Page 7 of Ony If It’s You

Chapter Six

K ehlani

“Bitch what?!” I barked.

Looking behind us, Celeste closed the door to the small office that we were standing in. I had just noticed the ring that was on my finger. It was big and beautiful, but on my left ring finger meaning…

“Shh, calm down.”

“Calm down?” I repeated, rearing my head back. “You want me to calm down after you just told me that I was fucking…”

“Where is she?” Brooke screamed. Doors were opening and closing and the voices were getting closer with each slammed door.

“Where is that… there you are.” She stormed over toward us pointing her finger in my face.

“Really, Kehlani? You’re that self-absorbed that not only did you abandon me on the night of my bachelorette party for some random dick, but you got married on the same day that I’m set to marry? ”

“What, girl?” I knocked her hand down because I didn’t play that touching my face shit, friend or not. “Nobody abandoned you last night for dick, what the hell are you talking about?”

“Oh, please bitch.” Brooke scoffed, looking me up and down. “You show up late to my wedding covered in fucking hickeys, wearing a wedding ring and shit like you’re right. My sister and cousin told me how the two of you were out hoeing last night.”

“Bitch, fuck you, your sister, and your cousin,” Celeste spat.

“Nobody abandoned your sorry ass. You were sloppy drunk, so we all agreed to leave. When we got to the elevator, they basically forced us off of the shit claiming to not want to stop the fun just because your ass was sick. We tried to insist, but we weren’t begging to care for your wack ass. ”

“Yeah right.” Shifting her weight to the other hip, Brooke folded her arms in front of her under her breasts. “You expect me to believe that you of all people insisted on making sure that I was okay.”

Celeste shrugged. “I don’t really give a fuck what you believe. That’s what it was.”

“Like I said yeah fucking right.” Brooke’s gaze then shifted to me. “You just can’t help it, huh?”

“What are you even talking about, Brooke?” I asked, narrowing my eyes into slits. I was hungover and wanted to be anywhere but her little makeshift ass wedding, but I was here.

“I’m talking about how you hate for the attention to be on anyone but you. This weekend was supposed to be all about me, yet you go and get married to a celebrity boxer, having that shit flood the media and take the attention off the reason that we’re here in the first place—me!”

When she put it like that I did feel bad. Even though I hadn’t seen anything on social media, I was sure that it was all over every major station and site just because it was Javyous Goldsmith.

“Brooke, it wasn’t like that. We were all drunk and… honestly, I don’t even remember what happened after they took you upstairs. I know that both Celeste and I tried to come up too, but they were the ones who insisted we stay.”

“Well, I don’t believe you. I know my sister and cousin wouldn’t lie to me about something like that.

I should have listened to them and Lance when they told me that you were just as jealous of me as Celeste’s hating ass.

I knew you didn’t care for me though. I was just waiting for you to show me your true colors. ”

Celeste snickered while I once again reared my head back at this girl’s words because she had lost her damn mind. I understood her being upset initially, but she was pushing it and me. I didn’t allow people to disrespect me and talk to me crazy.

“I’m sorry, jealous?” I really needed clarity because that was a joke.

“Yes jealous .” She put extra emphasis on the word. “You always have been.”

“What do you really have for either of us to be jealous of?” I asked her, again needing clarity.

“For starters, I’m not a baby mama.”

“Yet I am and doing better that you in every aspect of life.”

I was a humble person and didn’t really like to throw the things that I had and my blessings in other people’s faces. If anything, I tried to use what I had to bless others, but this bitch was pushing it.

“How, girl? Money isn’t everything.”

“Says the woman with her hand always out,” I spat. “Look Brooke, I didn’t do anything to intentionally hurt you nor did I want to ruin your day. We came here to celebrate you, that’s why I’m here now.”

“Wait.” She laughed. “You think I would still allow your wack ass to be a part of my wedding? You can’t be serious.”

That was the last slick remark I was going to let slide.

I was done trying to explain myself and definitely wasn’t going to kiss her ass.

Before I even had a chance to set her straight and say anything, there was a big commotion.

As I turned to look in the direction of the door, in walked Javyous, his cousin Dominique, and the older man that Celeste told me was Javyous’s uncle.

What were they doing here? How did they even know where to find us?

