by Anna Black
“Baby, you look amazing. I mean, stunning, but what’s with the weave? I love your natural curls.”
“Weave, excuse me?” Grace said.
Gabby approached me. “Baby, this is not a weave, it’s my hair.”
“Huh,” I said with my brows raised. I was confused as hell. “Your hair wasn’t that long the last time I saw you, babe,” I said.
“Yes, it was,” she said, going over to the coat closet. “My curls make my hair shrink, and when it’s straightened, it stretches my hair out to its true length.”
At first, I was confused, then I wasn’t. “Well, it is beautiful baby, but I love your curls.”
“Me too and trust, it won’t stay this straight for long,” she said, slipping on her coat. I went over to help her. “Thanks, babe. You ready?”
“Yeah, where is Gemma?”
“She wasn’t feeling well, so she won’t be hanging out tonight.”
“Is she okay?”
“She is fine, just natural girl stuff,” she said as we filed to the door.
I didn’t have any sisters, but I knew what natural girl stuff meant. We got into the SUV, and Grace went to the third row. “No, Grace, you can sit with Gabby. I’ll take the back.”
“Boy, you taller than this damn truck and I’m only five feet, so I can sit back here,” she said and sat. Grace wasn’t as thick as my baby, but she did own a beautiful lil curvy body. She, Gemma and Gabby resembled their beautiful mom. No way you couldn’t recognize that they were sisters. It was that way with my brothers and me growing up. They would think Rel and I were twins, even though we were almost two years apart.
When we made it to the club, I told my driver I’d call him thirty minutes before I was ready and then we headed inside.
13
Gabby
The music was bumping, and I was glad that we made it before Chasity and Tori. I wanted to make sure her decorations were done. I was impressed with the job that Mari and the girls had done.
“Wow, baby, this looks nice. I don’t even think we need both booths, it’s plenty of seating in this booth for us,” I said. That one booth could easily seat twelve comfortably.
“Well, I figured Chasity would invite other people, and I didn’t want us to be crowded.”
“You know what, baby, you are right. Thanks so much. This is so perfect.”
“You’re welcome, you know I’d do anything for you,” he said.
I smiled brightly and gave my man a soft kiss. I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck, then we were interrupted. “Get a room, get a room, get a damn room,” his brother Royal said.
“Royal, heeeeyyyy,” I said and hugged him.
“Hey, Gabby. Hey, big bro,” he said.
I turned to my sister, who was sitting on the plush purple sofa. “Grace, this is Gutta’s baby brother, Royal. Royal, this is my sister Grace.”
He reached for her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” she said.
“Damn, y’all look alike,” Royal commented.
“Damn, y’all look alike,” Grace returned, and we all laughed. Royal took a seat, and Mari came over.
“Hey, Bossman, hi, Gabby, heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy, Royal,” she dragged out, and he stood to hug her.
“Miss Mari, what’s good? How is D.J.?”
“He is good, growing like a weed.”
“I bet,” Royal said.
“Listen, I’ll be servicing y’all and April will also be assisting, but we have three other VIP’s reserved tonight, boss, so you know how it goes. Wendy was here and the sitter called,” she tried to explain, but Gutta interrupted.
“Say no more. Just bring all the bottles now and some extra glasses. I’ll be on ice duty. Cater to our other VIP’s and yo’ boss man got us.”
“Gutta, I’m good, I got this.”
“No, you go and see that our other clients are happy tonight. This is my fam, and we got this.”
“You sure?”
“Yes, now go. Your boss has spoken.”
“You are the best, thanks, Gutta,” she said and hurried off.
“Baby, if you need my assistance, please don’t hesitate. This is my girl’s thing, and I’m not trying to inconvenience your staff or make waves.”
“Nonsense. Your job is to show your bestie a good time, and I got all the other details.”
“Why are you so good to me?”
“Let’s see,” he said, rubbing his bearded chin.
“Stop it, Gutta, you play so much.”
