Page 8 of F*ckin’ With Me

“Let’s pick out some outfits that you feel comfortable and look beautiful in.

Look at God blessing you with a friend that’s a stylist who is licensed to do hair and is a makeup artist.” She tapped the tip of my nose with her finger.

“Let me make a call really quick to let my brother know exactly how we need to come this weekend.”

She had something up her sleeves. I wasn’t sure what it was, but something told me it was about to be a very unpredictable weekend. I guessed all I could do was run on and see what the end would be.

Time To Go To The Maldives . . .

All the wedding party were to meet at my parents’ house, where two Sprinters would take us to the airport.

My parents paid for everyone’s first class ticket and their plus ones if they had one.

That was why it infuriated me that my ticket was downgraded because I suddenly had a man.

A little over $20,000 was spent on plane tickets alone.

We weren’t going to get started on the accommodations and the wedding itself.

“Girl, you look good! My brother is gonna forget he’s a fake boyfriend before the weekend is over,” Rissa teased. She came over last night to straighten my hair. We ended up drinking a full bottle of wine while she did my hair and talked. It was the most fun I’d ever had.

I stood in front of the mirror in awe of my appearance.

That was the first time my hair had ever been straightened.

My mother and sister tried, but I drew the line at my hair.

I was hesitant to let Rissa do it. I trusted her more than my blood.

I turned to the side to look at my hair that flowed down to the middle of my back. It was full of beautiful barrel curls.

“Thank you so much, Rissa. I can’t believe how good I look.” I felt giddy inside. Since the flight was so long, Rissa said that a more causal lounge outfit would be appropriate. The form-fitting sweatsuit fit me like a glove. I didn’t think I’d ever worn anything that fit me that well.

When my doorbell rang, Rissa jumped up from my bed. “I’ll get it. Don’t come out until I tell you to, okay?”

She left the room after I agreed. Our bags were already in the living room.

When she told me she would come on the trip too, I offered to pay for her trip.

She told me to be quiet, then she told me to cancel my flight.

I told her no, but she texted Daylen, who texted me and told me to cancel my flight. I did what he forcefully requested.

“Simonette, they’re here! Come on!” Rissa yelled from the living room.

With a final look in the mirror and a deep breath, I walked out of my room toward my living room. When I cut the corner and came into view, I heard Daylen and whoever the other guy was mumble damn. I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose. “Hey, Daylen.”

He didn’t say anything immediately. “What’s up, Simonette? You look beautiful. Damn, your hair is long. This is my best friend, Rashad.”

My cheeks got warm. “Thank you, Daylen.” I stuck my hand out and stepped in front of Rashad. “It’s nice to meet you.”

He grabbed my wrist, then pulled me into a hug. “Fuck a handshake. You sis.”

His embrace caught me off guard. When we broke away, he wore a bright smile. Rashad was very handsome.

Daylen’s arm came between us. “Aye, get off my woman, man.” He shot me a quick wink. “You ready to go, babe?”

“Yes, I am.” I went to grab my luggage. A hand over mine stopped me.

When Daylen and I made eye contact, his jaw was tight. “Sim, if this is going to work, then you’re going to have to let me be ya man. I’m not ever letting my woman carry her own luggage.”

I tried to fight the smile that wanted to take residence on my face. The smile won the fight. “Sim?”

“Yeah, Sim. All in-love couples have pet names.” He picked up my luggage while Rashad picked up Rissa’s.

There was a very nice Range outside with a driver standing near the back of it. When he saw us, he came over and grabbed the luggage. “Wow! You didn’t have to do all this,” I told him.

“Aye, don’t say that shit again. I don’t do anything that I don’t want to do. Remember that shit.” His voice carried a sharp edge. The tightness of his jaw let me know that he meant business.

We all climbed into the SUV. There was casual conversation on the ride to my parents. Everyone was outside of my parents’ house when we pulled up. It felt like they were waiting for me to see if I really would arrive with a man. I hadn’t spoken to my mother or sister since her shower.

The driver opened Daylen’s door first so he and Rashad could get out first. Rashad stayed on that side to help Rissa out while Daylen came to my side to open my door.

He opened the door, then extended his hand to me.

I took it and climbed out. Daylen towered directly in front of me. “Relax, beautiful. Let’s be in love.”

My entire heart stopped when he cupped my cheeks, tilted my head back, then kissed my lips. Play it cool, Simonette. He didn’t need to know that it was my first real kiss.

My hand went into his, then he turned around. We walked toward the crowd as they all looked at me like I was crazy. My father was the only one that wore a smile.

“Wow, Daylen Verse and Rashad Goings. It’s so nice to meet you two,” my father greeted. They shook his hand. I was too busy trying to figure out how my father knew them without an introduction.

Daylen smiled brightly at my father. “It’s nice to finally meet you, sir.” He peeked at me. “Go speak to your sister and mom, babe.”

“Oh, yeah. Hi, Daddy.” I gave him a hug before I moved over to my mother, sister, and their minions.

Rissa was right next to me. The men in the bridal party moved to join my daddy, Rashad, and Daylen. The sour expression on the women’s faces didn’t escape me.

My sister crossed her arms over her augmented breasts. “So, your man is Daylen Verse, and you didn’t want anyone to know that? Really?”

It was like robbery to compliment my appearance, but I wasn’t surprised. I was so confused. How does everyone know him? Where did they get Verse from? “Yes, my life is not for public consumption. This is Rissa.”

Before I could continue, Rissa cut in. “Hey! I’m her bestie and Daylen’s lil’ sister.”

My mother’s head bucked back some. “If you’re my daughter’s best friend, then why are we just meeting you? I would think that my daughter would introduce me to her best friend.”

With a smile that I already knew meant it might go left, Rissa responded. “It’s not her fault that we haven’t met. I prefer not to meet people who don’t like my best friend. You know, it might put tension in our friendship if I crashed out on her evil momma and sister.”

“Now, you wait a minute!” My mother’s face reddened. My mother’s skin tone was lighter than mine, while mine matched my father’s. Her finger went up, but she didn’t get a chance to finish her statement.

“Alright, everyone, let’s get going!” My father came over to instruct. “Baby girl, go ahead with Day. We’ll meet you at the airport.”

My sister stepped forward. “They’re not riding with us?”

“Why would we ride with y’all when we came in our own transportation? There are three additional passengers than expected,” Rissa pointed out. “We’d rather not be elbow to elbow in a Sprinter.”

Arms wrapped around my waist from behind and lips kissed my neck. “You ready to go, babe? Oh, I’m being rude.” Daylen stepped to my side. “You must be Sim’s mom and sister.”

“Yes, I’m her sister,” Lanette said a little more flirtatiously than I thought was appropriate. I was taken aback because her fiancé was like fifteen feet away.

Daylen pulled me into his side. “Damn, I had that shit backwards. Well, anyway, cool to meet y’all finally.”

My sister’s face was flushed. I wanted to laugh and would have, but Daylen pulled me away first. My father kissed my forehead before Daylen took me to the SUV. When we all got in and were headed to the airport, I shifted in my seat. “Daylen, how does everyone already know who you and Rashad are?”