Somee #2
My eyes moved from face to face, reading their lips so I could keep up.
I was mostly good at reading lips, but group settings were a challenge for even the most skilled.
There were occasionally things I couldn’t help, like people turning away, disrupting my view of their mouths with their hands or drinks, or talking while they were eating, which meant I sometimes only caught half of what they were saying.
So far, today had been pretty easy since Makari expressed how to include me in conversation easier.
Shiya and Zina made a valid effort to be mindful of those things.
Layla only did when she was making slick comments or trying to be funny.
“If you hate my wigs so much, how about you foot the bill for one?” Layla glanced at everyone then rolled her eyes.
“I’m going to make you an appointment with my girl because that…” Shiya circled her finger in the air. “Is unacceptable.”
“I got five on it,” Makari added with a grin.
“Bitch, fuck y’all.” Layla sucked her teeth, forcing a stiff smile before she continued. “I’m pretty as hell though, so bad wig or not, I still got me a baller.”
“Hoe, we all got ballers and that’s not the flex you think it is.”
“Damn sure isn’t, considering it’s her second one.”
“Third,” Makari clarified.
They continued going back and forth but I tuned them out when I got a text from Toya.
Toya: Would you be opposed to working at Chandler but not in a classroom?
I loved being in the classroom. The kids were the best part of my day, so I had never really considered anything outside of that, but I was curious.
Me: Depends. The classroom is my happy place.
She’d mentioned finding a position for me at Chandler a few times, and although I was grateful, I hadn’t expected much.
When I made the decision to stay, I checked their site for open teaching positions and there weren’t any, although they were always accepting applicants.
I applied through their site and attached my credentials and resume, feeling hopeful that something would come up.
Ryland adamantly voiced enough times that I didn’t have to rush to find a job or need one at all.
I appreciated him giving me the freedom to figure out what I wanted to do, but the one thing my mother and I agreed on was not losing my identity or fading into Ryland’s world.
His lifestyle was cool, and based on the two cards I had in my purse right now with my name on them, Ryland had no issues providing me access to his lifestyle or money.
The access was indeed a flex, but I needed something that kept me from losing my mind. Rylee was in school all day and Ryland had his commitment to football, which meant I needed something to occupy my time. I honestly loved teaching, being around my students gave me life and provided purpose.
Toya: There still aren’t any open positions across any of the grades, but Nicolette did mention that they would be hiring for an Instruction Coach.
Me: I’m not sure what that is and it sounds boring
Toya: Girl, why did I say the same thing?
Me: Then you hate me right
Toya: Nope. I actually love you. An Instruction Coach is pretty much a teaching babysitter.
You review their lesson plans to make sure they meet state guidelines.
Do observations and evaluations for the first grade teachers on your team.
You only have to be on campus when you’re doing the observations.
It pays way more than being in a classroom and it’s pretty much part-time work with a full-time salary—Nicolette’s words, not mine.
Toya: And before you say no, let me add that if you take the job you’ll still be on campus, so you can see Rylee whenever you want. But you’ll also have the freedom to travel and see Ryland whenever you want too You’ll thank me later for the flexibility this job offers
Toya: Plus you don’t really have to apply. Call Nicolette and tell her you want the job and it’s yours. It’s already been cleared by all the powers that be.
Me: You’re selling this way too hard. What’s the catch?
Toya: There is no catch. You’re on your boss shit, so I know having your own is important and I want you to stay. So I’m doing my part to get you locked in. You’re welcome. Now call Nicolette and tell her you’re accepting the job.
I grinned.
Me: I didn’t say I was taking the job.
Toya: So what I’m hearing is that you don’t love me?
Me: I do, so there’s a very high probability that I will say yes, but I want to think about it for a minute. I’m at lunch with Makari and some of the other wives. Can I text you later?
Toya: Ohh WAG life. Yep, text me or come by and tell me all their dirty little secrets.
Me: Unfortunately, aside from buying cheap wigs from ClokIt and the group chat where the hot topic is which side piece or girlfriend won’t make it through preseason, there’s not much to tell.
Toya: Well, that sucks.
Me: Indeed it does. I’ll text you later.
I locked the device and rejoined the conversation. Makari motioned to my phone.
“Everything good?”
“Yes, I might have a job.”
“Tears or smiles?”
