The next morning, Wynter and her cousins woke up early to get a light breakfast before walking around downtown Fort Worth. Wynter's wallet and camera were put to work as they shopped and explored the area. She took her time taking photos of the western architecture of the buildings, beautiful murals, whimsical water fountains, and her cousins when they let her. Every once in a while, Liberty made her put her camera away to shop or take photos with them. By afternoon, they all were holding multiple shopping bags and worked up an appetite. They stopped at a popular BBQ joint and stuffed themselves for lunch. When they returned to the hotel, all Wynter wanted to do was go to bed and sleep for the rest of the day, but Liberty set up a spa afternoon for them. Wynter was able to get a nap, but then she had to get up, take a shower, and head to the hotel spa. They checked in for their appointments and were taken back together. After changing into their robes, they split up to start treatments.
"Did you do this all the time in Houston?" Grace asked Wynter, tugging uncomfortably at her robe as they waited in the steam room together. Wynter was not surprised Grace didn't love the spa experience. She was an active tomboy who would rather be with her horses than be pampered at a spa.
"Not all the time. Spa trips were more like special occasions. Pedicures, manicures, waxing, brows, and lash extensions are all the time." Wynter listed, slightly exaggerating. She only did them monthly when she lived in Houston.
"Urgh, I don't know how you do it. It's too much work." Grace shook her head.
"It's not work, it's self-care that makes you feel pretty." Wynter countered.
"Speaking of self-care, how are you holding up? For real." Grace questioned her.
Wynter took a deep breath, opting to be honest with Grace. Grace was a great listener, less likely to give advice like Valentina or call her out like Liberty. She was attentive and sympathetic but didn't press or try to solve her problems. "I'm ok. Really. I don't know if I'm better, I just know I'm tired of being upset."
Grace nodded. "I get that."
Wynter knew she did. Her heart was broken by her first love, and Grace hadn't been in a relationship since.
"Does it get better every day like they say?" Wynter asked, hopefully.
"Kinda. One day, you'll wake up and it won't hurt anymore. Then another day, it'll hurt so much you can't breathe." Grace said, softly. As many emotions Wynter felt after discovering her ex sleeping with her step-sister Denise, nothing compared to the pain she heard in Grace's voice.
"Grace.." Wynter started, holding her hand.
"I'm ok." She smiled, sweetly, squeezing her hand reassuring before letting it go. "Those days come less frequently until they don't come anymore."
After hearing the pain in her voice, Wynter wasn't convinced, but she let it go.
"The more I think about it, the more I realized I was more angry than anything else. I kept waiting for the anger to go away so I could feel sad, but it never happened. Then the lack of sadness makes me think there's something wrong with me. Like something missing- maybe something that Michael and my dad saw-" Wynter said, thoughtfully.
"No Wynter, there's nothing wrong with you. Any man worth a damn would be honest, not a cheater. And your dad's head has been up his own ass for so long he doesn't know up from down or left from right." Grace said, hotly.
Wynter let out a surprised giggle. Grace was soft-spoken and sweet, so to hear her curse and rip her dad and ex a new one took her by surprise. A pleasant surprise. Grace giggled too, and after a moment, they were both laughing.
"Grace? Wynter?" An attendant called for them at the door. Wynter and Grace composed themselves before leaving for their treatment.
After a relaxing afternoon of massages and facials, the girls went to their room, excited for a night out. They ordered appetizers from room service and Valentina popped champagne while Liberty forced them all to take whiskey shots. They turned on some music and in between drinking and snacking, they got dressed and did their makeup together.
After much deliberation and outfit changes, Wynter looked her final outfit over in the mirror critically. The blue satin pants hugged her butt perfectly, and the floral blue corset she bought earlier that day clinched her waist and flaunted her full breasts. She loved it- it was the perfect combination of sexy and chic. Her makeup was flawless- she took the time and effort to accentuate her healthy brown skin, her eyes pop with a neutral smokey eye, and her lips luscious in a deep rose gloss. The wig she chose was a chocolate brown with long, alluring waves. The only thing she questioned was her mother's hair barrette. She adored it- it was one of her mom's custom-made accessories with "Wynter" spelled out in rhinestones and sparkly snowflakes dangling from the clip. She coordinated her whole outfit around it and she currently had it as the final touch on the side of her hair, but she couldn't help but question if it was too juvenile for a night of bar hopping.
"You look incredible!" Val danced into the bathroom with her, handing her another glass of champagne. She was dressed up in leather pants, a nude fitted cami, and a cute green bomber jacket. Wynter frowned at her black sneaker boots but did not say anything. She was just grateful she wasn't wearing the awful clogs or manly combat boots she normally wore.
Wynter sipped the bubbly drink before asking, pointing to her barrette, "You don't think it's too much?"
"Do you like it?" Val asked.
"Yeah, but-"
"No buts. Do you, fuck what everyone else thinks."
