Page 25 of R&B Mixtape

“People bother me first, not the other way around. Anywho, are y’all packed for the weekend?” I inquired as I filled my cup once more with the ingredients of a mimosa.

“Somewhat. I have to find a new suitcase and pick up a few last-minute things. Other than that, I’m good,” Dre said as she filled her glass as well.

“I will do all that when I wake up from my nap. I haven’t thought about this trip all week. How the hell did I let that slip my mind?” Courtney was usually the one reminding us about our plans, but it seemed as if she slacked this time.

“You got something on your mind that made you forget or what?” I questioned.

“Nah. Work just been killing me. I had this client that needed more than I thought. Apparently, his ex-wife ran off with the child even though the paperwork has been filed for joint custody. She was ordered not to leave the state until the case was resolved. I had to file a kidnapping charge against her. It’s stressing me out for real.”

“Do I need to help? I have a free schedule next week and I can lend a helping hand.”

Since we were inseparable, all three of us ended up working for the same law firm but in different areas. Courtney was a family attorney, Dre came in as the divorce attorney, leaving meas a criminal defense one. We met our freshman year in college and literally clung to each other.

“Thanks Maine. I don’t mind the help at all. He’s a nice guy and I want to get him rights to his daughter.”

Courtney played with men left and right but took her job seriously. She excelled in her field and was the most recommended family attorney in the city. She kicked ass for her clients which made her stand out from the rest. I betted on her often because she rarely lost a case.

“What time are we heading out?” Dre inquired.

“Y’all will have to leave without me. I have to take Willow to the doctor and then I’ll be headed that way. It’s her gender appointment and I promised her I’d be there for it. It’s at eleven so I should be on the road no later than one.”

“Its really Willow being married before all of us. That lil nigga got a piece of pussy and became addicted, didn’t he?” Courtney and her mouth were ridiculous.

Shaking my head, I replied, “He loves Willow spoiled behind. He makes sure she doesn’t lift a finger, and she eat that shit up. Y’all ought to see how she acts now.”

“No, thank you. I’ll take your word for it. Are you throwing her a baby shower?” Dre stood with her phone in her hand letting me know she was about to be out soon.

“Of course! I wish somebody would try and take that away from me. I’ll smack the fuck out of Liam’s people if they test me,” I replied.

They looked at me and shook their heads. I then realized what Courtney said was spot on. I went from zero to a hundred in seconds thinking about someone swooping in and doing anything for my sister. I had her through and through.

“Yeah, cool as a whistle my ass. Any who, I have to get going. Davis just hit me and trying to bless me before we head out tomorrow.”

“I have to get going as well. Thank you for this bottomless mimosa morning, but I will talk to and see you in twenty-four my love.”

I stood and gave both Dre and Court a hug then walked them to my front door. I enjoyed them as always. I waited until they pulled out of the driveway before I headed upstairs to finish packing.

This trip was to celebrate us as women not needing a man to be successful. We all went through more than enough with men and decided to take a break as a whole. We needed to let go and start over. A cabin was booked for us to be able to let our hair down and take that time. The reset was needed.

I turned on my jams and proceeded to go through my closet finding the correct attire. The mountains were extremely cold this time of year and if I wasn’t mistaken, Dre wanted us to go skiing as if that was a sport people of color participated in. However, I couldn’t wait to see us in our snow suits.

Altogether, I would have two bags with me. I wasn’t overdoing it because I knew me and being outdoors wasn’t somewhere I liked being no matter the weather. I was truly a homebody and would rather be in the comforts of my home than outside with God know who and what.

My music was interrupted which let me know I was receiving a call. I hopped up from the floor and scurried to the nightstand. Once I saw who it was, I rolled my eyes. One thing he was going to do was tell me a list of lies that I didn’t care about.

“What Julian?” I answered with irritation.

“How you doing, Maine? I haven’t heard from you in a while?”

I pulled the phone from my ear and looked at it like he couldn’t be serious. The way he played in my face and then tried to make it seem like I was tripping was the last straw for me. Wehad nothing to talk about because he said what he said and that was on a constant loop anytime his name was mentioned.

“Is there something I can do for you before I block you?”

“Give me a chance to apologize and right my wrongs.”

“You are a fuck boy that don’t ever need to call my phone again. There’s nothing you can say that’ll make me forget or look over what you did. Fuck them hoes the way you been doing. Please don’t change on my account.”

“Charmaine don’t do me like that. I was drunk and made a mistake.”