Chapter 14
“Do you see the shit on this list? We can’t afford this shit,” Cooley remarked, looking down Lena and Brandon’s registry list, as they walked around Blooming-dale’s, looking at the expensive china.
Denise was in her own world. She couldn’t get Lena off of her mind.
Cooley snapped her fingers in front of Denise when she realized Denise wasn’t listening to her. “Bruh, are you OK?”
“She is getting married in two days.” Denise sighed.
“Man, damn, I was hoping you were getting better. Are you OK to go to the party?”
Denise sighed. “Yeah, man, I’m good. I have to let go, right?”
“You know I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t say this. You do realize she isn’t married yet. You still have time to get her if you want her.”
“I can’t do that to her.”
“But what if she’s making a mistake? What if she is the one for you, and you are supposed to be together?”
“Man, no. Brandon can offer her so much more than I can—”
Cooley cut Denise off. “You know what? I love you, dog, but you have become such a pussy.”
“What you call me?”
“A pussy. Dee, you act like you don’t have anything to offer her. Shit. So what, that nigga got money? That ain’t shit in the end. He may have money, but you have heart.”
They stood in silence for a moment. Denise’s mind went back to Lena. “Man, I love that girl.”
“I know.”
“Cool, I love her so much, I am willing to let her go. If it’s meant to be, she will come back.”
“Dig that,” Cooley said. “So, um, considering that everything on this list will cause us to become homeless, how about we buy a bottle of Grey Goose and Patron and call it a day?” Cooley smiled, causing Denise to smile as well.
“So, are we going to have male and female strippers?” Carmen said.
“Hell, I think she would be cool with just female.” Misha laughed.
“I heard that, bitch.” Lena giggled as she joined them at the table. “So, is tonight planned?”
Carmen rolled her eyes. “Yup, we have the two-bedroom suite at the hotel so that Nic and I can get one room, you get the other, and Misha can sleep on the couch.”
“Yeah, just put me on the couch.” Misha rolled her eyes.
“You think Denise is going to come?” Lena asked.
“Carla told me she was coming for sure,” Misha reassured her.
“Don’t look now, but there is the infamous Lynn,” Carmen said as she motioned for Lynn to join them.
Misha cut her eyes at Carmen then looked at her competition.
“Hi, Carmen, how are you.” Lynn smiled. “Hello, I’m Lynn, Cooley’s girl.”
“Girl?” Misha said.
Carmen hit her under the table. “So, how are things with you and my bro?” Carmen said.
Lynn pulled up a seat. “Oh, it’s good. Hey, aren’t you Misha? It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Likewise.” Misha pretended she was reading a magazine.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Lynn. I’m Lena.”
“Oh yes, the one getting married to Brandon Redding. One of my friends is so in love with him.”
“I will tell him he has a fan.”
“Awesome!” Lynn smiled.
“So, Lynn, how did you manage to bag Cooley?” Misha asked.
“I am not sure, actually. I guess she saw something in me. It was real interesting ’cause I never thought we would make it this long. She is so experienced, and being that she was my first I know that—”
“What?” Carmen cut Lynn off. “You have never been with a girl before?”
Lynn realized she stuck her foot in her mouth. “Well, actually I had never been with anyone before.”
“Does Carla know that?”
“Um, well, not necessarily. I didn’t want to scare her off.”
Carmen was pissed. “Lynn, that was something you really should have shared. Cooley would have been gentler with you.”
“No, I was fine. I didn’t want her to treat me like some inexperienced girl. That’s why I didn’t tell her.”
Misha wanted to laugh but held it in. She buried her head in her book. She knew it was the end for Lynn.
“Well, um, I have class. Can we finish this later?” Lynn asked.
“Cool. Hey, come to my wedding if you want. I’ll give Cooley an extra invitation for you,” Lena said, hoping to clear some of the tension in the air.
“OK.” Lynn hurried off.
Carmen looked at Misha, who started to laugh. Lena couldn’t do anything but shake her head.
Carmen picked up her phone and called Cooley.
“Hey, you,” Larissa said.
“What’s up, girl? I haven’t seen you around that much.” Nic said, giving Larissa a hug.
“Yeah, I know. I had to get a job. My so-called man wants me to start helping pay some of the household bills.”
“Damn.”
“Tell me about it,” Larissa said as she sat at Nic’s table. “I really hate that I’m taking eighteen hours next semester.”
“Damn, girl, are you going to be able to make it?” Nic asked. She was concerned about Larissa.
“I have to. I want to graduate on time. I had a class I forgot about taking. I don’t know if I will be able to pledge now. I don’t know when I would have the time.” Larissa tried to hide her disappointment. “How does Carmen do it all? You know, being in school, working and the sorority? She’s so active in it.”
“Oh, C doesn’t work. I won’t let her,” Nic said.
Larissa was shocked. “You won’t let her? Why?”
“’Cause I take care of mines,” Nic said, packing up her bag.
Larissa smiled. “Nic, you never cease to amaze me. You are truly one of a kind.”
Nic smiled. “Oh, don’t go there. I just don’t like my woman to work unless she absolutely has to or just wants to. Lots of men are like me.”
“No, they aren’t.” Larissa stood up. “Well, it’s pretty late. I need to get going.”
“Let me walk you to your car.” Nic stood up, but Larissa stopped her.
“No, I’m right outside. Got a good spot. I guess I will see you next semester, Nicole.”
“Bye, La.” Nic gave Larissa a hug.
Larissa looked Nic in her eyes but quickly turned around and walked off.
Larissa’s phone began to ring as she left the library. It was her man. She pressed ignore, suddenly annoyed by the thought of talking to or seeing him.