AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What if it’s too much pain?”
I couldn’t look at her when I answered, “Then you’ll be ready to receive Mya’s printout.”
From the table, we watched Nisha and Lisa finish theCuff it Challengeeveryone had been attempting on social media. I was sure to cheer them on. My table wasn’t alone; several people in the pub joined in. I couldn’t believe this place held the same feels it had nearly ten years ago when I was a freshman.
Neil’s Pubwas nestled in Montclair. It was close enough to catch the college crowd, yet just off campus, making it assessable to the public as well. We’d been here for over two hours, drinking, nibbling on appetizers, and catching up with each other and a few other familiar faces. It was cool to see a few folks returning for homecoming weekend. The event was typically held in early October but had been postponed a few weeks due to delays in putting the final touches on major upgrades to the campus. To encourage endowment, the school wanted to be sure the property was in pristine condition.
“Look at y’all!” Mya gassed the girls up as they approached the table, out of breath and giddy.
“Girl,” Nisha panted, plopping down into her seat. “Those four movements are fucking work. Okay!”
“You know who killed it onTikTok?” Mya’s eyes were wild with wonder.
“The Nigerian kids?” Lisa asked. “They be fucking shit up!”
Nisha snapped her fingers. “Toya…Lil’ Wayne’s baby’s momma, on that little yacht after her wedding?”
Mya shook her head, fingering her long, curly weave. “Shi-Shi,” she finally revealed. “The dancer. She’s been in theAsè Garbads.”
“The Black girl, twirling in their trench coat in the commercial?” Lisa seemed confused.
“She did more than twirl in a trench coat in that commercial,” I corrected. “I’ve seen her in like two of their commercials, and inVogue. She looks amazing.”
“Oh!” Nisha lowered her drink. “She was on theTimes Squarebillboard wearingAsè Garb. Right? The one who used to date Austin Seers?”
Mya nodded. “She’s so dope.”
“They’re cute together. Her long legs and toned thighs! Whew!” Lisa fawned. “I wish I had that body.” She grabbed her protruding belly through the turtleneck sweater, making us all laugh. “I hope they get married finally.”
Mya’s neck snapped back. “Try again. She has a whole baby!”
“Who?” Again, Lisa appeared genuinely confused.
“Shi-Shi,” Mya laughed. “You keeping up?”
“I didn’t know. When?”
“Earlier this year. Cute little girl.” Mya’s mouth twisted as she nodded affirmatively. Then her eyes fixed onto Lisa. “Too busy vacuuming floors, I see,” she murmured before taking a sip of her drink.
Nisha fell into my arm, snickering hard.
We’d had a few drinks, but I didn’t find it all that funny.
Lisa rolled her eyes, brushing it off. “When did she have the baby? I feel like I just saw them together onE!or something.”
“Nope.” Mya explained. “Shi-Shi put out a press release saying they broke up last spring’ish. Then last summer, she posted pictures of some brown-skinned guy with muscles.” She used her hands to demonstrate. “They were at some beach and on a boat, partying with a bunch of people.”
“Then how could you say she posted pix of her and the guy like they were together?” Nisha challenged.
Mya licked her lips, eyes squinted toward the ceiling wistfully. “Because of the way she held him in some of the pictures. She took usies with lots of people, but she didn’t cup any of the guys the way she did this particular one. It was like a…lover’s grip.”
“Was he better looking than Austin? That mofo fine!” Lisa met palms with me.
The actor, Austin Seers, was handsome. I wouldn’t deny that. However, he was a little too “Disney” for me swag-wise. I preferred a dash of cayenne pepper in my ideal man.
Mya nodded with a confident grin. “This guy wasprettyspecial. And I think that’s who gave her a baby.” She winked, voice reduced to a conspirator’s volume.
“Shit,” Nisha breathed.
