Chapter Sixteen
Sable
Walking up to the roped-off wooden dock to load on the Sunrise, Mike Mike was the last thing swirling around on my mind. He had been calling nonstop and sending threatening text messages requesting my whereabouts, but his fists couldn’t pound my face for ignoring him this time, so to the voicemail his calls kept going. Mike Mike deserved to be feeling like a broken-down piece of shit. I had no regrets finally being the woman to get over on him. The parking lot was already filled to the max with party buses, cars, and trucks of men and women ready to party on the boat known to rock the seas. And you could see at least a mile-long line of people still trying to pile in.
“Welcome to the Sunrise, pretty ladies,” the greeter welcomed us as we handed over our boarding passes. “Let me guide you to your private cabins in preparation for the adventure we provide,” she grinned genuinely.
“Oh, fa’sho, we picked the right promoter to trust,” Jazz blurted out, starting to skip up ahead of us. Walking to our private VIP cabin, she was eager to start her official birthday celebration. I was too, but Roxy was killing my vibe. Something about the way she was moving giving me fake grins still seemed suspect like earlier, but with having other problems, her snags were insignificant. She did get turned up and was back to herself on the bus—so maybe I was overreacting.
Our jaws dropped in awe at how massively big and busy this ship was. The jazz waters were illuminating, and our room was directly off the main deck pool. With double queen-sized, pillow-top beds, couches, a flat-screen television, stacked bar, and Jacuzzi—the $800 was well worth it. We were stunting hard on the other partyers who only had access to low-level rooms or straggle privileges around common areas.
“Ladies, there’s an activity list on the coffee table. We’ll be pulling away from shore at 8:00 p.m. sharp and pulling back at 8:00 a.m. sharp. Your personal emergency needs cannot be met unless you are in need of medical help. Other rules can be found next to the list. Please adhere to them for your safety and full enjoyment. Trust me, Sunrise is an experience none of you will ever forget. Your VIP status grants you all access at no additional charge, but please keep your wristbands on. The party starts now. Enjoy.” She waited momentarily for questions and concerns by us being first-time passengers and then exited immediately afterward.
“Oh, it’s turnup time, bitches. Light that bizzle, Roxy.” Jazz danced around before doing a big belly flop onto the bed. “It’s my birthday, and we’re set up right. Thank you, Sable. You’ve made my day so special, honey.”
Jazz was truly grateful for her friend ’cause under normal circumstances, taking this party boat right might not have happened. Besides all that, she didn’t want her girl to be sweating bullets worrying over Mike Mike.
Roxy’s face frowned up at the continued praise of her once-best friend. She was tired of everyone acting like little Miss Sable’s shit didn’t stink like hers. First, Mike Mike, and now, Jazz. Roxy was feeling left out and like the dispensable friend. Lighting the blunt, not fearing repercussions, the girls sat back to absorb all of what Sunrise had to offer. Tyrell hadn’t exaggerated. As a matter-of-fact, he’d done the amenities no justice.
We were allowed only one carry-on bag since the Captain’s Party was the last event of the night, and a change of clothes was a must. Besides the custom-made romper and Louboutin heels folded and placed neatly in the bag, the cash I’d swooped from Mike Mike was nestled in the zipped side compartment. I’d been tearing a hole into his profits, living the life and spoiling my girls. Taking my outfit out, shaking it for any possible wrinkles, I slid it onto an empty hanger and into the tiny closet. Then I saw the safe inconspicuously built into the wall, and my eyes lit up, knowing my small pot of gold would be secure now. Stuffing it inside and slamming it shut, I set the code to unlock it to the same one Mike Mike and I shared. Having it already embedded into my head, even under the drunkest circumstances, I would remember it. Not once did Mike Mike catching up to me cross my mind.
* * *
“To my homegirl, Jazz . . . I could get all mushy like I love you, and we ride or die till the end, but fuck all that. Drink this shot and turn up . . . It’s your birthday, bitch,” Roxy shouted as we all cheered and toasted. The Kush smoke had her at ease. If only she could keep the stick from up her ass.
“Well, we ain’t here to relax and bond. Let’s hit the pool.” Jazz slipped her clothes off, revealing a banging golden-toned body. She wore a tiny turquoise bikini that glistened with stones and barely covered her petite frame. With a firm thumper-shaped bottom and a big grip handful of breasts, as her friend, I could admit she was sexy. We followed suit and got undressed, not wanting to slow the party down. Roxy and I were thicker and considered brown girls. It was no thang our duo was often called Oreo ’cause no one denied any of our beauty. She wore a black one-piece with slits, and I let every piece of ass and titty meat hang out in my winter-white, high-cut, asymmetrical, one-piece.
“Oh, that swimsuit is gonna have Carla’s eyes twisted and turned inside out. Her girl better not be on here,” Jazz joked as I modeled once again for Roxy snapping shots.
“I’m not worried about Carla or her whack-ass girlfriend. Come on, let’s hit this party.” Grabbing our drinks, we stepped out the door directly onto the deck of the pool.