Jisei settled on something to play on YouTube, but a phone ad came on before the actual video could play. She also took a seat on the bed, curling up near Mocha. Scarlett climbed in soon after, leaving me the only one standing. As I looked over everyone, I could feel the burn in my eyes. Blinking, I took a deep breath and steadied my hands that felt like they wanted to tremble. I could feel my nose running, but I knew it was phantom drops, so I refrained from swiping them.
The women were all comfortable on the queen-sized bed and had fallen into conversation as if these circumstances were natural. They were acting as if I were a part of them, and it was one of our typical girls’ nights out.
“Solana… You—Solana!” Scarlett hopped from the bed as tears rushed down my face. She gently grabbed my shoulders before pulling me into her. “It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re okay.
“I-I… I can’t believe you’re all here.”
I didn’t know how the next time I saw them would go. I had somewhat accepted that I would never see them again with the way Shio had isolated me from the world. These women were not only beautiful but also bosses. I didn’t think I fit in withthem and knew they would have nothing to do with me once they found out about my nasty habit, as Shio called it. It had crossed my mind more than a few times because they inspired me.
Pulling back from Scarlett, I let her lead me to the bed where there was a spot left in the middle for me. Grabbing a pillow, I crossed my legs and hugged it into my chest.
“I… Thank you all for coming.”
Dasani scoffed. “Girl, we’ve been trying to get to you for days, but them niggas have been being all secretive and shit.”
“I told y’all she was okay!” Jisei fussed.
“That’s because your pillow-talking-ass brother kept you in the loop. Case in point, why I barely fuck with that nigga now. And y’all talking abouta baby.As a matter of fact, I might need to have another one just so the nigga can be stuck. He got way too much time on his damn hands.”
“He runs a whole mob, Dasani,” Jisei defended.
“And he gone be running from my foot up his ass if he keep thinking he bigger than my fucking program. This. My. Shit.” Dasani clapped with each word.
“Girl, whatever. He didn’t tell me anything. This ismy house, Dasani. I have access to the cameras, and I have neighbors who keep me in the loop. Mr. Joe texted me as soon as she came.”
“Yeah, whatever.” Dasani rolled her already sleek eyes from her Asian features.
Pia chuckled. “Y’all be coming like real-life sisters.”
“And do. But how you been, Solana? They treating you good in here?” Mocha asked.
“Not you asking her like she been locked up.” Jisei shook her head.
“Shit, she have been. Real Nigga Rehab. Look around, Jisei,” Pia said with a wave of her arm.
“Real N—?” I asked but was cut off by Scarlett patting my thigh. I’d heard Italian use that more than once but shrugged it off.
“Yeah, RealNiggaRehab. Let us say it, boo. But that’s what the sign say outside the door.”
“He has a sign?” I asked Scarlett, grabbing my chest.
“Italian ’nem childish as hell. Don’t mind them!” Mocha waved both hands.
“I can’t wait to tell Neltz I saw you today. Between you and Grind, y’all keep my boy stressed.”
I faced Pia to respond. “Grind… That’s Pearla’s ex? Right?”
The girls had sat outside the door plenty of days, just having girl talk with me, and Grind had come up in conversations a few times. I knew he was in some sort of a coma, and I knew he’d hurt Pearla, who, might I add, was a sweetheart.
“Ex…Current. I don’t know what my sister has going on these days. She spends most of her time over here.” Pia sighed while also giving me a look. “But, yeah, that’s him.”
“Well, I love Pearla. I love all the girls.” I changed the subject.
Pearla has been giddy about one of the new boys, Price. I had only seen Price on photo but hadn’t seen the other boy. I’d heard them on the other side of the door plenty though. Italian had only brought them down with my permission. It didn’t matter to me if they were here or not. I was locked behind a door. They couldn’t see me unless Italian granted them access.
“So, when you asked us if we were doing more than drinking that night at the studio, I guess you meant powda.”
“Mocha!” Jisei screamed.
