Page 63 of Only for the Week
“Nova is the infamous Wheezie’s daughter, right?” I remember meeting her at last night’s dinner. I also remember Amerie making a show of telling her in front of everyone how she added a pink ribbon to her bouquet in Wheezie’s honor and Nova looking put off by the gesture.
“Yeah, that’s her. She’s my favorite cousin even though my cousin Mina swears that spot is hers.”
“Did I meet Cousin Mina?”
“Yeah, she was the one with the corkscrew mohawk.”
“That’s right. Okay, cool. So, what are you and Nova getting into today?” I’m spending the afternoon with Jalen, but I wouldn’t mind running into Janelle. My inability to get enough of her is just sad at this point.
“I have no idea but knowing Nova, nothing but trouble.” She smiles at me, slipping into a pair of my shorts and a T-shirt. “See how ridiculous I look? All because you couldn’t take two seconds to unzip my dress.” She holds her hands out at her sides, spinning around to show me how my clothes fit her. They’re not baggy to the point where they look like she’s swimming in them but they’re far looser than she prefers.
“You could never look ridiculous.” I walk up to her, kissing her on the forehead.
“Alright, now. You done already got the drawers so you ain’t got to lie, Craig.”
I smack her on the ass. “Simple ass, weren’t you gonna be late?”
“Oooh, now he’s rushing me. I see how it is. Fine, I’m gone. Are you doing ziplining later?”
“Why? You gonna miss me?”
She puts the palm of her hand against my forehead and pushes. “Bye, Rome.”
I grab her by the waist. “I’m playing, I already know you will. Yes, I’ll be there later.”
She struggles in my hold but then gives up and leans into me. “Good, if you’re nice I’ll let you stand behind me in line so you can watch my ass when I go down the zipline.”
“Hilarious that you thought anybody but me would be standing behind you.” I can, however, think of one person who would try to take my spot. I’ve never liked Arnold’s cousin Cortez. He thinks far too highly of himself. He puts too much stock in the fact that he’s Marquise Hightower’s nephew. I don’t think he’s ever even watched any of Marquise’s games, let alone picked up a football himself. Everything he does is for clout. He lives off his parents’money but acts like he’s God’s gift to women. Watching him press up on Janelle the way he did only deepened my hatred. He hit on both Dani and Evie during the tour yesterday, and then went after all of Amerie’s friends last night at dinner. He always circled back around to Janelle though. “I think Cortez is in our group for the day again, though. Are you good with that?”
She turns in my arms to face me. “I find it very interesting that you chose to ask me about Cortez instead of Troy.”
“Why would I be concerned about Troy? I know my girl is faithful to me.”
“You are not referring to my pussy as your girl again.”
“We go together forreal. I told you to ask her and she’ll tell you. I’m not worried about Troy, but if someone is making you uncomfortable, that’s when I have a problem.”
She loops her arms behind my shoulders. “So that Caveman act is good for something, huh? Cortez isn’t a problem. He’s obnoxious but nothing I can’t handle.”
“And you’ll tell me if that changes?”
“Of course.”
With that, she gives me a quick kiss then peeks her head out of my room before making a mad dash for her own.
About thirty minutes later, I meet Jalen out front so we can head into town. Our concierge, Javier, told us about a cigar bar that features live music at night but is open during the day as well, so we’re headed there.
When we get there, we pay extra to have a private section. A few people recognize Jalen, but no one approaches him so he relaxes a bit more.
“You checked in with Killa Kam today?” I ask him.
“Yeah. Dad had him watchingAnnabellelast night. He said when he woke up, he was convinced one of his Funko Pop figures moved so he threw it out. Then his ass gonna have the nerve to ask me if I can replace it because he really liked that one. I told him, go ask Pops.”
“Ayo, that’s wild. Where was Mom at?”
He gives me a look that says to be serious. “Sleep.”
“For someone who says she be shutting shit down on all her girls’ trips, she can’t ever stay up past nine at home.”
