Page 30 of The Ninth

I got up to walk to her room. She had four iced coffees and donuts on the island. My hand pushed the door slowly, prepared to retreat if I caught her spread eagle with a phone between her legs.

Instead, I found her wrapped in a towel, sitting in front of the mirror and staring at the floor. He wig was off and even her natural hair was full, beautiful, and blonde. She tried her best to slick her curls into a ponytail, but a few curls popped out around her face. The sight of her was both stunning and heart breaking.

“Cassie, what’s wrong?”

She flinched a little before looking up at me, “Juan was supposed to make me feel better. He just made it worse.”

“Did he do something?” my voice was slightly panicked. I actually hate men.

“He did everything. Juan wasn’t supposed to turn into this and he knows it. I’m grateful for our time, but I wish I’d never done it. Slowly, I’ve been pulling away from him. He can tell and he’s pulling me closer. But the guilt isn’t worth it. I care for Juan but I know what love is. I know what I feel for K3. I don’t feel it for him and maybe if I allowed myself to I would...but Juan just isn’t Kenzo. I fear my man could die right now and every nigga afterwards would still just be the side. It’s just deeper with Kenzo. Unexplainable...”

My brain couldn’t even work to create a thought or speak. She hopped up, smiling that gorgeous smile. Cassie was three apples tall, but her presence always dominated any room she was in. It made you anticipate every single word that came from her mouth.

“Kenzie is going to take forever, Devy. I’ma be real with you. Just use my shower and products. Detangle your hair. Tati is on the way.”

I gave her a sympathetic smile before going into the bathroom. Not even a full forty-eight hours ago I was disgusted at that thought of her juggling men at the same time. Now my heart hurts for K3, Juan, but most importantly...her.

Cassie’s shower was even nicer than the guest shower, and that hoe nice. I scrubbed every crevice of my body while also using a disposable razor to shave. I was in a rush because my hair usually takes forever to detangle. However, Cassie had a pre-shampoo from African Pride that allowed me to detangle with just my fingers. I put my hair in the same bun and came out, wrapped in a towel.

Kenzie wasn’t in the shower, but she was still in the bathroom dicking around like Cassie said. Cassie stood in the kitchen looking like the put up woman she was. A cropped, tight fitting all black tank with thick straps was painted on her body. Her push up bra was doing wonders for her. Face painted gorgeously, jeans snug with a Gucci belt. Black, Gucci thong sandals. She made the simplest outfit to run errands in look like a million dollars.

Getting dressed today was harder somehow than the previous days. I knew I would be with the girls and became self-conscious of what I chose. I decided on a black top that hung off my shoulders and matching capri pants in the same material. After sliding on Tory Burch sandals, I grabbed my hobo bag and came out. Magically, Kenzie was done too. She wore a black maxi dress that her ass looked diabolical in.

“Mm! Perfect timing. C’mon!” Cassie said, finishing her breakfast. She grabbed Tati’s and we all left.

On the way down, I just admired how good she smelled. The cutest red, leather Rebecca Minkoff on her arm. Matching red sunglasses. All of our black outfits were just eating off of each other’s. Especially when we got in Tati’s Range Rover and she was wearing a black romper.

“WHAT HE SAYYYY!” Cassie yelled with the windows down and sunroof open.

“I GOT CASH AND THEY MADDDDD!” the three of them sung to Lil Durk.

The nail salon was a ball. I had about four mimosas and now my body was hot. Kenzie and I got white toes while Tati got French Tips and Cassie silver chrome. The silver chrome on her hands also were so fire. I got a subtle blush gel on my natural nails while Tati and Kenzie got what they call, “dick grabbers.”

We got back in the Range Rover as Tati cut the music down. You could tell she had something to say.

“I love Poncho, y’all...”

“We know!” Cassie and Kenzie said at the same time.

“I want it to work out this time so bad. Why I feel like he wants me but not the family? It’s either Doodas and he’s single or me and he’s childfree. What about the thought of us being a unit turns him off?”

“It’s the responsibilities,” I spoke up. “A single father still fucks off. A nigga with a girlfriend still wilds out. But you’re a man with a home and a family? Thinking you out here being slime? Ew. Hell no. I hope it works out just because I like you and want the best for you. But he’s trying to save you and Doodle Bob for when he’s ready and girl, he may be fifty before that happens.”

“G, who the FUCK is Doodle Bob?!” Tati snapped.

Cassie and Kenzie were cackling. Tati giggled, reaching back and squeezing my hand softly. I was slightly embarrassed at how drunk I got. Another UofL issue was how I get when off the alcohol. Now, I’m way more cautious. The rest of the ride to the hair shop, we listened to Kenzie translate a call from some rich Portuguese man who could only say “pussy” in English.

When we entered the hair salon, all the stylist flocked to Cassie, hugging her. They said their hellos to Kenzie and Tati while introducing themselves to me. Most of them were trying to sweet talk their way into Throwback Night at The Ninth. It’s so weird because everyone knows Cassie works there, yet no one knows at the same time. It’s like not saying Voldemort. Soon I realized for you to know, you have to have hella money. People with money don’t talk.

“What you getting, boo?” a smiling stylist asked while rubbing my shoulders.

“OOOO! RED, THIRTY INCH BUSS DOWN!” Tati yelled.

Kenzie smiled, “Buss down for sure. Maybe a wig to try it out. I’m feeling a good ombre.”

“Her hair is definitely perfect for a curly flip over. Jet black.”

“OOOOOOO!” Tati and Kenzie both said while running their fingers through my hair.