by Xyla Turner
"Mom, this is Connor Locklear. Connor, this is my mom, Hanna." I motioned towards the both of them.
"Oh wow, it's an honor to meet you ma'am." Connor was pouring on the charm.
He grabbed her hand to kiss it and then his long hair lingered on her palm. Mom acted like she had almost died, grabbing her heart and everything. My eyes definitely rolled around my head a few times. The woman was blushing.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him.
"Had to get a shirt for the party next weekend. Someone told me all I had was torn t-shirts and those wouldn't work."
I laughed since I was the one that had told him that.
"Glad you listened to her." I laughed. "She's smart."
"Yeah, she is." He nodded. "Figured I’d get some new brown boots too. Y'all in a rush? I'm not good at this sort of shit. Sorry, I mean shopping." He eyed my mom. "Help a guy out?"
"Oh, sure." My mom basically hip-checked me out the way, grabbed his arm and led the way. "We're in no rush."
After they picked a pair with my nod of approval, we got in line where my mom and Connor chatted away. I could not believe the two of them acting like they were best friends. He was telling her about his renovations and that she should come by the next time she was around and he'd love to get her opinion.
Really?
I walked ahead of them to my car and started to get in, when a hand stopped me.
"Where you going?" Connor asked as he pulled me from the door.
"Home," I said.
"I was thinking we could get some dinner, since we're all out." He was smiling.
Uh, hell no.
"I'm a little tired, right now." My mom's face literally turned to a frown. "But, I'm sure my mom would love to go out with you."
"Yes, honey. You should go on home. Connor and I can go eat and chat about you and his new house." She chimed in while feeling my head.
"You sure?" Connor asked me.
"Positive," I snapped back. "Enjoy."
"I'll talk to you later, then." He was eyeing me warily.
"Okay, honey. I'll call you tomorrow." She beamed.
Oh my God.
I went home and texted Shay and Lori about the two of them. They both just texted back with LMAO.
Great.
I went up to bed early because there was no point in talking to myself or drinking alone. I tried to use B.O.B. but I couldn't really get in the right head space for that.
Around ten o'clock, the doorbell rang but I knew who it was and I did not want to be bothered. Ten minutes later, something small hit my window. Then again and again. The man was unbelievable.
"Lori, open the door or I'm climbing up there," Connor yelled.
Shit.
He'd do it, too.
Opening the door, I stood in it and said, "Connor, this could have waited until tomorrow."
He jogged up the steps with a familiar box in hand and said, "Wanted to give you something."
"This could have waited," I repeated.
When he reached me, the back of his hand extended to touch my forehead.
"No, this couldn't wait." He pulled the ice cream out of the same bag that had the box of shoes that I had said I wanted.
"What is this?" I looked inside the box. "Are those the honky tonks?"
"Yeah." He laughed.
"You got them?" I yelled. "For me?"
"Who else would I get them for?" He smiled.
"I don't know who else you see in your spare time." I grabbed the box and turned to go inside. "A woman should never assume."
"My spare time?" he asked. "I spend all my spare time with you."
"Yeah, for now. We've been working on some projects and what not, but...wait," I turned towards him. "What's this for?"
"I can't buy a friend a gift?"
"Uh, yeah but only if it's like some sort of occasion," I answered. "A birthday or something."
"Look, that's bullshit." Connor looked like he was getting frustrated. "I bought it because you've been helping me out with my house, the car and this damn reception. So, it’s a thank you."
My eyes stayed on the boots and they were beautiful! Absolutely stunning but...
"Okay, I accept your thanks." I hugged the shoes and nabbed the ice-cream out of his hand. "I love them."
Marching towards the kitchen I grabbed a spoon, then without skipping a beat, I kept going towards the living room to plop down on the love seat. Those boots were so nice, I put my foot inside one and then the other with baggy pajama pants and all. They were light brown with a three-inch pointed heel, small open toe and steel latches that stopped two-inches above the ankle. As I walked around trying to feel them out, I happened to look and saw that Connor was sitting on the couch, recording me.
