Page 79 of Love's Free Will

“You knew he was bringing her?”

“Hell no, I didn’t even know he was invited,” she said quickly. “But thisisRoyal we’re talkin’ about. Petty is practically his middle name.”

“Don’t I know it.” I rolled my eyes remembering the first version of Royal I had met, way back when I was sending him tracks and he was purposely trashing my shit.

“Want me to ‘accidentally’ spill this entire cranberry margarita on her?”

“Tempting,” I murmured. “But I don’t need no mugshot tonight.”

Just then, Zay walked up, a little too casual for someone who just let his boy embarrass the entire balance of my emotional stability.

“What’s up Ave, Egypt…”

“Oh, it’s you,” I said, folding my arms after Egypt said her hellos and then quickly sauntered off.

Zay blinked. “Now, what the fuck I do?”

“You really let him bringthat?” I motioned toward Royal and Tiffany, who was now doing that flirty-over-the-shoulder laugh. “To this?”

Zay scratched his beard, grinning like he was two seconds from being messy. “Man, I told him it was a bad idea.”

“And you let him anyway?”

“I ain’t his daddy, Ave.”

“I know you not. Because if youwere, you woulda raised him better.”

Zay laughed, hands up. “Look, you know how Royal is. That nigga, petty as hell. You hurt his lil’ ego and now he on demon time.”

I narrowed my eyes. “That’s real mature of him.”

“C’mon, Ave. He still got it bad for yo mean ass, you know that.”

I rolled my eyes, but I felt the ache in my chest like a dull throb. “He got a funny way of showing it.”

“Shit, at this point ya’ll both still want each other. Why else you so pressed about who that nigga posted up wit?”

I flipped him off and stalked toward the back of the suite, needing air. Or a drink. Or something stronger. That’s when I noticed Egypt and Nas in the corner, deep in conversation. Which, by itself, was suspicious as hell.

They never talked. Not without throwing jabs. But there they were—heads tilted toward one another, voices low, faces serious like in an almost intimate way. I narrowed my eyes and walked over clearing my throat as I approached to get their attention. Immediately, Egypt straightened up and looked in my direction.

“Damn, you breathing that heavy cause your pants too tight, or is it cause Zay ain’t let you swing on Royal yet?” she teased.

Nas scoffed. “Or maybe it’s that cheap ass perfume Tiffany got on. Smells like Bath & Body Works and broken promises.”

“Why are y’all always so loud?” I sighed, crossing my arms. “Coulda sworn I walked up on a real convo for a second.”

Nas smirked. “You know me and this girl don’t do real convos, we allergic.”

“I fuckin’ hate you Nasseem,” Egypt rolled her eyes, giving him her middle finger before he walked off to go talk to Brodie.

“So, what y’all was talking about?” I asked, my head tilted waiting for the lie to come out of my friend’s mouth.

“He was just in my face tryna get under my skin like he always do.”

I squinted at her. “You sure that’s all it is?”

She blinked. “What else would it be?”

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