“Awesome.” Scarlett’s face broke into a sudden grin. “Hey, Dad says Reid Holden broke his silence to talk to you. How the hell did you pull that off?”
“Ask Nadia,” Nelson said with a sly grin. “She might know something about it.”
“Nadia?” Scarlett repeated, her brows furrowed in confusion. “She doesn’t even like hockey.”
Nelson’s grin widened. “She does now.”
“Really?” Scarlett turned to stare at Nadia. “What have I missed?”
Nadia’s face heated under her cousin’s scrutiny. “Jess and I are going shopping this afternoon,” she blurted, dodging the question. “Why don’t you come with us?”
“Yeah,” Jess piped up. “Come with us. The more, the merrier.”
Scarlett looked from Jess to Nadia and then shrugged. “Sure, why not? I don’t have any other plans.”
“Great,” Nadia enthused, grateful that Scarlett would help her serve as a buffer between Jess and Caitlyn. “I’m gonna take a shower and get dressed.”
As she turned and started from the room, Scarlett called after her, “Are you gonna tell me why you suddenly love hockey?”
Nelson and Jess laughed like co-conspirators. “We’ll fill you in.”
On the way to the mall, Scarlett alternately teased and interrogated Nadia about her relationship with Reid. She couldn’t believe one of her family members was dating an NHL superstar. As a hockey fan, she was super excited and looked forward to meeting Reid. As a concerned cousin who knew all about Nadia’s track record with jocks, she had her reservations. But as long as Reid made Nadia happy and treated her well, Scarlett was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
They arrived at the upscale mall and parked outside Macy’s, then got out of the car and sat on the bench near the entrance to enjoy the warm weather while they waited for Caitlyn.
Nearly twenty minutes later, she drove up in her rental Ferrari and found a spot right in the front. She stepped out of the low-slung car like a supermodel, sliding one long leg out and then the other. She had on designer shades, and a light breeze blew her long dark hair away from her face. She was fashionably dressed in a sleek white pantsuit that accentuated her tall, svelte figure. Paired with multicolored Christian Louboutin snakeskin pumps, the pantsuit looked like it had come straight from a Paris couturier. The entire outfit had probably cost more than Nadia earned in a year.
Caitlyn removed her sunglasses and tossed her hair over her shoulder. As she strutted toward them, Nadia could almost hear the Pussycat Dolls cooing, “Don’t you wish your girlfriend was hot like me?”
Watching Caitlyn approach, Jess rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck in her head.
The animosity between the two cousins was unusual, given that Caitlyn was over twenty years older than Jess. Not that she looked it. She’d had some work done, so her fair skin was smooth and tight, with barely a trace of crow’s feet or smile lines. Her makeup was flawless, her nails were perfectly manicured and her hair glistened with blond highlights.
“Hello, girls.” She went around the circle, greeting Nadia and Scarlett with air kisses. When she came to Jess, her lip curled and her nostrils flared as if she’d caught a whiff of something gross.
Jess didn’t look any happier to see her.
“Caitlyn,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Jessilyn.” Caitlyn gave her cousin a deliberate once-over, her critical eye searching for flaws. “You’re looking…well.”
“Thanks.” Jess didn’t bother to return the tepid compliment. “We were beginning to wonder if you’d decided to blow us off.”
Caitlyn looked quaintly amused. “If that was your subtle way of scolding me for being late, it couldn’t be helped. I’ve been on the phone with clients all morning. As you may recall, I run my own law practice. It’s not my fault I’m always in demand.”
Jess rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
Caitlyn ignored her, tucking her sunglasses into her Hermès Birkin bag. When she noticed Nadia’s Chanel purse, her hazel eyes narrowed.
“Nice bag,” she remarked. “I didn’t realize the college paid secretaries so well.”
Already with the putdowns? Seriously?
“Not that there’s anything wrong with being a secretary,” Nadia said calmly, “but I’m actually a recruiter.”
“Oh?” Caitlyn blinked, then waved a dismissive hand. “I must have gotten your job confused with Jessilyn’s.”
“Then you’re still confused,” Jess said coolly, “because I’m an admissions counselor.”
