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Eleven
“I really just feel like I should walk over there and beat her ass, that’s all I’m saying.”
I tried – and failed – not to laugh at Nubia’s antics as we wrapped up the “mandatory” self-defense class atFive Star Fitness. I’d only been released from the hospital the day before, so I was supposed to be doing more observing than anything else.
That wasn’t whatIwanted though.
WhatIwanted was to be prepared, to know what to do if and when somebody put their hands on me again.Iwanted to be able to kick ass. So as soon as my babysitter – Wick – stepped out of the room, leaving me with Kora, Nubia, Blake, and the instructor, Mimi, I was right in the mix with the others. At first, I’d worried I’d have to talk Mimi into letting me work with everyone else, but as soon as I told her I didn’t want to just watch, mischief sparked in her eyes, and she grinned.
“Well get your ass up here and let’s work then.”
And work, I had. I still had a little bit of a headache, and my neck was bruised and sore, but physically, I was okay. I was halfway afraid to close my eyes or be alone, but that wasn’t about to keep me from learning how to protect myself.
After the class, we left the room to refill our water bottles at the machine, and that’s when I noticed the woman I’d seen Wick kiss atFive Star Techwas there, and had stopped Mimi to talk. She really was gorgeous – tall, smooth pecan-toned skin, and a body that was pretty much made for the leotard she was wearing underneath a simple ballet skirt.
I could definitely see her appeal – a fact that I mentioned to my friends.“So that’s the “Kay” he basically told me to mind my business about?”Kora had asked, and of course, the conversation went left from there, which was how we arrived at Nubia’s proposition of “whooping ass”.
“Nubia, come on,” Blake laughed. “You can’t just fight somebody because she’s dating your friend’s… online fuck buddy slash bodyguard.”
Nubia sucked her teeth. “Speak for yourself. I carried a whole ass pregnancy through a round of chemo, and maintained bad bitch status the entire time – I can do whatever I put my mind to.”
Blake countered, “Don’t you have the reputation of the new TV network to worry about?!”
“Oooh, you’re right, I do… Okay, so pull out your phone and record it. Monica, Kora, make sure nobody else records it. This beatdown is going to be on WAWG, exclusively. I’m gonna make so much damn money. This is great.”
“Stop it,” Kora scolded. “We don’t evenknowthat he’s dating her. Monica, you said he kissed her on the cheek, or forehead or something right? She could just be that man’s friend.”
“Of course she could,” Nubia said, her tone soothing as she sidled up to Kora. “But… we know howyoulike to do withyour“friends”. Don’t we?”
“You justlovebringing that up, don’t you?”
Nubia shrugged. “Yes, I do. You know I do. But mypointstands. Sure, she could be his “friend”, but let’s not pretend it means she’s not climbing those big broad chocolate shoulders on the regular.”
“I’m gonna have to agree with Nubia here,” I chimed in. “I mean, he and I are “friends”, and… look whatwewere doing.”
Blake nodded. “And besides that…am I the only one a little annoyed that there’s no way she’s older than like, twenty-five?Ifthat? What is with these men going after babies?
Icould answer that. “Perky tits and naivety, usually,” I said, thinking about Crystal’s immaturity and lack of planning. A smarter woman would’ve at least made Kellen put some type of plan in place for her,especiallyif she was having unprotected sex, and not trying to prevent pregnancy. Really though, that may have been simple stupidity, and nothing to do with her age.
But, to answer Blake’sotherquestion… no. Shewasn’tthe only one annoyed that Wick, or Chad, or whatever, was at least forty, cavorting with what I considered to be a young ass girl. It reminded me of my husband, which was a major turnoff – a turnoff I probably needed, since after we left the gym, I would be spending my first day inhishome.
We probably needed to reaffirm those boundaries as “friends”
As if we’d thought him up, the man himself appeared, soaked with sweat and dressed to work out. My crew and I were tucked out of the way in the corner next to the water machine, so I simply watched as he went straight to where Mimi and Kay were standing, kissing Kay’s forehead before he said something to Mimi.
Suddenly, three sets of eyes were on me as Mimi pointed in our direction. Wick said something else – probably “thank you” – to her, and then grabbed Kay’s hand and started moving in our direction.
“I know this motherfucker isn’t bringing her over here for introductions,” Nubia hissed in my ear, and I immediately shushed her, turning back just in time for Wick to plant his little girlfriend right in front of us with a big smile.
“How are you ladies this morning?” he asked, earning a pleasant “good” from Kora and Blake, an extra dry “fine” from Nubia, and a raised eyebrow from me. “You still feeling okay Monica?”
“Mmmhmm,” I nodded. “How are you?” I asked Kay, whose eyes went wide in apparent surprise that I’d spoken to her.
“Oh, um… I’m good,” she answered, tucking her hands behind her back.
Wick shook his head. “Kayla is playing shy, but she’s only here this early to meet you. All of you,” he amended, before dodging a swat Kay aimed in his direction.
“That’snottrue!”
