Page 171 of The Ninth

“Fine.”

The four of us walked out of the doors. Dean’s smile when seeing Tatianna instantly erased my bad mood. We’re going to some type of luncheon for Josiah. Dean been moving around with him since he manages the nigga. Tati says her and him haven’t hunched but he always comes and sees her when he’s in the city. If they would go ahead and hunch? She wouldn’t be worried about Poncho’s ass.

“Here, my heart,” he smiled, extending the flowers to her.

“Thank you Deddyyyy!”

I cackled, walking to the passenger side and sliding in. Two niggas was already in the back, so Kenzie had to sit on one’s lap who looked good as fuck while Devyn scared ass had to sit in the middle. Hopefully Duke nor the YN sees us. There’s already no doors on this bitch, so that just made it easier. Tati shared the front seat with me.

“Josiah wearing black and white too. You trying to match yo man?” Dean smirked at me as he pulled off. Tatianna laughed.

“G, my nigga fresh out, ready to kill something. You text that nice man and tell him to be easy before I get there.”

“That mothafucka is locked down like no other. He ain’t getting in.”

“That’s good for y’all’s sake!”

He laughed, reaching behind him and handing Tati and I a bottle of Patron. And Mr. Pat Ron be making me act a fool. That still didn’t stop me from cracking the seal and pouring me and my bitch up. After them first few shots, we passed the bottle back, hit the clear streets, and blasted the music as Dean floated through.

“WHAT HE SAYYYYY?!” Tati yelled at me.

“I ON’T GIVE A FUCK IF YOU A FAN--”

All of us screamed the lyrics while cracking up laughing. Devyn and Kenzie smoked in the back with the two niggas. Tati danced in my lap, bending over and shaking her ass. Once Dean and I slapped it at the same time? I had to remind that nigga who shorty this is!

The truck started slowing down, pulling off the road. We all looked around confused until Dean pointed up at a billboard. “Cassie, isn’t that you?!” I broke my neck to see what he was talking about. Once I realized it was indeed me, we all hopped out, staring up at it.

“Oh my God, you didn’t tell me about this! Congratulations!” Devyn hugged me.

“I didn’t know about it...” I whispered as my eyes watered.

Kenzie giggled, “Oh, baby girl! That man adores you!”

Kenzo’s mother took professional pictures of me at the salon when she was in town just days ago. I guess she gave them to her scheming son, because the man has an entire billboard ad for me! Seeing Tamed by Women up on a billboard with me smiling at my very own salon made my heart clench. I chose Tamed since my mother’s name was Tami. He knew how important it was for me.

“I’ma pull the Jeep up so your little ass can stand on top of it!” Dean laughed excitedly.

I fell into Tatianna’s chest as all the girls rubbed my back, giving me kind words. They know how bad I’ve been about K3 and me. How hard I’ve been working on the salon. Even on bad terms, even before finally speaking and ending all this shit...my man still was thinking about me. His actions will always be evidence of his love.

Dean and his homeboy, Trent, helped me onto the hood of the truck. I opened my arms, smiling big as my girls and the guys yelled and took pictures of me. My man was supposed to be with me when I seen this. My mother and father. I didn’t let my mind drift over to that side. Instead? I decided to have even more fun.

For the rest of the ride, the music was louder. We drove faster. We drank more out the bottle. Laughed more. Dean was having a good ole time until he hit a corner a lil too hard. I had to tell his dumb ass he needs to remember there’s no doors on this bitch. Tati and I almost died.

Finally, we made it to the nice restaurant. It was huge, Mediterranean style, and had a very big patio where the party was. All of us were on the list and easily slid in past the swole ass security guards. Luckily for us working at The Ninth, we knew a lot of the people. Including Josiah’s ass.

“Cassandra. How could you let me miss your final dance?”

We matched to a T. His smooth, light brown skin, white teeth, big ass shoulders, and waves were just too adorable on him. Even with no K3, I wouldn’t have fucked with him. But the nigga is easy to flirt with.

“You would’ve hated it, baby.”

“I doubt that.”

Home Body by Durk came on. This is Papa’s shit! My drunk ass couldn’t help the little shimmy I did while singing to the music. Josiah just smiled while chuckling.

“Why Dean telling me your man out and y’all together? I thought he had twenty years?!”

“UH-UH, UH-UH!” I cackled. “Don’t be wishing years on my nigga! Yes he’s out and yes we’re together.”