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Mallory leans in to whisper in my ear. “It’s like his wink is directly linked to my vagina. Every time he does it, I feel a zap in my pants.”
“TMI, Mal. I don’t need to know what happens in your pants.”
“Don’t act like you’re unaffected.”
I bite my bottom lip and crouch down by the radio. Oh, I am so affected. “Okay, ladies. Let’s dance.”
I press play on my iPod and the best club songs from the early 2000’s blare through the speakers for the next hour. We teach Kimmie some simple steps, like moving from side to side. Then we add in a swaying of the hips. Mallory even shows her what to do when a horny teenage boy tries to bump and grind behind her. We end up doing a lot more laughing than dancing, but that’s all Kimmie needs to know: How to have fun and not take this dance too seriously.
“Mal’s going to do your make-up,” I say. “Charlotte will do your hair, and tomorrow night I’ll take you to the mall so we can pick out a dress. Our nail appointments are already set for Friday afternoon.”
Kimmie shakes her head with watery eyes. “Thank you, guys. Seriously. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
We all hug, and I walk the girls to the exit.
“You coming home tonight, slut?” Mallory asks.
“Yes, I’ll be home. I just need to close up here. I’ll see you in a little while.”
I make sure the front desk is in order and peek inside TJ’s office before I leave. “Do you need anything? I’m heading out for the night.”
“No, thanks. I’m good.” He leans back and rocks in his chair. “Thank you for helping Kimmie. It means the world to her, you know.”
“It’s no big deal. I don’t mind helping.”
“It is a big deal. She doesn’t have the best support system at home. You’re doing more for her than her mother ever did.”
“Well, I’m glad I can help.”
“You’re amazing, Carla.”
“You’re pretty amazing yourself.”
I turn and leave, putting distance between me and the freight train that’s barreling straight toward my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The Past
TJ
“I need to tell you some things, so let me get it all out. Don’t interrupt me. Got it?”
I keep my eyes trained on the hospital floor and nod. It’s hard seeing Reggie like this. Once a strong giant, he’s now reduced to a frail man hooked up to machines. It doesn’t seem fair.
Life’s not fair, Reggie would say. He’s accepted his fate. He’s at peace with it. I’m not there yet.
“I know you’re angry. I know life hasn’t been easy for you. But I don’t want you to dwell on those things. You didn’t deserve any of what happened in your life. You’ve overcome so much. Focus on that. Focus on what’s ahead of you. I know you think you won’t be able to continue moving forward without me, but you can and you will. I know it. That’s why I’m leaving my gym to you.”
My head jerks up. “What?”
“You heard me. Don’t fuck this up and let it go to shit just to spite me. I’ll haunt your ass. Don’t think I won’t. Nobody wants a scary black man jumping out at them in the middle of the night.”
He rasps out a laugh, but I can’t find the humor in this.
“You’ve shadowed me for long enough. You know how to run things. My clients are now your clients. Help them. They need you. And you need them. You can learn a lot from helping others.
“I’m also leaving you some money. My lawyer will be in contact with you. Buy yourself a house. Meet a girl. Make a family. You can have it all. Don’t be afraid to go for it.”
