“Heffa, don’t start. It’s madness at the castle with this whole shooting fiasco. Can you just love on me, please and thank you?” I whined as I held my head to the side, poking out my bottom lip. I was on the verge of tears and I wasn’t sure why.
That’s a lie, you do know. You just can’t talk about it with anyone.
“Oh, Johnni, of course. You already know I’m here, even for a runaway from the tower. Through the good, bad, and the fucking ugly.” Like two silly people, we attempted to hug with our handsfull, making us both kiss our teeth as we shared a quick laugh before Mickey stepped outside.
“Um… can y’all carry your asses in here? I have about a solid five minutes before Minnie is up from her nap and I want to stuff my face before she demands hers.”
“Well, wake her up, Mickey! I don’t care if you eat, it’s all about her now,” Hollis yelled as we headed toward the front door.
Once inside their botanical garden as I called it, I inhaled deeply before pushing it out just as rough.
“Wow, that’s heavy as hell. You good, Johnni?” Mickey asked as I placed the bags on the island with Hollis doing the same before going to wash her hands.
“Yeah, just stressed. Please tell me you have my order ready because I need a couple drops in my drink,” I said, placing the bag of food down along with the tequila for me and Hollis.
“Yeah, I even threw in this oil I made to help relieve stress and headaches.”
“We passing out samples. Where is my oil?” Hollis asked, now pulling out containers so we would start to make plates while Mickey presented me with a cute brown bag with her logo on it.
“Where’s my damn pictures, Hollis? I told you I was cutting you off until you do right by me.” I chuckled while I began to look through the bag of goodies, grabbing a bottle of the tincture labeled Loosey. I immediately untwisted the lid, happy to see a dropper. I gave it a good squeeze, using one hand to hold it while I went for my coffee cup.
“Only do a half dose, Johnni. It’s strong.”
Of course I ignored her, adding a full amount, even going back in the bottle for a half dose.
Hollis snickered. “Well damn, Johnni said fuck the suggestion. Let’s eat so you can tell us the real.” I nodded,moving to wash my hands while low cries from Minnie came through the baby monitor before BK’s voice followed.
Once we were situated around the table, I just blurted out the latest, leaving out a lot of information.
“He’s suffocating me. Since the shooting I haven’t been able to step outside without Q breathing down my damn neck. I’m pretty sure personal security will be coming next. And I know most wives would jump for joy that their husband wants to keep them safe, but… I just—” I choked as my cry rumbled through my chest, pulling out tears with it. I dropped my head into my hand, frustrated and hating the fact I couldn’t bare my soul to my girls. They didn’t know about my marriage and the freedom he still had to come and go, even if he claimed it was still for work. I wasn’t dumb.
Nor could I tell them about Courtland and my newfound love. I was an emotional mess who was barely hanging on.
“Hey, I get it. Well… not personally, but I do see his point of view here. Baby, you are fine fucking China to your husband. The threat hitting close to home, it’s understandable for him to be the way he is, especially with his new title he is going after. The bigger the crown, the bigger the enemies. Don’t look at it as suffocating but as a husband loving his wife so much to make sure the next muthafucka either takes the bullet or is busting them back to keep her safe,” Hollis said while she rubbed my back while Mickey’s hand appeared, holding tissue for me. I chuckled as I accepted it, lifting my head in the process.
I knew Hollis was right, no matter the nagging feeling that had my stomach in knots.
“Okay, enough about that. I have an idea.” Mickey hopped up, leaving the room.
“Are you sure that’s the only thing going on with you?” Hollis questioned. I could feel her gaze on me, but I wouldn’t look. One look would have me confessing more than my sins. I took a longsip of my drink while doing my best to ignore her eyes on me. I was too vulnerable to hold all my secrets in.
I nodded.
“Yup, I told you the castle is stressed right now. Quincey is on the edge. I’m not used to seeing him like this.” This time, when I put my attention on her, Hollis squinted at me and I could’ve sworn she caught all my lies in my eyes.
I hurriedly looked away just as Mickey came back in the room with both hands full and Minnie strapped to her chest.
“Let’s play Date Night! Instead of presentation night being added pressure for you, let’s just figure our next night or day out this way.” I cracked a smile as she placed the markers and notebook on the table for us. This was like that old school game where you counted down, crossing things off the list in each category, except it was only one paper and we all had input in each category with one line being a wild just to make it an even number.
“Oh my gosh, we haven’t done one of these in so long,” I boasted, going for a black marker.
“I know. I figured this would be fun. Besides, I have no time to get a presentation together that isn’t a shopping cart full of stuff for Minnie,” Mickey said, now adjusting Minnie to feed her.
“That’s my girl. I have taught you well. Ooh, maybe I can add to the cart. Send me the link.” Hollis jumped in, while going for the notebook to get us started.
“Mickey, pick a color and I’ll write for you.”
“You know this heffa wants the pink one. Anyways, on to a more important topic, food? I say sushi,” Hollis said.