He kissed my nose. “You already know why I’m good to you. I keep telling you that you’re the one.”
“And I keep telling you to just be patient. One day I’m going to do something to make you want to shake me and ask yo’self why are you even with me.”
“Well, until that day-” he was saying, but we were interrupted by a deep male voice.
“Hey, hey, hey, family! What’s crackin’ y’all!” He yelled.
“Hey, Malice, and what is this?” I asked, taking the gift bag he pushed in my direction.
“It’s for Chas. It’s her birthday, right?”
“It is, and you didn’t have to,” I said, peeping in the bag.
“It was no biggie,” he said and then greeted Gutta and Royal.
“Malice, this is my sister, Grace. Sis, this is baby boy number three, Gutta’s brother, Malice.”
He reached in and shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Gabby look alike. Now let me pour myself a drink,” he said.
“Mari’s on her way back with the bottles now,” Gutta said and sat.
“Cool,” Malice said and sat beside Royal.
I eyed them, and they all did look too much alike. Same height, skin complexion, and they all rocked sexy ass beards. Mari returned with the bottles, glasses and two buckets of ice. Seconds later, the birthday girl walked in. She was dressed in red, tits up high and her dress fitted like a damn glove with red stilettoes, black accessories and face beat. Not sure if she had gotten a weave or a cute ass lace front with the body wave hair; whichever it was hung down my bestie’s back. Tori stood by with her purse and what may have been Chasity’s red clutch, but she didn’t interrupt Chasity’s entrance.
“One-time for the birthday, bitch. Two-times, for the birthday, bitch. Three-times for the birthday bitch!” Chas sang to the top of her damn lungs while she did her famous body shake. That was her signature move, and Tori handed their purses off to Gutta. She, Grace, and I got up to dance and sing with my girl. I’m sure the men thought we were doing too damn much, but Chasity was turning thirty-four and that day was her actual birthday. After a few moments, we finally spoke, exchanged hugs, and more introductions. I wished Gemma was there with us because she was the life of every party.
“Oh my God, thank you, Gutta and Gabby, this is fabulous. Red, silver and black got it going on tonight.”
“Girl, you are welcome.”
“It was no trouble, Chas. We want you to enjoy your birthday.”
“Awww, you two. I’m so happy this is so nice. My sister and a few of my cousins and co-workers are coming, so I may be in and out.”
“No, the next booth is for your guess. As long as it’s no more than fifteen. We are good,” Gutta said.
“Damn, y’all doing it big for me. Thanks, I’m so happy,” she said. She gave us both tight hugs, and the party got started.
We toasted, they threw back shots, and a few more of Chasity’s guests along with her sister had arrived. Although Gutta had told Mari he had our two sections, she was still in and out, helping out. I made a mental note to give her a “thank you” card along with a gift card. All I had paid for were the decorations because my man insisted that I didn’t have to pay for the VIP sections or liquor. I had no idea what the total would be. All I know is my man told me he got me.
We danced, laughed and when Rel walked in, I had completely forgotten that one brother was missing from the party.
“OMG, who is that fine ass spec
imen talking to your man?” Chasity asked me in my ear.
“That is Rel, his other brother.” Rel was the only one who had their mother’s lighter skin, but the resemblance was undeniable.
“Sweet Jesus! Introduce us and make sure you let him know I’m your bestie, and I’m the birthday girl,” she said.
“Okay, Chas, relax,” I said, and he and Gutta headed our way.
“Gabby, Gabby, Gabby, my big bro’s kryptonite,” he greeted me with a hug.
I laughed out loud. “Am I?” I said, and Gutta damn near pulled me out of Rel’s arms and then slid his arm around my waist and pulled me close.
“Hater’aid babe, that’s all it is,” Gutta said.
“Whatever bro, and you must be the birthday girl. Chasity, right?” Rel said and reached for her hand. They had never been properly introduced, but they had been in the same space together before.
“I am. It’s so nice to meet you, Rel,” she cooed, and he kissed the back of her hand.
