Page 7 of So I Know it's Real

“Which one is your cousin?”

She palmed her forehead. “The one who just grabbed the damn microphone.”

My straw lingered between my lips as I studied the man leading the pack. Olive green pants riddled with a floral pattern and a button-up that hit his waist fit like tailored pieces on the tall guy. The stack of diamond chains around his neck and the bracelet he rocked were blinding, yet the stones weren’t as clear as his cognac complexion.Cousinand his friends sang a Dru Hill jam like they wrote it, moving through the crowd like natural-born stars. When the lead singer sat a pair of sunglasses on the bridge of his nose and began addressing the crowd, I glanced at Essen. She shook her head but held her phone up, recording the show while the ladies in the audience went wild.

The song ended right as Essen’s cousin neared our table. Up close, I noticed his lashes were curly and his chocolate skin was covered in tattoos. I couldn’t say the 90’s fine gangsta reminded me of anyone. I’ll just say he looked good with a short fade accented by a part on the right side.

“What’s up, Essen?” He cuffed the back of her head and smirked. “Where are my cousins?”

“Ugh. They’re in their skin. I’m having a girls’ night. No niggas allowed.”

He moved a toothpick back and forth over his full lips. “I don’t know about all that. Introduce me to your friends.”

“Then you’ll leave?” She groaned. “This is my friend, Karlie. The beauties to her left and right are her sisters, Jada and Kelly.” Essen faced me. “This lovely lady with the dimples is Clover.”

His bottom lip flipped inside of his mouth as he examined the table with a nod. “Nice little line up.”

“Durk, get out of here! There isn’t a line up.”

“Yeah, whatever.” He smiled, massaging his goatee and showing off a diamond grill. “Dimples,I’m going to see you around.”

I tried to suck in my jittery cheeks to conceal my amusement, but my cheekbones crowded my eyes.

“Look at you blushing,” Karlie whispered once he walked away. “I told you coming out would do your body good. You can give Davis the middle finger and go home with a real one.”

“I’ve been drinking, but I’m not drunk. Davis and I have been dating for two months and still haven’t taken thingsthatfar. I would never sleep with a stranger.”

“Never say never. There’s always a chance you could meet a man who makes you feel safe enough to pop that coochie on the first date.”

Thoughts of what kept me from giving Davis my body guided my chin to my chest. “The last man I made love to was supposed to be my husband. I don’t know how to be with another man in that way. No amount of time feels like enough to move on.”

“I get it, Clover, but sometimes we aren’t supposed to question when things fall into place. Just praise the Lord for the gift of second chances.”

Amid our heart-to-heart, Jada tapped the side of her cocktail glass.

“Ladies, I hope you’ve built up enough liquid courage to get on stage. I picked a Salt-N-Pepa joint for me and Essen. Karlie, I know you believe you’re a solo act, so you got ‘Irreplaceable’ by Queen Bey!” She eyed me. “Clover, your bestie said you love ‘Cater 2 U.’”

I snickered at her choice for me. Truth be told, I would have preferred something more empowering, but I was too excited to gripe. I would have sung a gospel hymn if it meant I wouldn’t be mopping floors or sitting outside of football practice.

Like ducks in a row, we danced toward the stage with drinks in hand. I spotted Durk at a table near the stage and tried not to stare, but it was hard. His energetic demeanor had diminished as he frowned at his phone.

“Clover!” Essen grinned and looped her arm around mine. “I know we just met, but you seem like a sweetheart.” She openly pointed to Durk. “I know that chocolate looks good, but that isn't what you want.”

“What? I—”

“Oh, I don’t expect you to take my advice. I’m just giving you a fair warning, so you can’t say Ididn’twarn you.”

“Warn me about what?”

“About how life changes when a son of Eshu falls in love.”

We exchanged a narrowed stare down that made me speechless until she straightened her shoulders and winked.

“Now! Let’s rock the mic!”

Tipsy, I watched the ladies take turns butchering classic hits. Each exuded confidence that made the men in the audience drool and the women cheer them on. However, when my turn came, I morphed into a snail as I stepped on the platform. The rhythm of a tune I loved but hadn’t picked poured through the speakers. I looked at the DJ to signal for him to change the song, but his attention was on the lady next to him.

“If you’re not gon’ rap, shake some ass!” Someone from the crowd yelled.

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