“Really?” Caitlyn smirked. “Maybe you should consider becoming a recruiter so you can afford Chanel purses like your bestie.”
Jess bristled with anger. “My salary is just fine. And for your information, Nadia didn’t—”
“Let’s go shopping, shall we?” Smiling brightly, Nadia linked arms with Jess and Scarlett and steered them toward the entrance to Macy’s.
Over the next hour they browsed through the new fall arrivals, pulling pretty clothes off the racks before putting them back. Only Nadia and Jess were there to spend money. Scarlett was just along for the ride, while Caitlyn seemed more interested in talking on her phone than shopping. She took several calls—some professional, others personal.
They could always tell when she was speaking to a man because her voice took on a sugary quality and she tossed her hair coquettishly as her laughter rang out across the store. She turned men’s heads, and more than a few appeared ready to approach her before she shot them down with a single look.
When she wasn’t on the phone, she followed the girls around offering her unsolicited opinion on what did or didn’t look good on Nadia. As the most expensively attired member of their group, she behaved as if her fashion expertise should be taken as gospel.
“You’re probably too dark to pull off that color. I mean, you’re obviously nowhere near as dark as Lupita Nyong’o, but you still need to be mindful of choosing the most flattering colors for your complexion.”
“I don’t think you have the right body type for that dress.”
“Look at the cut of that neckline. It does absolutely nothing for your small boobs.”
“That romper makes your legs look too short. Besides, rompers are so last season.”
“You have too much junk in your trunk to wear that. With your ghetto booty, you’d look like a stripper.”
Her running commentary had Jess muttering and cursing under her breath while Scarlett glared and sucked her teeth. Nadia could only pray for the strength to get through the outing without going upside Caitlyn’s head.
“I used to love shopping here when I was a teenager. But that was before I went away to college on the East Coast.” Caitlyn glanced around the store with haughty disdain. “The Macy’s in New York totally puts this one to shame. Hell, every shopping mall in Atlanta makes this place look like—”
“Oh my God,” Jess finally burst out in exasperation. “Why do you have to be such a raging bitch?”
Caitlyn looked affronted. “Excuse you?”
“Excuse you! What the fuck is your problem?”
When a few heads swiveled in their direction, Nadia murmured, “Jess—”
“No, Nadia! I’ve had enough of her picking you apart and insulting you. Who the hell died and made her Anna Wintour?”
“Or Asha Dubois,” Scarlett added hotly.
Nadia bit back a laugh. “It’s okay—”
“No, it’s not,” Jess snapped. “We’re trying to shop and have a good time, and she’s totally fucking up the mood with all her negativity.”
“Seriously,” Scarlett agreed, scowling at Caitlyn. “I don’t appreciate all the shade you’ve been throwing at my cousin. You need to back the hell off.”
Caitlyn sniffed, lifting her chin. “I wasn’t trying to offend—”
“Bullshit,” Jess snarled. “That’s exactly what you were doing and you know it. You can’t help yourself.”
“We’re fine,” Caitlyn and Jess snapped.
The woman quickly retreated.
Caitlyn turned to Nadia with a placating smile. “I’m sorry you took my words the wrong way. I was only trying to be helpful. You have a cute figure and flawless skin. I just want you to walk out of here with outfits that will play up your assets and look flattering on you.”
Nadia knew this was the closest she’d ever get to an apology. So she mustered a small smile and said, “I appreciate that, Caitlyn.”
Caitlyn patted her shoulder. “No problem. Oh, look at that,” she said, walking over to a display of Michael Kors dresses.
Nadia reluctantly followed her, watching as she pulled a gorgeous blue sheath off the rack and held it up for her consideration.
“Now this would look good on you.”
Nadia checked the price tag and almost choked. The dress was outrageously expensive. Since she’d gotten paid yesterday, she had enough money in her account to splurge on one or two really nice outfits. But she didn’t want to go overboard.
“Um…ah…” She faltered, searching for a polite way to reject the dress without having to come right out and admit she couldn’t afford it.
Scarlett came to her rescue. “It’s pretty, but it’s not really your style.”
“I agree.” Jess wrinkled her nose for emphasis. “It’s kinda matronly.” Totally a dig at Caitlyn.
