Chapter 2

"Hey over there what's ya name?

Are you for real? Is this a game?

You start to smile and I do the same

I look away but you remain

Your eyes staring back at me (back at me)

My heart starts to skip a beat

I pray that you will never know (never know)

I fall and then you look in my eyes."

Vistoso Bosses ft. Soulja Boy "Delirious"

Nicole

"Remember the plan?" I asked Tae, locking the car. Tae is one of my closest friends.

We met when I was in college and he was a student at Paul Mitchell's. I was a live model for a day and I was assigned to Tae. He was so nervous and sweet. He ended up slaying my hair and we've been friends ever since.

He gets on my nerves sometimes, but I can always count on him to give me a good laugh.

He is truly one of the best hairstylists in Atlanta. Tae is still debating whether to move or not. He's been looking at places in L.A. and Houston. I have a feeling he's not going anywhere because his whole family is here. Whenever a client who is out of state or the country needs him, they just fly him out.

When my stylist isn't around and I'm feeling lazy, I have to beg him to squeeze me in because he is constantly booked. I still pay him the normal price just like any other client. Never mix friendship with business. Trust me on that.

Tae has an and off relationship with his boyfriend, Shawn who is a chef. They're always having a disagreement about something and it's usually so small and petty. He's bisexual and has a thing for thick women. He's got great taste in men and women. He is honestly living the both of both worlds.

Today, I'm going to search my Mom's house for any document or item that will give me information about my father. That letter I got is still so fresh in my mind two weeks later. Google isn't really helping my search and I don't want to ask my Mom.

I probably should have done this when I first discovered this information, but I was still trying to process everything. The devil definitely does not want me to search the house because I can't find my key anywhere.

Since I no longer have a key to her house, I can only search when she's around. My Mom has refused to make another one for me. I brought Tae to be on the lookout so she doesn't catch me looking through her room.

"I still don't understand what this is for."

"I'll explain later. Just run with it. If anything goes wrong, you are going down with me."

"Well damn. Don't worry, I got this."

"Good. Let's do this." I knocked on the front door.

"What are you doing here?"

"Hello to you too. Aren't you happy to see me Mom?"

"Not really."

"Hi Ms. Wilson. Soon to be Mrs. Patterson."

"Tae! I didn't even see you darling. Come in." She ushered him inside. I shook my head. She is a piece of work.

"So tell me all about the wedding. How is the planning going?" He pulled her into the kitchen and nodded his head at me.

"Well..."

It's go time.

I rushed upstairs as quietly as possible. Once I reached the top, I bolted into my Mom's room and closed the door.

First, I searched through her drawers in the nightstand and dresser. Nothing.

I lifted the mattress and looked for any piece of paper or envelope. I came up with nothing.

I got on my knees and bent down to look under the bed. All I saw were shoes and a half full bottle of water.

Maybe she has some kind of secret hole in the wall. Let me check the closet real quick.

This walk in closet is huge and so organized. All I could see were shelves filled with shoes, bags, and clothes. Before I was about to shut off the light, I noticed a brown cardboard box on the top shelf.

I grabbed one of the the chairs and took off my sandals. I checked to make sure my feet were clean before stepping on the white fabric to get a hold of the box. I removed the lid to see that it was filled with so many papers and envelopes. The letters were mostly addressed to me from the penitentiary. I pulled out a paper that looked like it started to get burned.

It was a marriage license.

"Omari Fletcher & Diane Wilson." So it is true. I quickly snapped a picture of it.

I saw a thick manila envelope. I opened it and saw many pictures. I recognized some of them since I have them in a photo album. They included those of when I was a baby, with my Mom, and with her and a man. This must be him.

I don't recognize him at all. Maybe I was too young.

"Nicole!"

"Oh sh*t!" My Mom scared the crap out of me. I could hear her getting closer. I hurriedly closed the box and put it back in its place after taking what I needed.

"Ahhh!" I heard Tae scream.

"Boy, what's wrong with you?" I heard her go back down the steps. Thank God.

"Ahhh!"

"Tae, use your words before I slap your *ss."

"I'm feeling a pain in my stomach."

"Do you need to go to the hospital?"

"I don't know."

I hopped off the chair and put it back in its place. I did a quick glance over before turning off the closet light and running out of her room into mine.

That was close.

My heart is still beating hard like it wants to jump out of my chest.

"Oh wait. I think it's just gas." I could hear a sound like a plane flying by in the sky. I covered my mouth to keep from laughing.

"You are one nasty motherf*cker. Get off of me!"

"I'm sorry. It must have been that Chipotle I had last night."

"Boy, are you trying to kill me? I need some air." I heard the alarm chime and the front door slam.

"Nicole." I heard him call out my name in a hushed tone.

"Yeah." I fixed my clothes and exited my room, holding the envelope behind my back.

"Did you find it?"

"Yes. I really couldn't have done this without you, but you know you're dead wrong. That sh*t is still smelling."

"I couldn't think of anything else. I was holding it for a while."

"Thank you, I guess. Put this in your bag real quick." After a couple of minutes, my Mom came back in with her face still scrunched up in disgust.

"Where have you been? You didn't hear me calling you?"