"Oh my God, what are you doing?" I laughed.
"Watching you model the shoes."
"That camera is not even pointed at the shoes." I walked over to him to grab the phone but he moved it above his head.
This caused me to climb on him in order to get at the phone and it wasn't until I felt his lips on my stomach that I froze. His strong hands were on my hips and moving to my butt as each peck grew lower.
"Connor," I cleared my throat.
He paused and then he lifted me off of him so I was sitting on the sofa next to him.
"Sorry." He stood up. "Can't fuck up when we're so close."
Before I could ask him what he was referring to, he left.
Okay... What was that all about?
The next few days, I hadn't seen Connor at all but we texted and coordinated things that way. It worked but it seemed weird. I think I missed him.
I had invited Vita to the shin-dig we had this weekend and she was beyond excited to get out of the house and meet some hot guys. I just hoped she wasn't disappointed with the selection. I mean, she was very particular and her Latin roots gave her an exotic look that was perfect. She told me that she was equal opportunity when it came to good men. That was a good thing, and if she did like our crew and hung out, she'd fit right in with the other ladies.
Saturday had come and the party was already in full swing by the time I arrived, which was fashionably late. I had an eyelash mishap and had to open another pack of my contacts. When I finally arrived, all the ladies were there including Phoebe and Vita.
"Lori!!!!" they cheered. "You made it."
Yup, they were already tipsy, except for Kylie who was due in a couple of weeks and Phoebe who was definitely showing.
"Wow, you guys look fantastic," I exclaimed.
"Girl, look at those shoes," Shay hollered. "I love them."
"Ohhhh, yes." The other ladies chimed in as I modeled them.
"They do look cute on you," Connor said, almost scaring the hell out of me sneaking up behind me.
"Thanks." I smiled.
"Oh," Vita murmured.
"Nope," Shay shook her head at her as if to say he was off limits.
I couldn't in good conscience say he was or wasn't, so I ignored the exchange between the two women and focused on him.
"Did you get everything done?" I asked him.
"Yeah, it looks like we're almost settled. Thanks for your help." He dipped down. "You're beautiful."
Then he turned before I could say anything back to him. "Ladies."
"Hey Apollo," Kylie and Shay called, and the others waved.
"Save me a dance, Lori," he said as he brushed passed me.
"Well, well." Shay was beaming. "What's up with you and the new Apollo? New clothes, new truck, house and shit."
"Nothing is up, Shay." I glared at her. "Those are things he initiated on his own. No idea where that's coming from. I thought you'd know."
"Nope." She smiled.
"Well, I don't care. It looks good on him," Kylie added.
"I'll say," Vita nodded.
Shay whispered in her ear and said, "He's taken honey. Believe me on that."
"No, he's not." I finally decided to address that.
Sh
ay raised an eyebrow and said, "Ladies, did Apollo say anything more than hi to anyone over here besides Lori?"
"No," they all said at varying times.
"Where did his interest lie?" Shay was pleased with herself.
"Well, don't look now, but apparently someone else is trying to get their claws in him." Phoebe pointed towards Apollo, Shiz and Swag, the Norristown Guardian President.
"Fuck, that's that goddamn nurse of his. She hasn't been around in months?" Shay muttered.
"See," I chuckled. "Not mine. We're trying the friend’s thing. I told you guys."
My heart on the other hand felt like a dagger had just pierced through it but I was the queen of masking shit. Shay knew it because she smirked and shook her head. Kylie did too but she knew this venue was not the place to discuss it.
"Who's the guy with the goatee?" Vita asked.
"Oh, that's Swag. He's the President of the Norristown club and good friends with Razor." Kylie nodded.
"Y'all know anything else about him?" She was seemed very interested.
"Not much but according to the guys, he a good one," Shay said. "He's solid."
"Hmm, okay then." She pushed her boobs together and said, "I'm going in."
