Upside Down In Love

by Dominique Thomas

  Laurie nodded with empathetic eyes. She pulled Novah to her side and playfully kissed her cheek.

  “My mother once told me that nothing was in vain. The problems Carter put you through will only make you stronger. Your pain, your tears none of it will be for nothing. A good man is coming and when he gets to you, men like Carter will make you appreciate him so much more. Just watch,” Laurie told her.

  Novah nodded with a small smile on her face.

  “I’ma hold your momma to that,” Novah said quietly making Laurie and herself snicker.

  House note: 1800

  Kids daycare: 2000

  Football: 1200

  Spa mortgage: 1100

  Novah stopped jotting down her bills to look up at her bestfriend. Billie had started out her nemesis. They’d both been vying for the same skinny ass boy in grade school. He’d dated both of them even kissed Novah in between classes which made her feel extra special. Once word spread that they was both his girlfriend they were ready to fight. Novah and Billie met up in the locker room and battled it out. Fought hard for the boy that was playing both of them. In the end they were both dumped by him for the sixth grader that was giving it up.

  In the midst of dealing with their first heartbreak they became friends. They now laughed at the silly ass story, but they wouldn’t change a thing about it. Silas with the big nose and handsome face had brought them together.

  Billie sat the Allure Boutique bags down onto the black marble top counter and grinned at Novah.

  “I’m here. I’m coming to the rescue,” she told her.

  Novah sat her pen down and gave her girl a onceover. Billie like always was runway ready. She wore a black custom bustier bodycon dress designed by her friend Mickey and she’d paired the look with Versace pumps and a small cutch. Billie’s dark honey blonde strands were up in a frilly bun with a few pieces falling in the front. She held a sexy, playful look to her visage as she stood before Novah.

  “You know I always love your presence, but did I ask you to come over? I planned on spending my Friday night in. I need to go over my bills and see what I can cut down.”

  Billie smiled. She began to go through the boutique bags while looking at Novah.

  “You didn’t have to ask me. I knew you needed your friend. My bestfriend antenna’s been going off all damn week. I could feel that a night out was coming so here I am. We have both been tired and stressed out but for tonight none of our problems will exist. No Carter and no Malachi. That’s the first and last time I’ll even speak they bitch ass names,” Billie replied.

  Novah smiled. She wanted to protest but Billie was right. They needed a night out. Shit they deserved one.

  “But are you cool with the club vibe?” Novah asked her girl.

  Billie had been clean, and she didn’t see it changing anytime soon but like always she wanted to be supportive of her friend. Novah never wanted to place her bestie in a position that would set her back. Going to the club wasn’t that damn important.

  “I mean we can stay in and order movies,” she suggested.

  Billie waved her off.

  “It’s not actually a club. It’s an upscale penthouse party. Like the who’s who of Michigan and shit but I was invited, nonetheless. It’s a chill vibe and people don’t be on that fake flossing shit, so you don’t have to worry about photos of us popping up online,” Billie assured her.

  Novah nodded. That was like music to her ears. She loved to be in the moment and relax. She didn’t want to have to look over her shoulder all night for the lurkers.

  “Okay, cool. So, what you bring me?”

  Billie laughed. She laid out the dresses for Novah and like a kid in the candy store Novah rushed over to the counter to look them over.

  “Mickey is too damn talented! I can’t wait for the world to get up on her,” Novah gushed.

  Billie nodded while smiling.

  “I know and she’s going to get her shine eventually. She’s too talented not to. What you want to wear?”

  Novah nibbled on her bottom lip as she looked the precious threads over. Her eyes zeroed in on the peachy latex nude spaghetti strap dress and her heart raced. It had been a while since she’d been grown and sexy. Life had been pulling her in every direction and mommy mode was all she seemed to be in at the moment. She grabbed the dress and Billie whistled.

  “Honey that ass bout to be popping out the dress,” Billie raved.

  Novah laughed. She wanted a drink, but because she was mindful of her girl, she chose to not pop the liquor out infront of her. Billie assured her repeatedly that she was good but Novah didn’t want to tempt her.

  “I’ma do this one,” Novah murmured holding the dress close to her chest.

