Page 11 of Stand on That

“I know that’s right. Thank you, bookie butt.”

“Girl, you already know how Darius does.” A female sitting across from us in the pedicure chair was talking unnecessarily loud because she wanted to be heard.

“It only took two weeks for the bullshit to start,” I chuckled.

Darius didn’t have a lot of extra time for dates, but he did what he could. A few days before, we’d gone to breakfast before my appointments started for the day. Other than that, he would pick me up in the afternoons, and I’d ride around with him. More than a few people had seen us together, and I knew streets were talking.

“And as soon as he’s done tricking and playing, he’ll be right back sniffing up under your ass. Like he didn’t pay for those titties you got sitting nice and pretty.”

“Oh, this bitch is really trying to be funny,” Hailey looked over at me as my phone vibrated.

“Look who’s calling,” I smirked. “The trick.” Using my free hand, I swiped to answer the call. “Hello?” I had my air pods already in.

“What’s up, mama? You busy?”

“No. Just in the nail shop listening to one of your hoe’s friends try to be funny. She talking all loud and shit about you getting her friends titties done and saying you’ll be back when you’re done tricking and playing.”

“Word?” Darius didn’t sound fazed. “What nail shop you at?”

“Kim’s Nail Bar over by the mall.”

“Bet. I’m ‘bout to pull up.”

I sat there stuck on stupid as three beeps sounded off in my ear. When Hailey noticed that I was no longer on the phone, she looked over at me.

“What did he say?”

“That he’s about to come up here,” I whispered, and she laughed. Loud.

“I hope he comes up here and causes a scene.”

“I don’t. That’s embarrassing.” My heart raced, and I found myself wishing I’d never told him.

The chick on the phone was telling her friend that Darius would be back around. That obviously meant he hadn’t entertained her in a while. I should have just left it alone, but I let her get underneath my skin.

“Why you look scared, friend?” Hailey laughed.

“Because I am. I don’t think he’s the type to act all loud and crazy. He seems too calm and laid back for that.” I attempted to talk myself down. “Maybe he just wants to see who’s running their mouth.”

“Bitches don’t want it.” Ole girl was still on the phone throwing shade. “Let them enjoy their fifteen minutes with your leftovers.”

“Bruh,” Hailey chortled angrily while her leg bounced up and down anxiously. “I can’t sit here and keep listening to her run her mouth.”

“Girl, that bitch is talking to her friend. Hell, she could be talking to herself, but she damn sure isn’t talking to me. It’s not respected if it’s not directed. The fuck.” I was getting angry, and that was what I didn’t want. Diamond Cove’s latest gossip session wasn’t going to be about me beating ass in a nail salon. People would swear I was fighting over a man.

The nail tech began to polish my nails, and I hoped she would be done before Darius got there. Obviously, the Universe didn’t give a damn about my hopes because when I heard the bass of music outside the nail shop, I peered through the large window holding my breath and sure enough, he was parking the white Charger he’d been renting for the past dew days.

“That’s him,” I informed Hailey through clenched teeth.

She looked over and when she peeped Darius getting out of the car, she let out a low squeal. “That’s what the fuck I’m talking about.”

Aside from me, Hailey, and loud mouth, there were two other black women in the nail shop. There was also a black man getting a pedicure and two older white women. My heart beat like an African drum as Darius approached the door. He looked serious as hell and sexy as fuck. I forgot all about dummy until I heard her ghetto ass try to whisper into the phone.

“Girl, not he just pulled up.”

All eyes were on Darius as he opened the door. His eyes did a quick scan of the shop, and it didn’t take him long to notice me. I swallowed hard as he ambled in my direction never taking his eyes off my face. I felt like I was in trouble, but I was extremely horny too. He had a fresh cut, and his coal black hair was glistening. Darius stood behind my chair, leaned down, and whispered in my ear.

“What I tell you about that outside noise?”