Page 6 of Three of Hearts

"Who?" I asked, following her eyes to a tall, handsome man walking out of the men's restroom.

"Nikki, what a coincidence," he said, walking up. I felt her mood shift. Whoever this was had her on edge.

"Yeah, wild. What are you doing here, Myles?" she snapped.

"Oh, I'm Myles now?" he smirked, making her pinch the bridge of her nose. "I'm here enjoying myself just like you and your friend here. Aren't you going to introduce us?"

"Denise, this is my boss. Mr. Cooper." I nodded my head to be courteous, but I was on whatever time Nikki was on.

"Would you ladies…"

"Nigga move the fuck out the way!" someone yelled at him. He was blocking the walkway, causing a pileup of people who looked pissed. We were next in line and started moving forward in the opposite direction.

"See you at work on Monday," Nikki said, half laughing, as he reluctantly walked away.

After we used the restroom and made it back to the section, Nikki briefed Raina and Gina on the run in with her boss while I let the ladies know I was texting Quincy to come get us because Ididn't trust our drunk asses in the car with a stranger. Learning she had a one-night stand with her boss confirmed she was Lynn, just out here doing shit for the plot. I was bitter about the fact he interrupted our conversation. I was pretty sure she was going to ask if Quincy and I had ever had a threesome, and I was drunk enough to open the invitation. Now the moment had passed, and I didn't know if there would be another opportunity to bring the topic back up in a way that wasn't awkward. I chalked it up to maybe it just wasn't meant to be.

Chapter 6

Quincy

Iwas in our rental SUV before Niecy could send me the address. When she texted me asking me to come get them, I had a moment of panic. I was able to relax a little when she sent a follow-up text saying everything was fine and that they just had a little too much to drink and didn't feel comfortable taking an Uber. I was grateful for my wife's discernment even though she had been drinking. I was even more grateful for it when I arrived at the club and saw the parking lot sprawled out before me like a minefield, clusters of bodies and old school Cadillacs, the kind of parlaying that always went left after a certain hour. I always kept my piece on me back home, and I was feeling naked out here without it, my empty waistband a reminder of my vulnerability. I shot Niecy a quick text letting her know I was here. Minutes later I saw her and the girls walk out, but a man was walking with them, too close for my liking. I was on alert immediately, my spine going rigid. I took a second to assess the dynamic before I reacted. They all stopped walking, but Nikki was the one who was talking to him, her shoulders squared in a way that didn't match the others. Body language told me they were familiar with each other, but her expression said she didn't want to be. I was going to mind my business until the exchange between them turned physical with him grabbing her ass and her palm cracking against his cheek.

I sighed and hopped out, making my way through the crowd gathered in the parking lot.

"Everything good over here?" I asked, moving Niecy back behind me.

"You should learn to mind your damn business. This doesn't concern you," he said, slurring his words, whiskey heavy on his breath.

"Nigga my wife and the women she's with tonight are my damn business. We got a problem?" I said, stepping in his space, close enough to smell the alcohol sweating through his pores. He sucked his teeth but couldn't look me in the eye, his gaze sliding everywhere but mine. He stepped back and directed his attention toward Nikki.

"Don't bother coming to work Monday. You're fired."

"You better hope I don't press charges, nigga. Fuck you and that job!" Nikki spat back, her voice trembling with adrenaline.

"Come on," I said to Nikki, moving her toward the car. Niecy grabbed her hand and pulled her along.

"Keep your muhfuckin hands to yourself. Goofy ass nigga," I said, eyeing him one last time.

Once everyone was back in the car, I assumed the incident would put a damper on their otherwise happy mood coming out of the club. Nikki had just lost her job and been sexually assaulted, but when I slid into the driver's seat they were all talking over each other, voices overlapping in a chaotic symphony.

"You slapped the shit outta him, Nik," Raina laughed.

"You know how long I've wanted to do that shit? I'm glad he gave me a reason low key," she responded.

"Nobody saw how quick I reached for my shit? You know I keep it in my purse," Gina said.

"That's what you were doing?" Niecy said, laughing. "I thought you lost something. I was like, what's this girl looking for?"

They all broke out in a fit of laughter, tears streaming down their faces. I took my opening to check that Nikki was really okay.

"Nikki, you sure you're good?" I asked, making eye contact through the rearview mirror.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you for coming to my defense. He bitched up real quick."

"Way too quick," I shook my head.

"Alright, my hotel bed is calling me. We out here acting twenty-one and shit. A bitch needs her beauty rest. I'm tired as hell," Raina yawned.