Stunned by the news, she stood frozen, trying to imagine Tuck being gay. He had been the leader of TLM, ordering hits and even performing some himself. He had been a pussy magnet when he was out, attracting all kinds of girls and fucking them whenever he felt the need. He was a known whore with the ladies, but Cali had no clue that he was one with men as well.
“Let me see.” Cali grabbed her phone.
When she scrolled through the pictures, her eyes bucked even more. Tuck was in so many compromising positions. There were even text messages exposing how deep he was in the down low lifestyle.
“I can’t believe Tuck is gay.” Shay scoffed. “Why would he waste all that material on another man?”
“Girl, you ain't see nothing when you were married to your ex?” Clarice asked her.
Shay shook her head. “I wasn’t around him like that. How the hell was I supposed to know he was fucking men?”
Cali handed Clarice her phone and went to take a seat in Rozalin’s chair. Her thoughts immediately drifted to Rio and what he thought about Tuck’s exposure. They had been close before Tuck went away. She wondered if Rio was aware of his extracurricular activity.
“All these niggas be gay, though,” Clarice declared.
“They sholl do,” Quisha added, filing her client’s nails. “It be the ones you least expect, too.”
Clarice detangled her client’s hair and popped her lips. “If they always wanna hang with their homeboys too much, that means he’s fucking one of them.”
“Not always,” Rozalin defended. “You can’t just throw the gay card on every man.”
Clarice gave her a knowing look. “Girl, they be out here taking more dick than us. Miss me with that shit you talking about.”
Rozalin turned Cali’s chair to face the mirror. “Hey, have you heard from Irish lately?”
“I talked to her not too long ago. Why?”
Shaking her head, she reached for the tub of relaxer and propped it on her station. “I’ve been trying to call her so we can talk. Things were intense last time we saw each other, and I wanted to check the temperature.”
Irish hadn’t really mentioned Rozalin but if she knew her friend like she thought, their relationship was more than likely over.
“Yeah, I don't know. I’ll tell her to call you next time we talk,” Cali offered, not really having faith that Irish would reach out.
“Please do because I don't like how things played out. I didn’t want to choose between her and Shay. I just wanted her to leave that day so I can get the shop back in order.”
Cali nodded and noticed the bouquet of roses sitting on the counter. “Ooh, those are pretty. Are they for you?”
“Yeah, they're for her sneaky ass,” Clarice answered, ear hustling from across the shop. “She’s got somebody she’s trying to keep on the low, but you know me, Cali. I’m going to find out who he is.”
When Cali looked at Rozalin through the mirror, she blushed. “Oh, you must like this one. Why can’t we know who he is?”
“Because it’s new and… I don't know. I don't wanna jinx it.”
Cali noticed the card on the bouquet and reached to grab it. Before she could clasp it with her fingers, Rozalin snatched it from her.
“Aht, aht, aht.” She wiggled her finger. “Y’all being too nosy.”
“Wow,” Cali feigned offense. “So now I can’t see the card? Girl, you are too sneaky for me.”
“Let Rozalin have this to herself, damn,” Shay complained. “Y’all don't need to be in her business like that.”
Cali swiftly turned around, grimacing at the bitch. “Who you talking to?”
“I’m talking to you.” Shay snaked her head. “You being way too invasive when you need to be worried about not cheating on your husband. Oops, I forgot, your ex-husband now.”
“Ooh, chile,” someone said.
It felt like everyone’s gaze centered on Cali, awaiting her rebuttal. Lately, her mental had been stable, only crying at night when the ghosts of Rio haunted her. She missed him terribly but each day that passed, the pain became more bearable. She’d never get over her true love, but her mind had begun to accept that he was gone for good.
