Page 24

“I know you fuckin’ lying, Hilary!” I screamed, laughing my ass off.

“Whatever, girl! Listen to me sang this shit!”

She gripped that mic and started singing her heart out—off-key, loud as hell, and all the way into it. I could tell from the look on her face that she was calling that man.

“Sing it with me, y’all!” she hollered, holding the mic out.

Selene’s wild ass got up there with her, singing just as off-key and loud. Devyn was crying laughing beside me. Shaina had her eyes glued to her phone, grinning. I knew she wouldn’t be here much longer. Her husband, Zay, was probably on his way to pick her up. I stood, vibing with my girls and singing along without a care.

When Devyn grabbed the mic, I knew Toni Braxton was the song choice. My girl couldn’t hold a tune to save her life, but she was into it. In the middle of her performance, her husband called, and she started singing to him, blocking our asses out.

“Dev, baby, you are just gone in the head,” Parker said, taking another shot.

“Down bad,” I replied. “Did all that running her mouth to be on FaceTime with the man, singing to him.”

“I’m gonna see you soon, baby. These bitches hating on our love,” Devyn said, rolling her eyes at us.

I looked around the room, but I didn’t see Selene. I heard her voice loud and clear from the kitchen, though. She had to be arguing with her husband. I walked around the corner slowly, being the nosey ass little sister I’d always been and listened.

“Khalil, I’m not with no nigga! I’m with my sisters. Listen, I’m not gonna keep having this same argument every time I decide to go outside… You created this shit. I don’t trust you either. You keep threatening divorce. What the fuck do you want me to do? Beg? You know what? I’ll talk to you later. I’m not gon’ let you ruin my fuckin’ night.”

When she turned around, I was standing against the wall. She shook her head and laughed.

“I guess you heard all that,” she said, leaning against the counter.

“I heard enough. You know I don’t get in you and Khalil’s shit, but are you good? Are my nieces good? Do you need anything?”

“I’m good, Sav. The girls are good. I came out because I wanted to have some fun. Come on. Pour me another shot.”

I walked over and grabbed her hand. “I love you, Lene. If you need me, for anything at all, call me.”

“I love you too. But I’m good. Let’s enjoy this night.”

When we came back into the living room, Shaina walked over to me with a mic. She shoved it in my hand, and I just stood there, waiting to see what she was up to.

“Y’all know Sav can do a lil’ something. I used to have her sing this song for me. Savi, you know what song I’m talking about?” Shaina asked.

I stood there stuck because I didn’t know what she was talking about. That was until I heard the beat drop.

“You can’t be serious, Shaina. You want me to sing this song?”

“Yesss, please, baby sister! You even started liking the song. Sang it with your whole chest. This was me and Zay’s song. Pleaseee!” she begged.

I dragged my feet to stand up in front of everybody. While I stood there, I remembered why I started singing that song with my whole chest. Summer 2011 was crazy. I was in love for the first time, and all the songs Shaina and Selene put me on to became the soundtrack of my little heart. The instrumental of “Thug Style” started playing, and every memory attached to that summer flooded through for just a moment. When I finally finished singing and opened my eyes, Selene and Shaina were staring at me with crazy ass looks on their faces.

“That damn Juvie,” Selene said, shaking her head.

“Wait! Who the hell is Juvie?” Devyn asked, looking between them.

“Nobody,” I said quickly.

“Oh, he’s somebody.” Shaina giggled. “Somebody that’s in her head, but she keeps denying it.”

“Denying what?” I shot back. “He’s literally nobody to me now.”

“Oh, hell naw! Give us the tea, bitch,” Hilary said, folding her arms.

“Yup… I’m all ears,” Parker added.