“I’m sure it’s about the strip club situation, Lou.” My mouth opened and shut as I nodded, now remembering. Everything felt like forever ago these days.
“Oh yeah, sure. That’s fine, if it’s okay with you.” Mickey laughed and I caught on to what I did, but I was glad she didn’t.
Not you asking your boyfriend for permission to give his friend your number in front of Mickey.
It wasn’t about permission for real, more of me wanting his input in my life, even with the smallest things.
“Girl, I don’t care. Shit, for real, maybe you need to be asking Q. He might have a problem, even though I’m sure he’s on the list too,” she said.
And that quickly I’d forgotten about Quincey.
“Um…” That was all I got out before Courtland came to my rescue, now opening the door to the shop, escorting us out since we were all ready to go.
I still hadn’t answered Mickey. I used the quick change of location to give me a minute to think. Here I was, wanting Courtland to see I respected his position in my life to know I would seek him out when making decisions. I forgot I should have only consulted my husband on this matter, especially considering everything that happened with him and Boss.
“Mickey, he can just call my phone. I’m sure Mr. Wilson would appreciate that a lot better than Boss having his wife’s number.”
“Oh dang. Johnni, I forgot that quickly that Tunk was working for you. Your question makes sense. Damn, Q got your moves tapped for real. Can you do lunch with us? I know we didn’t discuss that when I set today as dress day.”
As bad as I craved normalcy, I needed to handle whatever was going on immediately. When I got ready to answer her, Hollis spoke up.
“No can do, babes. I have to get Camille from school. Callie has an appointment and Derek is working. Maybe next time.” She was in her phone while passing out hugs and kisses.
Amber jumped in next. “And sorry, I’m out too. I only requested an extended lunch break. I have a party to charter today.”
“Damn, can’t nobody hang out with me? Do y’all know how hard it is to get a babysitter on a weekday?” Mickey pouted.
“With your mommas, not hard at all. Love you, I’ll call y’all,” Hollis said, now heading for her car with Amber doing the same.
“Johnni?”
“I can’t either, Mickey, but please kiss my baby. I have practice in a few with Kimmie. This routine is kicking my ass.” It wasn’t a lie, but practice was at eleven tonight.
Once I was tucked in the back, he finally looked at me.
“Are you pregnant?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. I hadn’t even noticed I was late or missed my period at this point. Life has been kinda hectic.”
I had just told Hollis to stick to the script, yet here I was, talking too much and too fast to Courtland about a situation neither of us needed right now.
But the more it plagued my mind, the more sense it made to tell him. I didn’t want to keep any more secrets, especially not from him.
“So to the pharmacy?”
I nodded before verbally answering.
“Yes, but only you go in, please.”
He smirked at me through the rearview mirror.
“Of course, Queen Lou.”
I sat back against the seat as I tucked my bottom lip into my mouth, hiding my smile since I was back to being Lou.
“My Josie, you look absolutely stunning,”Quincey said as I approached him, holding his hand out to receive me. We were currently at yet another function for his campaign. And since my mind had been on my own shit, like how I was going totell my husband I was pregnant, I couldn’t even tell you what it was for beyond that. I was only here to play my role as a devoted trophy wife.
A shitty devoted wife.
