6. Reiana
Reiana
Today I was having a much-needed girl’s day with Mona and Taryn.
It was long overdue, and I can’t wait to ignore the bottom of my mimosa glass.
While I waited for Rhyse to collect whatever he was taking with him to Mona’s, I sprayed some leave-in conditioner in my hair so it wouldn’t be dry.
Once I did that, I dabbed some lip gloss on before grabbing my crossbody.
Leaving my room, I headed down the hall to see if Rhyse was ready.
“Boosie, you ready?” I asked from the doorway.
“Yes ma’am,” he announced as he grabbed his bookbag.
We loaded up in my truck and headed a few blocks over to the neighboring subdivision that Mona and her husband lived in.
Quentin was heavy in the streets and owned King Q’s Barbershop.
He took real good care of Mona and their kids and I was happy that my cousin was able to find love after moving here with me, even though I was still searching.
Once I pulled into her gate, I parked behind Quentin’s GMC Sierra. That truck was as big as he was, but he was a true country boy at heart.
“I hope Uncle Q takes us to ride the four-wheelers,” Rhyse beamed as we got out and headed inside.
“I hope he doesn’t because I’on feel like dealing with the mud and dirt if he does,” I countered just as the door came open.
“Well too bad sis, because that’s exactly where we’re going,” Quentin acknowledged as he opened the door for me and Rhyse.
“Yes!” Rhyse shouted excitedly as he shot past us.
“I’m leaving his dirty ass right here too,” I said as I shook my head and walked inside.
“That’s fine. Mimi is with my sister so I’on mind hanging out with my boys.
” He smirked. Quentin has been active with Rhyse from the time he and Mona got together.
Even after they had their son, Quaylon, he stayed active.
You couldn’t tell Rhyse shit about his Uncle Q, and you damn sure couldn’t tell Quentin anything bad about Rhyse, even when he knew he was bad as hell.
“Mhm. Where’s Mona?” I asked just as she appeared from their side of the house.
“I heard you bitches were looking for me?” She sang as she got closer.
“Bitch, don’t start that shit already. At least let me get my first drink in me first before you start your bullshit,” I laughed.
“Well, you better catch up. Where’s Tay?” She asked, as Quentin felt her up like I wasn’t in the room.
“She’s going to meet us there, so come on. I’ain got time for Q to be humping on you and shit.” I grabbed her arm to pull her away from her husband, who was calling me a hater, and she was laughing as we made it to my truck.
As soon as we got in my truck and left her driveway, Taryn was calling.
“We’re on the way so don’t start your shit,” I said as soon as the call connected.
“Y’all hoes always late. I’m glad I’m not being kidnapped or some shit,” she shot back.
“Bitch, don’t nobody want you,” Mona laughed.
“You tried it,” Tay laughed. “But y’all hurry up… shit.” She didn’t even give us time to refute before she hung up in our face.
“That damn girl is so fucking impatient,” I laughed as we made our way to The Gloss House. That was our first stop to get pampered, and it was good that they served drinks too.
Since the salon wasn’t that far, it didn’t take that long for us to get there. When we arrived, we were seated immediately by Taryn at the pedicure station. She already had a drink in her hand, a smirk on her face.
“About time you hoes showed up,” she started. “This is my second drink.” She cut her eyes as she took a sip of her champagne.
“That’s just ridiculous,” I laughed, taking my seat next to her while Mona took the seat next to me, putting me between the two of them.
“It’s called enjoying myself,” Taryn corrected as she lifted her champagne glass and took another sip. “Something your ass needs to do more often.”
“I enjoy myself just fine,” I defended as I slipped my feet out of my sandals.
“Mhm,” Mona hummed as she placed her purse beside her chair. “When you’re not working, dealing with Rhyse, or stressing over Dorian’s weird ass.”
I turned my head slowly and looked at her. I hadn’t even got comfortable yet, and these two were already trying to start their shit. I should’ve known better than to think I was going to make it through the whole day without Dorian becoming a topic.
“Damn, can I at least get my feet in the water before y’all start y’all’s shit?” I asked as the nail tech started filling the basin in front of me.
“I’ain say nothing about that nigga,” Taryn lied as she shrugged her shoulders.
“You didn’t have to,” I countered as I dipped my feet into the warm water. “I can see your fucking thoughts.”
The water immediately relaxed me, and I sank farther into the massage chair. This was exactly why I needed a girl’s day. Between work, Rhyse, and trying to figure out what the hell Dorian had going on lately, my mind had been running nonstop.
