In The Company of My Sistahs Read online

  “Kayla, girl, what took you so long? Hurry up and get changed.”

  “I’m not changing.”

  “Fine, don’t change. Just wait until I find my shoes and we can go.” She stuck her head under the bed, looking for her left shoe. Kayla lowered onto her bed.

  “Girl, while I am working Clayton’s fine ass, I’m going to get him to hook you up with his boy RD.” She paused long enough to shake her head. “Now that brotha might resemble a frog but don’t even trip. Remember that his ass is rich.”

  Kayla didn’t say a word as she sat and watched Renee run around like a chicken with its head cut off, while talking nonstop about how she was going to coochie-whip his ass and leave him begging for more. Kayla could not resist a chuckle, although she knew she needed to tell Renee the truth, but she just couldn’t seem to make her lips work.

  “Found it!” Renee squealed as she slipped the shoe on her foot. “Clayton O’Neal, you are mine tonight,” she said as she moved over to the mirror to take one final look. She quickly lacquered her lips and pursed them together to blot the mauve color evenly.

  “All right, let’s roll.” She signaled for Kayla to follow and headed toward the door.

  As soon as she turned the knob, she blurted, “Renee, wait!”

  She swung around with her hands planted at her bare waist. “Damn, Kayla, what? Don’t tell me your ass is tripping over Leroy’s ass again?”

  She pursed her lips. Renee was starting to get on her last nerve. “No, it’s not about Leroy, it’s about Clayton.”

  Her brow rose. “Clayton? What about Clayton?”

  She took a deep breath, then said, “He’s taking me out to dinner tomorrow night.”

  Renee’s mouth dropped to the floor. Kayla wished she had pulled out her camera, because the look was priceless.

  After Renee closed her mouth, she stepped away from the door. “Let me get this straight. Clayton asked you out to dinner?”

  Kayla nodded her head and Renee started cracking up. Her reaction angered her.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, nothing at all,” she replied as she moved to take a seat on her bed. “When did this happen?”

  “Nadine and I ran into them across the street and he asked me then.”

  Her gaze narrowed, then before she could blink, Renee playfully slapped her arm. “Damn, ho. Why the hell you didn’t tell me instead of getting my coochie all wet and shit.”

  “I tried but I couldn’t get your crazy behind to shut up.”

  Renee crossed her legs and started laughing again. “Go head with yo bad self.”

  “You aren’t mad?”

  “Shit. Why the hell would I be mad?”

  She simply shrugged.

  “Girl, you can have his ass. Shit, if I wanted him, I could have jumped his bones at the party last night.”

  Kayla frowned. Nadine hadn’t mentioned seeing Clayton at the party last night.

  “Well, shit, I’m dressed now. We might as well go down to the pool and hang out with him and his butt-ugly friend.”

  “No-no-no!”

  Renee rose. “You either bring your ass downstairs or I’m going to tell him all about you.” She then dashed out the door before Kayla could stop her.

  Chapter 31

  RENEE

  To say I was stunned would be an understatement. Not that I was hating on my girl or anything, but damn, how could Clayton have passed up an opportunity to have the best sex of his life to take my girl out to dinner? Shit, if he preferred Kool-Aid to Moët then that’s his damn business. It wasn’t like he was giving up any dick anyway. However, even as I say that, a part of me just couldn’t give up that easily. I mean, damn, last night I thought the two of us had made a connection. We had sat out on the deck talking until he started to drift off to sleep. I leaned over and kissed both of his eyelids until he opened them again. Clayton then walked me to my room and said good night. Damn, so why didn’t he ask my ass out to dinner? That’s what I wanted to know. And that was exactly what I intended to find out. I love my girl, but I like a challenge. And Clayton was definitely a challenge.

  Shit. Maybe he was attracted to her spiritual side and if so, that’s cool. I’m only interested in his sexual side. I know you’re probably thinking, this bitch is a trip, but you’ve got to understand I hate feeling rejected, and that is exactly how I am feeling. Besides, I am used to getting what I want, so why stop now? If I can have Clayton tonight, he will be back in time to take Kayla out to dinner tomorrow.