"Wait, you're just going to go up to him and say what?" Phoebe asked with wide eyes.
"Hell no." Vita shook her head. "Watch."
She strutted over there, bumped him and said something to the bartender. He turned around with a scowl on his face and when he saw her, they exchanged words that didn't look too friendly. Then Vita rolled her eyes and strutted away, back over to us.
"What the fuck just happened?" Shay asked in shock.
"Well, ladies. Here's the play by play. I bumped him on purpose, he turned and saw it was me but I told him to watch where he was going. He reminded me that I bumped him and I told him when he sees a lady coming, he should move his ass. He then said that he hadn't seen a lady, which I told him, he'd probably wouldn’t know what one looked like if she smacked the shit out of him. At first, he didn't take the bait, but then when I grabbed my drink, he asked how could the offer get opened again and I told him the night was young and sashayed my butt back over here."
"You're shitting me," Kylie said.
"No lies over here, mami," Vita answered.
"Wow, you're good," Phoebe uttered in shock.
"Well, he's looking for a woman, not a fuck. Just keep that in mind," Shay nodded. "I don't know you but these men are intense, serious and don't play many games. Believe me, I learned the hard way."
"Yeah," Kylie chimed in.
"Thanks," Vita nodded to Shay. "I know the type well. I fucked up with one before and I won't do that shit again."
"Girl, you're in for a ride," I noted. "Here he comes."
"Ladies," Swag greeted us. "Kylie, Shay, Lori and you are?"
He was talking to Phoebe.
"I'm Phoebe."
"She belongs to Goliath, the recruit," Shay added.
"Oh man. You're Goliath's woman. That man is skilled. Razor's lucky to have him," Swag acknowledged. "He won't be a recruit long."
She beamed, then he turned his gaze towards Vita and said, "Lady, you make it a point of bumping people?"
"No, not at all." She raised a challenging brow.
"So, you bumped into me to get my attention?" He was in her space. "I tagged you when you hit the door. That game wasn’t necessary."
Oh shit.
"You tag and say nothing?" Vita thought she had him.
"I didn't say that. The night is young." He leaned in and whispered something in her ear, pushed off the table and left.
"Oh shit." Shay shook her head.
"Looks like he got your number," Kylie added.
"What'd he say?" Phoebe asked, like a kid in a candy store.
Vita's face was bright red as all the blood came rushing to her head. "Uh, he said..."
Then she took off.
Shit.
We all looked at each other and then I followed her so I could stop whatever she was about to blow up.
"Hey," she yelled at Swag who was in the back hall full of people waiting for the bathroom. "I'm nobody's biker groupie! Who in the hell do you think you're talking to? Do I look like a biker groupie?"
Oh my God.
Swag's lips turned up on one side as if he was waiting for this.
"Never said you were, suga," he replied.
"You said you don't fuck biker groupies but you'd make an exception for me." She was in his face and he had her by several inches.
"Well, that was just in case you were." Swag was still smirking.
"Fuck you," she said and went to turn back.
He grabbed her arm and pulled her into him, then twisted so she was against the wall.
"I don't play games sweetheart but when I do, I play to win." He had her pinned. "Fuck you think you were dealing with?"
"Uh," Vita muttered.
"Clearly you don't know me but you will." He dipped into her back pocket, pressed some buttons on her phone and said, "The name's Swag. When you ready to talk and not fuck around, call me."
"What makes you think I'd call you?" she snapped back.
"I don't, but if you do, I’ll know you're serious and done with your games." He nipped her ear. "Plus, your curiosity is peaked and I got just the thing to settle that."
Swag pulled back with that goateed smirk still in place.
Vita snatched her phone back from him and muttered, "Whatever."
Her boots stomping away from him could be heard outside. My shoulders lifted when Swag caught my eye and I followed her back to the ladies.
“Y’all alright?” Phoebe asked.
“Yup, just peachy.” Vita laughed.
