Page 30 of Beyond The Stars

“A bitch that’s familiar to the Qamar from The Jig. Not a privileged bitch like me and Janay.” Malaysia laughed, showing off the one dimple in her left cheek.

“You think you know me?” He smirked.

“Sometimes better than you know yourself.”

They fell into a content silence, happy about where their relationship stood. As teen parents so much had been against them. Years of childish antics almost broke them but with the family they both had, they made it through better than ever. Both of them had so much love for the other that happiness with other people was all they wished for each other. Happy parents created a happy kid.

“Look at her like you’re excited she’s having your baby,” Siasia directed while squatting low to get the shot from different angles. Sand crawled between her toes as she used them to keep her body steady.

“He better fuckin’ be happy I’m carrying his big-headed ass baby,” her client, Chat, fussed. She was big, hot, and annoyed. The sun was high and bright, heating their bodies regardless of it technically still being winter.

Snickering, Siasia got a few shots in before she fully extended her body to stand.

Doing what she loved always put her in a good mood. The last few days had been pure bliss and worry free. Her bills were paid, she had a phone where clients could get in touch with her, and Noodle was happier than ever. When money wasn’t an issue, Stacy kept his hands to himself and that kept her relaxed, not having to worry so much about her mama.

“Girl, it's hot as hell out here.” Ally grimaced, wiping the sweat from her forehead. She was Siasia’s unofficial assistant for the day and had she known all the stuff she’d be doing, she would’ve declined.

“It’s a beautiful day but I should’ve picked a cloudier one,” Chat said, wobbling with her husband holding her back.

“Tried to tell you,” he said, cutting his eyes at her.

Chat swatted at him. “Boy please. My pictures are going to be bomb. Ain’t that right, Siasia?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Siasia smiled.

“I mean they better be with how musty I am,” Ally commented, kicking her feet and hoping to get some of the sand out of her shoes. “And you picked the beach of all places.”

“Lynn Beach is a beach, Ally.” Siasia shook her head at her prissy friend.

“And I love the beach.” Chat cheesed. “But it is hot so let us get out of here. I need to blast the AC in the car.”

They all laughed, watching her struggle to waddle through the thick sand. She was full of baby and cute as ever. She and her man both.

“So, what you bout to do now? You working tonight?” Ally asked, trekking behind Siasia with all the extra lens and lights. Everything felt heavier leaving than it did coming. Probably because they were hot and tired. Working under the sun was a high dosage of melatonin.

“To do photos, yea.” Siasia shrugged.

Ally sucked her teeth. “I can’t believe you let that man tell you how to make your money. That ain’t the SiSi I know.”

“It ain’t like I liked the shit anyway.”

“That’s beside the point. You don’t know him, and he’s already telling you what you can and can’t do. It ain’t like he’s going to wife you up.”

The comments stopped Siasia dead in her tracks. “The fuck that supposed to mean?”

“Come on, Siasia. This ain’t no damn Pretty Woman Black edition. He is the golden child of public figure, Black family probably worth a billion dollars collectively. Do you honestly think he’s going to choose you when this shit is over? Y’all just at the starting line. When he gets closer to the finish line will he be carrying you over it with him?” Ally had so much conviction in her words that they conveyed with her eyes.

“He invited me and Noodle to come to his practice tomorrow,” Siasia spoke with just as much confidence.

With haste, Ally pushed her phone into Siasia’s face. “Meanwhile he’s out with his first baby mama and their kid looking like a happy family. Have you talked to him today?”

“You follow him?” Siasia asked, appalled that her friend seemed to be spying on the boy she liked. The first boy that she actually liked and wanted to really get to know; her friend was spying on him and plotting his demise.

Her slanted eyes widened, examining the image before her. It was definitely him with a little girl that looked like the perfect mixture of him and his baby’s mother. The woman was beautiful—angelic like. Siasia felt stupid for even thinking she could compete with the real women in his life. She was just something to keep his mind occupied while he got himself together to be the best man he could be to someone else.

Ally stuffed the phone back into her back pocket. “Don’t think I’m telling you on some hater shit. I’m telling you because I love you and deep down, I know you want to be loved. You deserve to be loved but don’t let no one make you a number two when you are a number one, top dog type bitch.”

Siasia didn’t respond, fearful that tears would run down her face like the sweat on her back. She felt silly— dick dumb. At least that was what she was trying to convince herself to feel. Her mind was in a battle. Nights with Qamar were magical and no man had enough game to fake the vibes she felt while in his presence. Or did he?

---