Page 51 of Disrespectfully, Relic

Savvy stormed off, and the girls stood in a circle, stunned into silence. Kennedy glanced at Lexi, peeping the water building in her smokey shadowed eyes that she tried to blink away. The fact Lexi was bordering tears instead of snapping let Kennedy know, Savvy had struck a nerve.

“So,” Michi dragged out to break the awkward silence, pointing at the portable bar where her cousin went. “Are we getting a drink?”

“Me and Lexi are going to head back over to my spot. I’ve already been gone too long.” Nubia declined the offer, hooking her arm through Lexi’s. “I’ll talk to you later, Kenn.”

“Okay.”

They gave one another a one-armed hug before Nubia and Lexi exited the salon while Kennedy and Michi strolled to where Savvy was standing near the bar. Kennedy scanned the salon in route, ensuring there weren’t any issues while lowkey checking that no one had been recording the heated exchange. When they made it to Savvy, she swiped a pre-poured champagne flute from the bar top, and Savvy did the same to chase down a shot before pushing out a breath.

“I went too far,” she blurted, making Kennedy laugh because she could see the regret written over Savvy’s face.

“To be honest, I don’t think you did, but I do think it was at the wrong time and for the wrong reason. Other than that, she needed to hear it. I agree with what you said, but it wasn’t my place to say it because I haven’t been around as long.”

“I feel like if we’re all friends, we shouldn’t be afraid to check one another when we’re slacking, but off that. We’ll talk about it once shit calms down. Have you decided if we’re popping up on the men tonight, lil’ cuz?” Michi asked Savvy, giving Kennedy a discussion worth hopping into.

“Y’all are going to the club tonight? Tek asked me to go since he’s not coming here, but I doubt I will.”

“Why isn’t Tekken coming to the grand opening?”

“He said that Relic told them not to come either because they’d steal the shine, and it wasn’t about the label.”

Savvy sipped her drink with a nod. “Makes sense. They’d for sure steal these thirsty hoes’ attention. They can save that for tonight ‘cause I know they’ll be turnt the hell up between the whole gang being together and it being P’s birthday weekend. I’m surprised Relic is even going.”

Kennedy’s heart lurched at that for personal reasons. “He’s going? I thought he didn’t like going out.”

“He doesn’t, but this is business to him. I think Aura and Saucy are going as a label requirement, too, but none of us girls are allowed.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that part. Earlier, Lexi had mentioned she was going.”

“I bet she is, especially since it’s going around that P and my sister broke up.”

“Listen, I didn’t want to bring that up but...” Kennedy fanned a hand, urging Savvy to give up the details.

“Girl, long story short, she went to a party with Toot, and some boy kissed her while they were playing suck and blow. P had popped up at the same time ‘cause she wasn’t responding to him, and it turned into this heated argument. He broke up with her, but they were laid up that same night. Bitch was ‘pose to come to my house but called me whispering ‘cause he was asleep.”

“I know that’s right, Tres! I ain’t mad at lil’ cuz number two. Don’t let them fuck up yo home,” Michi said with a proud smile. “She knows bitches are waiting.”

“That she does, and P got her ass shook, which is why I’m not popping up on Shabu. She wants me to sit with her while she babysits like a good girlfriend.”

“The devil is a lie!”

“Look, if she likes it, I love it. You might as well kick it with us, and let Titan breathe. I think Toot and Tima are coming over, too. You down, Kennedy?”

Kennedy pursed her lips, trying not to smile. “I told my friend you saw earlier that I’d let him take me out after this was over.”

“Wait a minute! What friend, and what did I miss? You saw him, Savvy?” Michi shot out questions back-to-back, making them laugh.

“I didn’t get a good look at him because Kennedy would’ve caught me being nosey, but he sounded cute, and he came with gifts. That’s a check in my book.”

“I’m excited for you, Kenn! I was starting to think your ass was anti-men. But speaking of dates, what happened with that little business meeting situation you had with Relic?” Michi pried. “You never told us about it.”

Savvy immediately turned away because she wanted no parts of the lie Kennedy was about to tell. Kennedy sipped her drink, giving herself time to come up with a story that wasn’t too vague but not too telling. She wasn’t sure if she could trust Michi to not run her mouth if she spilled the beans.

“It was cool,” she answered, peering around the salon to avoid eye contact. “It was a meeting with a potential partner to help manage his businesses.”

Michi frowned. “Isn’t that what you and Savvy do?”

“Yea, but I think he’s utilizing different people for each aspect of the companies. I’m not all the way sure. I just do what the nigga asks and wait for my money to hit my account. What the hell is going on over there?”

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