The frown that grew on Brandy’s face had me at a loss. There was someone who would miss my presence, even if it were for a short while?
“Would you like me to take you home, Brandy?”
“Oh…” She adjusted in her seat then looked at Marsha before turning to me. “That’s not necessary. I’m taking an Uber with Stella. We’ll be fine.”
“You truly believe I would allow you to take a rideshare when I have a driver who takes me where I need to go daily? Oh please, honeybee.”
“I didn’t say you would.”
She was playing the defensive. I didn’t know how to perceive it. Seemed like anything I said had her second guessing her prior statement. Like she had to subject herself to redundant apologies.
“Let’s go find your luggage. After that, it’s whatever you want to do. I’m in no rush to make it to my brother’s estate. Would you have me?”
“I would enjoy that. Thank you,” she murmured.
Being modest, eh?
“Well, let’s have at it.”
We landed and I made my way to my sister. She would be taking the jet back home from here but I knew the captain needed time to fuel up.
“Ay, we’re in Dallas,” I said, nudging her awake.
“Good, now you can leave and I can go back to my business,” she yawned. I shook my head because she was already done with her photoshoots, so home was the only business she was referring to.
“Yeah, alright.”
“It was nice meeting you, Brandy. Maybe next time I’ll fly out and we can get together and hang,” Amelia said as she stood to gather her things.
“That’ll be what’s up,” Brandy and Marsha said in unison, which made us all laugh.
We got escorted to baggage claim and I instantly got irritated at the amount of people swarming around. We had a little time to wait since their plane hadn’t arrived. I honestly wanted to tell them I would arrange for their bags to be delivered so we could get a move on.
The second I opened my mouth to make the suggestion, I noticed Brandy scanning the airport. She looked a little nervous and I couldn’t determine if it was due to the crowd or because of what happened between us on the plane. Could be something entirely different but she hadn’t seemed this nervous a few minutes ago.
I briefly scanned the space and noticed someone walking in our direction, determined to get to my girl. That made my mouth twitch because her demeanor showed this wasn’t a happy reunion.
I walked up to her and placed my hand on her lower back. She nearly leapt out of her skin. That just about pissed me off but I held onto my anger so I could direct it where necessary.
Our eyes met and she took a step back, her face flushed with embarrassment and a little intimidation. She was scared and I knew exactly who was coming toward us.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Armond. I was in a daze,” she explained in a rush.
“No worries. I was just checking on you. Seems like…”
“Hey, baby, there you are. How was your flight?”
A man approached us looking directly at Brandy. She looked like she was seeing a ghost. She held her breath and didn’t say a word though I could see the irritation growing on her face by the second.
He had the nerve to attempt to hug her and Brandy quickly pushed him away. That was all I needed to see. Had it been adifferent response then I would’ve chalked it up as her getting caught red handed. This was clearly the ex she was comparing me to. His arrogance reeked and it was time to end this now.
“It’s clear she wants no part of you, so it’s best you keep it pushing, playboy,” I stated, squaring my shoulders and stature. I stared him firmly in the eyes and saw every bit of bitch in them, but he stood his ground like he was ready to act no matter how much fear consumed him.
“Who the fuck are you to defend my wife?”
“The motherfucker who just told you to move the fuck on.”
“Man, I…”
