. We lived it with you.” Her kindness makes tears trickle down my cheeks.
“He ruined me,” I say weakly. “I’ve never been the same after him.”
“No, no, no. You’re not going to give Dominic Fletcher that kind of power,” Egypt responds. “You’re Teagan Williams, an unstoppable force of nature and a Gem. You’re precious and worthy of so much love and when the right man comes along, he will recognize it, fight for it .”
I love how Egypt boldly defends me, no matter what. She sweeps back my tears with her palms. I mouth, “Thank you.”
“I love the girl power, sista souljah, I do,” Asia responds, looking at Egypt, “but what is she supposed to do with Dominic in her tournament?”
“What do you want to do?” Wynter asks.
“I want to show him who’s fucking boss!” I say loudly.
“That’s right!” Shay stands and starts clapping. Wynter, Lyric and Asia rise to their feet and join her.
“I want to show him I’m still standing and he didn’t break me,” I continue, feeling the fire. “I want to show him what he missed out on!”
“There’s my girl!” Egypt shouts. “I knew the real Teagan was lying underneath this self-doubt. Despite losing a career you worked toward and the man you loved, you still came out standing. I’m proud of you.”
“I’m proud of me too, but what if I get hurt again?”
“And what if you don’t?” Asia responds. “You used to love tennis and were one of the best women in the sport. It’s still there. Believe in yourself. If you want to play again, do it for yourself and not because you have something to prove. Because you don’t.”
“See, us Gems have pearls of wisdom,” Egypt states. “And if you need us, really need us, ask. No ask is ever too small, ya feel me?”
I nod.
This trip was exactly what I needed to remember who I am and how much I’ve grown. Asia is right. I don’t have anything to prove to anyone, but maybe I need to prove to myself that I still have what it takes on the court. And if Dominic is a witness to my triumphant return, then that’s the icing on the cake.