  “Then let’s get you ready,” Billie said and pulled her away.

  After showering and curling her long thick mane into loose curls Novah sat at her vanity as Billie applied her makeup. The dress like expected stuck to her curvy body like it was second skin. Novah felt sexy as she stared up at her girl.

  “I haven’t seen you in days. What kind of BF are you?” Novah asked Billie.

  Billie laughed as she put Novah’s long mink lashes on.

  “Well I’ve been working boo. I did a shoot for Mickey and I took another job that was in New York. I was reluctant to get back out there but it feels right. Modeling is a huge part of me, and I can’t fight that. I’ve also been with my new sponsor. She’s a college student that’s trying to kick liquor and I know she can.”

  Novah grinned up at her girl. Billie had the kind of beauty that intimidated a lot of people, but the thing was her outer appearance didn’t have shit on her inner beauty. Billie was a pure soul and Novah was relieved that she was over her storm.

  “With you by her side she can’t go wrong. How is it in loversville? You know I’m not getting no dick. It’s been a year for me,” Novah pouted.

  Billie gasped dramatically and Novah hit her leg.

  “Don’t front like you didn’t know now spill it. How is your future husband Dreux doing?”

  Billie’s face lit up at the mention of her man.

  “He’s good. Amazing like always. He took me to the DeLoines hotel to celebrate my sober anniversary. It was really nice.”

  Novah whistled. The DeLoines hotel was considered cream of the crop. Compared to the likes of the Four Seasons and it was the nicest five-star hotel that Michigan possessed. Novah hadn’t had the pleasure of going before but had always heard such good things about the place.

  “Oh, you had to bust it open for him real good that night. I heard that place was like $600 a night and that’s for the standard room. Does Fat Albert know about him yet?”

  Billie snorted before falling into a fit of laughter. Novah joined in with her and they both had a good laugh at Malachi’s expense.

  “Hell no! And tonight, we will not speak about them fuck niggas. It’s about us and having a good time nothing more,” Billie replied.

  Novah nodded as she stared up at her friend.

  “I will say this, and we will be done with it. The whole Malachi and Dreux thing is messed up but I honestly feel like if anyone was to be mad it should be Dreux. You was his bestfriend and we all knew that you all liked each other. Even Malachi. That’s why he was so happy when Dreux went away to college. It was then that his ass really started hating on Dreux. Telling you about Kylie and all that bullshit just to get you onto his side. You never cared for Malachi though and I’m still clueless as to how you fucked him because when I left from his place you wasn’t that drunk Billie.”

  There was an uncomfortable silence as Billie finished up Novah’s makeup. Once she was done, she gave her a tight-lipped smile.

  “All done. Let’s go,” she said and briskly exited the room.

  Novah sighed wishing her girl would stand up to her baby daddy. She wasn’t judging because she was constantly dealing with Carters bullshit, but she did wish Billie would stand up to Malachi. Novah ignored Carter but she wasn’t afraid
of him. Novah feared that her girl was scared of Malachi and that was what pissed her off the most. Malachi was a weak ass nigga and Novah was certain that he did play a hand in Billie getting intoxicated enough to fuck him but if Billie wanted to leave it buried then for her friend she would.

  Uptown, nigga

  I was down, but they see, I'm up now, nigga

  Head high 'cause I'm holdin' up my crown, nigga

  Never told even through the ups and downs, nigga

  And if I D'usse, it's a cup of brown, nigga

  The vibe inside of the luxury apartment was chill. Billie talked with a fellow model friend as Novah nursed a glass of wine. She’d insisted on not drinking and Billie begged her to get a glass. Novah reluctantly took it and was enjoying herself enough to be happy she’d stepped out of the house.

  Detroit’s elite was what Billie dubbed the crowd to be and boy was she right. Local rappers, models, and actors even hood celebrities and local socialites partied in the swagged out apartment that took up the entire twentieth floor. Novah sat beside Billie quietly when a familiar sexy ass face grabbed her attention.

  Like he was before Durand stood out in the crowd of handsome, wealthy young black men. The diamonds around his neck sparkled with every move he made as he laughed at what his fellow groupmate Malano said to him.