  I took the stairs two at a time and sashayed down the path toward the pool. I knew Kayla’s ass wasn’t coming any time soon. So that gave me a chance to check out Clayton for myself.

  I moved over to find the other players and their wives sitting around the pool. I sashayed over to where Clayton was standing and laughing with RD.

  “Yo, what do we have here?” I heard RD say.

  I shook my ass just a little harder.

  “Whassup, Clayton?”

  He smiled down at me. “Hey, Renee.”

  My lips curled into a generous smile. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

  I moved up as close as I could, then crossed my arms over my chest. “I hear you’re taking my roommate out to dinner tomorrow.”

  His brow rose. “Kayla’s your roommate?”

  I nodded. “And my best friend. She’s been through quite a bit these past couple of days so yo ass had better treat her right.”

  He frowned. “What did I tell you about your mouth?”

  I faked innocence. “Oops. My bad.”

  He smiled, seeming pleased with my weak-ass apology. “Don’t worry. I’ma take good care of your girl.”

  “You better or I am going to come looking for you.” I pursed my lips seductively. He was trying not to make it obvious but I could see him checking out all my assets.

  “How come you didn’t ask me to dinner?” I pouted prettily. I didn’t give him a chance to answer. I leaned into him and rested a palm against his moist chest. “You coulda had me for dessert,” I purred. “What I’ve got is better than homemade apple pie.”

  I knew my words were affecting him because I could feel his heart pounding against my hand. Damn! Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Kayla coming across the lawn. Slowly, I stepped away from Clayton and turned on my heels. As I moved away from the pool area, I spotted that Hispanic bitch glaring at me. I stared her down until she had no choice but to look down at her lap. With a chuckle, I moved to meet Kayla.

  She shook her head disapprovingly. “I hope you didn’t embarrass me.”

  “Nah, you know I got your back. I told Clayton he better treat you right, otherwise his ass is mine.”

  She groaned and we moved toward the restaurant where Lisa and Nadine were eating. Glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Clayton still standing in the same exact spot watching. My lips curled in a triumphant smile. Before this trip is over, I’m going to have that fine mothafucka in my bed.

  Chapter 32

  RENEE

  Later that evening I called the front desk to make sure that Everton’s ass had gone home. All during dinner he kept popping over to our table, staring and driving me up the wall. Everybody thought that shit was funny but me.

  As soon as I was finished eating, I went back to the room to get a breath of fresh air, then decided to spend the rest of the evening working on an outline for a new PI series I was seriously considering. While working out on the balcony with my laptop, I spotted Kayla sitting near the jerk-chicken hut, talking and laughing with Clayton and his bubbled-eye friend. I discreetly watched them and decided they were the oddest looking bunch. Nevertheless, I found myself drawn to Clayton’s smile. He had a pair of perfectly white teeth with a slight overbite that rested on top of his bottom lip every time he smiled. I watched him until the group moved toward the other end of the beach, then I again settled back in my chair and resumed writing.

  Around eight o’clock, I woke up to find I had fallen asl
eep with my laptop resting on my lap. I rose and went inside and decided to take a shower and wake my ass up. As soon as I got out, I quickly dressed in a lime green knit dress that plunged deep in both the back and front. As soon as I saw the dress at Dillard’s I knew I had to have it. It was scandalous, just like me.

  After spraying a little perfume on my damp skin, I again slipped into those three-inch white sandals and walked over to the lobby, where they were having live entertainment. I spotted Lisa standing on the stairs, watching the native dancers below. I couldn’t see the other two, so I pushed through the crowd, ascended the stairs, and moved beside her.

  “Hey, girl.”

  Lisa glanced my way and her eyes lit up. “Hey, you’ve missed a good show. They just had this guy on stage that looked like 50 Cent. Girl, when he took his shirt out, I practically fell down the stairs.”

  I scowled. Damn you, Everton. “Where’s Nadine and Kayla?”

  “Nadine was in the room, taking a nap. I’m not sure where Kayla is.”

