Page 164 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“Scary ass–you, not him.”

“How I’m scary?!” I put my phone back in my clutch and take out some gum. It’s been awhile, so I don’t think chewing some will give me a headache. Besides, we can’t stay in this bathroom forever, and no matter how much they think they’re airing out a room, the kush they smoke clings to them like lint.

“If you serious about Luney cuz, he gon’ have to come around one day, or you gon’ go ghost. Just like Coach is one and done, putting up the blue rag for a Brioni suit. Don’t be like him.”

“Coach can’t be a rapper and run the Council, Red. I’m sure there’s some ancient law against that.”

Red just shrugs, and picks up his phone to start taking selfies. “Maybe. I’on know, I ain’t in that shit. Besides, we talkin’ about you. Whatchu gon’ do when it’s your album release party? Cuz ain’t gon’ come support you? Do you want him to?”

“Why are you asking these loaded ass questions? You on something?”

His grin grows in the mirror. “Maybe, maybe not. But still, Twin. Don’t you want yo nigga to be there front row, center, at all yo accomplishments? If not, why the fuck y’all together then?”

I snatch his phone, and go through the pictures he has, favoriting the ones he should post. “I don’t discuss such things with my brother.”

“Ay, don’t make my ears bleed.” He tries to mush me on my forehead before opening the bathroom door for me so we can finally leave. I hand him his phone, and instead of going to the back, we walk to the VIP section roped off for the party, where Turk, Autumn, and Patience already are.

Red’s words dance around my head as I hug my loved ones. Soon, these same people will be celebrating me. Will Rico also be absent?

I never asked him to come with me tonight. I know my man, and even if he’s showing exponential growth by not being the crazy stalker-type man I know he’s capable of, I wouldn’t dare have him in the same room as someone I’ve hunched before. Especially if it’s their special night.

I get enough of him swearing everyone and their mom wants me.

But what happens when it’s me? I almost don’t want to ask and he says no. And when I try to imagine it, it looks… weird. Having all my lives together in one place. Wyn the sister, Wynter Snow the rapper, Rico’s Snow, Wynter, South Kenton’s Ice Princess.

My head starts to pound, and I lean over the trash to spit out my gum.

“You good?” Auty asks, snaking her arm around mine and trying to inconspicuously check my pupils.

I buck my eyes at her just as the lights go low, and pull her hand off my arm. “Girl. You’re being weird.”

“I know you don’t say anything when Rico checks on you,” Auty snaps, folding her arms.

“Squinting to see if my pupils are dilated when it’s dim in here and you’re blind as a bat isn’t ‘checking’ on me, Auty. I’d rather you be extra weird and just ask me if I’m high or drunk.”

“Maaaan–” Turkey starts, but Auty cuts him off.

“Okay. Fine. Well, are you? You were back there a long time.”

“Autumn!” Patience hisses, looking around. Other people probably are paying attention, but Auty doesn’t give a fuck about that. Not with how she glares at me.

Just to fuck with her, I wipe my nostrils like I just did a bump, never taking my eyes off hers. Then, I slowly blow my breath into my hand then smell it. “I guess the gum covered the tequila breath good, huh?”

“Stop fuckin’ with her Wyn,” Turkey intones, but I just roll my eyes hard.

“No, Autumn Night, I did not break my sobriety. Your sacrifice of sending me away is still intact.”

“You know, you’re being funny, but if I’d never sent you to Belize, I’d probably still be friends with Rico.”

The cackle I let out is automatic, as I cut my eyes at my sister before turning to face her fully. “No one is stopping you from being friends with Rico but your own ego. You’ve met Mars, and you love him. You’re the one still holding onto anger; don’t blame me.”

“So, you really–”

“No!” I snap, holding my hands out. “God! Get over yourself, Auty. Stop making everything about you. Like, we’re at a fucking album listening party. Why the fuck are we talking about how you’re ignoring Rico?”

Patience smoothly steps between us and pulls me closer to the wall, away from Auty. I can still feel my sister’s glare, even as I’m sure Turkey is trying to calm her down, but I shake it off. The VIP bar is in my line of sight, but I avert my eyes, taking out my phone and going to my text thread with Rico.

“Aw, was that in Belize?”