Page 11 of Own It

My mother and father still loved me, I knew that much, but it felt as if I was being tolerated more than anything.

“Like I said, I won’t be canceling my plans. You and Avant are gonna have to reschedule, use some of that money you work so much harder than everyone else for, or make it a family night, but I won’t be the solution to your problem.”

“Whatever. What is so important that you would abandon your niece and nephew?”

Rolling my eyes and refusing to even entertain the abandonment portion, I said, “A party for some boxer named Ayan Godfrey.”

“Oh wow. Yeah, he won a fight according to Avant.” Serene adjusted the phone. “Do you think that’s a good idea? Don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“I do, but I’m also still a normal person and am unmarried.” I held up a short, sexy but classy black dress in front of my body as I stood before the floor-length mirror in my bedroom.

“Does he know you’re going?”

“He does not, because he’s working out of town and it was last minute.” I defended myself, knowing I purposefully didn’t tell Shaun’s ass.

He wasn’t overly jealous, but he was jealous and didn’t like for his girl to be anywhere around men, especially rich ones. Shaun hated Morgin because she seemed to always have access to events and parties that involved either famous, rich, or both types of men.

I knew it was an insecurity on his part, believing if a man had the gift of gab and fat pockets to go with it that I would be good as gone, but I wouldn’t fault him for it. I couldn’t exactly say with certainty that I’d be fine with him being around beautiful charismatic women with impeccable bodies, while drinking, conversing, and having a time. Same time, any woman that could take my man could have him.

There was nothing more attractive than a nigga who didn’t fall victim to the flesh each and every time he was tempted.

“Mhm.” Serene caught on, giggling a bit to herself.

“Anyway, I’m gonna be late messing around with you. Have fun tonight with whatever you choose to do.” I hung up before Serene could say a word more either about me babysitting or keeping a secret from Shaun.

I spent the next hour and a half getting dressed before texting Morgin to let her know that I was leaving and headed to her.

“You smell good.” I complimented Morgin as she slid into the passenger side of my car.

“Thank you.” She immediately yanked down the visor mirror to check out her makeup, making me giggle. “What?” Her lip curled as she typed in the address to the function.

“Nothing.” I pulled off. “So what’s the goal for tonight?”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning are you trying to find a boyfriend, just have some fun, or what?” My attention oscillated between the road and Morgin as she pondered.

“Shit, whatever I can get. I probably will get more bang for my buck out of Josias since he’s single. Ayan got a girlfriend or wife or something plus some kids. The obscure brother probably won’t be there, but even if he was, I’d pass. I’m scared of him. I like my niggas light hood. I don’t need a nigga who be catching real life bodies out here.” Morgin slathered her lips in more rouge as I laughed.

“We rarely agree on much, but with that one, I have to say I wholeheartedly agree.” My brows lifted at the thought, internally reminding myself to look into Mr. Obscure since I’d forgotten to upon returning home earlier. “But I mean, since you know Ayan is taken, I think it’s best you stick to Josias.”

“I’m going for whomever goes for me.” Morgin began moving around on my CarPlay screen, looking for songs before deciding on “Check Please” by Cardi B.

I felt the slight frown spread over my face, not liking what I was hearing at all. I knew Morgin barely had any morals, but I’d never heard of her going for a man who had a whole family. If she would do it to Ayan’s woman, surely, she would do the shit to anybody, including me.

“You’d better be more selective before you end up at the center of a crime scene for messing with the wrong chick’s man.”

Ignoring my warnings, Morgin turned the music up and began dancing in her seat, rapping the current track word for word as I focused on our destination. I couldn’t help but to shake my head, however.

We arrived at the massive mansion in Bel Air that the party was being held at, and after I put in the code provided to Morgin, we pulled through.

“Damn. If this is Ayan’s, fuck his baby mama! I’m taking him!” Morgin jested or at least I hoped.

I quickly found a space to park where I wouldn’t be blocked in and could leave whenever I pleased. I knew how men with money, fame, and confidence could be, and this was a party full of them, so I needed to be sure I could make a quick exit if shit went left.

After shutting off my engine, we both climbed out of the car.

“Names.” Some huge guy who was guarding the double door entrance of the mansion’s deep voice vibrated through my chest.