“Unh-uh. No. I got important business to take care of, and I don’t need to be worrying about you in Vegas somewhere with your sister. I want you here when I get back.”
“People in hell want ice water but everybody can’t get what they want.” I went over to the vanity, leaned over, and sank my teeth into her shoulder. “Trae, please, that hurts.”
Her eyes were getting watery. I released her shoulder and kissed her on the very spot that I just bit. “No Vegas. And be here when I get back.”
18
TASHA
As soon as Trae left, I pulled out my bags, got to packing, and was headed for the door. Trina had booked us suites at the Bellagio in Vegas, my late cousin Stephon’s favorite spot, may he rest in peace. She’d also put together an itinerary that included a day of pampering, a night of clubbing, and a night of gambling. We were only going to be gone for three days. I figured I would go have my fun and beat him back. But if not, oh, well. Fuck Trae!
“Rosalind Tasha Macklin, I am tired of hearing you bash Trae. I know you are angry at him for fucking other bitches, but trust me, you don’t want to let that destroy your marriage. He loves the hell out of you, Tasha. You know how many women, including myself, wish they had that? And how soon we forget, you fucked a nigga, so now y’all even. You done put the dogs on the little Chinese bitch, so let it go. Once we step foot off this plane, I don’t want to hear Trae’s name. It’s all about Stephon. We are here to celebrate him.”
“Trina, that’s easy for you to say. You didn’t read those diary pages, but I did. He was fucking that ho and throwing rose petals down and shit. My stomach churns at the thought. I hate him right about now.”
“Tasha, dead that shit and burn it. You don’t even know if that shit is true. And bitch, you was pregnant by his mans! Not some ole regular nigga. His fam, that he has been trying to kill. So shit, the score is even! You gotta let this shit go. I’m telling you, you’re gonna run him away.”
“Run him away? He’s running his own self away by maintaining a relationship with a bitch he was fuckin’. That bitch worships him, and believe me, he gets off on that bullshit.”
“Tasha, the bitch is on life support, fighting for her life. How is she going to worship some nigga? You’re allowing that ho to get all in your head. The minute we step off of this plane, I don’t want you to say the word Trae. I want you to unwind . . . relax. It’s only for three days. Damn! Three days!”
“I heard you, Trina.”
“Good. Now, let me do a little ranting.” She lowered her voice. “Jameer is still missing. Tasha, don’t lie to me. Do you think this has something to do with the dogs? I mean, why all of a sudden, now? I knew I shouldn’t have hooked y’all up.”
“Now you’re sounding stupid. How the hell is this going to have something to do with the dogs? Did he know the Chinese bitch? Did he know any of her people? Hell, no! You don’t even really know him! You said he was into all types of shit. Does he have another girl?”
“He’s got a baby mama . . .”
I began to tune my sister out. Needless to say, she kept talking about Jameer until we got off the plane, all the way until we walked into the Bellagio. Whoaaaa! We stepped into the spacious marble foyer with the prettiest glass chandelier I ever saw. The shit was bling-blinging so hard I could hardly see. We were welcomed with fresh fruit, flowers, nuts, and assorted chocolates. Nice touch. She’d booked us a villa at the hotel, and we checked in at the front desk. We were escorted to a European-designed three-bedroom, five-bath, heavenly domain. Our suite had a workout room, a massage room, a dry sauna, a full kitchen, a dining room, a full bar, and dual fireplaces, topped off with a gorgeous private terrace and garden with a pool and whirlpool.
It is about to go down! I saw why Stephon loved this spot and treated himself often. Trae who? I was getting ready to enjoy some me time, right there in the