Page 2 of The Hellcat Barbies: Zora
“No,” I said flatly. “Not you.”
He laughed, then got to the point like I knew he would. “I was just checking in. You good? I’ain heard from you all week.”
“I’m straight. Been working, and hung out with Tiana and Nia earlier. Same old… same old.”
“Mhm.” He paused. “And Malik still the excuse you hiding behind?”
I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see it. “Don’t start, Quentin. I’m not hiding behind shit. I just don’t have time for nobody’s raggedy ass son.”
“I hear you,” he said, softer this time. “Just don’t close yourself off so much you forget what it feels like to let somebody in.”
I let his words hang there for a second before changing the subject. “How’s my niece? Kaia been running you ragged?”
That brought the laughter back into his voice. My brother was a single father to my eight-year-old niece, Kaia. Her mama died of an aneurysm when she was four. She was all we had, and I tried to help him with her as much as I could, as well as Kaia’s grandparents. “Always. That lil’ girl keeps me on my feet, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “That sounds like her. I miss my girl.”
“She misses you, too. She keeps asking me when you’re coming by. She straight up told me she likes you better ‘cause I was boring.”
“As she should.” I grinned. “It ain’t my fault I’m the fine, funny auntie, and you’re just her corny ass daddy.”
“Damn, that’s fucked up.” He chuckled. “But for real, Zo. I’m glad she has you. It ain’t always easy doing this by myself, but knowing she has you in her corner makes it easier.”
My chest tightened, the way it always did when I remembered we only had each other to count on. “And you know I’ll always be there. For her and you… always.”
“I know,” he said, steady this time. “And the same goes for you, Zo. You ever need me, I’m there. You know I love you, right?”
I pulled the throw blanket over me, staring at the ceiling. “Yeah, I know. Love you, too.”
After hanging up with my brother, I took my shower and got ready for bed. I had to be at the shop early in the morning, and I needed time to sleep this liquor off.
***
The blow dryer hummed low in the background, blending with the soft R&B music coming through my Bluetooth speaker, giving the shop a sultry vibe. I had candles lit on the shelf, and the air carried a mix of coconut oil and fresh product. “Zo, who is that?” My client, Sharice, nearly twisted her entire neck trying to look out the window while I clipped the section of her hair I was working on.
I smirked at her reflection in the mirror. “If you’on sit your dramatic ass still, I’ma burn you with this flat iron.”
“Girl, whatever. Look!” She pointed again, eyes wide like she’d just spotted a celebrity. “That fine ass man right there with Case. Who is he? You know damn near everybody in Diamond Cove.”
I leaned in just enough to glance out the window. Case was across the street, standing with somebody I hadn’t seen before. Whoever he is, was the kind of man that made you look twice without even meaning to. He had to be around six feet tall with smooth caramel skin that was covered in tattoos up to his neck as I far as I could see. With bushy eyebrows sitting above a pair of dark, yet mesmerizing eyes. A broad nose sat perfectly above a neatly trimmed mustache and goatee that housed a pair of lips that looked like they could do some serious damage. He was muscular, but it wasn’t over the top. The way he moved wassmooth, controlled, and commanded the attention of everyone around him.
Sharice fanned herself with the cape draped around her. “Lawd, I need his number and his birthday so I can chart our compatibility.”
I laughed, shaking my head as I brought the flat iron down another piece of her hair. “Sharice, shut your ignorant ass up and let me finish your head.”
“So you’on know him?” she continued to interrogate.
“Nope.” I popped the ‘p,’ knowing it would irritate her.
“Lies,” she blurted. “If he’s with Case, he has to be somebody. You better call and ask, ‘cause I need details.”
I rolled my eyes, but when I looked out the window again, I caught the man unlocking the door to the empty storefront across the street. He and Case were talking like old friends. You could tell that they were familiar with one another.
“Mhm,” Sharice hummed, watching me instead of her reflection. “I see you clocking him. It’s okay, Zo. A man that fine deserves to be watched from all angles.”
I kept my expression flat, gliding the iron down another piece of her hair. “You’re ridiculous. You know that?”
“Not big bad Zo tryna act unbothered, but your eyes already telling on you.” She grinned.
