Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Titan
It was rare that I had a day that I didn’t have shit to do, and today was one of those days. I got to sleep in and now I was about to go pop in on my mama. I woke up with Tink on my mind, so I texted her little mean ass.
Wassup, Tink? Wyd?
I placed my phone on the sink counter while I brushed my teeth. Once I got finished with that, I hopped in the shower. She didn’t text back until I was in my car and headed to my mama’s.
Tink: I was in class. I’m headed to the hospital to do my clinicals.
I glanced at the phone and smirked. It felt good to be able to help her finish her classes so she could graduate.
That’s wassup. I was just checking on you and shit.
She responded almost immediately this time.
Tink: You didn’t have to do that but thank you...
You got it, Tink.
I dropped my phone back in my lap and headed to my mama’s. When I pulled up, I saw my sister’s car in the driveway. After parking behind her car, I let myself in and found the two of them in the kitchen.
“It looks like I’m right on time,” I announced as I made it further into the kitchen. I mushed my sister’s head before I pulled my mama into a hug and kissed her temple.
“I told you about your hands, boy,” Lani fussed.
“What brings you by?” Mama asked.
I reared my head back. “You act like I can’t come see my mama?”
I sat at the counter beside my sister and stole a piece of the pound cake she was eating.
“I didn’t say that, but you stay busy.” She cut her eyes at me.
“Man, Ma. Don’t start that. I’ve been chilling lately,” I acknowledged.
“Mhm... I can see. She’s pretty and she seems to have a little class. Who is she?” She probed.
“He likes her too, Mommy,” Lani blabbed.
“Bro, stay out my business.” I fussed. “And Ma, it’s not what you think it is. It’s business,” I countered.
“Business? She’s a hooker or something?” She frowned.
“What?” I laughed. “No, she’s not a hooker.”
“Then what do you mean by its business.” She stood at the opposite end of the counter and put her hand on her hip, waiting for me to explain. If I didn’t know anything else, I knew I’d better get to explaining before she dived across that counter and into my shit.
Blowing out a sharp breath, I told my mama all about the plan that Sasha and my PR team had come up with to save my image.
I let her know all about me seeing Tink at her job and overhearing her and her friend’s conversation, so I presented her with the opportunity for us to help each other. When I was done, she just stared at me.
“What, Ma?” I groaned.
“You like her.” She smiled.
“Man...” I dragged out.
“He does, Mommy. He stalks her social media and likes her photos and comments on them too. He even took her on a date,” Lani blabbed.
“Man, I told you to stay out my shit. I’on pay you to be nosy.”
“Boy, bye. I followed her from my own page and saw you being all thirsty. It’s okay though because she’s pretty and from what I heard your friends say, she doesn’t play with you.” She shrugged.
“Oh, you took her on a date?” Mama probed.
“Just to thank her, that’s all.”
“Mhm...you can tell them blogs that, but I’m your mama and I know better. Don’t let it be too long before I meet her.” Mama went back to cooking letting me know she was finished with the conversation.
When she turned her back, I shoved Lani, damn near making her fall off the stool.
“Why would your big, stupid self do that?” She snarled.
“You need to learn to mind your business.”
“You are my business,” she countered, rolling her eyes.
“Since when?” I quizzed.
“Since forever. Now...you remember you have that charity event next week?”
“Damn... I forgot all about that shit. When is it?” I was mentally running down what I needed to do by then.
“Next Friday,” she informed.
“Aight. Hit up my stylist to come through with some shit for me to look through. Tell her to bring something for you too,” I offered.
“Why not take Cadence?” She suggested.
I thought about it for a minute, and it would be a good photo op for us.
“I didn’t think about asking her. I’ll hit her up and run it by her,” I answered.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and pulled up our text thread.
What time are you leaving the hospital?
I placed my phone down and listened to Lani run some other shit that I needed to do off to me. In the middle of her talking, my phone went off.
Tink: Around 5:30. Everything ok?
I smiled at the fact that she was checking in without even realizing it.
Yeah. I just needed to talk to you about some shit. I’ll meet you at your house when I leave my mama’s.
Tink: Uhm... ok.
Be cool, Tink. I’ain on no bullshit... I promise.
It took a few seconds to respond, but I was happy that she did.
Tink: Ok... I guess I’ll see you later.
Bet.
I put my phone down and my mama and sister were looking at me with stupid ass grins on their faces.
“Yeah, y’all tripping.” I laughed as I got up.
My mama would read too much into this shit because she wanted me to settle down, and I was just trying to play ball and stay out the way.
I’ve been at my mama’s house for about an hour before my pops showed up. I should’ve known he’d be here sooner or later.
“Hey, baby girl,” he greeted my sister, who gave him a hug. She knew about their relationship, but she was a daddy’s girl, so she didn’t say too much.
“Hey, Daddy,” she countered.
“Hey, son,” he spoke.
“Wassup.” I nodded.
