Mansion was packed when we pulled up. Cash got out and exchanged a few words with Hassan after he parked. He came around to help me out, and I felt eyes on us as we bypassed the line and walked straight to the entrance.
Cash kept a firm grip on me as we moved through the tight bodies toward the short flight of stairs that led to VIP. This section was smaller than the one at Palladium—fewer people, less privacy. I spotted Slim and Fontaine chilling on a couch.
“Aww shit.” Jelani popped up, grinning. He hugged Cash, then slung an arm over my shoulder, pulling me aside. “You know we basically related now, right?”
I raised a brow. “How you figure?”
“‘Cause you’re officially my brother’s girl, and you met Ma. That’s major—he doesn’t just bring anybody to meet her.”
I laughed, playing along. “Is that so?”
“Yup,” he nodded like it was gospel.
I looked around. “Where’s Monica?”
Jelani jerked his head toward the restroom. “She’s been in there for a minute. I think she’s mad at me.”
“What’d you do now?” I asked just as Cash’s arm slipped around my waist, pulling me back into his orbit. “What you drinking, baby?”
“Tequila soda,” I said, smiling.
He kissed my forehead and went to find a bottle girl.
Monica came stomping out of the restroom, swatting Jelani’s hand away when he reached for her.
“Girl, come dance with me before I smack this stupid boy,” she huffed, grabbing my wrist.
I glanced at Jelani as she pulled me toward the stairs. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking like he knew he fucked up. I shook my head as we headed down into the sea of people.
The DJ was playing an early 2010s mix that had me feeling nostalgic. We found a little space to move, hyping each other up as we started dancing. She turned and started twerking on me. I grabbed her hips and caught the beat.
“Ay!” I laughed, giving her ass a playful slap.
Someone brushed against me, and I turned, smiling, expecting to see Cash, but my heart dropped when I saw Marcus’s cocky grin.
“Juicy!” he shouted over the music. “Been a minute!”
“Hey, Marcus,” I said weakly. Monica slid beside me instantly, clocking the shift in energy.
“You okay, friend?” she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
I nodded stiffly as Marcus leaned in, slipping his hand around my waist.
“You been hiding from me?” he murmured in my ear.
My mouth went dry. I needed to get away from him before Cash spotted us.
“Jas, let’s go back upstairs,” Monica urged, tugging my arm.
Marcus tightened his hold on me. “It ain’t even gotta be all that.” He leaned closer, brushing his nose against my cheek.
“I just wanna know why you been duckin’ me, mama.”
I pressed a hand against his chest, trying to push him back, but he wouldn’t budge.
My eyes flicked towards our section.Here we fucking go. Cash and Jelani were practically floating down the stairs, looking ready to fuck some shit up. People instinctively moved out of their way, creating a path as they pushed through.
“Lord, this about to be some shit,” Monica muttered.