“Well, I can’t offer you a drink because I know the drinks are flowing in VIP, but please save me a dance.”
Chasity blushed like a schoolgirl. “Absolutely,” she purred.
Gutta and I wore identical expressions and when he snickered, so did I. “Ummmm, Chas, you wanna refill?” I asked.
Her eyes were still locked on Rel. “I’m good, but I’m sure Mr. Rel would like something.”
“My woman ain’t fixing his ass no drink,” Gutta blasted.
“I’m good. I can get my own drink, big bro,” Rel said and reached for Chasity’s hand. “Care to join me?”
“Lead the way,” she said and took his hand. They walked away, and Gutta shook his head.
“What?” I asked.
“I know your girl is a grown ass woman, but Rel is not the faithful type.”
“And you think Chas is?”
A shocked expression plastered his face as he raised both brows and said, “Word.”
“She changes guys like she changes shoes. One heartbreak and she’s been doing her thang ever since. She vows she’ll never give her heart to another.”
“Well, damn, I guess they just might hit it off.”
“Maybe,” I said as I watched them sit with their drinks. Their body language and facial expressions said they just might get into some horizontal trouble later, but that wasn’t my business.
We continued to celebrate. I watched Grace and Malice dance a few dances and exchange a lot of conversation. Tori had disappeared, and Royal’s face was glued to his phone. Gutta and I had danced, and I wondered why he kept asking me if I wanted another glass of wine every five minutes. I had only drunk one glass and was nursing my second, but he kept encouraging me to drink. I did plan to get lit, but I knew what wine did to me. I’d be all over my man if I didn’t pace myself.
Grace and Malice were on the floor together, and Chas was on the dance floor doing her thing solo. I was trying to clear away empty bottles. My eyes landed on Rel, and I saw him give a head nod and an eye shift to the right at my man. I looked at my man, and when he looked in that direction, I saw him grimace and mouth the word fuck. Trying to act as if I didn’t notice the exchange, my eyes followed the direction he and his brother were looking at. There were a few people, and I couldn’t figure out who they were actually peering at, but when one chick rolled her eyes at my man, I figured out who the damn distraction was. I quickly went back to what I was doing and pretended I didn’t see anything.
“Baby,” Gutta’s voice jolted me, and I turned to him.
“Bae, hey, what’s up?” I asked.
“I need to dip out and handle something really quick, okay?”
“Something like what?” I questioned.
“Something minor, babe. I’ll be back in a few moments,” Gutta said, and then he was off. I watched him move through the crowd, and then when I looked in the other woman’s direction, I saw Rel grab her arm and pull her away. I had no idea what was going on, but I was certainly going to find out.
14
Trina Nichols
I had been calling Gutta for several weeks, and he’d never answer my calls. He’d reply to a text here and there, but nothing significant. I was getting tired of this nigga ducking and dodging me. Gutta wasn’t a street king, or into any illegal shit like that that I knew of, but what I did know about him for sure is he wasn’t a man to be fucked with. He was a well-known businessman and club owner. I was sure if I tried to do anything stupid, there would be a consequence, but hell, I missed him. I knew he’d never kill me, so I texted him again.
When he replied, my face lit up because any time he replied, it gave me hope that we’d eventually get back on track. I mean, shit, I had been the main chick for damn near seven years, so I had to find out who this bitch was that was moving in on my man. I wanted to know what she could possibly have on me. I was drop-dead-gorgeous with golden skin smoother than a baby’s ass because I took great care of myself. Yes, I wore a weave, but it was done so precisely that it looked as if it had grown out of my own damn scalp. My face was hands down picture perfect, and I could rock any outfit because of my petite but curvy frame. I was a freak in the sheets and gave Gutta all of me, so I wondered how he could just abruptly shut us down. I wasn’t understanding.
Me: Thanks again 4 the cash
Hubby: I said no biggie
Me: I know it’s not 4 u babe. I just wanna repay u, u know, like I always do
Hubby: I’m good on dat Trina
Me: U don’t miss this fat pussy?