I took a sip from my glass and let the chair massage my back while the nail tech started working on my feet.
Soft R&B played throughout the salon, and for the first time all week, I didn’t have anywhere I needed to be or anything I needed to handle.
Rhyse was with Quentin, which meant I knew he was good.
My employees knew not to bother me unless the building was on fire, and even then, they better APFD first. Today belonged to me, at least that’s what I thought until Mona turned her attention back in my direction.
“So, what’s been going on with you and Dorian?” Mona asked as she rested her glass against her thigh.
“Here we fucking go,” I groaned as I brought my champagne to my lips.
“Don’t act like we ambushed you,” Mona defended as she looked over at me. “You’ve been saying his ass has been acting funny and we wanna know if you found out anything or not.”
“And he has,” I admitted as I shrugged. “I just don’t know what the hell he has going on.”
That was the part that got under my skin the most. I knew Dorian was keeping something from me, but I couldn’t figure out what it was.
Every time his phone rang, he either ignored it or moved away from me to answer it.
Whenever I asked questions, all I got was some vague shit about work.
I guess he thought I was just as dumb as he was.
“If you ask me, the nigga is trying to pull a Tommy off of Martin. Nigga ain’t got no job, man,” Tay blurted, and we all joined in on the laughter.
I had never been the type to need to know a man’s every move.
Dorian was grown, and so was I. I had too much of my own shit going on to be checking phones, following locations, and questioning his every move.
But there was a difference between giving somebody space and letting them play in my face.
And right now I felt like Dorian was definitely playing in my face.
“Have you asked him what’s going on?” Mona asked as she turned slightly toward me.
“You know I did,” I responded as I picked up my glass. “He always says it’s work related.”
“And you believe him?” Taryn questioned as she stared at me.
“Absolutely not,” I answered without hesitation.
Taryn threw one hand into the air. “Then what the fuck are we talking about?” She asked dramatically.
“We’re talking about me not accusing that man of doing some shit when I’on know what the shit is,” I explained as I set my glass back in the holder. “I’m not about to follow him around Arbor Point like I work for the FBI.”
“I will,” Taryn offered. “Give me an all-black fit and the nigga’s address.”
I busted out laughing because her crazy ass looked serious as hell.
“See, this is why I’on tell your ass shit,” I said as I shook my head.
“She’ll have us sitting outside that man’s house in a rental car with binoculars,” Mona joked as she looked over at Taryn.
“And snacks,” Taryn added with a smirk.
“You two are fucking ridiculous,” I laughed as I looked between them.
As crazy as they were, I loved having them in my corner. Mona had been there through damn near everything with me, and Taryn had earned her place right beside her. They could get on my last nerve, but I never had to question whether either one of them had my best interests at heart.
By the time we walked out of The Gloss House, almost three hours had passed. My nails and toes were fresh, everything that needed waxing was smooth, and between the drinks we had inside, I was starving, so we decided on Rhythm & Brunch.
The place was packed when we arrived, but Mona had already made reservations. The DJ was playing some old school R&B, giving the place a 90s feel.
“This is what the fuck I’m talking about,” Taryn announced as she danced to the music while following the hostess.
“Your drunk ass,” I laughed as I slid into the booth.
“I’m not drunk,” Taryn argued as she slid in beside me. “I’m slightly elevated.”
“You mean inebriated,” Mona countered.
“Mhm… that too,” Taryn responded as she opened her menu, making me and Mona cackle at her drunk ass.
Everything sounded good, which was probably the champagne talking, but I eventually settled on the shrimp and grits with breakfast potatoes. Mona ordered French toast with eggs and turkey sausage, while Taryn went with chicken and waffles.
Once our food arrived, I immediately started questioning my decision because Mona’s French toast looked better than anything on my plate.
“Let me get a piece of that,” I requested as I pointed my fork toward her plate.
“No,” Mona answered as she blocked my hand.
“You’re a stingy little bitch,” I sneered.
“And you’re a greedy little bitch,” Mona shot back as she finally cut off a piece and put it on the edge of my plate.
“Thank you, cousin,” I responded sweetly before popping it into my mouth.
“You get on my gah damn nerves,” Mona grinned as she shook her head.
“So, back to Dorian,” Taryn announced as she wiped her mouth with her napkin.
“Why are we back to that nigga?” I asked with a frown.
“Because we still don’t know what this nigga on,” Taryn stated.
Mona took a sip of her mimosa before setting it down. “Do you think he’s cheating?”