  Novah swallowed hard and chose to drain her glass of wine. Her honey colored eyes roamed deliberately over Durand as he stood a few foot away from her. He wore white jeans that were tattered by the knees with a white crew neck and multi colored Chanel sneakers. A multi colored Chanel rag was folded and tied around his head while Bugatti shades covered his eyes. His jewelry was simple but shined effortlessly as it covered his wrist, left ear, and left pinky finger.

  When Durand laughed Novah was able to see his pearly white teeth. She marveled at how straight and pretty they were. Her own teeth sunk into her bottom lip as she fantasized about the attractive rapper.

  “Eye spy with my little eye a sexy ass rapper that you need to be getting on. Hey Durand!” Billie called out and waved at him.

  Novah immediately stopped lusting over the man and looked the other way. Suddenly her bladder became full and she found herself standing.

  “I see Novah still shutting shit down,” Shyy another local rapper noted staring over at her.

  Novah smiled at the young handsome rapper before glaring at her bestfriend.

  “What? And I hope you know he staring at that big old ass you got,” Billie said giddily.

  Novah whimpered. She rolled her eyes and briskly walked out of the living room. Her eyes scanned the long hallway before a warm, rough hand grabbed her arm.

  “It’s this way.”

  The deep timber of his voice made the fine hairs on her body stand to attention. Novah took a deep breath and exhaled. The last thing she wanted to do was come off as a groupie. Years ago, rappers were like regular people to her. She’d partied hard with the best of them but for some reason Durand was unnerving her.

  “Thanks,” she managed to croak out.

  Durand let her arm go and made her heart pump faster when he grabbed her hand.

  “I’ll take you.”

  Novah swallowed hard.

  “I didn’t need for you to do that. I could have found it.”

  “I’m the kind of nigga that gives you what you need before you even have to ask for it. Its right up here,” he remarked and led her down the hallway.

  Novah’s legs felt like they weighed a ton as she walked with Durand down the narrow hallway. As they went further away from the party Novah began to spot plaques on the wall. Durand’s rap group’s name was plastered on everyone making her raise her brows.

  “Is this your home?”

  Durand glanced over at her and smiled.

  “If I say yes what do I get?”

  Novah laughed off his question. Slowly her nervousness was waning away.

  “Whatever you want,” she said sultry.

  Durand grinned before looking ahead.

  “Yeah okay but yes this my spot. I must admit I’m shocked to see you here. We been in the industry together for years and never ran into each other.”

  Novah nodded.

  “Yes, and I’m not in the industry. I was just a video model,” she clarified.

  Durand stopped at the guest bathroom and removed his shades. His intense eyes stared down at Novah in a way that made her nerves vibrate with anticipation.

  “Video models is a part of the culture. Shit all the memorable ones are and you definitely is an OG. I realized that at the spa, but I didn’t wanna say shit to make you upset. Some women get mad when you ask them about, they younger days and shit.”

  Novah’s jaw fell slack and she playfully hit Durand’s arm.

  “Younger years? Nigga I’m thirty. I’m still young,” she boasted.

  Durand nodded while staring down at her.

  “I’m just fucking with you. You only five years older than me. You at the perfect age and shit. Jay been said thirty was the new twenty,” he replied.

  Novah waved him off and he chuckled.

  “Don’t use Jay to get me back on your good side,” she replied.

  Durand grabbed her hand and pulled her close to him. His scent assaulted her head on and for the first time since she’d been in his presence, she allowed for it to place a spell on her. Her nostrils breathed in the cashmere musk scent and Durand leaned down.

  “As long as I’m on any side of you, I’m good. I want you to use the bathroom then have a drink with me. That’s cool?” he asked.

  Novah stared up into his eyes with her mind racing.

  “One drink is fine,” she whispered.

  Durand smiled. He nodded and took a step back.

  “Cool, then I’ll be right here waiting on you.”

  Novah nodded and turned around. She quickly went into the bathroom and relieved her bladder. Several seconds after finishing Novah sat on the toilet lost in her thoughts.

