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This book contains mature themes, explicit language, and scenes of a sexual nature intended for adult audiences only. It is rated R and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
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This book also includes depictions o...
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Beyonce Knowles Courthouse
January 3, 2025
I stood outside the courthouse, tapping my phone nervously as I tried calling Olivia again. Still nothing. My patience was wearing thin, and the silence from her end was making me more anxious by the minute.
I glanced over at James. "You heard from her?"
He shook his head, looking just as confused. "Not this morning."
Kelly was already dialing again, her eyes scanning the area as if Olivia might show up any second.
"I'll try again," she muttered.
I sighed, just as I heard familiar voices approaching. Turning around, I spotted Lauren, Solange, Rihanna, and Kehlani walking toward us.
I smiled, stepping forward to give them all quick hugs. "Hey y'all!" I greeted, glad they were here.
After the hugs, I gestured toward James and Yolanda. "This is my team-James, Yolanda... and Olivia, who's currently MIA," I said, shaking my head a little.
As I introduced everyone, I caught Solange glancing at me with a small smirk on her face. My eyes lingered on her for a second, making a mental note to ask her what that was about later.
Solange always had a way of knowing more than she let on, and her smirk wasn't lost on me.
But before I could dwell on it, my mind drifted to Nicki, and I couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't here yet. I looked around for her and turned to Solange, a little impatient.
"Where's Onika?"
Solange's smirk faded, and she shrugged.
"Not sure, she said she was on her way when I called. She should be here soon."
I nodded, trying not to let my worry shift from Olivia to Nicki. But between Olivia's disappearance and Nicki being late, my nerves were all over the place.
Kehlani smirked and nudged me. "That's your girl, how you don't know where she is?"
I paused, feeling the weight of her question hit harder than I expected. I didn't say anything for a moment, just stared off toward the entrance of the courthouse.
My silence must've spoken louder than words, because I could feel the eyes of all the girls on me.
"What?" Lauren asked, her voice tinged with concern.
I glanced down, running a hand over my face before answering quietly. "We're... taking a break, so I haven't spoken with her."
That earned a chorus of "why?" from them, their voices blending together with disbelief. Solange, especially, was looking at me hard, like she was waiting for more of an explanation.
