Raina smiled and gave me a small nod. “I want to introduce you to my little brother, Vic Junior, aka Vickie.”
“Vic is just fine.” Raina’s brother rolled his eyes.
“Vickie,” Raina ignored her brother’s comment, “please meet my friends Nikki, Sienna, and you already know Kara.”
“Hello, Nikki, Sienna.” He stretched out his hand for a shake and we obliged.
“Beautiful Kara,” he said in an overly familiar tone.
Darren squeezed Kara tighter to his side.
Vic noticed the small splay of possessiveness as well and smirked. I snorted. He was a little shit stirrer, just like his big sister.
I gave him a wink and then focused on Raina’s other bodyguard, Cameron. That asshole had caused my friend heartache. Sure, it was because he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, but he knew she had commitment issues. He should’ve been more patient. But, no, he had to kick my girl out of her home. He had no idea how much courage it took her to buy a house with him.
“Cameron Jefferies.” I dropped the sweetness in my voice and squeezed the Styrofoam cup of coffee. “I’m assuming you’re here because you pulled your head out of your ass, got over yourself and your life, and—”
“Hey, now.” Raina lifted her hand. “Don’t scare him off already. I just got him back.”
“Don’t worry, baby. I’m not going anywhere.” He hugged Raina to his side but gave me his attention. “I promise I’ll take care of our girl. You can drop your weapon.”
I looked down at myself. “I don’t have a weapon.”
He nodded to my cup of coffee. “You’re gripping that cup like you’re ready to toss it on me.”
Damn if it didn’t look like I was about to launch it at his face. But my hand didn’t relax its grip or aim.
“Chill, Nikki. We’ll talk soon, but Cameron here will be asking me to marry him again. And, spoiler alert, I’m accepting.” She grinned.
“Woman, I told you that it’s your turn to ask me,” Cameron damn near growled at her, but I could tell he was joking.
“Oh, you didn’t mean that.” Raina waved him off. “I’m thinking a summer wedding no more than a year from now.”
“Way to plan your wedding at our dad’s funeral.” Vic shook his head, his tone teasing as well.
Damn, these siblings were strange.
“Alrighty, then.” I relaxed my arm. “I’m guessing I’m missing some context clues as to why you guys aren’t—”
“Crying? Sad?” Raina supplied.
“Morose?” Vic added.
“Sure,” I agreed. “All of the above.”
Raina nodded. “Daddy is at peace now. I’ve forgiven him, and I had the chance to form a relationship with my little brother.” She lifted her face to kiss Cameron. “And I’ve got the best guy in the world. I can’t pretend I’m not happy right now. Daddy would want me to be happy.”
My heart lifted at my friend’s serene expression. This time, there was no jealousy. If anything, it gave me hope for my situation.
Shit! I looked down at my phone.
“Guys, I’ve gotta go. Bria’s talent show is in a half hour.”
“Ahh.” Raina nodded. “That’s why James isn’t here.”
I don’t know if he would’ve come anyway.
I kept my thoughts to myself. Ironically, I didn’t want to bring down the mood at a funeral. “Yeah, Bria had to arrive early for the last rehearsal.” I gave my friends hugs.
“Raina, I’ll call you soon.” I pointed to Kara and Darren. “Congrats, guys.”
“Hey!” Raina pointed between her and Cameron. “What about a congratulations for us?”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m happy for you. Go, team!” I pumped a fist in the air.
I turned to face Sienna. “Let me know if you need Louella again.”
She nodded. “Maybe this time I’ll break some knees.”
“Jesus, girl. What happened?” Raina tilted her head.
I left before Sienna could launch into her story. Much as I wanted to know, being there for my baby girl was more important.
* * *
I tapped a beat against the steering wheel, a recurring tune in my head that needed to be played to exorcise my nervousness.
I was beyond nervous, I was afraid. Afraid JJ wouldn’t recognize me. Afraid Bria would reject me. It had been three whole months since I’d seen my babies in person.
James and Mama knew I was coming, but I’d asked them to not tell Bria. I didn’t want her nervous, looking over her shoulder and listening for every door opening or slamming shut.
“It’ll be fine. JJ loves you.” I took a deep sigh. “Bria loves you, too.” I was a new woman, and I intended on striking a balance between being a good wife, mom, and artist.
Hadn’t figured out all the details yet, but I knew that I didn’t need Tattered Souls to be successful. I had a handful of songs that were perfect for me, and I knew they’d be a hit once I cleaned them up.
I turned into the school, parked, and hustled to the auditorium. It was just five minutes before the show.
Meegan, the PTA queen, sat regally at the ticket table. A Cash Only sign acted as a backdrop. I patted my pockets. Damn, I didn’t have a ticket or money.
“Sorry, Meegan,” I said, as I approached the table. “I don’t have a ticket, and I don’t have any cash on me right now. I promise I’ll give you the money after the show.”
Meegan lifted a shoulder, accompanied by a go-to-hell smile. “Sorry, Nicole. This is a fundraiser and we don’t take IOUs. You must have a ticket or cash. Twenty dollars, to be exact.”
I took a cleansing breath. “Remember, you’re turning over a new leaf. You’re a new woman now,” I muttered to myself.
“What’s that?”
“Surely, Meegan, we can work this out?” I glanced down at my phone. “There isn’t an ATM nearby, James’s phone is off, and the show starts in two minutes.”
“Sorry,” Meegan said, but her tone said she was anything but. “No can do. Cash or ticket.” Her voice hardened at the end.
“You’re being ridiculous.” I heard a strident voice behind me.
I sighed and turned. Of course Mama would find me outside and take the PTA queen’s back.
Mama slapped a twenty-dollar bill on the table. “There.” She put her hand on her hips. “And let me tell you something, Miss Thang. If my child would’ve missed my grandchild’s first performance because you’ve got something stuck up your ass, it would’ve been me and you, young lady.” She pointed at her chest, then directed her finger at Meegan.
I smiled. You tell her, Mama.
Meegan angrily tore off a ticket stub. “Enjoy the show.”
“Let’s go, baby.” Mama jerked her head toward the double doors. “I saved you a seat at the front, but we’ve got to hurry.”
While Mama walked toward the door, I turned around and shot Meegan the bird. Two fingers because Meegan was a bitch.
Meegan gasped. “Unbelievable.”
“So I’ve been told.” I spun around and followed Mama into the auditorium. Guess I hadn’t changed that much. Well, I’d changed where it counted. Family, being true to myself and all that jazz.