“You asked to keep my new shit reserved for you, so.” She shrugged, reminding him of his words.
Najee licked his lips and leaned into her frame. His warm breath made Orielle’s eyes flutter as he spoke against the shell of her ear. The liquor in his system and the impact of her thoughtfulness made him forget where he was... and who he belonged to.
“I need you to sing to me in person. Make mereallyfeel that shit... but I’ll take this too.”
Orielle swallowed hard and her chest heaved as he backed away, giving her a smile that would’ve ruined her panties if she were wearing any. Had the material of her jumpsuit been a lighter color and of cheap fabric, proof of how aroused he just made her would’ve shown.This man is fucking dangerous,she thought.And so damn fine. Please, get away from me.
“Thank you,” Najee said, sliding the keychain back inside the bag.
“You’re welcome. Just a small peace offering, I guess.”
She said it as if it were no big deal, but they both knew otherwise. That little keychain weighed more than it should’ve. Not physically, but emotionally. It was intentional, and Najee received whatever message she was trying to deliver. He was about to say something else when Nyesha walked over with the mic in her hand.
“Hey, y’all. Sorry to interrupt, but we’re about to do the toast. Where’s Renae?” she asked.
As if he’d just remembered he had a girlfriend, Najee slightly shook his head. The reason why she stormed off was right in his face, yet he had no clue where she ran off to. He’d blocked the entire party out for this moment with Orielle and had no regrets.
“Let me go see where she’s at,” he said.
Nyesha told him okay and headed back toward the middle of the lounge. Najee started to walk off but paused and faced Orielle.
“Aye. Don’t run off ‘cause you made amends,” he jested, making Orielle chuckle.
“I didn’t have any plans to.”
Najee nodded, accepting her answer before starting his search for Renae. He walked through the lounge, loving to see everyone enjoying themselves. Despite their previous grievances, Nyesha had also helped plan the party and was responsible for the catered food from Kaine’s Kitchen. Najee was happy to see them mending whatever had been broken, and now he needed to do the same.
He checked the section they had reserved, the bar, and even peeked outside on the patio, where a few guests were taking a smoke break. Spotting Renae’s brother, Jermaine, Najee waved him over.
“Yo, you seen Renae?” Najee asked.
Jermaine blew out the smoke from his blunt. “Nah. Not since I been out here. Everything straight?”
“Yeah,” Najee answered. “We ‘bout to do the toast in a minute, and I want her up there with me.”
“A’ight. We’ll be in there.”
Jermaine went back to his spot on the bench to grab his cup while Najee kept it moving. He made his way back inside toward the back hallway, where a couple of doors led to private rooms and storage areas. He didn’t know if they were supposed to be back there, but he looked anyway. As he turned the corner, familiar voices carried through one of the half-open doors.
“Nae. Come on now. Why even be here and have all of us come out if that’s what you’ve been on?” Kelli, Renae’s sister, questioned.
“It wasn’t supposed to go that far. I swear,” Renae whined.
“Cheating on your man while he’s locked up, getting pregnant, and having an abortion is pretty fucking far if you ask me.”
Najee froze and blinked slowly, trying to process what the hell he had just heard. He was sure his mind was playing tricks on him.Nah. I must be drunk as fuck,he thought to himself.
“And that’s why I didn’t ask or tell you anything. You’re judging me,” Renae said, proving that he had heard Kelli loud and clear.
Najee leaned in just enough to keep hearing the conversation clearly without getting caught. His chest was as tight as his clenched jaw. Gritting his teeth, his nostrils flared as they continued talking.
“I’m letting you know that what you’re doing is dead wrong. That man has done nothing but love and take care of you,” Kelli hissed. “You don’t pay any bills and want for nothing. Literally.”
“Okay! I get that, but he had the nerve to invite the same bitch he was defending that night to a party I spent my money and time on. That’s beyond disrespectful. What man do you know willing to put his freedom on the line for some random ass woman? He could’ve minded his business.”
“A real man! That’s who,” Kelli fumed. Instead of being proud of your man for coming to her defense, you cheat,” she said, shaking her head. She was so pissed off at her sister that her hands were trembling. “And she wasn’t just some random girl. It’s Saleem’s cousin.”
“Which makes my point even more valid,” Renae sassed. “He left me out here lonely for fourteen months, all because he wanted to be Captain Save-A-Hoe.”
