Chapter 1 #2
“I’m all for catering to the right man, but to think I’m going to do it because you expect it of me is crazy.
Enough about that sorry ass man of yours.
I want to enjoy this trip, and the thought of him makes my stomach churn.
Let’s go put these drink packages to use until these rooms are ready.
I’m tryna stumble my way down a hallway or two. ”
China grabbed my hand, and the two of us headed over to the bar.
It was pretty full, but we were able to snag a couple of seats.
They were playing pop music, but I knew a few of the songs and vibed in my seat.
China had this idea she saw online for us to try multiple drinks that were a different color of the rainbow.
The first drink was a strawberry margarita that I drank entirely too fast.
“Alright now. You play around if you want to. I’m not trying to end up holding your hair while you hug the toilet tonight.
It’s every bitch for themselves on this trip.
Besides, I’m hoping to find a fine, single man to toss me all over that interior room.
” China cackled, taking a few sips of her drink.
“Amen to that.” We raised our glasses and toasted to a successful trip.
We spent the rest of the night laughing about the past and enjoying our cocktails.
Of course, we weren’t able to finish all our drinks in one night, but we managed to drink two colors from the color spectrum.
Our second drink was some kind of tequila sunrise.
The combo of the two drinks almost put me on my ass, but I held it together as best as I could.
Once we paid our tab, we linked arms and headed to the casino. I didn’t intend to stay long, but I wanted to see what they had to offer. My eyes grew wide as I observed the area, marveling at how big it was and how many people were already there.
“It’s packed in here, and it smells like stale cigarettes, musty construction workers, and disappointment.” China snickered.
“Girl, take your childish ass on. It is kind of stale and funky, though. I didn’t know people were allowed to smoke in here.”
“You know folks don’t care about rules when it comes to those cancer sticks. You would think they have a little crack in them the way people act.”
We took a seat at the slots and talked shit while we played. I wasn’t a fan of losing money, but since I had it to blow, I decided to try my luck. The first couple of times were a bust, then my luck increased.
“Okay, bitch! I see you over there running it up. I’ma have to take you to the gift shop so I can hold your waist while you buy me something.”
I giggled because of China’s foolish antics.
“We can definitely stop by there. I owe you big time, so I can definitely buy you a nice little keychain and a Stanley Cup or something.”
“Thank you, bookie. I actually need to get one because I left mine, and I saw a couple of videos about people being dehydrated on the ship since you can’t have bottled water.”
“I completely forgot about the no-bottle rule. Did you bring a 12-pack?”
“Hell yeah. I brought ginger ale because I need to have my medicine in case I get sick. If you have any stomach issues, come to me before you waste your money. I have so much medicine in my bag, it’s not even funny.
I wanted to make sure a bitch’s stomach wasn’t fucked up. I can’t be cute and shitty.”
“China, please. You aren’t wrong, though.
I packed some things for nausea, but I’ll be banging on your door if I need something.
Oh shit! I hit again.” I squealed. I loved winning but absolutely hated to lose.
Once I made $200, I decided to stop. I wasn’t the risk-taking type, so I knew when to let things go.
“Where are you going?” China asked when she saw me get up from my seat.
“I’m about to take my pissy self to the bathroom, and then we can head to the upper deck to find something to soak up this liquor. I heard the burger place on the ship is really good, or even a slice of pizza.”
“Oh, yeah. Everyone says Guy’s Burgers is the best, and I need something greasy to put on my stomach too. I’m gonna go to the bathroom with you. I’m too sexy to walk around by myself. Somebody might try to kidnap me.”
“You are crazy, girl. Let’s go.” I grabbed her hand, and the two of us walked to the bathroom. I still couldn’t get over how big the ship was, but it was like one big maze.
After we finished and washed our hands, we headed to the elevators to go up to the deck where the food was.
I tried to text Kalvin to see if he wanted me to grab him some food, but he hadn’t replied to me yet.
My head was down, so I wasn’t watching where I was going.
Within seconds, I collided with a hard chest and stumbled back.
“Whoa, are you okay?” His deep voice caught me off guard, but recognition settled in right away.
When I glanced up to see his face, my jaw almost hit the floor.
A part of me was pissed off because I had hoped he would’ve aged and become ugly after I left him.
Unfortunately, his ass managed to get even finer than he was when we last saw each other.
“Laikyn?” His sultry eyes raked over my body while I stood there trying my best to keep my balance.
“The one and only.” I sassed. The liquor was speaking for me.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?”
“Hmm, I hope those eyes fall out of your ass. Now, can you move out of my way?” I tried to walk around him, but his muscular frame stepped in front of me again.
“What is your problem? Why won’t you let me pass?” I scoffed.
“I’m trying to talk to you. It’s been years since I’ve laid eyes on you.”
“Yes, and it was intentional. Can you please move?” I hissed, feeling myself grow hot with anger.
“Damn.” China whistled on the other side of me, but I was so upset, I couldn’t even look in her direction.
“Hey, I don’t know why you’re so upset, but if I’ve done something, I want to fix it.” The look on his face seemed sincere, and it pissed me off even more.
“Fix it? Kyon, I haven’t seen or talked to you in three years.
What makes you think I want to start now?
If you cared enough about fixing things, you wouldn’t have had to run into me on a ship to do so.
I would appreciate it if you forgot you saw me because I damn sure plan to do the same.
” This time, I curved him and headed right to the stairs.
I wasn’t even going to take the chance of waiting at the elevator.
Instead, I took off running up the stairs like I was a track star.
I didn’t stop until I made it up three floors.
“Okay, bitch. I can’t keep up with you. I might have slimmed down a little bit, but I’m still a fluffy bitch in spirit. Plus, I think you’re safe now.” China snickered. Clearly, she thought the interaction between us was funny while I was reeling.
“What kind of small world foolishness is this? A cruise ship, China? What are the odds of me running into my ex-fiancé here of all places?” I covered my face with my hands as I paced the floor.
“I don’t know, Cousin. It seems like a sign, if you ask me. You know I don’t believe in coincidences.”
“Nope. Don’t even go there. This isn’t one of your spiritual alignment scenarios.
That man is the devil’s great-grandson, and I want nothing to do with him.
Maybe this is punishment because I didn’t donate the extra dollar to the starving children when I was shopping at Burlington Coat Factory the other day.
” My nerves were completely shot, and I couldn’t see how to get my heart to stop beating wildly.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll let you be in denial all you want.
All I know is our trip just got a little more interesting,” China teased as we walked to the elevators.
My appetite was gone, but I decided to get something for later.
I didn’t even want to tour the ship anymore.
My plan was to go straight to my room as soon as we were done.
I needed to mentally prepare myself for the days ahead.