“Let’s try Forever 21,” Scarlett suggested.
“Are you serious?” Caitlyn shuddered.
Nadia frowned. “What’s wrong with Forever 21?”
“Nothing, if you don’t mind wearing bargain basement clothes that’s been picked over.” Caitlyn smiled condescendingly. “But that’s probably more within your budget.”
Jess didn’t let the slight go unanswered. “Aww,” she taunted mockingly. “Is someone feeling salty because she’s too over the hill to shop at Forever 21?”
Caitlyn snorted derisively. “Bitch, please. I wouldn’t be caught dead shopping in that tacky store.”
Jess smirked. “Well, given your advanced age—”
Nadia grabbed her arm. “Let’s go.”
They left Macy’s and headed through the mall toward Forever 21. On the way there, they came upon a pack of rowdy black boys wearing designer hoodies and sagging jeans. When the teens spotted Nadia’s group, they whistled, leered and catcalled them with a litany of tired pick-up lines:
“Yo, redbone, you fine as hell. Can I get your number?”
“Ay, light skin! You got a man?”
“Yo, chocolate girls! Y’all got some phat asses. Dayum!”
“Ay, Hazel Eyes! Are y’all sisters?”
“Can I run my fingers through y’all hair?”
Caitlyn curled her lips in disgust and waved them off. “Go play in traffic. Or better yet, go pick a fight with a white cop.”
The obnoxious teenagers moved on, hooting and hollering among themselves.
“Fucking degenerates.” Caitlyn gave a shudder of repulsion and scowled. “This mall is going to the dogs. Literally.”
“Right,” Jess said sarcastically. “Because you never see loudmouthed black boys roaming around Lenox Square in Atlanta.”
Before Caitlyn could respond, her phone trilled inside her handbag. She pulled it out, her saccharine demeanor instantly returning as she answered, “Well, hello again, darling.”
Scarlett leaned close to Jess and whispered curiously, “Who’s ‘darling’? And why does he keep calling?”
Jess snickered. “Aunt Sheridan says she’s been seeing some wealthy Atlanta Falcons executive. As long as dude keeps her out of our hair, he can call all damn day as far as I’m concerned.”
Before they reached Forever 21, Caitlyn wandered off on her own, barely sparing them a backward glance as she laughed into her phone. Grateful to be rid of her, they exchanged celebratory high fives and then raced into the store to shop in peace.
They flew through the racks, trying on different outfits and modeling them for one another. Nadia fell in love with a metallic cutout dress, a strapless black jumpsuit, an off-the-shoulder fuchsia top and a houndstooth pencil skirt, along with some graphic tees and tanks. Jess loaded up on short skirts and blouses and earrings. Even Scarlett picked up a few items, although she typically preferred Hot Topic and Merchnow for their edgy, music-inspired fashion.
Even with a bag full of clothes, Nadia was still searching for the perfect outfit to wear on her date with Reid. As she, Jess and Scarlett were sifting through a rack of slinky dresses, Jess suddenly glanced up and scowled.
“Damn. She’s back.”
Nadia and Scarlett followed her gaze to see Caitlyn strutting through the entrance with an air of haughty superiority. As they watched, she walked over to a heavyset white girl holding up a halter dress in front of a mirror.
“That’s not a good look for you, sweetie,” Caitlyn said with mock concern. “Why don’t you try the Lane Bryant around the corner?”
The girl gasped, staring at Caitlyn in affronted disbelief.
“I’m just being honest with you.” Caitlyn gave her a seemingly innocuous smile. “Your skinny girlfriends will never tell you the truth because they don’t want to hurt your feelings. But take it from an unbiased stranger: There’s nothing here that would ever look good on someone your size.”
When the red-faced girl shoved the dress back onto the rack and hurried out of the store, Caitlyn cackled with vicious satisfaction.
Nadia and Scarlett stared at each other in openmouthed shock.
“Didn’t I tell you guys?” Jess declared matter-of-factly. “That bitch is the devil incarnate.”
Scarlett shook her head and laughed grimly.
