5. Aspen Webb
“Lavender, please tell me you can come,” Aspen begged as she finished getting her makeup done.
“You know I wouldn’t leave you hanging, girl. Plus, if Lance tries to be on some stupid shit, I can pop him for you.”
Aspen giggled and shook her head, knowing Lavender was serious. “I hope he’s not stupid enough to show his ass in front of me, but we’ll see. I honestly don’t even feel like going. The twins have worn me down today, and I’m exhausted.”
“Tell his ass you don’t feel like going and make him stay home and cater to you.”
“We both know that won’t work. He’ll be out the door by himself before I can finish the sentence. We haven’t been able to spend much time together lately since he’s been so busy, so I’m going to suck it up.”
“And whose fault is it that y’all haven’t spent time together? I mean, Mahari is just as busy and finds the time.”
Aspen was grateful she had her earbuds in, or she was sure someone from Lance’s team would’ve snitched.
She had to agree with Lavender, though. Lance and Mahari were in the same industry, but Mahari made time, unlike Lance.
Being a producer and a rapper were different, so Aspen tried to be understanding, but her patience was beginning to run thin.
Just as Aspen opened her mouth to respond, Lance swaggered into the room looking good as ever, and he knew it. He placed a quick peck to Aspen’s cheek and studied himself in the full-length mirror.
“Your man looks good, doesn’t he?” Lance inquired, running his hands over his waves.
“You do, baby.”
She couldn’t deny that. The nineties’ inspired look Lance’s stylist had put together looked divine on him.
From the hat sitting to the side to the oversized jeans, everything looked good on him.
The bright colors brought out his cocoa skin and maple-colored irises.
When he turned and flashed her a smile, revealing a gold tooth, Aspen’s center quaked.
It’d been too long since they’d had sex, and while it could be uncomfortable at times, Aspen needed Lance. Not just for the euphoric feeling, but for the intimate connection. They were truly lacking in that area, and Aspen desperately wanted it back.
After her hair and makeup were finished, Lance’s stylist helped her get dressed into a colorful sweatsuit and gold jewelry. His photographer and videographer snapped a few shots of Aspen and Lance together before they left out, hand in hand.
On the ride over, Lance was engrossed in the instructions his manager was giving him.
Aspen half listened, surprised at the small moments of affection he would give her.
He would randomly rub her belly or place kisses on her cheek.
It felt good to Aspen. She felt noticed by him, something she hadn’t felt in weeks.
Mentally, she prepared herself for the red carpet when they arrived at the club.
Cameras and people were everywhere. Aspen slowly took deep breaths to calm her rising anxiety.
Lance never seemed to notice how the events affected her.
He lived for the moments and believed she should, too, since she was on his arm.
“You ready, baby?” Lance quizzed, lacing their fingers together and kissing the back of her hand.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“I got you and the girls. Just keep a smile on your face and follow my lead, okay?”
Aspen bobbed her head and expelled an exasperated sigh.
The second the back door opened, blinding camera lights flashed their way.
It was a trying task for Aspen to keep a smile on her face as they were bombarded.
Lance was in his element, posing for pictures while simultaneously answering questions.
Meanwhile, Aspen prayed they couldn’t see through her smile or how badly she was sweating.
Between her nerves and the babies, she was overheating.
Inside the club wasn’t any better for Aspen.
Her irritation rose to a whole new level as the guards led them to their section.
Every five seconds, Lance was stopped by someone dapping him up or trying to get a picture with him.
Like she was instructed, Aspen kept a smile on her face, but she couldn’t wait to get to their section and chill.
To Aspen’s surprise, Lance leaned over and checked on her, pecking her lips when she assured him that she was fine.
It took all of fifteen minutes for them to make it to their section.
Aspen checked her phone to see Lavender texted, letting her know she was five minutes away.
Lance was busy with some press, so Aspen sat back and scanned their section.
Women were everywhere, and she could sense the thirstiness.
There was one woman in particular who caught her eyes, mainly because of the way she was openly eye fucking Lance.
She whispered something in her friend’s ear before making her way over to him.
Aspen watched their interaction, and off rip, she could tell they were familiar with one another.
The way Lance glanced over at her and dodged the woman’s hug had Aspen raising a brow.
She thought about getting up and making her presence known, but that wasn’t her job.