  I focused my attention on the women below, doing an African folk dance. The group definitely had skills. They set up to limbo under a stick ignited with fire. My mouth was wide open as I watched them move one by one beneath the flames. As the last man maneuvered his limber ass underneath the stick, I caught movement out the corner of my eyes and spotted this fine dude coming our way. He stopped and stood before me.

  “Excuse me, but I think you’re in my spot,” he said in a deep husky tone. He smiled like he was posing at a Sears Portrait Studio. I hadn’t seen him before, but had to say he was sexy as hell. The first thing that came to mind was Blair Underwood. Dark chocolate, goatee, and fine.

  I glanced down at his hairy legs, then back up to his blue jeans shorts and island print t-shirt. He was standing before me just ready for me to reel his ass in.

  I slowly licked my lips, then cooed, “How do I know this is your spot?”

  “Because Trevor left to get me a drink.”

  I turned in the direction of Lisa’s voice, glanced at her, then Trevor, then back at Lisa again. By the way she was smiling it was obvious the two knew each other. So in other words, Trevor hadn’t been checking me out; instead, he was staring at my sister’s married ass.

  “Damn, my bad.”

  He handed my sister her drink. Lisa blushed. I dropped a hand to my waist and took a step back. Now, from the way things looked, there was something going on between the two of them. Lisa rarely blushed and right now she looked guilty as shit. I wouldn’t have believed it if I ain’t seen it for my own eyes. My sister was trying to get her freak on in Jamaica! Now, when I said, “whatever happens in Jamaica, stays in Jamaica,” I was talking about my own ass. Who would have ever guessed Lisa’s faithful behind would even think about messing around on her husband? Not that I gave a shit. I’ve been messing around on mine for years. Besides, she’s grown and can do whatever the hell she wants to do. What gives is that her ass has been giving me shit for years when she wasn’t no better. Damn. I’ve been sweating her ass catching me alone and drilling me about John for nothing.

  “Trevor, this is my sister Renee.”

  I shook his hand. “The pleasure is all mine. So when did y’all meet?” I pried.

  Lisa smiled up at him. “We met while snorkeling this afternoon.”

  “Is that so?” I started smiling and shaking my head. Lisa’s eyes narrowed as she suddenly realized what I was thinking.

  She gave me a disappointed look. “It ain’t nothing like that.”

  “Gurl, whatever, your ass is grown. Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” I laughed and patted her on the arm. “Look, y’all kids have fun. I’m going to get a drink.” As I pushed my way down the stairs, I started laughing again. Talk about calling the kettle black.

  The entertainment had come to an end. I moved over to the bar and took a seat, then gestured for the bartender. A man I hadn’t seen before took my order. He greeted me with a wide grin. He wasn’t much to look at so I rolled my eyes and focused my attention to the left.

  To the far right of the pool were Nadine and some brotha I couldn’t see. She caught me staring and waved. I returned the gesture and swiveled on the stool. It was obvious to assume since she was nowhere around, Kayla was somewhere with Clayton.

  Suddenly I started feeling sorry for myself. I don’t know why I do that, but whenever I’m not the one getting attention, I feel that way. I like constant attention and to always be the main focus, yet right now I was getting neither. Instead, I was sitting all alone at the bar. Everyone had a hook-up but me. Okay, so maybe I was the first with a hook-up. How was I to know mine was going to be some no-dick fatal-attraction stalker, who, thank God, had gone home for the night? It just wasn’t fair. All I have ever wanted in my life was to feel loved and return that same emotion with someone I feel is my equal. I’m a beautiful woman with a wonderful personality and a nice body, yet I can’t even find a halfway-decent man. John pushed to the surface of my mind, and I groaned. Thinking about him only made matters worse.

  “Mind if I sit here?”

  I glanced over to my right and spotted a short round black dude with glasses standing beside me. Oh, Lord, can this night get any worse?

  I shrugged. “It’s a free country.”

  “That’s not what I asked you. I asked do you mind.”

  I raised a brow at him. He looked like he was preparing for me to say no. However, I have to admit for an old head, he wasn’t half bad. If I was my mama’s age, I might have given his old ass some play. “Nah, I don’t mind.” Satisfied by my answer, he took a seat.

