30. Talitha #2
My shoulders lifted passively. “No clue, Gema,” I tittered, making her and Mrs. Jessie both shake their heads. “When the game starts, I’ll let you tell me who everybody is.”
Gema patted me on the hands and said, “Stay pretty baby. It works best for you.”
“Whatever.” I giggled. Downing the rest of my alcohol, I stood and walked away from the pair and over to the makeshift bar. I needed to fix myself another drink and calm my nerves down before everyone else showed up.
Part of me was nervous for Rossi and Marsha to find out about me and Law. The other part was more nervous about meeting his mama and brother.
The same mama that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to meet. I guess her accident had flipped a switch inside of Law because he actually told his brother to bring her down.
I was lying on his chest when he called him up and told him she could attend the game with him. The shock in Sincere’s voice mimicked the expression that flashed across my face. I didn’t question him, I simply let him make whatever decision he needed to.
My relationship with my mama was damaged beyond repair but if Law could somehow forgive his and work on their relationship, I would be on the sideline cheering him on.
“You want me to fix that? You standing there looking like you don’t know what your next move is.” Promise giggled beside me.
“Please,” I drawled and held my cup out for her.
Taking it out of my hand, she topped the ice off, poured coconut puree in the bottom, and filled the rest with Don Julio and some juice. “Taste this and see if you like it.”
Grabbing the cup out of her hand, I took a sip and nodded. “It’s good.”
“I’m knowing it.” She laughed. “Drix told me you guys were opening a technical college.”
“We are. My goal is to have it up and running by the spring. Fingers crossed that everything goes as planned.”
“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to see it.”
“Me either girl. Me either. You know what else I can’t wait for… some more of your soaps.”
“You’ve used my products?”
“Drix gave Law a box full of the one for eczema. My granny suffers from psoriasis and when Law found out, he came home with some and I’ve been using it ever since.”
“The oatmeal and lavender one?”
“Yesssss,” I drawled. “That’s the one. Gema loves it.”
“I’ll get your address before I leave and ship you some more.”
“Actually, I ordered some a few days ago. I’m just waiting on it to arrive.”
Pulling her phone out of her pocket, Promise tapped on the screen for a few minutes before nodding and shutting the phone back off. “I found your order. I just refunded what you spent. As soon as it’s shipped out, I’ll send you the tracking info.”
“Promise, you didn’t have to do that.”
“Your man in a way saved my relationship. I owe him big time for that.”
“Aww.” Wrapping my arm around her, I pulled her into a hug. “Thank you so much for that.”
“It’s no problem girl. Trust me.”
“The muthafucking queen has entered the building.” Rossi voice rang out through the suite, garnering the attention of everyone in attendance.
“Who is that?”
“My assistant.” I laughed. “My very gay, very flamboyant assistant.”
“Well honey, he is working that tutu.” Promise snapped her fingers.
Sure enough, Rossi ass showed up in a black and red tulle tutu. He had on a Demons jersey and under the tutu were a pair of tights.
“Somebody is in the Demons spirit,” I teased.
“I love watching a bunch of men run up and down the field tackling each other. I’m trying to be on the bottom of a stack.” He giggled.
“Y’all have to excuse him,” Marsha spoke up. “We’ve been pregaming all morning.”
“That explains it. Promise, this is Rossi and Marsha.”
“Her best friend.” Rossi held his hand out.
“Move fool,” Marsha groaned.
“Promise is Hendrix’s girlfriend.”
“Oh my God!” Rossi gasped. “Not my man cheating on me.” He feigned hurt.
“Who yo’ man?” Promise asked.
“Drix.” Tilting his head, Rossi looked her up and down. “He didn’t tell you?”
“Do not pay this fool any mind,” Marsha butted in. “He’s got this harmless little crush on Hendrix.”
“That’s all it better be.” Promise smirked. “I’m territorial about that one right there.”
“Me too!” Rossi joked with her.
