Chapter 5
Essen
From the back of the lecture hall, I listened to Caleb educate students on the importance of financial literacy.
Every December since we met, the professor held a class on investments, then gifted each student money to purchase stocks.
His actions were admirable, but the class was boring.
The only reason I showed up was because we had plans to go shopping for ski gear once he was done.
We were set to leave the city in two weeks, and one of the main reasons I agreed to vacation in the snow was so I could strut around in fly labels and ride dick in a cabin.
As I scrolled through my phone, I saw Shiloh sent me a text.
Loh: Where you at, Princess?
I frowned at the nickname. Working, I messaged back.
Loh: You coming over today?
“No! Don’t you get tired of me hanging around your house?” I muttered as I typed.
Loh: Take the bass out your voice!
I rolled my eyes. I’m busy, Shiloh.
Loh: Busy, huh? Don’t get nobody fucked up. I would hate to make a nigga’s mama plan a repast right before we celebrate Jesus’ birthday.
Seriously? Shiloh, whether you want to believe it or not, I’m grown. I’m not coming over. I’ll see you before you go on your trip.
Guilt caused my shoulders to cave when I placed my phone face down on the desk.
Any other day, I would be happy to spend quality time with my brother.
However, I couldn’t risk the chance of running into Loso.
No matter how much I tried to convince myself I wasn’t ashamed of running into Loso at Nightstand, my heart raced at the idea of talking to him about it.
I didn’t know how long he watched me before I spotted him, but the mixture of shock and curiosity painted his mug.
Even from across the room, I could hear his thoughts, and when I got home that night, I kind of hoped he came through to speak his piece.
“Who are you over here daydreaming about?”
A phony smile curved my lips as I peered up at Caleb. “You. Every time I see you behind that podium, my mind wonders if the head on your shoulders is as big as the one in your pants.”
He looked around the now empty room then cupped my chin. “You keep talking like that, and I may have to pay for another night at the club.”
“Hmph. I would prefer you use that money for an extra night in the snow.”
Caleb’s slender frame snapped to attention and his regard veered to the left. I had seen the look enough to assume the wise man was up to no good.
“Aww, shit,” I grumbled. “Here we go with this bullshit.”
“Hey. Come on, love. Don’t give me that look.”
“Sometimes I don’t think you care how I see you. Don’t make me regret choosing you.”
“I’m about to take you shopping for our trip. That should be enough to convince you that my word is bond.”
“For now, it is,” I declared while stepping out of arm’s reach. “I rode my bike over here. I’ll meet you at The Galleria.”
Caleb didn’t pretend to care when I stormed off which was all the proof I needed.
Being a pushover wasn’t a requirement to be my man, but being willing to put my mind at ease was important.
If nothing could make me smile amid confusion, the sight of my dark purple motorcycle always did the trick.
The Triumph Twin Speed was a Christmas present from my brothers, and every time they saw me on it, they complained.
I caught a few students point in my direction as I slipped on my gear, but I didn’t waste time questioning them.
Just because I was having a crabby day didn’t mean they had to.
The ride from the university to the mall took about forty minutes.
There was a shopping center closer to campus, but Caleb’s scary ass insisted we travel to avoid running into someone associated with the school.
Unless we kicked it on Mars, I didn’t believe we could escape inquisitive stares, yet I appeased his request. I made it to my destination a little after 4:00 PM, parked my bike, then found a seat on a bench near the mall’s entrance.
I tried to be patient since I knew the professor drove like a snail, however, twenty minutes passed, and he was still a no show.
“Hello?” He answered the phone on the first ring.
“Hey. Where are you? I’ve been sitting here listening to these white kids sing ‘Jingle Bells’ repeatedly. I’m getting dizzy.”
The phone line trembled with his shaky breath.
“Essen. Love. I heard the school’s choir is singing Christmas carols at The Galleria this evening. Did you hear about that?”
I snatched the phone away from my ear and eyed it like it held an infection. “Are you fucking serious? You cannot convince me you just heard about that!”
“Don’t be a brat about it, Essen. Your pussy is some of the best I’ve ever had, but nothing is worth my career.”
“Then you should have thought about that before you started bending me over your desk! I’m sacrificing the holidays with my family, and you won’t even—”
“Cut the shit!” he interjected. “You are becoming a fucking nag! Just because you are willing to abandon your folks doesn’t mean I’m willing to do the same.”
“Then take their round asses up north and stop calling my phone!”
