“Are you two listening to yourselves? Aldridge hasn’t been secretly pining for me all these years. We’ve moved on and so should both of you.”
“It didn’t work out five years ago, but maybe this time it will be different,” my mother said with a straight face.
“I’m going to sell Aldridge a house because I’m a professional and this could potentially be a fat commission, and after escrow we are closing the chapter on Mr. Mosley.” Pushing past my mother, I exited Anika’s office, heading to my own.
When Aldridge and I split up, my mother told me I was stupid. She didn’t suggest it, she fixed her lips and pronounced it loud and clear. In her mind Aldridge was supposed to be my ticket to domestic bliss. After meeting Aldridge for the first time one winter break, she virtually sunk her claws into him. Inviting him to every family event and holiday. We weren’t wealthy but in comparison to Aldridge and his parents, we were well off with a cute house on a street lined with foliage. Aldridge mused that my life was something he’d only ever seen on television.
For my mother the break up meant letting go of her dream of sitting courtside at her son-in-law’s games dripping in diamonds and the newest designer handbag.“How could you be so stupid, Danessa? He was right there, and you fumbled the ball.”I didn’t go to school for a husband like some of my White counterparts who were more concerned with getting their MRS rather than a BS. The last thing I wanted was to coast off Aldridge’s success. I wanted to make a life based on my ownmerit. While being a realtor was never the dream, I was good at it and the money was great.
My mother was a realtor, when I was younger, she would sell modest starter homes to young families, and she did pretty well. Making enough to purchase a home of her own in a quaint working-class neighborhood. She made friends with some of the wives in the community, and even though she was a divorcée they welcomed her into their circle. Which ended up being a mistake because my mother quickly made the rounds fucking their husbands.
Opening my laptop, I pulled up my search engine and entered Aldridge’s name. A ton of hits popped up. Aldridge Mosley’s net worth, Aldridge Mosley’s college basketball stats, Aldridge Mosley’s girlfriend. I’m ashamed to admit I clicked on the last entry first. The screen populated with various images, but the picture of him with a blonde-haired, blue-eyed stunner caught my attention. I knew absolutely zero about her, but a pang of jealousy tugged at my heart. Clicking on the article, I learned her name was Ashley Castellanos, of course, and she was a fitness influencer. Was Miss Ashley also making the move to Vegas? Don’t get me wrong, I was completely over Aldridge, but seeing who he’d moved on with just confirmed what I’d always known.
Closing each open tab, I reached for my dinging phone. It was Anika texting me instead of walking over to my office.
Anika: Sorry about mom.
Danessa: I don’t need you to apologize.
Anika: I know but she was wrong not to tell you.
Danessa: She was.
Anika: I think she meant well.
Danessa: She didn’t and that’s okay.
Anika: Are we still on for tonight?
Anika snagged tickets to the Anjeni concert at the Sphere. And when I say snagged, one of her benefactors gifted them to her.
Danessa: You’re still driving right?
Anika: Yep.
Danessa: Then yes, because I need a drink or two.
The Sphere wasa Vegas attraction I told my clients about but never visited myself. Singer Anjeni was having an immersive concert, and the place was filled with Hollywood elites. Anika’s suga daddy must be someone very important to score premium tickets like these.
“So why didn’t your gentleman caller come with you?” I asked, as we settled into our seats.
“It conflicted with some sports thing for one of his kids.”
“He has kids?” I was never good at hiding my feelings, so she was getting my unfiltered reaction. At least when we were on the phone and she was recounting some scandalous story, I could make all the shock and awe faces I wanted.
“Yes two.”
“Have you met them?” My voice was pitching higher with each new detail.
“I don’t think his wife would appreciate that.”
“Wife?” My eyebrows were racing toward my hairline.
“It’s an open marriage, she’s cool.” Anika pulled out a gold compact with her name engraved on the back and reapplied her lipstick before smiling at her reflection, no doubt pleased with what she saw.
“Did he tell you that?” Because men be lying.
“No, she did.”
