Page 46 of Trading In A Broken Heart

“Happy birthday, baby brother,” I told Grim when I leaned down and pecked him on the cheek.

“Thanks.”

“Where’s Luxe?”

He shrugged and replied, “She said something about not feeling good.”

Imani tossed herself on the couch next to him and snatched his bottle. He cut his eyes at her but didn’t speak a word.

“Happy birthday, goofy,” she said and turned the bottle up.

“Hey, y’all.” I spoke to Wren and Aria before going over there with my brothers. Stepping behind them, I rested my hands against their backs, gaining both of their attention. “Y’all do know that it’s a party. You can relax.”

“Y’all can relax ’cause we’re always ten steps ahead,” Wicked replied. His lips pressed against my temple, and then he turned his attention back to the crowded club.

“Where that bitch-ass husband of yours?” Maniac questioned me.

“Working,” was the only response he got. I wasn’t trying to turn a good time into a hard one.

Stepping away from them, I went over and mixed a cup of liquor. I was on my third cup by the time my bladder was full.

“I’m going to the bathroom!” I yelled at Imani, and she nodded, not removing her eyes from her phone. She’d been sitting there, typing away at her screen for the last fifteen minutes. I just know she was arguing with that bum, but I was gon’ mind my business for now.

Getting up from my seat, I left the section in search of the restroom. Finally, I found it toward the back. There was a line outside the door.

“Shit,” I mumbled under my breath.

This was one of the things that I hated about going out. There was no telling how long you’d have to wait to go to the bathroom. My bladder felt as if it was gon’ explode. If they didn’t hurry up, I was certain that I’d piss myself.

I stood there at the back of the line, waiting, bouncing. There were at least six women in front of me. I leaned around to see if the line was moving, and it wasn’t.

“Screw this.” I ran around the line into the bathroom.

“Hey!” I heard someone yell behind me. Fuck them. I was about to pee myself.

“Sorry,” I tossed over my shoulder as I ran smooth into a stall that I saw someone come out of. It was a bit funky in there. She definitely needed to wash herself properly or take a trip to the doctor. Holding my breath, I lifted my dress, pushed my panties down, and squatted over the toilet.

Once I was done, I left the stall and washed my hands. Everyone standing outside the bathroom was frowning with their arms folded. I wasn’t worried about them, though, because neither one of them could whup my ass.

“Bitch.” One of the women stepped behind me. She had to be close for me to hear exactly what she said over the loud music.

I turned, and she stood there with her arms crossed over her chest, wearing a scowl.

“Watch your fucking mouth,” I warned. One thing I didn’t play about was disrespect.

“You cut the line.”

“And? I was about to pee myself. You really worried about a line? If you had to use the bathroom so bad, you’d be in there instead of trying to confront me.”

“Who the fuck do you think you are? You gotta wait in line just like everybody else. You walking around here with that fake-ass jewelry on and think you’re special.” The women standing behind her snickered, and I guessed they were fueling her delusion because she kept going. “Where you got that dress from? Rainbow?”

“Saks Fifth, actually,” I said, folding my arms.

The chick erupted in laughter as if I’d said something funny. She was standing here in stripper attire. Of course, she wouldn’t know what Saks Fifth looked like.

“Girl, please.” She waved me off.

The bottle girl passed, and I grabbed the Remy bottle off the tray. A guy walked up and draped his arm around her neck.