Shay eyed me with the, ‘told ya so’ look and Kylie kept the smile on her face.
“Where’s Dessy?” I finally noticed we were missing someone.
“Working. She said she wasn't missing out on these tips. That about pissed Bear all the way off, so he's standing guard near the bar.” Shay pointed. “That man is going to blow a gasket trying to keep up with her.”
“Such an unlikely pair,” I mused.
“Actually, she's into that lifestyle and he was low-key looking for someone. Well, that's what I heard.”
We all turned to look at Kylie.
“Care to dance?” A tall guy with a baby blue button-up shirt, crisp jeans and boots tapped me on the shoulder.
“Oh, uh…” I didn't finish.
“Yeah, she’ll dance,” Shay yelled.
“Come on,” he smiled. “One dance.”
“Alright.” I rolled my eyes at Shay.
We twirled around to the upbeat song a few times and surprisingly enough, the man knew his moves. He handled me with grace and strength, which made him a tad bit more attractive.
The song changed and he was about to say something but Connor cut in and asked for a dance.
“Sure, pal.” The guy nodded.
Uh, well. That sort of sucked.
“You look beautiful.” Connor grabbed my hands.
“You said that already,” I retorted.
His head pulled back as another upbeat song started to play.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
“Nope.” I kept moving and avoiding eye contact with him.
It was juvenile and childish so I talked myself in to trying to act like more of an adult. If he could buckle down and man up, then I could too.
“Are you enjoying tonight?” I asked with a smile.
“Yeah, I guess.” He nodded as he swung me around. “Now I am.”
“Vita, my friend from work, sorta got into with Swag.” I laughed.
“Hmm, don't strike me as the type to play those sort of games,” Connor noted.
“Yeah, that's what Shay told her.” I laughed. “He got her good though. She's going to call him but then again, maybe not.”
That woman could be just as stubborn.
“So, Goliath? He’s soli
d?” I asked.
Connor looked at me and said, “That's what you want to talk about? Why don't you tell me what's bothering you?”
I laughed.
“Nothing is bothering me. I mean, why does something have to be bothering me?”
I stopped moving and so did he.
“Want to have this rodeo here?” He was getting upset.
“Actually, no. I've had my share of rodeos with you before!”
And on que, someone tapped me and asked me to dance.
“Hell, yes.” I slapped the stranger’s hand with mine and we danced for another few songs.
After a while, I got thirsty and went over to the bar to chat up Dessy and get a drink.
“You missed it,” I whispered.
“What?” She leaned over the bar.
“Vita, my friend from work got into it with Swag.” I was still laughing about that.
“Vita, that friend from work?” She pointed.
Oh God.
Rihanna's song, Work, was playing and Vita was in the middle of the floor shaking her ass to the beat and damn, she was good.
“Shit, tell her to teach me how to do that!” Dessy laughed.
My head swiveled to Swag who was leaning against the bar, with a toothpick in his mouth, eyes on her and seemingly enjoying the show. If it wasn't for the pulsing vein in his neck, I wouldn't have known any different but I knew well-contained rage. I’d had plenty of it.
“Yo, I miss all the good stuff.” Dessy kept looking.
Some bold man decided to dance with Vita and she backed up on him while twirling her hips and he nearly buckled. His hands grabbed her hips and the woman had the nerve to turn towards Swag, staring him dead in the eye as she continued to move around on the guy.
“Oh shit,” Dessy muttered.
Swag pushed off the bar and headed to the dance floor. Vita quickly pushed the other guy away and immediately started to dance around Swag. He didn't look like he was happy but when she came back to his front, held on to his neck and shimmied her ass around his crouch. Those eyebrows went back into place.
One of the guys yelled, “Go Pres.”
He shook his head and Vita worked it on him until he pressed his hand in her stomach and pulled her against his body.
It wasn't clear what was being whispered but they were in their own world. As the song finished, she turned around to face him, smiled and almost walked off but Swag was having none of that.