"No. The music was probably too loud." I pointed to my AirPods. A lot of the time, they're in my ears and nothing is even playing.

"Mhmmm. Tae almost killed me and you were listening to music."

"He told me it was an accident. You fart on me all the time."

"Because I'm grown."

"Right." I discretely rolled my eyes.

"I'm going to need y'all to get up out of here."

"I can't believe you're kicking us out."

"It's my day off and I need to rest without any disturbance. Y'all came here unexpectedly and empty handed."

"I got a lollipop if you want it." Tae pulled a red one from his bag.

"Boy bye." She pushed us onto the porch and closed the door.

"Your Momma doesn't give a f*ck."

"I've been telling you that and you thought I was joking." The door opened up and we both froze.

"Give me this. I heard that." She snatched the lollipop out of his hand and she closed the door again. This time, she looked it.

"Are you going to tell me what all of this was about?"

"I will when the time comes. I'm still doing my research."

"Is this about the wedding? Are y'all planning a surprise or something?"

"Far from that."

"You still don't like that man?"

"It's not that I don't like him, but I have a feeling that there's something off about him."

"Hopefully, you find out what it is before they tie the knot."

"Trust me. Nothing is going to stop my Mom from marrying him."

"On a brighter note, we are about to spend some racks for your upcoming birthday trip."

"Uh uh, we are only going to go to the mall to buy a couple of dresses and swimsuits. I still have clothes with tags at home."

"You're such a party pooper." We got to the mall and started walking around.

"I'm going to check for something at Saint Laurent."

"Okay. You'll just meet me at Nordstrom." I turned the corner and just as I was about to pass Versace, I saw a familiar face. It was Kennedy. She was walking out with a bag in front of a guy. I saw him grab a handful of her *ss and she turned around. I thought she was going to slap him, but instead they started kissing.

I can't believe she's cheating on Dewayne.

I took a couple of photos before going about my way. I really thought she was better than that.

I know artists like to shoot music videos in here, but I don't see any cameramen, so this has to be real life.

I feel like I should tell Dewayne. I would be fake if I didn't say anything. I mean, I would want him to tell me if he found out my man was cheating on me. As far as I know, Dewayne and Kennedy are not in an open relationship.

In Nordstrom, I went up the escalator to look at the swimwear and then I went to the Skims section. I found a sparkly pink dress and a couple of short ones to try on. Tae eventually came into the store and I had help with me choose which ones to buy.

"Tae, do you think I should get a size medium or is this fine? Tae?" I looked outside of the fitting room hallway. Where did his crazy *ss go?

"Are you looking for the guy with the orange beanie?" I looked up to see this handsome man towering over me, holding two North Face jackets.

"Yeah."

"He's over there looking at the Essentials collection." I followed his finger to see Tae scanning through a rack.

"He can not stay in one place. Thanks for letting me know."

"You're welcome. You look beautiful. That dress looks perfect on you."

"Thank you."

"I'm Kyle." He stretched out his hand. I shook it and I couldn't help but notice how smooth his skin was and his clean nails.

"I'm Nicole."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here."

"I think you should have this." He pulled out a black card from his shirt pocket and handed it to me. It had his name on one side and his contact information on the other.

"Why would I want this?"

"As your future man, you need to know that I'm only one call away." I laughed.

"You are so funny. What makes you think we can be together? I don't even know you."

"You never know until you give it a try. I can show you better than I can tell you how I'll be the best you ever had."

"Oh really?"

"Don't hesitate to call me. I promise you, you won't regret it. Take care Nicole." He smiled. I swear he had me hypnotized. My eyes stayed glued to him until he was out of sight.

That was bold. It wasn't even like he was being cocky. I loved his confidence. I just might give him a call.

After I got the things I needed, I practically had to drag Tae out of the store. I don't want to hear him complain about going over his budget so I did him a favor. We decided to eat lunch at Johnny Rockets.

As I ate my fries, my phone rang and it was Dewayne. I'll call him back later. Not even a minute later, he called me again. This man can't take a hint.

"Is your phone working?" Tae inquired with his phone against his ear.

"Yeah. Why?"

"Dewayne said he's been calling you."

"Doesn't he rest? I sent a message that I was busy."

"Busy doing what?"

"Tae, don't start with me. You can see I'm eating."

"He wants to talk to you."

"Hello?"

"So you don't pick up the phone anymore, Nic?"

"I was going to call you back. Is there an emergency?"

"Nah. I was just checking on you since we haven't talked since Wednesday and today's Friday. Plus, I'm bored. Kennedy has been out all day with her Momma."

"Actually, there's something I need to talk to you about."

"You should have answered the phone."

"It's not something we should discuss over the phone."

"I'll slide through then. When are you going to be home?"

"We should be leaving here in like 15 minutes."

"Alright. Would my best friend be the amazing woman she is and bring me some food?"

"Since you put it like that, I got you. I'll see you soon."

"I love you girl, bye."

"Bye." I smiled.

*************************************************

Dewayne

I switched off the ignition and got out of the car as Nicole pulled into her garage. She popped open the trunk and grabbed the multiple shopping bags.

