Confirmation.
Gratitude.
That’s what he provided for me.
“I’m so glad you like it… now go mix, mingle, and enjoy yourself.”
Vasiah went to dap up his friends from college, and I turned to find my crew. They were spread all over. Reign was smoking a cigar with Poppa Hill, the twins were on the spades table, Domo and Linx were in the gamer trucks, and Rae and Domo were by the hookah. The weather was perfect, hot as hell but not a cloud in sight. I observed my man laughing, smiling, and nerding out over the gamer trucks. I felt proud to pull this off for him.
“You did ya big one, niece,” his Uncle Victor said, chomping on a rib tip. That was another thing I really enjoyed about our relationship. His family was so welcoming and embraced me. Poppa Hill and I still had our bi-weekly outings. His aunties and cousins had come by the shop a few times to bring me food and get their hair done. Uncle Victor called and checked on me and invited me to every barbecue. I loved it here.
“Thanks, Unc,” I smiled.
“Your smile is so big, friend,” Rae commented. She was kicking back with a plate of food in her lap.
“I’m really happy.”
“And it looks the fuck good on you!” Cherrice hollered.
“I agree.” Reign said. I whipped my head around and stared at him. Of course, I never heard him coming, but wherever Rae was, he wouldn’t be too far away. Nigga loved living in his wife’s skin. After our spat and his apology, Reign and I were back to normal. He and Vasiah weren’t besties or anything, but Reign was kinder towards him, and that’s all I wanted. Though he may never say it, I knew he just wanted me with someone who could not only handle me but also treat me right. Vasiah was exactly that person. Hell, he had to be a special guy because there was no way I was coming outta my pocket for a man like this. This party was just the tip of the iceberg. I smiled at my twin, and hesmirked back, silently communicating that he was happy for me. Scanning the backyard, I looked for my man but didn’t see him.
“Now, Reina…when you turn your head back around, I want you to be calm,” Rae said, her eyes wide.
My brows kissed. “What? What are you talking about?” I turned my head, and my eyes landed on Vasiah and Mykita talking. My whole body went still. This girl stayed wanting to try me.
“Reina. Please don’t air this party out,” Rae begged.
“I’m not. I’m not. I’m not. Just confused about why she wants to play with me, on today of all days. My in-laws do not need to know that I’m a shooter.” Mykita held a blue gift bag in her hands, and I got more heated. How dare you show up to my man’s party that you weren’t even invited to and bring him a gift on top of that? Bitch deserved her pinky toe shot off just for that alone. I stood, smoothing out the wrinkles in my sundress.
“Reina!”
“You got bail money?” I ignored Rae and asked Reign.
He sighed. “Always, man, but –”
“Good.” I nodded. “I might need it.” I stomped off and made my way towards Vasiah and that hoe.
“Mykita –” Her name tasted like poison on my tongue. Was she a real threat? No. But she was disrespectful and bold. I didn’t fuck with that at all. Ain’t no way a nigga I had formerly fucked would come to my birthday party – okay, maybe he would, but notaftermy man checked him. I’m a changed woman now.
“Hold on, Bae. Her disrespectful ass was just leaving,” Vasiah cut me off, and I shuddered. I’d never heard him talk like this.
She scoffed. “For the last time, how is bringing you a gift to your party disrespectful?”
Vasiah pushed his glasses up and narrowed his eyes. “For one, you wasn’t even invited. For two, my girl ain’t cool with yourpresence, and I’m not ever gonna disrespect her by having you anywhere near me.”
“So she’s intimidated? Got it,” this hoe had the nerve to say! I wanted to place my steel under her chin so bad. Let’s see who’s intimidated now.
“Mykita. I’m really trying not to disrespect you, but please understand that you couldn’t fuck with my girl on yo best day. We fucked one time over a decade ago. I ain’t double-backed since. Please take this obsession that you have with me on somewhere before your mouth writes a check that yo ass can’t cash. My girl shoots… find you something safe to do.”
Her jaw dropped, and angrily, she dropped the gift bag at his feet and stomped away and out the backyard. I snickered as Vasiah threw an arm around my shoulders.
“I can’t believe that damn girl.”
“Yeah, but you told her, honey.”
“Because you shouldn’t have to address her again after already addressing her the first time. She’s super lame for that.” I agreed, and the rest of the party went off without a hitch. We sang Happy Birthday, and he was shocked because the cake was in the design of one of the video game characters he was creating. I wanted to show him that I supported and believed in his dreams.
“Aight y’all, I have a gift to present to the man of the hour,” I announced. All eyes were on me while my eyes were on Vasiah.
