Tiffany left her tablet on the hood of the Escalade. A swarm of bugs flittered in the glow. The screen read, “Front Gate,” across the top, showing the feed from their security cameras. The microphones picked up a combination of laughter and drunken outbursts. A timer ran along the bottom with a small red dot beside it. The cameras pointed down the driveway with the cross-street in the background. Near the corner, the stone pillars poked into the frame.
Tiffany shrieked, losing one of her flats. It flew across the screen then landed out of view. She did a cartwheel and kicked it off by accident.
Aja threw her arms up. “And it’s good!”
“I still stuck it.”
“I ain’t say you didn’t.”
The audio came through with a slight delay.
Miko watched from the side, taking hits of her vape pen. She had to pass on her turn. Her skirtdidn’t allow for cartwheels.
Aja pointed at her. “That’s an R!”
She flipped her off.
The three of them played a game called STRUT, a little memento from Tiffany’s modeling days. One person walked down the driveway, striking a pose at the end. The next copied. Sometimes that included doing a cartwheel, a handstand, or a high kick. If they couldn’t do it, they got a letter.
The headlights shined through the gate and made their jewelry sparkle. The shot dropped out of focus a couple times. Their shadows stretched across the street, playing against them on the neighbor’s hedges.
“Try the brights,” Tiffany yelled, a little louder than she should’ve.
Markus reached through the window and switched on the high beams. The lights blinded everybody and overwhelmed the video feed.
“Never mind. No brights.”
A notification popped up shortly after. Incoming Call: Li. Her phone buzzed in her pocket as well. She answered it while gesturing for a timeout.
“Hey, Bae, you in for the night?”
“Yeah, just got back to my room. Are you still out?”
“You know it. We’re out here working, getting a jump on the video.You weren’t the only one who liked the idea of using our cameras.”
“Sounds like it’s going well. Who’s all out there?”
“Markus, Aja, Miko… Maicy was, but she went in a minute ago. Bathroom break, I think. Did you wanna join us? We were gonna get a fire going.”
“Nah, that’s okay. I’m tired. I just wanna go to bed.”
The call echoed and cut out in a fewplaces. Service was spotty by their gate. Tiffany stepped into the street to find a better signal.
“Are you alright? Did something happen with Kelvin?”
“More like something didn’t happen. I don’t know what I expected, but a kiss at the door wasn’t it, you know? I should’ve invited him in. Not that I wanted to sleep with him. I mean, I wouldn’t not, if he made the move. It’s just… I don’t know. I wanna be little spoon, damn it.”
Tiffany smirked, hearing her hiccup. “Then tell him that, Boo. Set your boundaries. You know he won’t cross them.”
“I know, but it’s not about that. I feel selfish. With everything that boy did tonight, I can’t ask for more. Besides, I’m already in my PJs and got my bonnet on—”
She blew raspberries into her phone. “I can’t believe my ears. Who are you, and what have you done with my client?”
“Excuse me? Who are you, and what have you done with my manager?”
As they talked, a jeep drove by and honked at her. The passenger screamed for her to get out of the road. Everybody flinched.
“Are you in the street right now?”
“Don’t change the subject.” She hurried back to the driveway. “Look, ever since you met this guy, he’s had his heart on his sleeve. Don’t you think you should return the favor?”
The line crackled between them.
“Hell, I bet he wants to be big spoon just as bad.He could even be on his way right now with more of that song for you. You know his corny ass is probably dying to rhyme cuddle with snuggle. Seriously, go check the hall. You might see him coming.”
The call dropped before she finished.Her screen flashed on and displayed the message in red. Call Ended.
Damn service provider.
Spit covered the glass. She wiped it off on her jeans, debating whether to call back. She received a text a moment later.
Thanks, T.
Go get him, Tiger.
“Alright.” She tucked her phone back into her pocket. “Whose turn was it?”
“Mine,” Aja said, “Miko had to pass again.”
“Can we stop with the acrobatics, please? I ain’t dressed for that shit.”
“Shouldn’t we wait for Maicy?”
“Nah, just give her a letter. She ain’t doing no cartwheel.” Another notification popped up on her tablet. Low Battery.
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