“Right. We were going to ride around, but I think I’ll pass. I’m not the sneaky link, side bitch type,” Orielle said.
She sat back in the seat, and Najee shook his head. He was joking, so he didn’t see how things had gotten misconstrued. Either way, he didn’t see Orielle as that type of woman anyway. Honestly, he didn’t know what type of scandalous shit she was down for or into, but he wouldn’t place her in that category based off history alone. Treating her like one of the sluts he used to crack before he settled down with Renae was nowhere on his mind.
Orielle was glad they were almost at Cheyla’s crib. She ran down her plans for the next day in her mind while Zoey scrolled through her phone beside her. When she gasped lowly, Orielle glanced her way.
“I know you lying,” Zoey said, looking at a picture of Bobby, his baby mama, and their newborn.
Cheyla and Orielle looked at the screen, staring in disbelief.
“Bitch... I know that’s not Diamond’s page?” Cheyla asked, tapping on the profile picture of one of their old friends.
Sure enough, once they were on Diamond’s page, it was confirmed that she had posted a picture of her cousin in mommy mode, congratulating her and Bobby.
I’m so happy my precious baby cousin has graced us with her presence. She’s gorgeous! Congratulations to my big cousin, Mo, and Bobby! Now, when’s the wedding, ‘cause I know that’s next.
Orielle chuckled. “Wow. I... I don’t even know what to say.”
“She’s petty for posting this, knowing we’d see it. Bitches like her deserve to get beat up,” Cheyla spat.
“Exactly,” Zoey agreed.
Diamond used to be their friend until she started acting weird. She’d throw subtle shots, not include them in trips, always had back-handed compliments to say, and moved like she had a problem with them all of a sudden. Now, it all made sense. Her cousin’s baby daddy was the reason. A nigga who proved his character was flaw just by how he moved with Orielle. But what did she know? Niggas were gon’ be niggas and these women fell for it.
“It’s fine, y’all. Let her post. That’s not my man and hasn’t been for a while now. Now, we know why she was acting funny with us and cut us off. Oh well.”
“Eww. I just hate a weird ass broad. On my soul,” Cheyla groaned. “I should go comment and be messy.”
Orielle chuckled as Najee pulled onto the curb of Cheyla’s townhouse. “Please don’t. That man gon’ think I told you to do that.”
“Girl, fuck him, that baby mama, and the baby,” Cheyla said uncaringly.
Zoey snorted. “Now... what did the baby do?”
“Have a whack ass daddy. Thank you for the long ride, Kidnapper. Make it home safely,” Cheyla said, opening her door.
Najee chuckled. “No problem. Let me grab that door for y’all.”
“Um. Hold on. I know we’ve been drinking, but I know I’m not tripping. Is that... Bobby walking this way?” Zoey asked, staring at the figure walking down the street.
Orielle whipped her head between the seats so quickly, and her mouth dropped. There in the flesh, not even twenty-four hours into being a father, and here he was at Cheyla’s crib. Boldly, he walked up the driveway and stood there like he had every right to pop up.
“Oh. This nigga don’ lost his mind,” Cheyla said, pushing her door open.
Orielle and Zoey were right behind her. One thing a man was going to have if he had nothing in this world to offer was audacity. Not money, not time, not loyalty, not respect, not hustle, not enough dick... but mothafuckin’ audacity. Orielle was ready to spazz out. Not because of the situation, but the principle.
“You don’t just pop up at somebody’s house with your weird ass!” Cheyla fussed.
Bobby raised his hands. “I ain’t come here to argue. I just wanted to talk.”
“We have absolutely nothing to discuss,” Orielle said, much calmer than she felt.
He’d get pleasure from seeing her spazz out, and she knew it.
“Please, Ori. Just give me five minutes,” he begged.
“I’m good. You had months...nine plus more months to talk,” Orielle said, heading up the driveway.
Bobby walked up on her too quickly, grabbing her wrist. “Man, just hear me out.”
