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Excerpt from DownLow Sister OnTop

 

"Ride or Die"

 

The airport was chaotic as usual. Gary jumped out the car to use the bathroom while I circled a couple of times. The flight was delayed, but we didn’t see the alert until we were already there. I circled twice before he came out. As he is walking toward me, I noticed Candace walking a few paces behind him. She was talking on her cell peaking from under a hoodie. I recognized her immediately. She is more beautiful than I had imagined. I’ve seen her pictures and of course she and Gary are identical twins.

“Candace this is Imani. Imani meet Candace.”

“I’m a hugger.” She said.

“I’m a hugger too.” I mimicked quickly jumping out of the car. I didn’t know a hug could mean so much.

“I’ve heard so much about you, Imani. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.” She said.

Candace gave me the universal lesbian hug with the extra squeeze. Even though it felt like an invitation to more than sisterly bonding, I decided to interpret it as such anyway.

“It looks like you and I will be spending a lot of time 

together.” She continued.

Gary interrupted, “Wow sis, I haven’t told her yet.”

“Told me what?” I said.

“Baby, I do listen,” he said. “You have beencomplaining about getting ten pounds off before the wedding.”

“Right…”

“And you want to shake up your career a bit too right?”

“Yes.”

“Believe me. I think you are perfect just as you are, but because I listen I wanted to give you what you said you needed.”

“Okay Gary spit it out.” I said oblivious to where he was heading.

“Candace is going to help you get off the ground with both.”

I almost hit the floor. The Candi Birch will be training me. Oh my God.

“I’m your one stop shop sis.” 

She said beaming her signature smile I had seen many times on family photos, in fitness magazines and on tv.

“Wow, I don’t know what to say.” 

“All you gotta do is say yes.” 

Candace’s voice echoed like Floetry. I was speechless, but I managed to say, “Absolutely. I need all the help I can get.” 

“Trust me, it will be easy for you. You are already in great shape.” Candace looked at me from head to toe. 

“That’s what I keep telling her,” Gary said pulling me in for a kiss.

“I’ve hit a plateau.” I said.

“We all do. Your body will respond quickly.”

She said looking at me up and down again. Gary pulled me in closer as if he was trying to shield her stares.

“Can you believe this body is about to be Mrs. Gary Harris?”

It sounded like a question but Gary clearly was making a statement. 

“I’ll drive.” Gary said. 

“You can ride shotgun.” I said to Candace.

“No, that is reserved for you, Mrs. Gary Harris.” She said jumping in the back seat. I detected a hint of sarcasm.

“Correction, Imani Saint James Harris,” I said winking at Gary. “Don’t get it twisted.”

“Gary, I think I like her already.”

Candace said touching me on the base of my neck. I shivered a little.

Gary placed his hand on my knee. “Are you cold baby?” He asked.

“No, I’m good.”

I could see Candace in side view mirror. I avoided her stare.

“Your brother’s humor is rubbing off on me.”

“I see.”

Gary kissed my hand, “ I love me some you.” 

“Get a room.” Candace said.

“Speaking of rooms.” Gary said, “Are you going to 

Mama’s or are you staying at Tiffany’s?”

“You know I’m not with her anymore.” She said with a slight irritation.

“I thought maybe you had reconciled.”

“Gary why would you even ask me about her?”

“My bad sis. I thought time would have healed all of that.” He said.

“Let it go.”

Candace was flirting with me, and I liked it. That was way too weird for me to even have in my head. I needed to shake it off. I took a long hot bath and talked myself into the fact that the attraction was only because they were twins. Those thoughts helped me through that night. However, they would wane as she and I spent more time together. I had no clue how crazy things were about to become. 

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