Page 14 of Pills and Potions: Kase
“Ne’ Cole. You need to get out this house, get a drink, before you lose what’s left of your mind.”
I tried to wave her off with an “I’m fine,” but Tuesday wasn’t about to take no for an answer.
“Whatever. Get dressed,” she said, already turning to leave like it was settled.
Honestly, it was because I didn’t even put up a fight. I found an outfit, tossed on some gloss, and we left soon after, heading to Ne’ Cole Lounge, which was actually really nice. It was crowded, but the energy was good, and we managed to grab two seats at the bar. The bartender, a gorgeous woman with thick locs and a nose ring, came over to take our order. Tuesday got a drink that matched her whole vibe, bright, strong, and loud, while I played it safe and asked for a ginger beer with lime, no alcohol. The bartender smiled like she respected it, and I appreciated that. Because even if I wasn’t drinking, I needed somethin’ in my hand to keep me from unraveling.
“Girl, why do you embarrass yourself by trying to get a dog’s attention?”Tuesday said after taking a sip of her drink.
My cousinhated whenI acted like that in front of Kase, especially since she knew about my little crush. She’d already warned me that he was a player and didn’t respect women. And from what I’d seen unfold with my own two eyes, she wasn’t lying; Kase was definitely a heartbreaker. The sad part? I’d rather he break my heart than ignore it. At least then I’d have something. It was crazy, I know, but I couldn’t just turn my feelings off. And besides, Tuesday had a man who loved her calculator and brain, I had a one-sided fantasy and a front-row seat to my own emotional downfall.
“I know, Tuesday… but I can’t help it.”
“Well, youneedto. Kase isn’t worth the mental energy. He’s a walking red flag with dimples. You deserve more than chasing after someone who can’t even say your name right.”
“It’d be easier ifsomeoneliked me.”
“George from work likes you. And he’s sweet. You just refuse to give him a shot.”
“He’s just… not my type.”
“And Kase is?” Tuesday raised a brow. “Come on, Blyss. Be for real. You’re out here pining over a man who treats you like background noise.”
“We can’t all get a boyfriend as sweet and handsome as yours,” I muttered, fiddling with the hem of my cardigan.
Tuesday scoffed. “Girl, please. I got the brother who’s into science and facts.Youlike the one who sleeps with different women and parties.”
I gave her a side-eye, but she wasn’t done. “If you keep chasing the devil just because he’s got dimples and a deep voice, you’re gonna keep getting your feelings bruised. Like… bruised-bruised.”
“I know,” I sighed.
“Listen, cousin, you know I love you, right? So, I’m gonna keep it real. Do yourself a favor and find someone who sees how dope you are. Someone who appreciates how beautiful you are as a person, not just a body, not just a convenience. Aperson.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“No biggie,” Tuesday said, picking up her phone and unlocking it with a lazy swipe. “You sure you’re okay though?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
She paused, then grinned at her screen. “Okay, well, Jace just texted me to get ready. Apparently, we’re going to that little bed and breakfast this weekend.”
“Ooh, what are y’all celebrating?”
She giggled. “The first time we binge-watchedStranger Thingsand accidentally kissed during a Demogorgon attack. So now we celebrate every year like it’s a damn anniversary.”
I laughed. “That’s so nerdy.”
“I know. That’s why it’s perfect.”
I understood what Tuesday was saying, I really did. But it was easier for her to talk sense when she had a man who wasn’t just fine, but happened to share the same face, the same dimples, and the same damn DNA as the one I was secretly out here aching for. So yeah... telling me to move on hit different when she got to wake up next to the version of him who actually gave a damn. Before we left, Tuesday ran to the restroom, leaving me alone at the bar. I kept my head down, tracing the rim of my empty glass when suddenly, the woman with the locs from earlier slid me another ginger beer, on the house. I smiled and she spoke.
“I overheard your conversation,” the woman with the locs said, leaning in. “And I know someone who can solve your problem.”
She slid a card across the table.
It might’ve been stupid, but I drove straight there as soon as I dropped Tuesday off. My heart was racing the whole ride as I pulled up to the address. Old Man Nelson had a small shop tucked in the alley behind the blue store out in the Shores. You wouldn’t find it unless you were lookin’ or lost. Folks around the way just called himthe old man in the alley, like he didn’t have a real name. His door creaked when it opened, and the bell above it sounded more like a warning than a welcome.
When I stepped into the shop, Old Man Nelson was already sitting behind the counter like he’d been expecting me. Everyone in Golden Shores knew him; some whispered, some warned, but all agreed he wasn’t just some dusty shopkeeper.
