Page 91 of Search My Soul (Taylor Family Saga #3)
“You’re funny as fuck. I just made a million dollars this morning, lil baby. This shit right here is chump change. However, I’m not in the mood to catch a body tonight and that’s exactly what’s gonna happen if one of these fools try to take your shit.
“And you can give her those numbers if you want to. Just know those niggas better be bulletproof fucking around with this one,” Soul warned the DJ. My eyes widened in surprise because I hadn’t expected him to say that.
“Naw, I’m cool on that. You got it, Grim.
” The two of them dapped each other up as Soul placed the bag on his shoulder.
The crowd dispersed back to their sections and some to the dance floor.
The party resumed as we headed back to our section.
Soul carried Peaches bag as well until we got to the section.
I watched as he handed the bags to two of his workers and handed them a set of keys.
I expected him to walk off toward his guest but instead he followed us over to where Normandee and Puma were dancing.
“When y’all get ready to head out, let me know so I can make sure you get your money.” I nodded at his instructions then focused my attention on my girls. They were all cheering and high fiving Peaches and me.
“I already knew my sis was gonna show out, but Peaches! Girl, you need to be in somebody’s music video asap. My God girl. I wanted to throw some money myself,” Puma exclaimed.
“Girl, please don’t gas me up.”
“No, she isn’t lying. I was over here drooling myself,” Normandee expressed.
“It’s funny y’all say that because I got an email about being in a music video. I’ve been playing around with the idea, but I’m not sure yet.”
“What are you afraid of? I heard video vixens make bank, and a face and body like yours should definitely be on the big screens.” My cousins were drop-dead gorgeous, and I’ve been telling them they needed to model for years.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a second?” I turned to see Soul’s little guest standing next to me.
My first mind was to tell her no because we had nothing to talk about.
Hell, Soul still hadn’t even told anyone her name, so she was truly irrelevant.
However, I was curious to know what she wanted to talk to me about, so I agreed.
“Sure.” I followed her to a spot in the section that was vacant. I felt someone staring, and I didn’t have to look to know it was Soul.
“I understand that some relationships are difficult to let go of but as women we have to be mindful of how we carry ourselves,” she stated. I stared at her blankly, not understanding what she was saying.
“Hello, my name is Neeya, and you are?” Clearly, the bitch lacked manners, and I needed her to know I wasn’t the one to try it with.
“My apologies. My name is Malay. I’m Soul’s woman,” she replied smugly.
“Congratulations. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Yes, you can stay away from my man. I noticed you’ve been all over him all night as if you didn’t know he had a woman.”
“I’m gonna give you a pass because I’m assuming your man hasn’t told you how I get down.
I’m not sure where you saw me being all over him, but that never happened.
Your man asked for my drink order and your man escorted me back to the section on his own.
If you have an issue with how close we were, then you should have taken that up with him.
Although, I’m sure you wouldn’t do that since you never spoke up when he failed to introduce you when you came in here.
Another bitch’s insecurities have nothing to do with me, and I need you to know that. ”
“I know everyone wasn’t raised with a mother who taught them how to carry?—”
“I would be careful with my words if I were you because I’ll beat your ass up and down this club, and guess who will be right there at the station with bail money?
Your nigga. Now, if I were you, I would walk away while you still have an ounce of dignity left because you and I both know if I ask Soul to go home with me he would.
You don’t have any reason to be approaching me because I’m not a threat to you, but I could be, so keep it cute.
” I didn’t bother to wait for her to respond because if she said one more word, I might have rocked her shit.
“What was that about?” Normandee asked.
“Soul’s little friend was upset because her man was too close to me. I walked away without her wig in my hands so she should be thankful.”
“Thank God for growth because I would have tongued him down right in front of her. Don’t check me about a nigga I used to fart on at night,” Puma voiced, causing everybody to laugh.
“I’m not about to argue over any man, but the fact that she pulled me to the side to check me when her man is walking around here acting as if she doesn’t exist is crazy. She needs to direct her energy to the right person.”
“You want me to whup her ass cousin?” Peaches yelled over the music. She had an empty shot glass in her hand, so I already knew not to mess with her.
“Let her make it, Cous. Her man is probably gonna fuck her tonight while thinking about me. She’s already suffering.” I shrugged then headed over to the table to make myself another drink. I probably shouldn’t have but the conversation with ol’ girl ruined my buzz.
While I was fixing my drink, I felt the presence of someone behind me. I smelled the familiar scent of his cologne, so I knew who it was.
“You good?” he whispered in my ear. My body shivered, but I played it off.
“Never better.” We locked eyes, but then he took a moment to observe me.
“You want to tell me what that was about over there?” Soul nodded over to his friend who was standing by the exit with her arms crossed.
“Why don’t you ask your girlfriend?”
“I don’t have a girlfriend, so I can’t do that. Now are you gonna tell me what happened?” The serious expression on his face told me now wasn’t the time to play.
“She wasn’t happy with our interactions with one another. I don’t know why she decided to take it up with me, but I let her know that she had nothing to worry about.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, she obviously feels uncomfortable about us being close, so I gave her the reassurance she needed.” Soul peered at me as if he didn’t believe me.
“And how did you do that exactly?”
“I told her that she has nothing to worry about. If I wanted to drag my pussy across your face, I would have already done it. However, I’m nobody’s homewrecker, so she’s safe.” I shrugged, taking my drink down my throat in two swallows.
“You’re wild as hell. I apologize for her coming at you like that. We don’t have a title, so she had no reason to do that. I’ll talk to her about it though. Now what makes you think you have the option to drag your pussy across my face as you so eloquently put it?” A smirk spread across his face.
“Tell me I can’t,” I replied, causing his eyes to widen.
Soul rubbed the side of his beard with his head tilted.
Being this close to him after so many months was sending my hormones into overdrive, but I meant what I said.
Even if he claimed they weren’t official, I would never be a booty call to a man who used to be mine.
Besides, I was in a relationship of my own, and I shouldn’t have been entertaining Soul at all. I was gonna blame it on the liquor.
“I guess you got me there. I’m gonna let it go because I’m not even tryna take it there with you.
I’m happy to see you out though. You look good, and I can see the light returning to your eyes.
We might not be as close, but I’m always in your corner.
We’re connected for life,” he declared with his hand on the pendant around his neck.
Subconsciously, I ran my hand over the matching one around my neck.
“Enjoy your night, Juicy. Don’t forget to come see me before you leave.
” Soul winked then swaggered away. I watched him walk away for a moment, reflecting on the bond we shared.
I never would have predicted that our lives would play out this way, and there was a part of me that wondered if this was truly the end for us.
In my heart, I knew I would always end up comparing every man to him and it wouldn’t be fair to them.
Even though I appreciated my friendship with Darion, he wasn’t Soul.
He had the power to leave his mark even when he left my presence.
His love was addictive and obsessive. It wasn’t something that could be compared or duplicated.