I came to Vegas with nothing and over time I built relationships with these men. When my family let me down this crew had my back. Deion was a no-nonsense mentor who told me what I needed to hear not what I wanted to hear. Dante was my polar opposite, but he taught me not to take myself too seriously. And Colin Pratt taught me basketball was universal and although we might not see eye to eye off the court, he’d always have my back on the hardwood.
“Ramblers Nation, baby!” Deion shouted.
It wasthree hours before Anika’s wedding, and she was as cool as a cucumber. I on the other hand was fussing over every detail. Anika and Dante opted to have a simple wedding at the Little White Wedding Chapel on the Strip. But there were still details to confirm. Like the limo that would be transporting us to the chapel and the makeup artist who should be here any minute to glamify us.
Per usual my sister was on auto-pilot. She trusted I would bring her vision to life. But when I asked her what she wanted, her response was more concepts than concrete plans. It was all about this chill vibe. I didn’t know what that looked like, but I did my best to make it happen.
“Don’t you just love my wedding nails?” She flashed her long, blush nails adorned with pearls and gems.
“Beautiful.” I nodded while typing out a text message to the party planner who was busy preparing the reception site and had questions about the tablescapes.
“We should get pizza,” Anika announced.
“What?” My brows curved in surprise.
“Pizza.”
“We have to leave in three hours. We don’t have time for room service.”
“Not room service. Pieola.”
“You want me to order pizza from a restaurant over forty minutes away?”
“Yeah, it will be my last meal as a single woman.”
“Sweetie—”
“Pieola.” Anika flounced away humming a melodic tune.
Danessa: Meet me in the hallway ASAP.
Aldridge: Okay?
We were at opposite ends on the same floor of this luxury hotel. I met Aldridge at the elevator banks.
“How’s it going?” I asked.
“Good we’re playing Call of Duty.”
“Video games … now?”
“Yeah, we still have a few hours to kill.”
“And Dante’s good, no cold feet?”
“He will be at the altar suited and booted.”
“The bride requested pizza from Pieola.”
“Yum.”
“Not yum that spot is clear across town. It’s going to take over an hour to get here and by that time her makeup will be done and she’ll ruin her lipstick from the grease.”
“Let’s take a deep breath. Close your eyes.” I followed his instructions. “Breathe in. Breathe out.” A deep lungful of air filled my chest followed by an exhale. “Breathe in positive thoughts, breathe in levity. Expel stress and perfectionism. Now open your eyes.”
“You think I’m being silly?”
“You’re a perfectionist always have been. But Anika is the type of woman who lets the wind determine her nextdestination. So stop being so hard on yourself it will all come together. And the pizza will be here in an hour.”
