PJ Harlowe
PJ was riding on I-95 pumping DMX so loud she was sure the people in the other lanes could hear it. Barking out the lyrics to Ruff Ryders’ Anthem, PJ gasped as she noticed a giant billboard on her right. It was of a cute guy in a suit, but what got her was the cheesy tagline, “Bet Your Last Dime on Max Shine” and she thought it said something about a weather forecast. She chuckled at the sign, committing it to memory. She was definitely going to check put that station just to see the weatherman in action.
“Us is here! Us is here!”
After reciting one of her favorite lines from her favorite movie, The Color Purple, PJ sauntered her way into her best friend’s arms and wrapped him in the biggest hug she could muster. Latti hugged her tightly and sighed in relief.
“Finally! I was worried that some mountain man kidnapped you and made you his sex slave.”
“Boy, don’t play with me. I’ll be back on the road headed into those mountains like that.”
She snapped her fingers to emphasize her point before bursting into a fit of laughter.
“Shoot, I need me a good ole sexy mountain man to put a smile on my face.”
“Shut up and give me another hug, crazy girl.”
The friends embraced again holding each other tightly. It had been almost a year since they had last seen each other. Lattimore pulled her into his penthouse apartment that would now be her home too. It was PJ’s first time seeing the place and her eyes went wide at its opulence.
“I know you don’t think I am living in this palace. Looks like I moved on up like George and Weezie!”
They both laughed remembering one of their favorite childhood television shows. The pair watched the show religiously and in fact, continued to watch it every time they got together. It was kind of their thing.
PJ walked into the entryway, eyes wide and taking in the beauty of her friend’s home. He had moved in just six months ago and it looked like a billionaire lived there. The first thing that caught her eye was the oversized pendant chandelier that defined the living room. It took her breath away. She had to remind herself that her bestie was well off. He had always had more money than God but remained as humble as Jesus. He didn’t live off his parents’ fortune but had built his own business from the ground up. Okay, so maybe he had the advantage of attending Ivy League schools and the seed money to start his company. He would have been a fool to turn that down. However, he remained the same kindhearted man he always was. It would have been so easy for him to drop her as his friend, but Latti always kept her close even when they were hundreds of miles apart.
The open floor plan made her smile as she walked further into the living room area. That’s when her eye caught the view of uptown on the other side of what looked to be an Olympic sized pool. The entire place was immaculate. She had not imagined Latti was living like this. There was enough room for two families to live there. She had no idea people lived like this in apartments. Living in a penthouse was going to be lit.
“Is that an infinity pool? OMG! You did not tell me you had a pool!”
“You mean we have a pool. That’s where we’re having your welcome home party.”
She looked at Latti with excitement in her eyes and threw her arms around his neck. He had always made her feel at home no matter where he lived. They were giggling and laughing when the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted their fun. Startled, PJ pulled away from her friend and spun around ready to fight.
“What’s going on in here? I thought you said your best friend was named PJ.”
Standing before them stood a short blonde woman with big fake boobs and way too much attitude for PJ’s liking. She looked the woman up and down accessing her designer clothes and plastic enhanced features and frowned. Who the fuck did this chick think she was? This was her bestie, and she would hug the stuffing out of him anytime she wanted. No permission needed.
“Yeah, that’s right. My name is PJ. And who would you be?”
The woman scowled up at PJ who must have seemed like a giant to her five-foot four frame. PJ returned the same energy, placing her hand on her hip and leaning forward looking directly in the woman’s eyes. PJ was aware that a lot of short women tried to make up for their lack of height by giving major tude. All she knew was this woman better come correct.
“Oh, I’m sorry. PJ, this is my friend Carlotta. We’ve been hanging out for a couple of months, and she wanted to meet you. Carla, this is my best friend in the entire world.”
Lattimore was aware that PJ was not the type to suffer fools so she couldn’t understand why this woman was even there. Hell, she hadn’t even had time to use the bathroom yet and she was already in a pissing match.
“Nice to meet you, Carla.”
PJ stuck out her hand to shake, but Carlotta looked at it like she was handing her a teaming pile of poo. Oh, so that’s how it was going to be. The woman had issues hating on PJ for no reason. Never one to hold her tongue, she spoke up.
“I can assure you my hand is clean. I wiped it on my pants after I picked my nose.”
That comment sent Lattimore into a fit of laughter. He was so amused that he began choking and gasping for air. Once he gathered himself, he threw his arm over PJ’s shoulder and started guiding her toward the stairs.
“Girl, you haven’t changed a bit. Let me show you to your room. Don’t worry about unpacking your car. I’ll get the building concierge to take care of it. I sure did miss you.”
The friends walked up the stairs chatting and laughing. PJ peered over her shoulder to see Carlotta standing in the living room looking like she was about to explode. Did she really think she could compete with Latti’s best friend after only knowing him a couple of months? Once they were out of earshot of Miss Sour Puss, PJ leaned in to have a conversation with her friend.
“What is the deal with you and that girl? She seems really possessive and rude as fuck.”