I didn’t have to wonder long. When I glanced Celeste’s way, she was wearing a big goofy grin and eyeing Dominique. Nudging her, I broke her little stare down and scowled at her. I knew I was going to have to speak to him eventually, but now wasn’t the time.

“Kehlani, I need to holla at you.”

The sound of Javyous’s voice sent chills down my spine and moisture directly to my center. I hadn’t remembered much of what happened last night, but the way he’d handled me and made love to my body was something that honestly couldn’t be forgotten.

“I’m talking to my friend. It’s her?—”

Brooke cut me off. “No, we’re done talking and we’re done being friends. You and your little murderer need to get the fuck out.”

“Excuse me?” Celeste and I took a step forward at the same time, but we were both grabbed from behind.

“That ain’t move you want to make, li’l mama,” JV said in my ear.

“Exactly, listen to your little thugged out, fake ass husband. I will have you ruined just as bad as his ass is,” Brooke taunted.

The moment JV loosened his grip a bit, I rushed out of his hold and popped Brooke in her mouth.

I wasn’t playing when I said that I wasn’t for any more of her disrespect.

She was talking out the side of her neck and too fuckin’ much for my liking.

I wasn’t confrontational, but I was very far from scary and Brooke knew that.

I had saved her ass millions of times from bitches when were kids.

“Shit, maybe this isn’t a good idea,” the uncle mumbled. “JV, Dominique, grab the ladies and let’s go.”

He walked out first followed by Celeste and Dominique, then we followed shortly after.

“You’re dead to me, Lani, and you’re going to regret this. I promise you that.”

Ignoring her, we kept our stride out of the building. We had already drawn a crowd and I expected that it wouldn’t have been ideal for Javyous to be connected to any drama right now.

There was an Escalade waiting out front, so the five of us climbed in and pulled away. There was an awkward, uncomfortable silence that surrounded us as we rode before the uncle spoke up.

“Hello ladies, I’m Preston or Pres as this one likes to call me.” He tossed his head in the direction of Javyous before he extended his hand for us to shake.

Celeste and I took turns accepting his hand and introducing ourselves.

“Celeste.”

“Kehlani.”

“Nice to meet you ladies.” His smile was so genuine and sincere. “I wish the circumstances were a little better.”

“Right.” I sighed. “What is this about?”

“Well, it seems that you and my nephew here have gotten yourselves in quite a pickle.”

My gaze traveled to Javyous whose eyes were locked onto me. I’d felt him staring the entire time that we were in the car, but I was avoiding looking his way.

“Yeah, we have, but I plan to take care of it as soon as we get back home.”

“Take care of it?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes, sir. I plan to have the whole thing annulled.”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Javyous mumbled, shifting in his seat. He had been quiet this entire time, but he responded to that. And that made me feel a way especially considering that this whole thing had probably been his idea.

“Well, about that…” Mr. Pres’ hand landed on mine. “JV is in the middle of cleaning up his image. He met with an image consultant and she recommended that he get into a committed relationship. There is no bigger commitment than marriage.”

I pursed my lips and tilted my head to the side. I just knew that he wasn’t asking me what I thought that he was asking.

“E-exc-cuse me?” I stumbled over my words. “W-what are you saying exactly? What are you asking me?”

I felt my breathing increase as I waited for his response. The car was silent and it made me uneasy. It was like we were all anticipating his response.

“Well, it’s really quite simple, sweetheart.” Pres smiled. “I’m asking that you stay married to my nephew.”

“What?” Javyous and I shouted at the same time.

“Absolutely not.”

“That’s not what we talked about, Unc.”

“Shut the hell up, JV.” Pres grimaced. “I spoke to Cheryl and she agrees that this is just what you need. Now of course we would need to meet with her so that we can get a solid agreement drawn up because we want it to be fair on both ends, of course.”

“Wait, wait, wait.” I held up my hand to stop him. “The way that you’re saying it suggests that the decision has already been made and I don’t have a choice.”

“Well of course you do, but I do hope that you will at least take some time to consider the offer we present to you. I know this probably isn’t what you dreamed as a little girl, but if you’ll consider, I promise to make it more than worth it.”

I was floored to say the least. I couldn’t believe that not only had I gotten married while I was in Vegas, but they were actually asking me to consider staying in the relationship?

I knew nothing about this man, even considering that he was a celebrity.

I only knew who he was because he came from the same town as me and because of the bad news of him almost killing a man looming over his head.