Page 90 of Tease
“Sure! We can sing our hearts out on the way. Darla’s also has karaoke, if you feel like busting out some vocals?”
“Hell no! That was always you and Beth’s thing. I’ll continue to be your cheerleader though!”
Once Sarah and I walk into Darla’s, I see that Ajani is in one of her usual disguises. A hot pink wig, glasses, a long-sleeve white tee, and a black jean skirt, with black combat boots. She looks like an emo Barbie.
“Hey, I’m gonna go to the bathroom real quick.” Sarah points at the restroom sign. “When you gotta go, you gotta go. It’s not healthy to hold it.” She laughs and starts to walk toward it.
I chuckle at her. Sarah and her random knowledge… Nice to see that hasn’t changed. “Yeah, okay, we’ll be sitting right there.” I point to where Ajani is currently sitting in a booth.
She nods before pushing the bathroom door open.
“So, were you afraid that you were going to be followed by one of your father’s men?” I tease Ajani when I plop down onto the cushion right next to her.
“I don’t give two fucks about my dad’s men.” She plays with her wig, making sure it’s straight on her scalp. “I wanted to go out tonight and not have eyes on me. It’s unnerving and not necessary. Do you know how hard it is to get rid of someone tailing you?”
“No, I can’t say that I’ve ever had that issue, beautiful.”
“Well, it sucks ass. What do you think of tonight’s look?”
I casually look her up and down. “You look like a fucking hot emo Barbie with a tan!”
“Oh, yes, that’s the exact vibe I was going for.” Ajani grabs her sleeve and covers her black threaded bracelet. I think theonly time I haven’t seen her wear it is when she’s performing in one of her ballet shows.
Ajani’s stare is trained on the bathroom doors. “Who’d you bring?” She tilts her head.
“It’s a crazy thing. I was finishing up my shift when I saw her… It’s Sarah.” I point to the bathroom.
Her hand slaps the table. “Wait, you’re shitting me, right? Like,the Sarah, your old friend from back home?”
“Yeah. Crazy, right?”
“I’d say so. Are you okay?”
“I mean, yeah, it caught me off guard. Seeing her… She looks so much like my sister before she died. But I think I’m okay. Maybe it was meant to be? Her randomly walking into The Purple Room while I was working.”
Ajani nods before whispering, “Well, if you need me to kick her ass for what she did all those years ago, I’ll do it.”
I bring her in for a hug and chuckle. “Easy, killer. I love you, but it’ll be fine.”
“Hi!” Sarah is standing over us with a tray of clear liquid shots. “I assume you still like tequila? Consider it an apology, and an offering for a good night of catching up.” Sarah gives the tray she’s holding a light shake.
Ajani looks at the shots, then at me. I return her stare with a subtle nod. “Alright, let’s do it. This pretty lady is Ajani. Ajani, this is Sarah.”
“Nice to meet you,” they say in unison.
Sarah places the tray of shots down on the table, and we each grab one, clinking them together before tapping them on the table. “To a night of memories!” We each swallow every drop.
I raise my hand for a waiter to come over, and he takes our usual orders, along with a fruity drink for Sarah. We each take turns talking about ourselves. Sarah tells us about how shetravels the world with her boss and hasn’t found a place she’d like to call home yet.
I finish my bottle of beer, and my eyelids start to feel heavy. Shit, I didn’t realize how much stress I’d been holding today. I feel light as a feather. I shouldn’t have skipped dinner. “Whew, I feel good, ladies.” I laugh and look at Ajani; she’s already ordering us more shots.
Sarah’s body leans against mine. “I’m so glad I ran into you tonight!”
CHAPTER 64
Jared
Ijust finished my fight with a knockout. Walking into our locker room, it feels like a party. Everyone’s yelling, there’s music playing from a stereo in the corner, and our manager is in the back of the room, talking on the phone.
