Cumberland County and courting the world at large is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make for yourself. Your hands may have written the check, but it was your mind that cashed it. Never prioritize your gift over your ability to think. Your mind is the most valuable asset at your disposal.”
Meditating on his energy, I decided to take Raj’s advice. I called up Uppercut, begging for his training again first. When he agreed, I packed up my apartment and left Cumberland County, swearing to never return again.
I had the whole world to court.
-NOW-
“Is that one in the middle Tori?”
I glance up from my iPad to see Keyonna peering out of the window of the plane at the group of people quickly promenading to the jet, trying to endure the rain. Several of them are with umbrellas, covering their faces at this elevated view, but my attention goes to the woman wearing the red, pointy-toe heels. She’s holding a makeup case in one hand, Birkin hanging in the fold of her other arm.
I chuckle. “Looks like it.”
She’s a far cry from the tomboy with the busted ass weave I remembered the last semester of my undergraduate career. Tori’s now a diva, something I recall being antsy about when buying her designer shit back at BSU.
“Wow,” she breathes, eyes turning timid as they blink successively. “She looks smaller than she does on television. I wonder if it’s because we’re so high on the plane. I can’t wait to see her—meet her.” She rolls her gorgeous chestnut irises, fingering out her long, bone-straight ponytail. I like the new look and hope I’ve told her. “God, I hope she’s not like that Gabrielle. She deserves a damn Oscar for how well she puts on for the public. I don’t think I’ve ever met a bigger bitch. You think Tori’s a snob?” she whispers. “You met her a few weeks back to talk about this trip.”
All humor drains from my face as it tightens. “You don’t remember Tori?”
Keyonna shakes her head. “Why would I?”
I guess thirteen years is a lifetime for everyone…but me and KaToria.
Exhaling and rearranging myself in the chair, I answer, “I guess that’s fair. But I believe you once told Aivery she was the biggest bitch God ever created.” I wink.
Keyonna drops her face into her palm. “And now I feel like shit. Thanks for the reminder.”
I find that hilarious. “My bad.”
“You still haven’t answered my question about Tori McNabb,” she whispers, understanding we’re sitting on a long-range jet paid for by KaToria McNabb to travel with her to the exclusive island of Kamigu for her training.
I think for a second before answering, “The Tori McNabb you’re about to meet will likely be vastly different from the woman she may possibly be.”
Her chin dips and eyes narrow. “Please don’t go scholar-Spencer on me right now. I’m about to meet the Tori McNabb. Be real, sir.”
I chuckle as the McNabb party begins to board the aircraft. “That, you are.”
Those gorgeous eyes roll again. “Here. Let me readjust that.” Keyonna reaches over and turns the cooling pad on my shoulder. “I have the TENS machine here if you need it.”
We don’t know where I’ll need the relief, because the pain in my shoulder and legs is random. Sometimes, I go months without an ache; then there are bouts where I’m in pain for days. My therapist tells me there’s no rhyme or reason for it. Today, it’s simply a matter of the rainy weather.
Several members of her team have already been seated like we have. I’m assuming those boarding now are the last, as we’re due to take off at exactly seven-forty this morning. We’re sitting closer to the front of the plane, where assigned. So as the group is boarding, they say hello. I can hear Keyonna, who’s leaning over the table separating us to adjust my pad, return greetings.
“Good morning!” Keyonna bids after someone speaks.
“Hi…” When her voice turns extra soprano, my whole body goes tense.
Or maybe because her presence, after all these years, still fucks with me. Keyonna retracts, sitting back down in her chair, bringing into view a tall, femininely curved woman in an ivory cropped blazer, white silk blouse, gray pencil skirt exposing her tailored waistline, and red pointy-toe pumps. KaToria still rocks a natural ponytail, wild and beautifully fro-like to the back of her head. Her face is contoured, cheeks highlighted, eyes well defined, and full lips matching her shoes.
“Ashton.” She takes in a deep breath, both