She'd gone from the house and driven back downtown where she stood in line to get into the opening of the event where she didn't even know she was going to see more than just one familiar face.

Paying her way, she roamed around, looking for Q when she bumped into a six foot tall, man who turned around to catch her fall. "Fuck, my bad." He apologized, "Wait, what are you doing here?" He asked nervously.

"Hey... Dame. I could as you the same thing. But I guess I should've expected to see you."

He chuckled, looking around the space.

"Who are you looking for? Is Sade here?"

"Huh. No, she isn't really into these kinds of events."

"Are you sure?" She smiled skeptically, "We just went to an exhibit a week ago. She loved it."

"Oh— but, it's moreso, who's gonna be there." He tried to dismiss her but a woman walked up to him. Cheyenne caught the woman's hand brush up against his and she sighed, looking back up at him then at her.

"Hey, I'm Cheyenne. And you are?"

"Hey girl, I'm Rane." She reached out to hug her and Cheyenne did a small shoulder tap instead of a complete embrace.

"Aw. I've heard of you." She said with faux excitement. "You're pretty. I can't believe we've never met." She looked over to Dame, not being able to read his expression.

"Well, I've been living abroad for the past two years so. I'm not really—"

"Oh, girl." Chey shook her head, "Say no more."

The moment was silent amongst the three until Cheyenne felt a hand shake through her arm and hug hear waist from behind. She looked up, "Quincy, what the fuck?" She grinned at him, turning around, "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"I'm a popular guy. That's my bad." He reached out to touch Rane's hand. "What's up sexy?" He smiled at her and she reached out to hug him.

"Please. You look the fuck good." She complemented him back. "You've met Damon, right?" She asked.

"Yessir. My guy." He dapped him up. "Thank you for coming through. I didn't think you would. You been mad quiet and in the shadows."

Dame huffed, "I'd never miss your show my baby. I meant that family shit." He tapped his chest. "It's cool y'all tight." He gestured towards Cheyenne and Q. "Cecil cool with it?"

"The fuck if I care." She spat.

"Period." Rane agreed. "Who's Cecil?"

"Her nigga." Q informed her.

"My husband." She corrected him. "So you've been abroad for two years? Y'all are long distance?"

Rane looked up at  Dame who, if was any lighter would be red as a beet. She clicked her heels uncomfortably, gripping her clutch purse.

"Nah." He told her, avoiding Rane's eyes.

"Yeah, we've been broken up for like almost three or four years now. Actually." She bit her lip.

"Dame why ha—" he pulled her away without saying anything else, leaving just Q and Cheyenne standing together amongst the sea of people.

"Where is Cece anyway? I thought he was coming too."

"Nope, he thinks we're fucking. He thinks i'm a liar and a whore."

"Personally, I wouldn't think you were a whore if you did sleep with me. But, again— just a personal opinion."

"You want to?" She looked up at him with a glimmer in her eye just as shiny as her lips.

Q smirked at her. "I can't do that to a married woman."

"What about a separated woman?" She asked, grabbing his hand. "Where to?" She waited to be led astray.  Just about ten feet away, Dame, standing at the bar, watched the two scurry out through a rear exit. Taking a drink, he looked the other way and saw another familiar face come through the front entrance. "Fuck." He mumbled to himself, being instantly seen by Cecil.

Cecil rushed over to him and Dame let out a heavy sigh,  swirling his glass in his hand. "Is she here?"

09.09.2024