“Come on clown!” Marsha grabbed his hand and drug him away.
“You really have to look over him, he’s very colorful.”
“I’m not paying him any attention. I have a gay guy friend; believe me I know how they act.”
“Good,” I breathed. “I don’t want you to be offended or anything.”
“Never,” she avowed and took a sip from her cup. Peering over the rim at me she asked, “So, you and Dutch?”
“Who?”
“My bad, Law. Drix calls him Dutch.”
“Oh okay. I never heard of anyone refer to him as that.”
“It’s probably an inside thing. But don’t evade the question. The two of you are a thing?”
“We’re newly a thing. It started out as us just working together.”
“That’s always how it starts out. You’re a good look for him. I don’t know much about his ex but from the way baby described her, no one really cared for her.”
“Well, those two over there.” I tossed my head in Marsha and Rossi’s direction. “They adore her. I’ve only heard good things about her.”
“Drix said she was stuffy so when he mentioned that Dutch was with dating someone else, naturally I assumed you would be as well. This is the first time I’m meeting him in person.
I mean, we’ve talked on the phone a few times and I never got snob from him so I’m glad to see you’re different than what I expected. ”
“Glad I met your expectations.” I laughed lightly. “I’ve met his other set of friends, and I must say I’m fonder of this group. Those were the snobby rich ones. I’m grateful for them because they’ve assisted with making the school a thing but I’m from the country that’s not my crowd.”
“I come from that crowd.”
“I’m sorry, Promise. I wasn’t trying to offend you.”
“I’m the last person that you can offend. I was getting ready to say I come from that crowd and don’t fit in. Never have. My parents loathe my relationship with Hendrix because he’s not from our pedigree.”
“That’s gotta be difficult.”
“It’s not. I don’t care enough to appease them.” She shrugged dismissively. “I love him and that’s all that matters.”
“I love you already!” I gushed. “We have got to get together outside of this.”
“Our men are friends. I don’t expect this to be the last time we see each other.”
“I hope not.”
The notes from Law’s cologne tickled my nose, letting me know that he’d made his way back into the suite. Snapping my eyes away from Promise, I searched around the room until they landed on him. He was in the corner of the room helping his mama out of the wheelchair.
She looked well put together. Her salt and pepper hair were in big barrel curls and hung down past her shoulder. Instead of being in Demons gear, she wore a black blazer and a red shirt underneath.
The expensive jewelry she wore gave off rich bitch vibes which I knew she was because Law often griped about her running up a tab in a few designer stores.
The tall light-skinned guy standing with them I assumed was his brother. Once he had her out of the chair and seated, his eyes roamed around the room until they locked with mine. Motioning with his head, he called me over.
Turning to Promise, I let her know that I’d be back. When I got close to where the three of them were Law reached out and grabbed my hand. “Talitha, this is my mother Valerie and my little brother Sincere.”
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about both of you.”
“What’s up, sis?” Sincere wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “If this nigga gives you any problems, you holla at me. You can call me Preme or Supreme.”
“Your name is Sincere.” Their mama chided.
“Talitha, was it? It’s so nice to meet you.
I don’t know what my son has told you about me, but I hope the two of us can get together and chat.
I know Lawton doesn’t speak highly of me so if I can change your perception of me, I would love that opportunity. ”
“Don’t start,” Law rasped.
“What?”
“I don’t bad mouth you to anyone.”
“Mrs. Harvey, I assure you he doesn’t. Has he told me about the history between the three of you, yes. However, he’s never had anything negative to say about you.”
“Well, I guess I can appreciate that.” She smiled up at him.
I could tell she was longing for their situation to change. Law stood there unmoved by her, so it was clear he was still on the defense. He was uncomfortable so I decided it would probably be best to separate the two of them.
“Mrs. Harvey, I have someone I want you to meet. Give me one second.” I walked off.
If anybody in this room could cure the awkwardness, it was Bertha Mae. Even if only temporarily, she could restore some sort of peace.