He returned the gesture and went to kiss my mama on the cheek before disappearing in the back.
“Ma, what y’all doing?” I asked.
“Minding our grown ass business,” she stated matter-of-factly.
“I can see that. What about Maureen?”
My pops had been married to Maureen for about fifteen years, but I never not saw him over here. I mean, he was my pops, so I didn’t mind him being here, but I didn’t want him playing with my mama either.
“What about her?” Mama shot back. I just shook my head.
“You got it, Mama. Just know if that nigga gets you caught up in some bullshit, I’m beating his old ass... pops or not,” I warned.
“Trust me, son. It’s not what you think it is...trust your mama and watch your mouth.” She popped me in my mouth when she finished talking.
“Yeah, it’s time for me to go because you done start abusing me,” I joked.
I kissed my mama just as my pops came back up front in fresh clothes.
“You leaving, son?” he asked.
“Yeah, I got some shit to do. I’m hit you up later though because we need to talk.” I looked him dead in the eyes, so he knew I wasn’t playing.
“Titan,” Mama called my name.
“It’s cool, Ai (Eye). Just hit me up, son.” He patted my back, and I mushed my sister on the way out.
When I left, I was in my feelings a little bit because I wanted better for my mama, but clearly it was some shit going on that I didn’t know anything about. I would chill for now, but as soon as I found out some foul shit, I was beating his ass, and I put that on his soul.
***
It was a little after eight when I made it to Tink’s spot. I was giving her time to get home and settled. When I knocked on the door, she opened it with them little ass shorts on with an oversized t-shirt that hung off her shoulders and cut to make it a crop top.
“I’m starting to think you like teasing me,” I joked as I walked.
She shut the door and went back to the counter where she was dicing up different color bell peppers.
“You cooking because you knew I was coming by?” I asked as I took a seat at the island.
“I’m cooking because I’m hungry,” she countered with her smart-ass mouth.
“You got a fly ass mouth... you know that?” I stated.
“What was so important that you had to come over and talk about face-to-face?” She deflected.
I shook my head as I laughed at her petty ass.
“I got this charity event coming up and I need a date. Being as though you’re my girl and all, it’s only right that you go with me.” She stopped cutting and brought her eyes to mine.
“A charity event?” She repeated.
“Yeah, Tink. A charity event,” I answered. “I forgot about the shit until Lani reminded me,” I responded honestly.
“Okay. I guess that’s a requirement.” She shrugged.
“You’on have to go if you’on want to. It’ll be okay. I can handle them muthafuckas.”
She was moving around the kitchen comfortably, like us having a conversation about shit like this was our normal routine.
“I’m okay with going. When is it?” She quizzed as she added the peppers in to skillet.
“What you cooking?”
“When is the event?” She asked again.
Simpering, I responded. “Next Friday. Now, what you cooking?”
She didn’t respond right away, and I couldn’t see the look on her face because her back was still turned to me. When she turned around, she had a strained look on her face.
“Next Friday?” She uttered. “As in the Friday after this one?” She pointed her finger like Friday was in the room with us.
“Yeah, man. Next Friday,” I repeated. “I’on remember all the details but I do know it’s black tie.”
I saw her mentally getting things together in her head, but I stopped her before she could get too far gone.
“Don’t stress yourself. I’ll have my stylist bring you a few dresses, and you can choose from them. Whatever else you need for the night, I got you on. As a matter of fact, I’m gone give Lani your number so she can help you with the shit,” I mentioned, already pulling out my phone to text Lani.
I need you to make Tink some appointments for next Friday so she can be ready for the gala. I’ll send you the details later.
I knew her messy ass would comment right back?
Twin: ??: Tink ?? Let me find out you in love already ??
Man, gah damn. Can you just do what I ask without all the extra commentary.
Twin ??: You’re acting like a hoe. Send me her information and what she likes. I’ll make the hair appointment now and hit up Brielle about some dresses, so don’t forget to send me her size.
Bet.
I put my phone on the counter and noticed Tink staring a hole through me.
“That was my sister,” I explained.
“I didn’t ask you who you were talking to,” she countered.
“Yeah, but the look on your face said I needed to clarify it before you knocked fire from my ass,” I laughed, causing her to join in. “She said she’ll make your hair appointment and for you to send your sizes so she can tell the stylist.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’on need a hairstylist. Nae does my hair. I’ll see if she’d be able to squeeze me in,” she responded.
“Bet. Tell her to lookout and I got her.” I offered. That may have been her best friend, but I knew people didn’t play about their money... I should know because I’m people.
“Okay,” she simpered. “Are you staying for dinner?” She asked.
“You damn right I am. That shit smells good as fuck. I might get full and crash here tonight.” I smirked. I threw in that last part just to see what she would say.
“Well, there’s plenty of room on the couch if you do,” she clapped back with a smirk of her.
I laughed her response off and took off my hoodie so I could get comfortable. I wasn’t going to spend the night, but I was going to have dinner with her and kick it for a minute.