“I’m sorry I’m late! Traffic was crazy,” I explained, entering the lobby of the venue where Loso and his mom waited for me. I hadn’t seen Mrs. Terri Bricks in forever, and still, she greeted me with open arms and a warm smile.
“Essen!” She sang my name. “It’s so good to see you! The last time we crossed paths you were cheerleading for Silk Hills High.”
My head jerked back. “Wow. Now I feel bad that it’s been so long.”
“It’s okay. I understand life happens.” She combed a piece of her long hair behind her ear. “As much as Loso is with you, I’m surprised.”
For the first time since I stepped into the room, I noticed the annoyance on Loso’s face.
“Ma. We don’t hang out like that,” he clarified.
“Boy, as pretty as Essen is, it should be just like that.” She strutted away without allowing him to respond.
“Sorry about her.” Loso shook his head. “Sometimes, she does too much.”
“She gave me a compliment. You never need to apologize for that,” I replied, tossing my hair over my shoulder.
“Cocky ass. Let’s get this started. I don’t want to be late for the tasting.”
I shook my head. “That won’t be a problem. I arranged for the caterer to meet us here, so we don’t have to travel for the tasting.”
His eyes widened as he slowly bobbed his head up and down. “I like how you work, Ms. Sharpe.”
Since it was Christmas time, the banquet hall of the venue was doused in red, gold, and green.
A light breeze laced with notes of pine were just as vivid.
As we ventured more into the building, a tall woman with long, blonde hair approached us.
She introduced herself as Minnie, confirming she was the person I had been speaking with.
“It’s so good to finally put a name with a face.” I surveyed the room. “This place is breathtaking. The ornate chandeliers are enough to make anyone fall in love.”
“I’m happy to hear that. We aim to please.” She winked. “That’s one of the reasons we wanted to make sure you guys were taken care of. We’re aware of what our guests go through to secure their spot on the calendar. We didn’t want a change to throw off your celebration.”
Mrs. Terri started clapping. “That’s what I like to hear!
I had the chance to tour the property when we booked the date, but can we have another look around?
” she quizzed. “I know we’re only a couple weeks from the party, but my son is footing the bill, and I want him to see where his money is going. ”
“Of course!” Minnie agreed. “I would love to show you guys around. Since we’re already downstairs, let’s start here.”
A few steps away, I watched the mama’s boy lean into her touch when Mrs. Terri caressed the side of his face. Years of being around Loso, and I could only recall his eyes going that soft when we kissed.
“Ma Dukes. Are you sure you need all this space?”
“Yep! My church family has already committed to coming. Plus, we have family flying in. This place is perfect,” she confirmed, rushing to Minnie’s side and leaving us alone.
Hoping to put his mind at ease, I playfully bumped Loso’s shoulder. “She’s right. I reviewed and confirmed the guestlist. She has at least one hundred folks ready to party.”
“Yeah, a bunch of muthafuckas we haven’t seen in years.”
“Don’t be a grouch. Your parents have been together for decades. I’m sure there are quite a few people that have contributed to their love story that you may not even know.”
Loso’s conflicted aura washed into his hands when he slid his palms over his face. “I respect it. To be real, I don’t care if it’s one person or one hundred people as long as they’re happy.”
“Aww. Look at you getting all mushy,” I teased. “I don’t see this side of you often.”
“What do you normally see?”
A nervous giggle skipped from my lips. “You don’t want to know.”
“I asked, didn’t I?”
Before I could control my body, my lips twisted from side to side in a coy manner. “I mean, I’ve seen you as a protector … a hustler. A womanizer.”
“That would insinuate I play women. I have never done that.”
“Just because they agree to being hos doesn’t mean you aren’t a pimp.”
Loso dropped a contagious laugh into his fist. “That’s a cold ass analogy.”
“Yeah. Maybe a little dramatic, but you get me.”
“Yeah . . . I do.”
Something in the distance caught his eyes, making me follow his focus. The sight of mistletoe caused my heartbeat to pound so hard, I palmed my chest. “Loso.”
He grabbed my hand then pinned my arm above the small of my back. His dominance should have wrecked my brain, instead it started a leak between my lower lips.
“What are you doing?” I asked in a breathless note.
“The same thing you did two weeks ago, unless you want to get into what I saw you doing at Nightstand.”
I pressed my forehead into his chest to avoid his eyes. “Eww. Why are you bringing that up?”