  Durand was fine, like fine as fuck. Charming she could tell from their brief encounter and he had her wanting to act bad for the night, but could she? How would he view her if she did? Novah hadn’t pulled out her inner freak in years. The twins had calmed her spirit and her hot pussy down. She now craved quietness. Looked forward to going to bed at nine every night and was simply put boring as fuck.

  For one night only she wanted to be the old Novah. The Novah that wasn’t stressing about Carter. The Novah that didn’t have the world on her shoulders. She wanted to let her hair down and just go with the flow.

  “If he asks I’ma say yes. I deserve some fun…” Novah stopped whispering and shook her head. “No fuck that I deserve some dick. Every woman deserves to get her back blown out at least once a damn year and the lucky ones get it regularly.”

  Novah snickered at her silliness before flushing the toilet. She wiped herself and quickly washed her hands. Novah stared at her beautiful face in the mirror and smiled. She felt sexy. The bouncy curls gave her the look along with the sleek makeup Billie had applied. Novah dropped her head and fluffed her curls. She tossed her head back at the sexy bed head hair she was blessed with made her smile wider. Novah bit down on her bottom lip as she nodded.

  “Get his lil sexy ass,” she murmured before exiting the bathroom.

  Durand stood on the other end of the bathroom door against the wall. His eyes peered up from the ground and across at Novah. The intense look his dark peepers placed on her made her confidence dwindle but it didn’t dissipate. No Novah shook her nerves off and grinned at him sexily.

  “You ready?” she asked quietly.

  Durand nodded while staring down at her. His hand went to the back of his neck and he rubbed it while gazing at her.

  “I should be asking you that. You smoke?”

  Novah nodded then quickly shook her head then she nodded again. Durand chuckled at her indecisiveness.

  “Well I used to then I had kids, so I stopped but I didn’t stop liking the weed
. I just chose mommy hood over getting high. You know?”

  Durand grabbed Novah’s hand and pulled her close to him.

  “I think you can have both. Come fuck with me,” he said and pulled her away.

  Novah walked silently beside Durand as they reentered the partying side of the apartment. They bypassed a talkative Billie that discreetly gave Novah a cheesy thumbs up and walked into the lounge room. The lights were dimmed but it was still filled to the rim with people. Durand found an available seat on his L-shaped suede sectional and pulled Novah onto his lap. Novah tried to stand up not liking the attention they garnered from his personal move and he leaned towards her ear.

  “These my people, relax. This not no industry shit. Is it?” he asked and peered around at the people flanking the room.

  Everyone shook their heads before going back to their conversations. Novah relaxed when she noticed no one was in their grill and Durand pulled weed from his pocket. He chose to roll up on Novah’s lap as she listened to the music playing in the room.

  “So, tell me some shit bout you that the media doesn’t know,” he said pulling her away from her thoughts.

  Novah relaxed more into his broad chest and sighed. This was the closest she’d been to a man in months and she was close to creaming her thongs from his deep voice alone.

  “I’m a sweetheart,” her light voice replied making him chuckle.

  “Is that right? Would your old nigga say the same thing?”

  Novah shrugged. Carter was miles away to her. For the night, his bitch ass didn’t exist.

  “Please pretend he doesn’t exist,” she murmured as the song switched to another track.

  Durand breathed harder and his warm breath fanned Novah’s neck. Her eyes closed briefly, and he finished up rolling his blunt.

  “I understand. Although I don’t have any kids, I can tell shit can get hectic when you beefing with the person you made a kid with. Can I ask you a question though?”

  Novah nodded. She opened her eyes and spotted another rapper, Durand’s groupmate Trill staring at them. He shot her a playful smirk before leaving out of the room.

  “What made you have a kid with somebody that you don’t wanna even speak of now? I could never see myself doing something like that. That’s why I’m watchful with the dick and I always strap up. My wife the only person having my kids and the woman I marry will be my fucking soulmate. We gone connect naturally and we’ll know from the start that we meant to be together,” Durand stopped talking and chuckled lowly. “I know this shit sound crazy but its real. I’m not procreating with just anybody. I watch people go through meaningless drama all because they had a kid with somebody that they don’t even fucking like. Shit is crazy to me,” he grumbled.