  “Okay, so let’s try this again.” He held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Pierre.”

  I shook his hand. “Hello, I’m Renee.”

  The bartender returned with my drink and Pierre asked for a rum and Coke. I checked him out. He had a receding hairline, thick lips, and a thin mustache. His stomach sat in his lap. Good Lord, if he makes a pass at me I am going to scream.

  “What brings you to Jamaica?”

  I sipped my drink, then shrugged. “I’m hanging out with my girls.”

  “That sounds like fun. I’m here for my son’s wedding. You may have heard of him—Alex Houston.”

  “The football player?” He nodded, beaming with pride. “Oh, no wonder there are so many players running around here.”

  “Yes, he and Ayanna are getting married on Monday, right in the lobby.”

  Ayanna must be that Hispanic chick that keeps mean-mugging me. I had half a mind to warn Pierre to check his future daughter-in-law before I stuck my foot so far up her ass they would be forced to postpone the wedding because of possible hemorrhoid swelling.

  I stirred my drink and swung around on the stool and faced him. “Their wedding sounds like a beautiful event.”

  While Pierre stared down at my legs, I took in the contours of his face and my eyes immediately zeroed in on the long nose hairs hanging from his right nostril. Damn. I shifted my eyes to the corner of the room and tried to focus on something else.

  He slid his stool closer. “They’re having karaoke tonight. You going?”

  I almost fell out of my chair. Was that his breath? Damn, that shit smelled like chitterlings. “No,” I said while trying not to breathe. “We’re hitting the town tonight.”

  “Oh, yeah, where at?”

  Good God Almighty! It is his breath. I leaned slightly back and rested a finger over my top lip, trying to shield myself from the funky smell. “I don’t have the slightest idea. I’m just along for the ride.” I wasn’t about to tell him where we were going. The last thing I needed was for him and his funky-ass breath showing up.

  The bartender returned with his drink. Pierre ordered me another. I reached into my shoulder purse and removed a stick of gum. I stuck a piece in my mouth, then offered him one. Although in this case it was going to take two or three pieces to kill that skunk.

  He shook his head. “No, thanks.”

  “You sure?” I asked sweetly
.

  He chuckled. “Positively.”

  Damn. I lowered the pack back into my purse and scowled. I just don’t understand it. Why doesn’t this old head understand that if a woman offers a breath mint or a piece of gum she is trying to tell him his breath stinks? I’ve seen it many times before. Shit, if someone offers me a piece, they don’t have to ask me twice.

  “Would you like to attend the wedding with me?” I heard him say.

  I met his gaze and gave him a puzzled look. “Where’s your wife?”

  He gave a hearty laugh. “My soon-to-be ex-wife is here with her new fella. I came alone.”

  “Oh.” That was all I could manage because he took a deep breath and blew a cloud of stank in my direction. I almost fell off the stool.

  “What’s wrong?” Pierre asked.

  “Nothing,” I murmured as I leaned back.

  His brow rose with curiosity. “Then why do you look like you’re ready to run away?”

  Was it that obvious? I sighed, then gave him a half-grin. “I’m fine, really.”

  “So, would you like to go with me?”

  I looked at him like he had lost his damn mind. “You don’t know anything about me.”

  He shrugged. “Other than you’re beautiful, no, I guess I don’t.”

  I blushed. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. So, how about it?” he asked as he reached for his drink.

  “Maybe. If I see you before then I’ll let you know.” I mean, damn, is he desperate or what? Who in their right mind meets a woman at a bar and invites them to their son’s wedding? Although, I have to admit the offer is tempting. I love weddings and would love to see Ayanna’s face when I show up at her wedding. If Pierre does something about his breath, I just might consider joining him. After all, Clayton will be there.

  Chapter 33

  RENEE

  “Are you sure you want me to leave you pretty ladies here?” I glanced out the window of the hotel shuttle. The Pier was nothing more than a shack on the end of a raggedy-ass pier in the middle of a Jamaican ghetto. Nevertheless, I was down. The music coming from the building was hyped. Brothas in all shapes and sizes flooded the parking lot and up the ramp toward the club.