It was Lance’s.
“Aw, shit! Not only do we have Lance in the building, but MC has graced us with his presence too! Ladies, make some noise!” the DJ yelled, gaining everyone’s attention.
All the women in the section fled closer to the entrance. Minutes passed before Mahari stepped through, and Aspen swallowed hard.
His presence was so damn commanding, and she couldn’t pry her eyes from him if she tried.
Mahari’s stylist did a damn good job capturing the nineties’ look while incorporating Mahari’s personal style.
Like always, he was dressed in all black.
The loose-fitting V-neck tank top showed off his branch-like arms covered in the finest ink.
His black jeans were baggy and ripped with silver chains hanging from them.
To top off his look, his locs were pulled up with one hanging in his face.
Yeah, that was the look for him.
Instantly, Aspen’s and Mahari’s eyes found one another. She blushed and waved while he chucked his chin. Aspen was so enthralled with him that she didn’t notice the woman standing close behind him until she looped her arm in his.
Is that Dynasty? Aspen wondered to herself, studying the beauty standing across from her.
She tried shaking off the twinge of jealousy pulsating in her veins.
Aspen didn’t think she was the type of woman Mahari would go for.
It was obvious she had a BBL from the way her body was proportioned.
Aspen had nothing against any woman who had one.
If God hadn’t blessed her with the body she had, she probably would’ve gone under the knife as well.
It was just different for Mahari, but Aspen couldn’t deny that Dynasty was gorgeous and turned heads as they walked her way.
Justin held his arms out as he made his way over to Aspen.
A genuine smile graced Aspen’s lips, raising her cheeks so high that her eyes almost closed.
Justin was one of her favorite people. He was so loving and down-to-earth, always making sure he kept a check on her.
They had a close bond, so when he helped her up and embraced her, Aspen melted into him.
“I missed you, Justin.”
“I missed you too. You look good, Aspen. I’m surprised Lance was able to get you out the house.” Justin chuckled, pulling away and looking Aspen over. “My nieces got you glowing and shit.”
Aspen waved him off. “I hear that all the time, but I don’t feel like I’m glowing from how constantly drained I am.”
“Well, you are. How have you been feeling?”
“Eh. I’ve been okay. I have up-and-down days, but I’ve gotten better about listening to my body and resting when I need to.”
“Good, because you can be hardheaded at times.”
Feigning hurt, Aspen’s mouth was agape. Justin laughed and kissed her cheek.
Seconds later, Lavender entered the section, and Aspen was elated to see her best friend.
Lavender’s long, caramel legs were on display, gliding across the room with all eyes on her.
Aspen admired her bestie along with everyone else.
The short, low-rise leather skirt that stopped in the middle of her slim, toned thighs was what truly had everyone turning their heads, along with Lavender’s beauty.
It was paired with a red halter top that tied in the back and exposed it.
Her hair was in one of the styles from the magazine.
The updo gave a full view of her blemish-free skin and coal-like, slanted eyes. Lavender was definitely nineties fine.
Aspen leaned over and taunted, “Close your mouth before something flies in it, Justin.”
He whipped his head so fast and raised a brow. “Like you needed to when my cousin walked through.”
“Cousin? You mean your brother?”
Justin patted Aspen’s shoulder and confirmed, “You heard exactly what I said, Aspen.”
Winking at her, Justin walked off, leaving Aspen to shortly ponder on the meaning behind his words. It was short-lived because Lavender scurried over to her and pecked her lips.
“Hey, baby mama.”
“Hey, bestie. You look so damn good, girl,” Aspen complemented, and Lavender did a little twirl.
“Don’t I? When I heard it was nineties themed, I knew exactly what I wanted to wear.”
“And you’re wearing it. Just wait until I drop the twins and feel like going out. I’m showing all my skin.”
The best friends slapped hands and went to sit down.
Aspen could feel eyes on her. She tried ignoring it, but when she and Lavender sat down, Mahari made it very clear he was the one eyeing her. Dynasty was so close to him that she was damn near sitting in his lap. Aspen tapped Lavender’s thigh and bobbed her head their way.
“Look who showed up with someone and hasn’t spoken to me,” she whispered.
Lavender leaned up on her elbow and cleared her throat. “And hello to you too, Mahari, since you’re sitting over there acting like you can’t speak.”