Chapter 6
Loso
Golf and the conservative scene weren’t really my vibe, but I was happy to put on some fly shit and spend the day giving back with my folks.
The Silks Hills Country Club was black-owned and had always welcomed the Sons of Eshu into their establishment when other organizations shunned us because of our past.
After I checked my appearance in my rearview mirror, I handed my keys to the valet, then followed the candy cane stickers pressed into the ground.
Even without the pathway, the sound of Christmas music and laughter led me to the courtyard of the country club.
Every corner was filled with people or a holiday trinket.
The area looked like a candy cane had babies, and they were set free on the country club grounds.
Makeshift snow nearly covered the grass, and props as tall as me probably made the kids feel like they were in a fantasy land.
Some people I recognized at first glance while others I had never seen before.
Most of the kids ran around or played carnival like games while the adults sat at one of the many tables enjoying a meal.
Just like Stevie said, big name sponsors showed up, giving away free gear and samples.
I surveyed the yard from near the entryway until I spotted Shiloh standing in the middle of the field in an ugly sweater and a Santa hat.
“What’s good, brodie?” I dapped him up then pulled at his sweater. “I see you followed the theme to a fucking T.”
“And I see you don’t know how to follow directions.”
I stroked the collar of my polo. “You know me well. I’m not buying something ugly on purpose. Bad enough Stevie started the giveaway so damn early.”
“My baby made a strategic move. We’re catering to a lot of people, so she scheduled the families to pick up their money and gifts at different times.”
The admiration in Shiloh’s voice when he spoke about his wife couldn’t be missed. Anytime he talked about Stevie, he sounded honored to be her husband.
“Look at you. Cheesin’ and shit,” I kidded.
“I can’t help it. You see how my baby put this shit together.”
“Yeah. Stevie said she wanted to give back, and she didn’t cut corners. I see she got Nike to come out here.” I bumped his shoulder. “You should be proud.”
“That ain’t the word. I watch Blue work on projects she doesn’t make a dime from.
She got a nigga with money, and instead of spending it all on Gucci and gold, she pours into those in need.
Proud ain’t the word.” He pointed toward the booths lining the grass area.
“You decided which station you’re going to handle? ”
“Nah, but I’ll take whichever requires the least interaction with kids,” I half-joked.
As we eyed Stevie in action, Essen came into view. Her afro of curls was pressed into sleek tresses that hung down her back. The warm smile I was used to seeing on her face was nowhere in sight.
“What’s wrong with the princess?”
Shiloh smacked his lips. “Ain’t no telling. She’s been in a shitty mood lately, but she won’t tell me why. I think she’s fucking with somebody and doesn’t want to tell me.”
“She’s your baby sister, but she’s a grown woman. She has the right to keep some shit close.”
His abrupt silence made my focus swing in Shiloh’s direction. I stepped back with a smile when I saw he was staring at me.
“What, nigga?” I laughed.
“You done lost yo’ mind. Anybody who thinks they’re going to be in my sister’s face has to check in with me. Period. If he’s on the up and up, there shouldn’t be a reason to hide the bum.”
A peg of remorse made my gut churn. All the years we spent committing sins together then righting our wrongs, I felt disloyal for keeping the truth from him. It had only been a few days since I built gingerbread trap houses with Essen, but it still felt too long to keep Shiloh in the blind.
“Hey, Shiloh. I want to talk to you about—”
“Shiloh! Come here for a second, my love!”
Stevie called for her husband, halting my confession.
Shiloh gripped my shoulder. “Hold that thought, Los. I’ll be right back.”
“Bet. Take this check to Stevie since you’re going over there.”
Once I was alone, I searched for Essen. She was no longer helping Stevie, and I didn’t see her at any station.
Thirty minutes went by of me wandering around the event, speaking to members of S.O.E and our guests, but after growing restless, I started to crave the sight of Essen.
Assuming she went inside, I wandered through the nearest rear door of the building, then slowly roamed down a carpeted hallway.
Essen’s voice was faint, yet the more steps I took, the more I recognized her discomfort.
The second I bent the corner, Essen’s professor sped past me.
He didn’t look my way, but I studied the four-eyed creep.
His puffed cheeks were red, and his steps were heavy.
“Loso!” Essen called my name. “What are you doing back here?”
