“Practice in the morning, but free after three o’clock.”
“Well, my best friend’s thirtieth birthday party is Saturday. It’s an overnight thing. I know it’s last-minute, but would you want to go with me?”
“Is this you asking me out?”
My face got warm. “Yes. Was that not clear?”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind seeing you. I’ve only been trying all summer.”
“You’ve been in training camp all summer,” I argued with a grin.
“Yeah. But I’ve been wanting to see you all summer, too. So text me the details.” He yelled something to someone in the background. “We just found out we made the cut, so I gotta go, but I’ll hit you up tonight.”
Grinning, I bit down on my bottom lip. “Congratulations! Talk soon.”
Jazmyn Payne:Anyone up?
Nina Ford:Not Jazz sending a “you up?” text like one of these trash ass men Aaliyah’s matching with on TenderFish!
Aaliyah James:You know I can see your text too, right?
I laughed out loud.
Jazmyn Payne:Just confirming I’ll be bringing a date on Saturday.
Nina Ford:Is it that man you fucked in Chance?
Aaliyah James:You fucked somebody in Chance?! Is it that guy you said you made friends with?
Nina Ford:Sounds like she made more than friends! Sounds like she made it clap!
Jazmyn Payne:I made a friend and there may have been some benefits. But we’re friends so I asked him to come with me to the party. And I’m just preparing y’all now, so you don’t embarrass me and make it something it’s not.
Aaliyah James:Nina, you hear this? Jazz thinks we’re going to embarrass her in front of her boyfriend.
Nina Ford:He must’ve knocked the Mario coins out her pussy if she’s giving us this type of warning days in advance.
Cackling, I changed the subject.
Jazmyn Payne:Aaliyah, which man did you decide to bring? Or are you still in denial like Nina is about her dating situation?
Nina Ford:I’m not in denial. I’m just making questionable decisions.
Aaliyah James:I’m not in denial. I’m under duress.
Jazmyn Payne:I’m so weak! I needed these laughs. I can’t wait to see you two this weekend.
15
It was hard saying goodbye to Aunt Addy on Friday. I’d packed my car early in the morning, but I planned to hang around until at least lunchtime.
“What’s going on with your party?” I asked as I watched her eat bacon. I looked down at the vegetarian sausage on my plate and sighed. “Why are you being so secretive about it?”
“You’ll see.” She winked. “So, tell me, I heard you giggling and sniggling on the phone yesterday. What was all the congratulations about?”
“Oh, I was, um”—I let out an embarrassed laugh—“congratulating Lamar. He had a good work-related meeting, and he’s going to take things to the next level. I’m sorry, I didn’t realize I was so loud.”
She smiled, slightly tilting her head. “Don’t be sorry. It was nice hearing you sound so… happy.”
