She rang the doorbell and could hear the jovial noise inside, but no one came to the door. She picked up her phone and called Shy, but the voicemail picked up. After trying Ellie and Courtney to no avail, she turned the doorknob and eased her way inside.
“Damn, influencer money must be good,” she whispered in awe as she admired the home.
“Umm,hellloooo?” she called out as she walked inside and peeled off her coat.“Soain’t nobody hear the doorbell, huh?”
When she rounded the corner, she paused, shocked that there were cameras rolling and a room full of people. She had thought it would be just the girls, but a full social media crew was present, as well as everyone’s families.
“Heyyy! Bring your late ass over here, girl! We got to get this content!” Shy said, waving her over.
“Not y’all got a full photoshoot going on right now,” Sloan said.“I’lllet y’all have it.” Sloan went around the room, greeting everyone.
“Hey, Papa,” she greeted Ellie’s dad. She kissed both of Ellie’s girls and spotted Cassidy. She frowned when she noticed the young girl he was talking to but didn’t bother interrupting.
“No, bitch, you hopping your fine ass in this picture. When we old and gray, memories are all we’llhave,” Shy stated.
“Okay, okay,” Sloan said as she walked over to the 15-foot Christmas tree.“Shy, this house is fucking everything. It’s huge! You not scared up in here by yourself?” she asked.
“Girl, no, my ass be in here naked with my wine glass and my music cranked to ten, enjoying the fruits of my labor,”Shy bragged.
“Girllll, what labor?” Ellie exclaimed, cackling.“You take pictures all day.”
“It’s harder than it looks,” Shy teased, sticking out her tongue.“Ain’tthat right, Lola?” Shy motioned for her assistant.“Oh, Sloan, this is Lola, my assistant. If you need anything, just ask her. She’lltake care of it.”
“Aww, baby girl, poor you,” Sloan snickered as she realized the girl who had Cassidy’s attention was on Shy’s payroll.
“Bitch, I pay my assistant good. Sheain’t complaining!” Shy defended.
“I’m happy to help, y’all,” Lola said, laughing.
“Girl, blink twice if you need help,” Ellie joked. Shy even had to laugh at that one.
Shy pointed a finger at Lola.“You better not bat an eye!”
The crew was on ten, and it felt like old times when they would talk shit all night at a Friday night sleepover. Only now, they were grown women with much bigger problems than boys and hating opponents.
“Where’s Court?” Sloan asked.“I thought for sure I wasgon’be the one holding us up.”
“Her phone’s going to voicemail. Her house is on the way. The sprinter can just hop off at her exit, and we’llpick her up,” Shy stated.“Let’s finish getting these photos, though.”
Sloan posed for a good ten pictures before she grew tired of the attention.
“Okay, that’s enough for me, I’m pouring wine. Shy, where you keep your bottles?”
“In the pantry,” Shy stated.
Sloan went to the pantry to retrieve a bottle. She was present, but at the same time, she wasn’t. Her mind was still on the information she had been given at her doctor’s appointment. She poured herself a full glass of Pinot Noir and then took a seat at the island as she opened her phone. Her browser was already open to articles about In vitro fertilization. It was all she could think about lately. She sipped from her glass and tapped her short fingernails on the side of the cup as she read the article.
“Is everybody good on drinks? I used to bartend. I can make anything you like,” Lola said.
Everyone put their drink orders in except Cassidy, and Lola sashayed over to him.“What about you? Can I do anything for you?” Lola asked.
“Nah, I’m good,” Cassidy stated.
“Are you sure? I literally make the best drinks,” Lola persisted.
Sloan glanced up from her phone and rolled her eyes.“Oh my god,” she mumbled under her breath. She understood Lola’s attraction. Cassidy was the type of man you noticed at first glance. He couldn’t be missed, and masculinity floated in the air around him. He was humble yet confident all at the same time, but he was also a grown-ass man. Lola was barely legal, and it showed.
“I guess I’lltake a drink. Something dark,” he said.“You can make mine neat. Remy XO if she has it.”