“Smiles. Football and school for Ryland and Rylee leave me with too much empty time. I don’t want to be stuck staring at four walls all day.”
“Makes sense.”
My phone vibrated with a text from our group chat.
Shiya: Somebody better tell me something because y’all all cute and grinning and I’m feeling left out.
Zina: Me too.
Me: Sorry, I might have a job.
Shiya: Before I respond, is that good or bad because we ride for the foolishness or support the boss shit. Just let us know which way we’re going with this.
Me: Good. I need my own thing.
Zina: Yaaaazzz Congratulations. Let me hold something.
I laughed.
Me: I haven’t said yes yet.
A hand waved, getting my attention, then Layla smiled coyly before she spoke. “So I guess I should go ahead and get this out the way…”
She paused and I frowned, waiting. I felt the bullshit tipping the scale and was prepared for it.
“I mean, so it’s not awkward or anything later.”
“Oh hell, here we go,” Zina said, rolling her eyes.
“What?” I signed, looking from Shiya to Zina to Makari, then back to Layla.
“Nothing,” Shiya said, making me frown deeper when she turned and glared at Layla.
“What’s going on?” I signed to Makari, who shook her head.
“I don’t know,” she signed and spoke, then looked at Zina and Shiya. But before she could say anything, Layla waved her hand again, bringing our attention back to her.
“Ryland and I had a thing.”
Okay, didn’t expect that. I knew he got around, but why the fuck had this girl been sitting in my face knowing she had been with him?
And why did Makari not tell me? She obviously knew where my thoughts went because her hands moved quick at the same time she turned her head to Shiya and Zina with a look that asked what the fuck.
“I didn’t know.”
“Girl, it wasn’t a thing. He fucked you.”
“We had sex,” Layla defined.
“There’s a difference between sex and getting fucked.
No feelings, no follow up, and no future.
You got fucked, boo. When he wouldn’t give you his time or his dick again, you moved on to Rodney and are now with Camden.
Please don’t try to make it seem like you were anything other than a quick nut for that man. ”
Layla’s face dropped when Shiya put her life on blast, then she pretended to be unbothered. “We still had sex and I felt it was right to tell her.”
Makari said something but she spoke so quickly that it was hard for me to catch it. Based on the way Layla’s expression dropped again and she cringed, it wasn’t all that nice.
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t know,” Makari signed again.
“It’s fine. Can you give me her number?”
“L-A-Y-L-A?”
I nodded and she lifted her phone. A few seconds later a contact came through. I tapped the name and navigated to the option to send a message.
Me: It’s cute that you felt so insecure that you had to bring up a one and done with my man.
Unfortunately for you, I don’t care, because any memory of you, if there was even one to begin with, was gone the minute he met me.
Trust when I say my pussy has the power to erase you.
But considering you weren’t relevant enough to linger, keeping the past in the past where you’re concerned is light work.
No effort exerted, love. Now that you’ve got that off your chest, keep it cute.
Try me again and you’ll fuck around and find out just how much I don’t play about me and mine.
She lifted her eyes and glared at me. “I just didn’t want you to be blindsided.”
I laughed sarcastically. “No, you wanted me to feel some kind of way about you sampling a dick that will never be yours.” I signed and her eyes darted to Makari.
“She said you wanted her to feel some type of way about getting passed around by her man but you look stupid and desperate.” She grinned and signed while speaking the words. “I added that.”
“Okay, now that she’s finished embarrassing herself, can we order?” Zina said with a smug grin as she threw her hand in the air to wave over a server.
Layla snatched up her purse and walked toward the bar as Makari signed beside me, “Sorry about that. You good?”
“I’m great. He has a past. I’m aware. Just didn’t think it would be this close, but I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Zina: I’m not opposed to checking bitches. Say the word and I’ll drag her.
Shiya: We’ll drag her.
I laughed as I typed.
Me: Not necessary. I’m cool, I promise.
Shiya: The offer stands, so if you change your mind, please don’t hesitate to let me drag that hoe. I’ve kind of been waiting on a reason.
Makari: My hands stay up to date for silly hoes.
Me: Save that for someone who deserves the energy. She surely doesn’t. Dragging her would mean I care, and trust, I don’t. Consider that phase Ryland B.S.
Shiya: Ryland bullshit?
Me: Nope, Ryland (B)efore (S)omee