Page 49 of Own It

“Ayan.” Tarin leaned in, smiling.

“Oh.” That name seemed to ruin my mood. I couldn’t stand his ass and had only met him a few times.

How he was Rakim’s twin made no sense to me. You knew you had to be terrible when I thought a person who fucking kidnapped me was a better person than you.

“Girl, you hit the jackpot!” She beamed which I found odd since not even half an hour ago, she was calling Josias’s other baby mama out of her name for sleeping with a taken man.

“He is involved, and also, I’ve had a few run-ins with him—he is not my cup of tea.” I shook my head, sipping some of the punch I’d gotten.

“A fine ass rich man ain’t your cup of tea? You must not like tea at all then.”

I laughed at her statement, shaking my head again.

“Maybe not.”

“Girl, you’d better get on the good foot. I’m sure whatever man you’re messing with is not as rich or sexy as Ayan.” Tarin tore into another wing, glancing over at Ayan periodically.

“Did you not hear me say the man is in a relationship?” I frowned, doing my best to will away the attitude and read I had bubbling up for this girl.

“So what.” Tarin scoffed, scooping some of the macaroni and cheese into her mouth. “He cheats on her ass daily, and she never leaves him.” She looked their way then scooted her chair around the circular table to be closer to me. It was obvious she had some gossip she was ready to spill. “Ayan’s baby mama, LaMia, used to be Rakim’s.” Her brows lifted, and so did mine because I was beyond shocked.

Finally, I looked Ayan’s way, feeling his attention penetrate me, but mine was on LaMia.

“Are you serious? When?” I couldn’t un-buck my eyes for shit.

Swallowing some of her punch as if she needed hydration for this gossip session, Tarin replied, “Long time ago, but Rah blew up his life for her. Lost his career, caught a body, and did prison time for the bitch. And while he was locked up, she cozied up with his brother.” Tarin shook her head, scarfing down more of her food as I pinned my eyes on Ayan and LaMia, arms locked and moseying through the party.

Ayan was truly the worst fucking person, and I could even say the same for his woman. She deserved all the cheating with her stupid ass.

“Why did he catch the murder charge?” I queried. From my research, it just said he killed another boxer for flirting but gave no real details.

“Another boxer grabbed her ass or privates, I can’t remember which. And Rakim wasn’t having it.” Tarin focused on her plate, yapping away. “He murdered him within the same night of the incident, so he only got like three or four years for crime of passion or heat of the moment . . . some shit like that.”

My eyes traveled until they found Rakim again, him coolly looking down into a woman’s face as she put her hand on his chest, clearly flirting with him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, replaying everything Tarin had just told me as I did so.

I finished my plate up and then decided to go out back where the bar was to see if I could score a cocktail. I was also tired of watching Rakim having to entertain woman after woman, even though he looked bored with every one of them.

I spotted Tarin in Josias’s lap as they tongue kissed nastily, right as I approached the bartender.

“Hi, could I get a French 75 please.” I smiled.

“Sure.”

“Oh . . . shit. I forgot I don’t have money⁠—”

“Open bar.” The woman smiled brightly as she started to make my drink.

I felt weird having no purse, wallet, bank card, nothing.

As I waited nearby for my drink, trying to busy myself with something since I had no phone to scroll on, I spotted LaMia approaching me.

“Hi, I’m LaMia.” She cheesed, reaching her hand out.

Having to pretend I knew nothing of how shady she was, I shook her hand, saying, “Daylin.”

“I like that name.” She sipped her own cocktail. “Who did you come with?”

“A friend.” I kept it cute, and she just stared at me, making it clear she didn’t believe me, but I didn’t give a damn.