Page 112 of Search My Soul
“You tryna jack me for my money? I thought you were a rich nigga. What happened, little daddy?” I said with a smirk.
“You’re funny as fuck. I just made a million dollars this morning, lil baby. This shit right here is chump change. However, I’m not in the mood to catch a body tonight and that’sexactly what’s gonna happen if one of these fools try to take your shit.
“And you can give her those numbers if you want to. Just know those niggas better be bulletproof fucking around with this one,” Soul warned the DJ. My eyes widened in surprise because I hadn’t expected him to say that.
“Naw, I’m cool on that. You got it, Grim.” The two of them dapped each other up as Soul placed the bag on his shoulder. The crowd dispersed back to their sections and some to the dance floor. The party resumed as we headed back to our section. Soul carried Peaches bag as well until we got to the section. I watched as he handed the bags to two of his workers and handed them a set of keys.
I expected him to walk off toward his guest but instead he followed us over to where Normandee and Puma were dancing.
“When y’all get ready to head out, let me know so I can make sure you get your money.” I nodded at his instructions then focused my attention on my girls. They were all cheering and high fiving Peaches and me.
“I already knew my sis was gonna show out, but Peaches! Girl, you need to be in somebody’s music video asap. My God girl. I wanted to throw some money myself,” Puma exclaimed.
“Girl, please don’t gas me up.”
“No, she isn’t lying. I was over here drooling myself,” Normandee expressed.
“It’s funny y’all say that because I got an email about being in a music video. I’ve been playing around with the idea, but I’m not sure yet.”
“What are you afraid of? I heard video vixens make bank, and a face and body like yours should definitely be on the big screens.” My cousins were drop-dead gorgeous, and I’ve been telling them they needed to model for years.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” I turned to see Soul’s little guest standing next to me. My first mind was to tell her no because we had nothing to talk about. Hell, Soul still hadn’t even told anyone her name, so she was truly irrelevant. However, I was curious to know what she wanted to talk to me about, so I agreed.
“Sure.” I followed her to a spot in the section that was vacant. I felt someone staring, and I didn’t have to look to know it was Soul.
“I understand that some relationships are difficult to let go of but as women we have to be mindful of how we carry ourselves,” she stated. I stared at her blankly, not understanding what she was saying.
“Hello, my name is Neeya, and you are?” Clearly, the bitch lacked manners, and I needed her to know I wasn’t the one to try it with.
“My apologies. My name is Malay. I’m Soul’s woman,” she replied smugly.
“Congratulations. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, you can stay away from my man. I noticed you’ve been all over him all night as if you didn’t know he had a woman.”
“I’m gonna give you a pass because I’m assuming your man hasn’t told you how I get down. I’m not sure where you saw me being all over him, but that never happened. Your man asked for my drink order and your man escorted me back to the section on his own. If you have an issue with how close we were, then you should have taken that up with him. Although, I’m sure you wouldn’t do that since you never spoke up when he failed to introduce you when you came in here. Another bitch’s insecurities have nothing to do with me, and I need you to know that.”
“I know everyone wasn’t raised with a mother who taught them how to carry?—”
“I would be careful with my words if I were you because I’ll beat your ass up and down this club, and guess who will be right there at the station with bail money? Your nigga. Now, if I were you, I would walk away while you still have an ounce of dignity left because you and I both know if I ask Soul to go home with me he would. You don’t have any reason to be approaching me because I’m not a threat to you, but I could be, so keep it cute.” I didn’t bother to wait for her to respond because if she said one more word, I might have rocked her shit.
“What was that about?” Normandee asked.
“Soul’s little friend was upset because her man was too close to me. I walked away without her wig in my hands so she should be thankful.”
“Thank God for growth because I would have tongued him down right in front of her. Don’t check me about a nigga I used to fart on at night,” Puma voiced, causing everybody to laugh.
“I’m not about to argue over any man, but the fact that she pulled me to the side to check me when her man is walking around here acting as if she doesn’t exist is crazy. She needs to direct her energy to the right person.”
“You want me to whup her ass cousin?” Peaches yelled over the music. She had an empty shot glass in her hand, so I already knew not to mess with her.
“Let her make it, Cous. Her man is probably gonna fuck her tonight while thinking about me. She’s already suffering.” I shrugged then headed over to the table to make myself another drink. I probably shouldn’t have but the conversation with ol’ girl ruined my buzz.
While I was fixing my drink, I felt the presence of someone behind me. I smelled the familiar scent of his cologne, so I knew who it was.
“You good?” he whispered in my ear. My body shivered, but I played it off.
“Never better.” We locked eyes, but then he took a moment to observe me.
