“I uh, I've been busy. You were there during the Spring Festival, and how packed it was. Since then, our business has had constant foot traffic.”
“Right,” Ricky dragged out.
I glared at him as Mya and Amanda snickered behind me. They all knew that Lawrence and I weren't together, but Leonard didn't. It's not like he would go blabbing to my parents, but we didn't have a strong relationship with one another. Hell, on the outside looking in, it was like we were strangers and not siblings. However, tonight was telling me that all that was about to change.
“What time is the birthday boy coming?” Leonard asked, checking his watch.
“Oh, um, in the next hour or so. In the meantime, let's go get the room put together.”
Ricky opened his mouth, but I quickly pinched him under his arm. Between the three of them, I hoped we could get through the night with no accidental slip-ups because they wanted to run their mouths. All I needed to do was get through tonight, and then I would come clean at my parents' family dinner. There was no need to cause chaos this evening.
After about forty-five minutes, we decorated our private room in blue and gray, Lawrence’s favorite colors, and pinned up a big happy birthday sign on the back wall. Everyone except the main guest had arrived. He thought it would be only me here because I lied and told him I wanted us to celebrate his day together.
My phone chimed with a notification from Lawrence stating that he was walking inside.
“Okay, everybody, he's here. Let's gather around his chair to surprise him.” I said, gathering everyone together. I stood right behind his chair and got into character to play the devoted, in love fiancé.
The private curtain separating us from the main restaurant floor slid back, and the wide smile I had on my face immediately faltered. As everyone shouted an excited surprise, I couldn't helpbut glare and clench my jaw. Standing in the entrance were a shocked Lawrence and a smug-faced Sandra.
“Who the hell is that?” I could hear my dad whispering to my mom. Before she could come up with an answer, Mrs. Freeman's loud voice filled the room.
“Happy birthday, my sweet boy!” she said, walking up to throw her arms around his neck. I snapped out of my haze of anger and walked up to Lawrence as well. “Sandra, thank you for being a dear and giving Lawrence a ride. You know Natalie here had to get everything ready. Granted it was last minute, but she did her best.”
I clenched down on my back teeth and tried to keep the sneer off of my face.
“It's no problem at all,” Sandra said, embracing Mrs. Freeman. “Maybe next year I can help so it's not so thrown together looking.”
My lips pressed into a thin line as I balled my hands into fists by my sides. Both of these hoes were about to get knocked the hell out.
I heard someone smack their lips and noticed that it was Mr. Freeman walking up. He grabbed Lawrence's hand and clapped him on the back. “Happy birthday, son.” Turning towards me, Mr. Freeman wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “Don't listen to the nonsense, Natalie. You did an excellent job.”
I smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Freeman. C'mon, babe, let me get you to your seat.” Reaching out my hand, I entangled Lawrence's fingers with mine. Looking over my shoulder, I could see the scowl all over Sandra's face, and it took everything in me not to laugh. Stopping next to his seat, I wrapped my arms around Lawrence's neck to make it look like I was embracing him in a loving hug.
“I'm sorry. I didn't know everyone was going to be here,” he whispered into my ear.
“You still chose to bring your whore to a place I invited you.” I leaned over and placed my lips next to his ear. “Consider this our parting ways party. I'm telling my folks everything tomorrow.”
I could feel Lawrence's body stiffen as I planted a kiss on his cheek. I could hear a few people singing out in collective awe as I stepped back and winked at him. Lawrence's lip twitched before he got back into character. He helped me into the seat next to his as Sandra slumped down into the chair next to Mrs. Freeman and across from me.
“Sandra,” Mrs. Freeman began, a wide smile on her face. “I meant to thank you for telling me about Buckingham's Country Club. I fell in love the minute I laid my eyes on the place.”
“Of course! My uncle is the owner there, and he takes pride in being the best country club in the county.”
“In the county?” My mother scoffed.
“Patty.” I heard my dad warn.
“Yes,” Sandra stated matter-of-factly. “Buckingham earned the number one spot in overall appearance and appeal, according to recent research.”
“Child, please.”
“Excuse me?” Sandra snapped, a little more bite in her tone than I liked.
“You heard me loud and clear. Everyone knows those studies are designed to elevate one demographic over others.”
“Patty, come on!” Mrs. Freeman interjected. “This is not a race thing, and you know it. Buckingham has more resources and better quality than your little club.”
“What?”
