AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s just us now,” Carlos continued. “I need you, Whis. I need to be able to continue to provide for us and maintain the lifestyle Pops got us used to. We need to stay in business, and for that to happen, I can’t lose this connect.”
Massaging my temples, I sighed. A dinner with a drug supplier was the last thing I wanted to do tonight, but I would. Carlos was right—we were all the other had. Our parents came to Memphis from Chicago after they were married. We didn’t have any other family members here, and we weren’t really close to the family we had in Chicago. When we were kids, our parents took us to Chicago to spend Christmas break with our family but that was it. Once we became adults those trips stopped. By then, our grandparents were gone, and that family time no longer felt the same.
“Okay, I’ll go, but I don’t want to stay long.”
A grin spread Carlos’s lips as he stood and walked over to give me a hug.
“I knew you wouldn’t let me down.” After sniffing me, he added, “Make sure you take a bath. You stink.”
With a sniggle, I mushed him away by his forehead. “I do not stink. I took a shower last night, asshole.”
“Well I can tell you didn’t take one this morning. You smellin’ a lil ripe, sis.”
Even though I knew that wasn’t true, it still made me laugh because of how he covered his nose.
“If I’m so stinky, get out of my room.”
“Shit, say less. Be ready at six.”
My eyes rolled as I released the last of my laughter and sat on the edge of my bed. After checking the time on my phone, I sighed. I had three hours to not only find something to wear and do my hair but do the maintenance I’d neglected for the last six months as well. I needed to shave and do my nails, and my brows were in dire need of a good threading. Hopefully, getting ready for dinner and putting a little pride in my appearance would help me start to feel better.
2
Whiskee
When I called Mahogany and told her Carlos and I were going out tonight, she was so excited she decided to come over and help me find something to wear. Since this was technically a business dinner, we decided on a Nadia satin gown from A.L.C. Its ochre-yellow hue looked phenomenal against my whisky-colored skin. I loved satin and silk because they accentuated my petite yet curvy frame. A frame I’d spent the last three years building to my desired taste.
I didn’t chisel and tone my abs and waist and grow my ass for a man’s approval. My body and style of dress had never been for the male gaze. It was for myself, and I loved dressing nice for the girls. There was nothing better to me than a woman hyping another woman up. I was truly a girl’s girl. Men enjoying my looks and style was often an extra.
It didn’t take long to find my outfit. The bulk of my time was spent on my maintenance. As it neared five p.m., I finished my pin curls and got ready to start on my makeup, which was the last thing I’d have to do.
“Okay, Whis. White or red?”
Turning in the seat of my vanity, I smiled as Mahogany held up two bottles of wine by the mini bar in the sitting area of my room.
“Hmm… let’s keep it light and go with Moscato.”
“Gotcha.”
As she poured us both a glass, I turned and looked at my reflection in the mirror. The lack of eating had sunken my cheeks. My eyes were dark and puffy from crying daily. I was almost ashamed of how I’d temporarily let myself go, but I chose instead to give myself grace. With a loss like the one I’d endured, I didn’t think anyone would blame me for not giving a damn about how I looked.
“Are you nervous?” she asked, handing me the wine. I took a sip then set it on the vanity.
“A little. It feels like I’m being included in a boys’ club that I’ve never wanted any parts of.” Chuckling, I selected my foundation for the evening. “I’ve never wanted to be included in the business and Daddy kept me out of it. I hope Los doesn’t think that’s about to change.”
“Did you tell him that when he asked you to come?”
I shook my head. “No, but I will. I want to make sure he understands this is just a one-time thing.”
“I don’t blame you. The less you know about that lifestyle the better. I know it’s what he and your father have done for years, but still. Mama Renee stayed out of it, and I want you to stay out of it too.”
I completely agreed with her about that. I think Mama’s chosen delusion about what Daddy did was what allowed her to live with such peace. To her, he wasn’t a drug dealer; he was simply a provider. She didn’t ask questions about the business… nor did she ask questions when he’d have to leave abruptly or come back home with busted knuckles and someone else’s blood on his clothes. That ignorance kept her soft too.
We continued to talk as I did my makeup. Mahogany was an influencer and brand ambassador for several companies. I always did her hair and makeup when she had to do paid content. As we finished going over her schedule for the rest of the month, Carlos came in to see if I was ready. I told him I’d be down after slipping into my dress and shoes. The look he gave Mahogany didn’t go unnoticed. She was looking great tonight herself in jean shorts, a button-down shirt, and cowboy boots.
This March weather was all over the place. One day it was warm enough for shorts and mini dresses and the next we’d need our coats. She was taking full advantage of the high sixty-degree weather today, though, and I didn’t blame her.
Once I was ready to go, we headed out of my room hand-in-hand. I gave her a hug and kiss before she headed to her car, then I went toward Carlos’s Maybach. Since he was outside on a phone call, he opened the door for me. He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and said, “Lil stinky, you cleaned up nice.”
