Holliewood (Completed)

chapter forty

"Okay, can I have everybody's attention, please? I would like to propose a toast," Trey announced, holding a gold bottle of champagne.

He stood on one of the couches as we surrounded him, music creating some ambience as it played. We were all gathered on the yacht's sundeck, getting a view of the blue waters as the sunset created a beautiful backdrop. It was evident that liquor had been making rounds in his system; he barely managed to stand on the couch properly.

"Okay... let us toast to... our friendship. Sometimes y'all motherfuckers get on my nerves and shit, but it is what it is cause I wouldn't trade ya'll for the world. I mean that for real. And to Raymond... Where is he?" He paused his speech.

"He's inside, he'll be back," I informed him.

"Oh? Oh aight, guess he won't hear this part then and that's his own fault, I'm not repeating shit. Anyway, happy belated birthday to him. The man finally turned thirty and that's some serious shit. That in itself is a milestone and a big achievement, especially in a world where men like us have the misfortune of dying before our time. You feel me? Anyway, let me wrap this toast up by saying: Let us always be friends, or at least until this bottle endsssss," Trey howled before he shook the gold champagne bottle.

"Careful with where you point that, bro," Isaiah warned.

"Right, you whyl out a little too much sometimes," Langston added.

"I got it, I got it," Trey insisted.

We all watched him in amusement as he proceeded to pop the bottle, allowing the bubbles to erupt in a miniature explosion. His laughter was infectious as he began to pour some of the frothy champagne down Tiana's throat, her delighted squeals blending with his cheers.

"That's right, baby," he said, holding her chin and leaning in for a kiss.

They had hired this yacht specifically for this gathering and I found it interesting how it had a built-in jacuzzi for anyone who wanted to take a dip.

Looking at the jacuzzi took me back to my experience with Raymond in Miami not too long ago. The sequence of events briefly replayed in my mind before I pushed my thoughts to the side and refocused on my surroundings.

Now was not the time to have steamy flashbacks.

My eyes moved to observe how everyone else interacted with each other.

Zara danced to the music while Q watched her like a spectacle with a cigar to his lips. He had been talking to Langston and Isaiah, but he did it with his eyes glued on her. If there's one thing my best friend was going to make sure she always did was tempt her boyfriend. She loved the thrill she got from it.

Then by the couch, Trey and Tiana were now eating each other's lips off - doing it like no one else existed around them. He still had the same champagne bottle in hand, making sure to take sips in between.

"Here you go," I heard Raymond's voice as he came from behind me with a glass of red wine in his hand.

"Thank you," I smiled, taking it from him. My fingers brushed on his as I did so.

"Anything for you, beautiful," he said, looking me up and down in my swimsuit.

"You missed Trey's toast, he had some nice words for you," I said, taking a sip.