Page 40 of Hellcat Barbies: Imani
“Ugh!” I scream into the pillow, frustrated as hell. “Daymir, what the fuck?”
After screaming again, I toss the pillow back on the bed and drag myself off it. The Phoxes Den has an onsite catering team and lunch is until three. It’s noon so I have time to enjoy the giant whirlpool tub in the bathroom and get dressed. Because it’s nothing for me to hop in my baby and hit the road, I keep an overnight bag in the trunk for days like this. After grabbing it, I venture into the bathroom.
The tub was filled with water and a cup of bleach from housekeeping when I arrived for preparation for this bath. No matter how exquisite or five star a hotel or any lodging is I soak the bathtub first. My mom would do it when we would go on family vacation. As soon as we were in the hotel room, she would clean the shower down with bleach and fill the tub to soak it.
So, after releasing the drain, I pull my things out of my bag. As the water drains, I put my locs up into a high pony then brush my teeth and gargle. The water is out so I wipe the tubdown, close the drain, add the complimentary coconut bath gel to it, then refill with hot water. As it fills, I wash and moisturize my face, go grab my dry ass cell phone, strip, then slide into it.
While surrendering to the scented hot water and massaging jets in the tub to relax my tense body, I try hard as hell not to think about him. It takes some willpower but I manage to enjoy my bath without dwelling on the fact that he stood me up and ghosted me.
Out of the tub, I oil my body, keep it light on my face, only mascara, lip liner, and gloss, then slip on my Miu Miu booties and the long-sleeve camo jumpsuit that was in my bag. After I gather all my stuff, I journey downstairs to the dining area. There’s only one other couple inside so I sit at a small table away from them to give them some privacy. The staff here is so quick and friendly. As soon as I’m seated, a woman approaches with a small one-page menu.
“Good afternoon. Welcome to the Phoxes Den. I’m Keonna. Can I start you with something to drink?” she asks as she places the menu in front of me.
“Actually, a water with lemon, easy ice, and a,” I say then glance at the menu. “A mocha latte.”
“The menu is small for lunch so if you don’t see anything that catches your eye, our chef is happy to make off-menu requests within limits.”
“Good to know but I think I should be able to find something,” I admit.
When she walks off, I scan the beautiful dining room. Similar to the rest of the lodge, it has a high log beamed ceiling, beautiful wood structures, and a large marble and wood fireplace. It’s the end of August and the temperature is droppingbut it’s not cold enough yet for the fireplace. I’m sure it’s beautiful when it is roaring.
The menu although small packs a punch. There’s a nice mixture of brunch and lunch options. Since I eat with my eyes and love to try different flavors, I’m torn between the croissant with thick-cut beef bacon, a soft egg, and gouda cheese and the smoked salmon and goat cheese salad. Last week in my cooking class, I tasted goat cheese for the first time and loved the tangy, nuttiness of it. We made a delicious ratatouille with goat cheese.
“Did you decide?” the server asks when she returns with my drinks.
“Not really,” I admit then grin. “Which is better? The smoked salmon salad or beef bacon croissant? I want both.”
“Then order both. We can prepare you a smaller portion of either dish,” she says and my mouth and stomach smile.
“Aw. That’s perfect. I’ll take the croissant and the half portion of the smoked salmon salad.”
“And for dessert?”
“Oh no. I don’t think I’ll have room.”
“Then get it to go. The German Chocolate Cake here is sinful. It’s the owner’s favorite.”
“Okay. You got me. I’ll take it to go,” I say and she nods. Before she walks away, I do have a question. “Hey, when I checked in, they gave me a bag that says goat food but when I looked inside, it was animal crackers. What’s that?”
With a wide smile, she says, “Oh that’s goat food for our official mascot, Billy the Goat. He’s around somewhere and he loves animal crackers.”
“A goat? Hell, nah. Like is he here now?” I ask, nervous now. I’m not really an animal person and I might show my ass if a damn goat approaches me.
“He’s up at the main house now, but he wonders on the property. He’s harmless. I really think he believes he’s a dog.”
“Well, news flash, he’s still a goat and that’s a no for me.”
“You should be fine. The main house is far. You’ll miss him,” she assures and I hope like hell she’s right.
When she walks off, I add a pack of Splenda to my mocha latte then take a sip. It’s so good. As I enjoy it, I pull out my cell, no call or text from Daymir and I’m not sending one either. He stood me up not the other way around. I was the one, sitting in my living room, looking sexy ass fuck, and feeling stupid as hell when an hour passed and he didn’t call or show.
Refusing to give him anymore of my time, I push him out of my mind and text Dash. We exchanged numbers at the street race but I haven’t reached out and it’s been long enough. I remember what it was like for me when I first moved to Crescent Falls; a friend can help.
Me: Hey. It’s Imani.
Dash:Oh, hey girl. What’s up?
Me: Just checking in. I’m going to a race at a track on Saturday. Wanted to see if you want to join.
