Page 74 of Tainted

Rajah backed up a few inches to give D-Rock space to get out. His car pulled out, and she whipped into the tight spot like a pro. This was nothing like the cookouts I was used to, where the biggest excitement was catching up on the latest church gossip.

Rajah reached out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me to her. “Girl, pay attention. Do I need to hold your hand all night?”

“Sorry. It’s just so many people.”

“I forgot you’re a country girl.” I hadn’t disclosed what country I was from, only that it was vastly different from Northbridge. “What did y’all do for fun? Cow tipping and shit?”

Calvin had dragged me along once, but that wasn’t my idea of fun.

“Whatever, hoe.” I playfully lapped my eyes because admitting that would only fuel her jokes.

Her hand was firm in mine, dragging me around like the little sister hanging with the older cool kids. Rajah greeted people with smiles and waves, moving like she owned the place.Meanwhile, I was still in awe, my head swaying, soaking up everything around me.

Shaking hands made Rajah hungry, so we walked over to the tables lined with aluminum pans. There was so much food that I had a hard time deciding where to start. Once we sat down, I stared at Rajah’s plate, realizing how much I had missed.

“Damn, this potato salad is so good,” Rajah’s eyes were closed as she hummed the cook’s good graces.

“I don’t know how you eat that.”

“It’s good, that’s how. They don’t have good potato salad where you’re from?”

“Hell, if I know. I wouldn't eat it if they did.”

Rajah licked her lips, bouncing her potato salad-filled fork. “You don’t know what you’re missing, girl.”

“I will take your word on that.”

Loud voices from one of the shelters garnered everybody’s attention. A few women were lingering around, but the picnic tables were full of grown men arguing over a game. It was heated because the one in red accused the other of cheating.

Then Kenyon walked in with Nolan at his side, looking too calm for the chaos around him. I shoved a piece of corn into my mouth, trying to act like I hadn’t noticed him, like my heart hadn’t kicked up a few beats faster.

“What’s wrong, Freshie?”

“Nothing. I should’ve grabbed another piece of chicken.”

“It’s plenty more. Go up there,” Rajah suggested.

Wiping my hands on the napkin, I stole another glance at Kenyon and the one unruly loc dangling on the side of his oval face. Despite needing a retwist, his lineup was crisp, like he had just gotten it done. Kenyon hadn’t noticed me, so I lowered my head when he stuck the toothpick between his teeth and dapped up the guy he spoke to.

It was short-lived because I saw his smile out of the corner of my eye. He tapped Nolan on the chest and headed toward us.

“Wassup Raj,”

“Wassup Keyes. Hey Nolan,” She smiled, leaning in for a hug, and did the same to Nolan.

“Hey, Nolan,” I waved, and he chuckled as Kenyon looked at him sideways.

“You don’t see me standing here?” he asked.

“Hi.” My dry response made Kenyon turn to Rajah.

“Wassup with her tonight?” He asked, pointing at me.

“Nothing. Freshie was fine before you got here. What did you do to her?” Rajah asked, folding her arms.

Kenyon’s tone grew harsh and dark, asking, “Who the fuck isFreshie?”

“He wants to be the only one giving out nicknames,” I added dismissively.

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