“I get that, and I’m not blaming you. I’m just saying be mindful. What do you even know about this man?”
Nyelle wanted to smile when her mother questioned her about Vega, but she kept it under wraps. “Enough. He’s a good guy.”
“He in the streets?”
Nyelle clamped her mouth shut, causing her mother to respond. “Mmhmm. You’re gonna get enough of that type of situation. When has it ever worked out for you, Nyelle?”
“It’s not like I’m seeking them out, it just happens, but Vega is more than just a guy in the streets. He’s actually trying to do some other stuff. He’s buying properties and?—"
“Securing a way to hide his dirty money. Look, baby, you like what you like and I’m the last person to judge you, but just know, it’s not just you. You have to think about Nick. I trust you and I know you love him. So I trust you will do what’s best for him. Don’t bring that man around your son if he doesn’t need to be around your son,” Brenda warned.
“You know I wouldn’t. Vega nor his life is an issue for Nick, Ma.”
They shared a long stare before her mother offered a nod. “Okay then. I don’t have anything to worry about.”
“No, you don’t,” Nyelle stated confidently, praying that what she said was true. In her heart she believed it, but things had a way of falling apart. For now, she had to trust the man Vega was proving to be. “I’m going to spend some time with Nick before I go.”
Nyelle had a lot on her mind and the one thing that stayed on repeat was Vega’s affirmation.
I will put it all on the line for you, for this. If you’re not willing to do the same then we might as well end this shit now.
Was she willing to do that? And at what cost? As she kissed her son on top of his head and sat down next to him, she considered what that really meant. It wasn’t an easy answer nor one that she had the answer to right now. So for now, she was just going to spend time with her baby and not worry about it.
“I have wine and Henny.”Ria held up both bottles wearing a huge smile as Nyelle stood in her doorway facing her. “Damn, can I come in or not?” Ria finally said when Nyelle didn’t move.
Taking possession of the Henny, Nyelle moved out of the way, offering a smile while allowing Ria space to enter. “I guess you can since you brought the good stuff.”
Once inside both women headed straight to the kitchen. Joi was on the way, so it was just the two of them. “Are we cool?” Ria asked with raised brows. She and Nyelle never really had any major issues other than their place in Joi’s life. It was also understood that Joi and Nyelle had gotten extremely close in her absence, which was on her, not on them, but she wanted to be sure they were cool.
“Girl yeah. I mean you basically said kiss my ass when you got your little sugar daddy, but I get it. You had to live your life,” Nyelle teased, causing Ria to roll her eyes.
“It wasn’t like that. It was more him than me, but I have to admit I was enjoying the lifestyle, so I didn’t put up much of a fight when he asked me to keep my distance. I apologize because I know that looked a certain way.”
“No boo, it was a certain way, but I’m not mad. I just want to make sure we’re cool. You can’t come around just because youdon’t have anyone else. You and Joi are tight but that’s my girl. Friends or not, I wanna make sure she is good, and it hurt when you just dropped her. Me, I get. We weren’t close but you and Joi were.”
Nyelle spoke from the heart and Ria could only respect it. “True and I was wrong, which is why I apologized to Joi and now you. Sincerely, and I hope you will accept that. I’m not around because I don’t have anyone else, I’m around because who I have I know is not rocking for me like I know both of you will. I miss that and I want us to be cool again.”
“Them old hoes not gonna put them hands up for you when another hoe jump bad?” Nyelle grinned and Ria laughed, shaking her head.
“Hell no, they’ll just pull out their phone and call a lawyer. They’re a different class and it’s cool but it’s not me. I had to learn the hard way.”
“Well, welcome back. We’re cool but if you pull that shit again, no more strikes. Stay your ass wherever you’re at,” Nyelle spoke in a joking manner but she wholeheartedly meant it. She wasn’t about to play that “in and out when it’s convenient”game with Ria or anyone for that matter.
“I hear you.” Ria lifted the bottle of Henny. “Can we drink now?”
Nyelle grabbed two glasses and placed them on the counter. Just as they filled them, Joi was at the door, so they filled a third. Joi entered with her hands filled with two bottles of Cîroc which she placed on the counter then lifted her shot.
“Oh, so we’re starting hard I see.” She grinned and tossed back the shot, frowning and grabbing her throat when she was done. “I’m done with this. It’s too strong.”
“Lightweight,” Ria and Nyelle both said together.
“Damn straight. I’m not trying to grow hair on my chest,” Joi defended, unbothered as she went straight to the Cîroc and untwisted the top.
“You’re so damn extra.” Nyelle tossed back her shot, feeling the burn as well before she lifted the bottle of Henny and headed toward her living room. She eased into the corner of her love seat followed by Ria who landed in the center of her sofa while Joi followed right after carrying the Cîroc and mini cans of ginger ale. After she positioned the bottle and cans on the coffee table, she flopped down across from Nyelle.
“So, who’s starting this therapy session?” Joi asked, cracking open one of the cans of ginger ale and pouring a little in her glass before she topped it off with Cîroc.
“This isn’t a damn therapy session.” Ria reached for the Henny and filled her glass, pushing the bottle toward Nyelle when she was done. “This is girls’ night.”
