Page 17 of Ride

Mom held both hands to her chest. “Brett, I know that is not your sister, Amena. Child, when did you come back to town!”

Brett and Amena chuckled. Mom got out of the seat to give her hug. “Amena, so good to see you. Your mom didn’t tell me you were back in town,” my mom said, holding Amena’s hands.

“It was a surprise to everyone,” Amena laughed, shaking her head.

“Kash switch seats with me so Amena and I can catch up. You don’t mind, do you, Laikin?” Mom asked, glancing from me to Kash with excitement. I hated how she acted at these events sometimes.

“Ma.”

All I could do was smile and take a seat next to her and Amena as Kash changed seats.

“So, tell me: What have you been up to? Is your husband here?” My mom meant well, but sometimes she had a tendency to get off-track and want to know everything in one sitting.

Amena’s long lashes fluttered, trying to play off the awkwardness with a faint smile.

“Ma, slow down. The girl just got back in town.”

Mom scoffed and waved me off. Most of the crowd started to take a seat and introductions were starting. The money was made off donated items. I gave a few signed shirts and helmets. Kash donated tickets for a race. Amena listened and showed off pictures of her son from her phone, while talking to my mom.

“I saw the final cut of the commercial and you looked good.” Sarai approached from around the table. Malik stood off talking to a few bigshots from other teams. Anytime Sarai gave me a complement I embraced because she stayed on me when I fucked up.

“Is this Sarai being nice for once?” I teased, and she pretended to punch me in the shoulder. She extended her arms out for a hug, and Callie gripped my wrist, blocking me. Sarai’s head fell back in laughter, and I knew that at any moment, she’d be going off on Callie and hurting her feelings. Never in my life had I looked at Sarai in any way other than like a sister. Callie knew we were not together, only friends, and to trying to lay claim to me in public would only make me drop her and never call again.

“Sweetie, calm down. He’s a client only,” Sarai informed her, turning to head back to her seat.

“Callie, get a grip. We’ve discussed this already.”

Soon as she opened her mouth, the band started to play, drowning out most of the conversations. Our food arrived at our table. I listened to Mom and Amena, going back and forth in conversation like long-lost friends. My petty side could have hogged Mom’s time, but after seeing the smile on her face at the pictures of Kayne, I avoided being an asshole.

“Honey, have you seen Kayne? She has a little boy.” Mom gleamed in excitement.

“I have.” I drank the rest of the champagne, then held the empty glass up for the server to replace.

“Amena’s going to bring him by for a visit soon.”

I nodded and continued to ignore the hate coming from Callie on my right side. Amena sitting next to Mom only put more tension in the air, especially with Mom fawning over her. The spotlight flicked around the room watching a few kids smile at seeing some of the sports heroes in person.

“Ladies and gentlemen, next up for bidding is the opportunity to visit the racing track with Laikin Trenton, one of the biggest drivers in the industry and two-time champion,” Gizelle explained. She was the main announcer and an editor from the world of fashion, sports, and art.

I stood up and waved as the bidding started at Ten thousand dollars. A few photographers took shots. Some of the guys from the team approached, and we shook hands.

“Yo! Laikin, bro, hook me up with your friend,” Sincere, one of the other drivers, suggested.

I looked at who he was staring at—Amena, giggling with her brother—and I shook away the thought. “Off-limits.”

Sincere grinned, rubbing his hands together. “Off-limits because you have that on lock or off-limits because she’s married?”

“Sincere, dude is gonna kick your ass if you try his women,” Clarence jested, patting me on my chest.

Sincere waved off the comment.

My warning tone was confident and unmistakable. No, I didn’t want her—the last woman on the planet for me would be Amena—but that didn’t mean I wanted to see her date my friends, either. “Off-limits means off-limits, my boy.”

“What’s up, Callie?” Sincere flirted, licking his lips at her, and I should of have been pissed, but Callie meant nothing to me. I had no fucks to give. As long as he kept Amena off his radar.

What am I saying?

She’s a grown woman.

---