Page 64 of Tease
I smack her finger out of the way. “Hey now, you’ve been busy doing shows, and I’ve been busy… doing whatIdo.”
She relaxes her upper back against the seat. “Yeah, you’re right. Life’s been… hectic.” She sucks on her straw while tapping the table with her freshly manicured nails. “Where the hell’s Brittney?”
“Ugh.” I grab my cell out of my purse, pressing the side button to check and see if there are any new notifications—nada. “I don’t know. The last time I heard from her, she texted and told me she’d be heading this way shortly.” It’s not too unusual for her to be late; sometimes it’s because of work, but sometimes she just can’t seem to pull herself away from her man.
“So, that means Brittney also knows this new cage fighter?” Ajani continues.
Ugh, I don’t know how much I want to go into detail about Jared—or even if I should. Mathew hasn’t texted since he toldme he’d be out of town for a few weeks, but it’s not like I owe him anything. We never made it official, even though I did think about it for a brief moment. Then Jared came back into my life, almost as if he was meant to be a sign. That heart pendant has still been put away since that night, and it’s been an adjustment not having it around my neck. My hand still reaches for it from time to time, missing the sway of it beneath my fingers.
Finishing off my beer, I raise it over my head, waving it at the bartender. She smiles back and nods. “Yeah, she knew him too. Remember how I told you I was running away from something when I came here?”
“Yeah.” Her words are maintained.
“I love you for never pestering or bugging the truth out of me.” I grab her hand that’s resting on the table top, squeezing it. “You’ve become like a sister to me; I'm so thankful for you.”
“Stahhhp it; you’re gonna make me cry, KC.” Ajani scoots closer and brings me in for a hug. “You’re family to me and my dad.” She ends her statement with a peck on my cheek. She dabs at her eyes. “Now, let’s hear it.”
“Heyyy, pretty ladies!!!” Brittney’s chipper voice is heard before we see her walking to the booth. She plops herself down, causing the booth’s cushion to give us a bump. “I’m so sorry; it was… work.” Her hand grabs the thin material of her sweatshirt and pulls down her sleeves even farther over her hand that’s carrying a flyer. “Hey, did you see this when y’all walked in?! Male dancers will be here—at Darla’s!”
“I’ve actually never been to one of those shows,” Ajani says while bringing her hand up and over Brittney’s face to grab the flyer out of her hand.
Brittney’s body physically flinches.
“Are you good?”
“Yeah, Ajani just caught me off guard,” Brittney whispers, attempting to laugh it off.
But my gut’s telling me something’s off with Britt. I give her a knowing look, silently asking her about it. She fans me away with her hand.
“Now that I think about it, Britt and I haven't either… What the hell is wrong with us? Let’s make it happen!” I cheers, raising my beer.
Ajani grabs her phone and takes a picture of the flyer. “Alright, now I got it saved. I’ll make sure we don't forget.”
Brittney folds the flyer up and puts it in her small purse. “It was meant for me to be late and grab this, I guess.”
“Uh, why are you wearing sweats? It’s like ninety degrees outside.” Ajani pokes fun at her. “You’re not trying to sweat off any weight are you? You’re already too skinny!”
Brittney’s face is flushed. “I’m just, uh… having period cramps. I wanted to be comfy is all.”
Ajani brushes off her answer, quickly pointing her drink at me. “Ah, okay. KC was just about to tell me all about the newcage fighter,” she sing-songs.
Brittney’s lips part, falling open before quickly regaining her composure. “Oh, was she?” Her eyes go to me.
My palms go up toward both of their faces. “I feel like I’m about to be tag-teamed by the two of you hussies.”
Ajani and Brittney shake their heads and speak at the same time. “We’d never.”
“Brittney, did you order a drink before coming over?” I look at her empty spot on the table.
She palms her forehead. “Actually, I forgot. Saw you ladies over here waiting on me and came straight over.”
Jennifer, one of the main bartenders here, brings me a bottled beer, opening it before placing it down on the table.
I holler at her backside, “Hey, Jen, don’t take off yet! Britt forgot to order.”
“Sure thing. What poison are you craving tonight, honey.?”
“Uhm, I’m feeling like this girls’ night is about to get deep… How about a whiskey sour?”