"Look who dropped a bag at the mall. I'll take that." I took the one that contained my food.

"So instead of helping me with the rest of these, you only took the food."

"I'm hungry." Nicole gave me a look and I sighed. "Fine." I took half of the remaining bags from here and threw them over my shoulder, following her inside. She unlocked the door in the garage and removed her shoes before walking towards her bedroom.

"You can put them in front of the bed." I casually dropped them on the floor and jumped onto the bed. "Dewayne!" She hit me.

"My bad! You didn't have to manhandle me like that."

"I can't stand you sometimes. I need a shower."

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

"Can I go freshen up first?"

"You got five minutes."

"More like 20." Nicole grabbed some things from her dresser and made her way into the bathroom. She closed the door and I heard the lock turn.

"Not you locking the door."

"You better not get anything on my bed."

"Yeah yeah." I enjoyed my food in peace while turning on the tv. I heard something vibrating. I patted my right pocket and realized it wasn't my phone. I looked at the nightstand and saw the flash coming from Nicole's phone. She'll check it when she comes out. I noticed something black in the card holder attached to the back of her phone.

I know she's not casually walking around with a black card. I pulled it out and saw how thin it was. Oh, it's a business card.

"Kyle Laurent?" Who is that? I heard the bathroom door unlock and the card slipped out of my hand onto the floor next to one of the legs of the nightstand. I lied back down on the bed and acted like I was focused on the tv.

"You look like somebody's grandma." I smirked as she came out wearing this long *ss nightgown with a blue bonnet on her head.

"Shut up. It's comfortable." The card on the ground grabbed her attention and she picked it up, putting it back in her card holder.

"What's that?" I asked.

"I met this guy today and he gave me his card."

"Like an old acquaintance or a stranger?"

"A stranger. He went straight to the point and told me to call him so we could go out. He is convinced that he's the one for me. Why are you making that face?" I don't know why I was, but I quickly fixed my face.

"He doesn't sound legit."

"Come on. You can't judge him without knowing him. I think I'm going to give him a chance. I liked his confidence and demeanor. Did I mention that the brother is fine?"

"Do what you gotta do."

"Why do sound like you have a problem with that?"

"I just want you to be careful. These guys are smooth talkers. They claim to like you and will just play your heart." I put all my trash in the bag and went into the bathroom to wash my hands.

"I'll take that into consideration."

"What did you have to tell me?"

"I'm going to need you to sit down."

"Okay. I'm listening."

"So you know I don't get into people's business, but I'm only telling you this because I care about you. This is not meant to hurt you. I just want you to know the truth."

"What is it?"

"When I was at the mall, I saw Kennedy with someone." She did say that she was going there with her mother.

"Okay..."

"It was a man. They seemed close. I saw them kiss and—."

"Woah, what? You're f*cking with me right?" I chuckled.

"I'm serious." I immediately stopped.

"Are you and Kennedy beefing? I'm not really understanding why you would just lie on her like that."

"Why would I lie about something like that? I even took pictures." She unlocked her phone and showed them to me. It kind of looks like her, but I can't see her face because the dude is blocking it.

"Nah, that's not her." I gave her back her phone.

"Really Dewayne?"

"Do you know many b*tches in Atlanta have black hair that goes down to their *ss?" I was trying to stay calm, but I'm steadily getting heated.

"How many of them have a purple butterfly tattoo on the left side of their neck?"

"Are you jealous of my relationship or something?"

"What?"

"Just because you can't find a man doesn't mean everybody else should be miserable like you."

"Wow. So that's what you think of me? We've been friends for so many years and I've never given you a reason not to trust my word."

"This is not what I expected from my so called best friend of 15 years."

"You know what? Believe whatever you want. I just know that I was trying to help you. Next time, I'll just keep it to myself."

"Cool. I'm gonna go."

"Fine." A part of me wanted me to console her because she was starting to tear up. I know I must of hurt her feelings, but I don't know what to think right now. I left her crib as fast as I could.

I'm not really sure how I feel. I'm mostly confused because me and Kennedy been rocking for a good years now. I thought we were good, so there shouldn't be a reason for her to cheat on me. But why would Nicole lie about something so serious?

I drove home with a lot on my mind. My head was so in another place that I don't even know if I ran through a red light or not. In 20 minutes, I arrived in my driveway and I saw Kennedy's car.

I walked into the house and found Kennedy in the living room. She was texting and didn't even acknowledge my presence.

"Kennedy." She immediately put her phone face down on the couch.

"Hey babe. I didn't even hear you come in." She got up and walked around the couch to hug me.

"What's up?"

"You okay?"

"Yeah, just a headache. Did you guys find the dresses?"

"Dresses for what?"

"Didn't you tell me you and your momma were going to look for your dresses for your cousin's wedding?"

"Oh right. I'm sorry. It's been a long day. Yeah, we found them after going to a million stores."

"Okay, I'm gonna go change and lay down."

"I'll meet you in the room." I nodded and went into my room, taking off my jacket. I leaned against the wall, crossing my arms.

Did she almost get caught in a lie or am I tripping?

I need to find out the truth.

If Nicole is right, I would be losing my girl and my best friend.

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