Wynter thought to herself it was easy for Val to say that: Valentina was light-skinned, thin, and beautiful. She could wear a trash bag and ugly ass shoes and still get praised...
Wynter pushed her insecurities away and focused on Val's message. She was right; Wynter liked it, so that's all that matters. She examined herself in the mirror one more time, loving what she saw.
"Alright, I'm ready! Let's go!"
Wynter was grateful Liberty forcefully told her to leave her camera at home- she was glad to be in the moment with her favorite people as they bar-hopped the Stockyards. They were having a blast drinking, dancing, and people watching, as they bounced from bar to bar. They were about to leave a 4th bar because Grace was the only one feeling the country music. Liberty sucked down the last of her margarita as they made their way down out on the street. A car drove down the street, some rap song blaring out the windows.
"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. I'm tryna' make something shake." Libby exclaimed before breaking out into a shimmy. She put her maxi romper dress and high heels to work as she danced around the sidewalk, causing both stares of admiration and annoyance.
"Get out of the way," Valentina called to her, motioning her to scoot over. Wynter just smiled watching her and Grace scurried to keep pace with them. Grace looked adorable in a knit dress and cowboy boots, but she was struggling to keep up with Liberty's long strides.
Liberty ignored her, twerking instead. Valentina looked away, appalled and Wynter just watched, amused, but not shocked by her cousin's actions. Liberty strongly believed in work hard, play harder and once she had a few drinks, there was no stopping her. She was more than a few drinks down, and that wasn't counting the shots in the room. A group of guys walking past didn't mind Liberty blocking the way- one even came over and tried to dance behind her.
Liberty immediately pushed him away. "Fuck off!" She yelled before taking off down the street. Wynter laughed while Valentina sighed and took off after her. Wynter tried to get herself together to follow them, but a man in the group caught her attention. He had a boisterous laugh that made her want to continue to laugh with him. He was dressed in black pants, a black sheer paisley shirt, and a black cowboy hat. She noticed the silver chains around his neck, his bracelet, watch, and bedazzled belt with a huge silver buckle. She knew he didn't second guess himself like she did when he got dressed. He just put it on and rocked it. In a sea of men dressed simply in jeans, flannels, t-shirts and button-downs, he stood out completely original and made the look work for him.
Wynter didn't realize she was staring until they were about to walk past each other. He tipped his hat and winked at her. "I like your hair clip."
Her eyes locked with his honey-colored eyes and she was mesmerized by his face. He had golden brown skin, a chiseled jaw covered in a stubble beard, and full lips. It was no wonder he dressed however he wanted; he was fine enough to pull anything off.
"I like your everything." Wynter exhaled before she could even process what she wanted to say. He laughed, and her humiliating moonshine and margarita-induced confession was worth hearing him laugh again.
"Where are y'all headed?" He asked, moving in closer.
"Eh, not sure. Obviously, my friend wants to dance, so after we catch her we're gonna find a place a little less country and more urban, if you know what I mean." Wynter blabbed, looking over his shoulder to make sure she could see what directions her cousins went. She relaxed when she saw Grace stop to wait for her.
"I got you. Let me see your phone." He asked, his tone more of a command than a question. She unlocked her phone and handed it over. After a few moments, he showed her the map app with directions to a pinned location.
"We're headed to this lounge that's doing a hip-hop holiday. Hit me up if you decide to come." He handed the phone back to her.
"I don't have your number... or your name," Wynter told him.
"Yeah, you do." He said, nodding to her phone before rejoining his group.
"See, I told you there's nothing wrong with you." Grace grinned, grabbing her arm and leading her to find Libby and Val. Wynter checked her phone in between strides. She scrolled through her contacts until she found a new one.
Mr. Everything
Wynter smiled before putting her phone away.
Once they found Valentina and Liberty, Valentina told them they were going back to the hotel. Liberty pre-gamed a little too hard and now only wanted to crash. Grace agreed to ride to the hotel with her, telling Valentina and Wynter to stay out if they wanted. Wynter was disappointed but didn't want to split the group. When Wynter stated she was fine going back too, Grace cut her off.
"What about that guy?" Grace asked.
"What guy?" Valentina demanded. When Wynter told her about the guy she just met, Valentina decided they were going. After making sure Grace and Liberty were in the Uber, they made their way to the lounge. It was packed on the dance floor, but they were able to find a spot by the bar. While Valentina waited to order a drink, Wynter typed out a text to Mr. Everything. After a few deletes, she settled on one that she thought was casual and not desperate or lame.
Me: Hey Mr. Everything. We decided to come to the lounge. At the bar right now.
After a minute or two, she saw the read receipt but no response. Valentina got one of the bartender's attention, so Wynter put her phone down to order a drink. The bartender was sliding over their drinks when her phone finally vibrated.
Mr. Everything: Who dis?
Wynter's face flushed as she stared at the phone in disbelief. She took a big gulp of her drink before showing Val the text.