“I should ask you the same thing. Why the fuck did you invite that weirdo up here? Did you think I was playing about what I said to you last week?”
She grinned. “No. The roses and candy I received every day this week proved that. I didn’t invite him anywhere. Caleb is here with his . . . friends. He didn’t come to see me.”
I scoffed. “You sound sad about it.”
“It’s not that. The conversation with Caleb just reminded me why I haven’t accepted his calls. I’m just afraid that will be the case with us.”
“Your little chocolate ass deserves to be shown off, but don’t act like telling your brother will be the easiest thing in the world.”
“I’m not na?ve, Loso. I don’t want to start a war.”
My lips twisted to the side. “Sounds like you’re trying to keep me tucked away.”
“It’s not that, and I’m not afraid to deal with the aftermath. I just need to know my sacrifices won’t be in vain.” She worried unnecessarily. “The last man I let into my world didn’t want more than to have me in his bed. What do you want, Loso?”
“Everything,” I replied without hesitation.
She nodded. “We’ll see.”
For a few hours, I accepted the distance Essen kept between us.
I purposely worked at a different booth when she handled toys, and I didn’t bother to mumble a word when we ended up next to each other in the food line.
However, I couldn’t stay away when I saw her prepare to shoot metal targets in a field with a small group.
Her back was to me, so I couldn’t see her eyes, but I detected her frustration when she struggled to load the shotgun.
“Can I help you with that?” I asked when I approached her.
“Nope. I got it. You better back up before someone sees us together.”
A one-note chuckle caved in my chest. “Stop being a baby and let me help you.”
She combed a piece of hair behind her ear as her eyes piloted to her golf sneakers.
“I know yo’ ass ain’t actin’ shy now,” I teased her. “Let me show you how to handle this burner.”
I eased behind Essen then placed my hand on top of hers. Doused in chocolate, Essen’s skin was as soft as it looked, and her hair smelled like sweet cinnamon.
“The trick to handling a burner this size is knowing how to position it.” I angled the tail of the shotgun toward her waist. “See how much more comfortable that feels.”
She nodded, and I could feel her soften in my hold when I guided her finger to the trigger.
“You can’t get loose when you’re about to let off bullets. Tighten up.”
I stepped back, giving Essen room to shoot without me breathing down her neck. Out the corner of my eye, I spotted someone walk up, but I didn’t redirect my focus. I studied the steel, white plate that ascended into the air, escaping the bullet Essen let off.
“Straighten up. Focus!” I demanded, refusing to join her rising pity party.
Essen aimed at the clouds a second time. “Ready!”
This time around, she sent a slug through the air and smacked the steel target before it could reach the highest point in the sky.
“Good shit, pretty girl!” I praised her.
The urge to smack her ass prompted me to ball up my hands. Essen could press all she wanted, but I knew she wasn’t ready to tell her brothers about us. As much as I wanted to treat the situation like I was above consequence, my love and respect for Shiloh kept my ego in line.
“What the hell is going on over here?” I heard Durk ask from behind my back.
Essen waved him off and walked away, leaving me alone with Durk.
“So, you’re not going to say anything about being chummy with Essen? Y’all out there poppin’ metal plates together.”
“Stop being messy.”
“This shit gon’ get really messy if Shiloh finds out y’all messing around. Church is cool, but Shiloh’s ass likes to jump off his rocker. He would never approve of this shit.”
“Don’t play me like some dog ass nigga.”
“Why not? That’s what you are. You ain’t never had a problem with me saying it before.”
“I don’t treat all women the same. Think of it like Santa’s Naughty or Nice list. I just so happen to get the naughty hos, and they get what they deserve. Essen is better than that.”
“Yeah. Y’all been fucking,” Durk clowned, finding humor at my expense.
Though I didn’t return to my seat, I distanced myself from Essen to avoid more questions. If our connection was obvious to Durk, anyone could see it.
“Casey, open the damn gift and stop playing.” I grunted, watching my over-the-top receptionist dance with the Christmas gift I handed her.
I always gave the team a few days off before and after Christmas, so I decided to gift everybody their presents before their vacation.
“Loso. Don’t rush me because you don’t have a gift. You always say you don’t want anything.”
“The thing I want, y’all can’t give me,” I admitted. “Now, hurry up. We have work to do, and I’m not trying to be here all night.”