Page 31 of Autumn & Woods
“Ummm…” I muttered.
Woods blinked. “Your kids always wild as hell.”
Taj rolled her eyes. “Don’t do too much. They fed, bathed, and happy. That’s what matters.”
“I didn’t say all that,” he replied under his breath.
Taj lit up when she saw me. “Anyway, guess what? I’m slidin’ too. Ty's on the way. And he bringin’ that lil’ light skin homeboy he always be with, so don’t play. You got options if this nigga act stupid, girl.”
I laughed, but Woods didn’t. “Wait, hold up,” he said. “You comin’ where?”
“Uh, out wit’ y’all,” Taj said, like it was obvious. “You not finna be selfish and hog my girl all weekend, bruh.”
He looked at her like he was trying to find the most respectful way to saygo to hell. “Cuz, I wasn’t tryna make this a group thing,” he said, scratching his jaw. “It’s my boy’s lounge, we was gon’ pull up on some—”
“Right. And now it’s a crew. We outside tonight! My homegirl Meeta gon’ pull up and my neighbor Lava ‘bout to come watch the kids and…”
I dipped off toward the back hallway before I busted out laughing. Once in Taj’s bedroom, I opened my suitcase and dug for what I needed. I pulled out a black halter mini dress, ruched on the sides, low back, with enough stretch to keep things classy but enough cling to shut shit down.
Gold jewels. Heels. I was going to look sexy without doing too much. After gathering all of my essentials, I freshened upin the bathroom, slicked up my hair into a neat bun, and got dressed. I could hear their voices floating down the hallway.
“I just think you should chill tonight, that’s all.” Woods tried to reason with Taj.
“Why?” she shot back. “‘Cause you thought you had her to yourself? I ain’t seen her in two years, Woods! And I’m the fun cousin that brings the vibes. You knew this already!”
“You’re annoyin’ as fuck, Tajiana.”
“Well, be annoyed,Quamaine. I’m comin’ and that’s that.”
I smirked, sliding on the heels and adjusting the strap at my ankle. The whole time, I wasn’t even mad. Quamaine was trying to play it cool, but I heard it in his voice. He wasn’t trying to share me tonight. Not with Ty, not with Taj, not with anybody. It was cool, though. I was just ready for a good night.
W ep u l l e du pto my man’s lounge,Lit Vibez,in two separate cars. I valeted the truck and opened the passenger door for Autumn. She stepped out, and I swear the streetlights flickered just for her. Skin glistening. And that black dress she wore had her ass poking. Legs on display. Hips switching like she was born to tempt. I slid my eyes up from her heels to her lips and locked in on that smirk she gave me like she knew what she was doing. I knew she did.
Taj was loud as hell behind us. “This shit lit already! Oh, this the vibe we on tonight?”
One of her lil’ red bone, ratchet friends pulled up too. Ty met us at the door with Dray, daps already in motion. “What’s good, bro? Long time no see. I hear you doin’ your thing out in Cali.” Dray said, looking all proud and shit. We went back to middle school days.
“You know that,” I kept it cool, wrapping my arms around Autumn’s waist. “Autumn… Dray.”
“Nice to meet you,” she lightly smiled, and he nodded respectfully.
“Damn. Woods really on his cuffin’ shit.” Ty laughed, tilting his his head toward Autumn.
“Ty, shut up,” she snapped, rolling her eyes.
“Chill,” I said, brushing him off with a dap and a look.
Inside, the lounge was dark velvet and neon, exactly how my boy Deshawn wanted it. The lighting was moody with thick bass rolling low, and booths lined with bottles already waiting. He greeted us and led us toward a section near the back with Autumn tucked next to me. We popped the tequila bottles and poured up with Autumn taking her shot first like a G and sucking on a lime like…
“You good?” she asked, smirking like she already knew where my thoughts were.
I played it off, though, taking my shot and pouring another. Everybody else was in their zone. Leaning closer to Autumn, I muttered, “This wasn’t supposed to be a whole crew. I really just wanted to be wit’ you.”
She climbed into my lap, perfume hitting my nose. She smelled good as fuck. “I know, but it’s cool. We’re all here now. Don’t ruin it by being moody.”
“You gon’ fix it?”
“I might.”