But Nadia wasn’t amused. She put down the dress she’d been holding and made her way over to Caitlyn. “That was a really shitty thing you just did. Totally mean and uncalled for.”
“Oh, please,” Caitlyn said with a snort. “I did that cow a favor. She actually believed she could pull off wearing a spandex dress.”
“And how was that any of your damn business?”
Caitlyn sighed. “I know it’s not PC to say this, but no one enjoys seeing fat chicks waddle around in too-tight clothes with rolls of fat hanging over their pants. It’s tacky and gross. Since those broads never think twice about subjecting us to such obscene displays, consider my intervention a public service.”
Nadia shook her head in disgust. “You’re unbelievable.”
Caitlyn shrugged. “Just speaking the truth. Don’t shoot the messenger.”
“Oh, I’m definitely wishing I had a Glock nine right about now,” Nadia muttered darkly.
Caitlyn laughed, delighted. “Aww, look at you getting all outraged on behalf of the morbidly obese. How cute.”
Jess and Scarlett came over, took one look at Nadia’s scowl and sighed. “What now?”
“I’m ready to go.” Nadia had had enough of Caitlyn’s catty, mean-girl bullshit.
Jess frowned. “But you still haven’t found—”
“Don’t care.” Nadia was already making her way toward the checkout counter.
The line was ridiculously long, and there was only one cashier on a register. Nadia was tempted to put her new clothes back and walk out. Before she could move, Caitlyn sidled up to her and draped an arm around her shoulders.
“I like you, Nadia,” she said languidly. “If you were my cousin instead of Jessilyn, I think we’d get along so much better.”
Nadia snorted. “I seriously doubt it.”
Caitlyn laughed, unfazed by her rancor. “So who’s the lucky guy you’re going on a date with? I certainly hope he’s nothing like those ghetto lowlifes who harassed us on the way over here.” She wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Honestly, I just don’t get the appeal of black guys. The majority of them are broke, uneducated, have bad credit and a boatload of baby mamas. They’re selfish lovers who act like they’
re doing you a favor if they eat pussy. And contrary to popular belief, they’re not all hung like a horse. Talk about a myth of epic proportions!” She snorted, shaking her head. “No offense to my wonderful father, but I just don’t find most black men attractive. Unless they’re mixed, their hair is usually nappy as hell. And when they shave or get a haircut, they always get those nasty razor bumps on their necks and the back of their heads.” She shuddered in revulsion. “No. Just no.”
Scarlett snorted in disbelief. “Damn, ma, why don’t you tell us how you really feel.”
“Seriously.” Nadia shook her head at Caitlyn. “Is there any segment of the population you don’t hate?”
Caitlyn pretended to consider the question, then shook her head. “Nope.”
When Nadia and Scarlett frowned, she tossed her head and laughed. “No hate here. Just straight talk, no chaser.” She sighed, stroking Nadia’s hair almost fondly. “So, anyway, you were going to tell me all about your hot date.”
The hell I was, Nadia thought.
“His name’s Reid,” Jess volunteered before Nadia could shush her.
Caitlyn sent a lazy glance over her shoulder. “Reid, huh? Sounds like a white boy. But I’m sure he’s not.”
“Actually, he is,” Jess said with gleeful satisfaction. “It’s Reid Holden.”
As the name registered, Caitlyn’s eyes widened in shock and her jaw dropped. “The hockey player?”
“That’s right,” Jess crowed, all but shouting from the rooftops. “She’s going out with Reid ‘The Rocket’ Holden.”
Several shoppers turned and stared at them. Nadia suddenly felt as if she were standing in the hot glare of a spotlight.
Her face burned. “Jess, please—”
But her friend was just getting started. “He’s the one who bought Nadia that Chanel purse.”
“Along with six others,” Scarlett added.
Nadia inwardly groaned. Et tu, cousin?
Caitlyn’s face was a case study in amazement as she stared at Nadia. “Reid Holden bought you seven Chanel bags?”
“He sure did,” Jess gloated.
Caitlyn dropped her arm from Nadia’s shoulders and slowly looked her up and down, critically appraising her belted tunic sweater, skinny jeans and flats.
Wicked Games (Denver Rebels) Page 16