Page 99 of Rome: The Ballerina

Sniggering, I shook my head. Roulette hardly ever meant any harm. She was upfront. She was honest. And, she didn’t care much about how anyone felt about the things she did, said, or thought. She was far from average, and I loved her imprudent lifestyle. She wore her rashness well.

“I don’t have a bush, Rou,” I choked out, still unable to place where she’d gotten that question from or the assumption I was a fur ball.

“So, you still shave even though you know you’re not giving that pussy up?”

“Please,” I begged, tickled to the core, “I don’t make sure I’m bald for men. I make sure I’m bald for me.”

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

Clap.

“Okay,” she breathed out, “Whew. I was just checking to make sure the Childers was still running through your blood. I’m proud. Realllll fucking proud. Keep that pussy in tip top shape for your damn self. Everything you do, make sure it’s for you, too. Never let a man’s presence dictate your actions, thoughts, feelings, or the way you move.Girl logic.”

“Besides, Rou. I get lasered. Smoother. Cleaner. Less maintenance. Less worries. Feels better against my leotard,” I yawned.

“That’s my girl.”

“Alright–enough.”

“Okay, grandma!” Roulette fussed.

“You’ll be a grandma before I’m one,” Roaman retorted.

Roulette chugged the rest of her champagne. “Now bitch, you done went too far.”

“Hey!” Rather called out.

“Don’t even get in the middle of that,” Range warned, removing a nail file from her purse.

She relaxed in her seat and I did the same in mine. As Roaman and Roulette exchanged words, I traded my listening ears for light snores.

Silence plagued me.Wetness rested underneath my cheek. I stiffened at the realization I was no longer surrounded by the chatter of my sisters. My eyebrows pulled inward as a yawn put every muscle in my face to work.

“Mmmmm,” I groaned, unsure of the time or place.

I opened my eyes, partly surprised to see that I was no longer on the plane. Black seats, black interior, and black tint confirmed my suspicions. My nostrils widened hastily. There was something familiar about the fragrance in the air. Something incredibly familiar.

Like something fresh out of a men’s magazine spread was the man I’d hoped to see in my dreams. He hadn’t visited since the day I saw his handsome face. I missed him dearly. In my dreams and reality. Even with him sitting across from me, my heart wouldn’t allow me to forget the yearning I suffered in his absence.

“She’s awake,” he announced to no one in particular. It was only him and I in the backseat.

“Water, Balle?” August’s voice was startling.

I scooted to the edge of my seat, blinking the sleep from my eyes. To my pleasant surprise, it was him at the wheel.

“Where’s Koen?”

“With the others.”

“When–how?”

“I didn’t feel too comfortable letting you girls roam another city alone. Felt like you might get yourselves into some trouble.”

“And you?”

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