After ten minutes, I got no response. I knew that my last message had shut our conversation down, so I tossed my phone. I had a mind to show up at his place again, but I didn’t want to irritate him further. The next thing was to go to Passion. Gutta wouldn’t make a scene there for sure, and maybe I’d see who this new bitch was that had my man tripping and shit.
I called my girls, Lexi and Jasmine, and they quickly agreed to go out with me to Passions that night. Normally we would be in VIP with unlimited drinks, but since Gutta has cut me off, I didn’t know if we’d been chilling in VIP that night. When we arrived, I thank God that the doorman, Joc, let us in without standing in the line. At least Gutta hadn’t banned me from his club.
I got Mari’s attention. She confirmed that nothing was available for my girls and me in VIP, but I held it together and headed towards the table she said was available near the dance floor. It wasn’t VIP, but it was a great table, so my girls and I hurried to occupy the empty space. Once we were seated, Mari assured me she’d send someone over to get our drink orders, and she was off. I watched as she headed over to the VIP where I spotted Gutta with a group of women and his brothers laughing and having what appeared to be a good time.
I cringed because I was truly baffled how he just moved on like we had nothing. I shook my head and was about to say something to my girl, Jas, who was sitting to my right, but the waitress appeared.
“Hey, Trina. What’s going on, girl?”
I smiled. “Hey, Max,” I said. At that moment, I felt like I shouldn’t have shown up to Passion’s because they all knew that Gutta and I had a thing going on, but now he was with some other bitch.
“Jas, Lexi, what are you ladies having tonight?”
They all exchanged greetings, and we ordered our first round of drinks. “And are we starting a tab?” she asked.
I tilted my head in confusion. I’d never paid for a drink at Passion’s since the damn doors opened. “Excuse me, you know my drinks are always on the house,” I said.
“Uh-Ummm, I don’t know what’s going on, but bossman said that’s not in effect anymore.”
If I had been a cartoon character, smoke would have literally flooded from my nose, but I went for my card. “Yes, start a tab, and I’ll have a lil talk with yo’ bossman,” I sneered.
She took my card, and as soon as she disappeared into the crowd, my girls went in. “Trina, what the fuck is up with you and Gutta? I didn’t know y’all fell out,” Jas spa
t.
“Yes, I mean, I understand no VIP tonight, but yo’ ass demoted like that,” Lexi asked, snapping her finger.
“Calm down, bitches, damn. We are just going through a rough patch, but that’s it.”
“Rough patch, huh? That’s why he on the dance floor with his rough patch tight in his arms,” Lexi said with her eyes locked on Gutta’s location on the floor.
I slowly turned to see him and the other woman moving slow to a fast tempo song. If I didn't know his ass better, I’d swear they were a romantic couple in love, but I knew his ass. I knew that that homely looking bitch wasn’t his type. He had to be using her ass for something, and I was going to see what that shit was about.
“Calm down, ladies, I’m not worried about her. Look at that bitch. As y’all can clearly see, she doesn’t have shit on me.”
“True, but I’ve never seen him hold your ass that close.”
“Whatever, Jas,” I said, and then Max returned with our drinks.
I sat and had a few more drinks with my girls, and then I got up to get Gutta’s attention. I’d had enough of his show with that low budget bitch, and I wanted to take back what belonged to me. I stood in the sightline of where he and his party sat. I played it cool and didn’t look directly at him or any of the others that were having a blast, but I knew he’d soon see me. When I glanced back in his direction, I watched him whisper something in the other woman's ear, and then he stood. I watched him walk away, and my eyes followed as he went towards the back. He was either headed to his office or the elevator to go upstairs, but I was sure going to follow him. Before I could make my move, someone grabbed my arm. I looked up to see Rel.
“What in the fuck do you think you’re doing, Trina?” he boomed.
I tried to snatch away, but the grip he had on my arm was tight, and that instantly pissed me off. “Let go of my arm, Rel,” I hissed.
