Page 8 of Seek & Destroy

“I got you, sis. Be careful.”

“You too. Call me, and enjoy the bottle on me.” I winked as we air kissed and walked back over to Solo and Dallas.

I whispered in Solo’s ear, and he didn’t hesitate to agree to leave with me. After saying our goodbyes, we hurried out of the club and went back to my place where I gave him the best sex of his life and sent him on his way. Trying to juggle seven men was exhausting. It was time to shorten my list because trying to keep these men apart was becoming too damn much.

3

Esani

One Week Later…

It was July 4th,and my mom had the family over. It was crazy how we had a big family but rarely talked to one another unless there was an event such as this. I had cousins that I talked to from time to time, but we weren’t that close. That was crazy, considering my mom and her three sisters were thick as thieves. It could have been because all my girl cousins were either married or in a relationship. When they linked up, they either bashed their men or pretended as if everything was hearts and stars with their men, and I just couldn’t relate. They judged me because I preferred to remain single and play these men how they played us women. However, I still loved them. I just didn’t fuck with them. The only one of my cousins I could relate to was Miesha. She was just like me and loved to have her cake and eat it too.

“E, bring those ribs outside for me. I’m not trying to be on this grill all day,” my Aunt Jennifer said, sticking her head through the door.

“Okay. Here I come.”

I put my phone away and grabbed the ribs from the refrigerator then walked outside. The DJ was mixing the tunes as I stepped out into the hot sun. My boy cousins’ friends were ogling my goodies because I chose to wear my distressed jean shorts with a white crop top. I’ve always been voluptuous, so showing this much skin probably had them about to nut in their pants.

“There’s my showstopper,” my mother said, smiling at me. “Why are you carrying food out here? That’s what we have these men for.”

“Aunt Jen asked me to bring it out. It’s okay. I can handle it,”

“Yeah, Shan! She doesn’t have to be prissy about everything. Let the girl live,” Aunt Chandra scolded. She was the oldest out of my aunts and the mama bear to everyone. I joked with my family, calling her the Jennifer Lewis of the hood.

“Hush...this is my child. Mind your business,” my mom joked, while flipping her the bird.

I laughed and shook my head as my phone rang. I set the ribs down, and pulled it from my fanny pack, noticing an unknown number. Answering, I stepped away from my loud family to take the call.

“Esani speaking?”

“Now see, I gave you my number a week ago, and I never received a call from you. My feelings are kind of hurt,” the baritone voiced.

I looked at my phone confused for a moment before I remembered who this was on my line. That hint of a Latin accent couldn’t be forgotten.

“I’m sorry, love. I’ve been very busy at work and haven’t had time to call. How did you get my number?”

“Your friend, Tania, gave it to me when I went by your shop the other day. I hope it’s okay that I used it.”

“It’s totally fine. I’m actually glad that you called. I sort of lost your number.” I giggled as I sat down at one of the tables.

“Well, lucky me. I was hoping to see you there, but I’m kind of glad that you weren’t.”

“Why?”

“You make me nervous.”

“Oh, I do, huh? What is it about me that makes you so nervous?”

“Your beauty. It’s rare, and I’m nervous because you don’t seem like the type of woman that likes to eat from one plate.”

“Excuse me?” I asked, offended.

“I’m sorry, love. I don’t mean to sound offensive, but I am an honest man. I guess I was just wondering how you’re single.”

“Who says that I am?” My attitude was on full display at this point.

“Let me start over. I want to take you out tonight if that’s okay with you.”

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