Chapter 9
Xai
“You do know they’re out there plotting on who’s going to the new location when it opens,” Trista says with a smirk. “And they’re treating Kadean like a damn king ’cause he got them thinking he’s gonna be running it.”
Real shit, in a perfect world, my little brother would be running my second location.
He would also have his shit together and wouldn’t be stressing me out every damn day.
But as it stands, he’s still living in my house, still eating my damn food, and still coming to work when he feels like it.
So unfortunately, I can’t trust my business with him.
“Before he can manage anything, he needs to work a full schedule at least once,” I say.
She steps further into my office, then sits down in the chair in front of my desk. When she does this, I know she really needs to talk. “What’s wrong now, Trista?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” she says with a slight laugh. “I was just hoping I can actually go to the new location. It’s only seventeen minutes from my place and I drive over thirty minutes to get here every day, and after work, it takes me almost forty with traffic.”
“Is this about money?” I ask in a stern voice. It’s in total contradiction of how I feel because I already have plans for Trista and I know it’s something she will like.
“No. Well, not really. A girl can always use more money, but it’s really about the time and distance. You know I’m back in school and I’m trying to get this associate’s degree online. All the time I have at home to study is much appreciated and needed.”
“You’re getting a business degree, right?”
“Yeah, just a two-year degree but I may go back later and get my bachelor's degree.”
“That would really help with your new job even though it’s not required.”
“New job?” she questions as she straightens her posture.
“Yeah. Manager at the new location. I need you to start looking for your replacement at the front here and for front desk help there.”
“Xai! Xai! Are you fucking with me? Sorry, I mean are you for real right now?” she exclaims.
“I’m not fucking with you, Trista. I’m deadass. You’re the only person I would trust to manage. The new position will start June first, which gives us a month till opening. That’s enough time to transition and get the new people in place.”
“Xai! You’re gonna make me cry. Oh my God; thank you so much! Thank you.”
“I’m serious. You earned this. Hell, you’re here more than me,” I say and she laughs while wiping her tears.
“I just can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. You can post on social media and the website about the two openings for the front desks. Also go ahead and post for the washers and detailers. I need to start looking at all staff.”
“I’ll post today,” she says excitedly. “And since you mentioned more money, how much is my raise?”
“Managing is more responsibility,” I begin and she shakes her head. “You have to help with scheduling and managing those knuckleheads out there.”
“I know and I can handle it and them,” she assures.
“It’s seven more dollars an hour,” I tell her and I see her eyes turning like she’s calculating the amount.
A huge smile slowly spreads on her face and she nods. “I can do that,” she admits with a grin.
“I know you can. Congrats and let me know when you get those ads posted.”
Upon standing, she says, “Oh, they will be posted in fifteen minutes. Your new manager is on it.”
“Your salary isn’t changing till June first,” I tell her as she walks out of my door.
“I know, just practicing.”
She closes my door and I open my emails.
It’s after three and I’m just getting to my laptop.
I spent most of the day out of the office.
First, I stopped by the new spot for a few hours to meet with the foreman from Powers Construction.
Then, when I got here, I spent the next few hours outside with the guys.
I even joined in on a full detail of a F-350.
Sometimes, I have to show them the boss can get his hands dirty and they respect me more for that.
I’m thirty minutes into going through my emails when Kadean walks in. He’s the only person who doesn’t knock. I look up and see him walking toward me holding a phone out. My phone.
“You left this on the stool in the waxing bay,” he says when he places it on my desk.
“Oh shit. Thanks.”
Uninvited, he sits down. “When you gon’ take me to the new spot?” he asks.
“You really want to see it?”
“Hell yeah. My brother’s got a second shop. I most def want to see that shit,” he says, then he sighs. After slouching in the chair, he rubs his hand down his face. “Peaches is pregnant,” he utters.
I’m glad she told him before I had to.
“She told me last night and it’s mine. I haven’t even told Vontrice,” he says and I guess my expression reveals I don’t remember or know Vontrice. “Shawty from the kitchen…Monday,” he says, refreshing my memory. “I’m feeling her but this shit gon’ change that.”
“Having a baby changes everything,” I add.
“Don’t I know it. Dutch goes through it with his baby moms.”
“That’s ’cause he’s a clown and don’t handle his responsibilities.”
“Whatever it is, I’m not trying to have that shit. I gotta figure this shit out and I’m going to need more hours.”
“You can work as many hours as you want. You know that, but look, if I put you on the schedule, you have to show up. No calling in, no bullshit, or rolling in late and dipping early. I can’t run my business like that,” I tell him honestly.
“I know. I know,” he says while shaking his head. He stands. “I’m staying till closing today.”
“Okay. Let Trista know and talk to her about the schedule next week. Let her know the days you want to work.”
“Hell, all of them bitches. I need bread,” he says before reaching his hand out. We dap. “Troy ’bout to go get fish sandwiches from Phat Fish. You ate?”
“Nah but I’ll grab something.”
When he walks out, I grab my phone and see I missed three texts from Adora’s pretty ass. She’d responded to my text from earlier.
Me: Enjoy your spa day, pretty lady.
Adora: Thanks. Won’t you stop by after work.
Adora: I mean, only if you want.
Adora: If you can’t, it’s cool, but if yes, room 545.
After reading them three damn times, all I can do is smile. It’s a little after four now, so I’m definitely falling through when I’m done. For the next hour, I answer my emails. Then I check in with the guys outside and let Trista know I’m out for the day.
I don’t want to show up at Adora’s room empty handed but I also don’t want to look crazy either, so after overthinking the shit, I slide to The Marketplace, grab one of those premixed Black Ops Specialty drinks ladies seem to like and a few ready meal kits from the deli.
She liked the soup and salad I’d sent her for lunch last week, so I get a cobb salad meal, then pick up a sushi dinner and a pasta one, chicken parmesan.
Each one comes with sides and a dessert or bread, so hopefully, I got something she’ll like.
When I make it to the hotel, I pull up to the valet, give them my keys, and get a ticket. The elevator bays are through the massive lobby to the right. I walk up right as one opens. I enter, ascend up to the fifth floor, and journey to her room. I don’t hesitate to knock on the door.
“Who is it?” I hear her sultry voice ask from the other side of the door.
“Xai.”
“Xai?” she says in a questioning tone. “Um…Xai, give me a minute.”
I hear movement on the other side then about five minutes later, the door flies open.
Standing on the other side is a fucking amazing sight.
She’s dressed simply, in baggy blue sweats, a cut off T-shirt, and big ass fuzzy socks.
The slight exposure of her stomach and piercing is sexy as hell.
Her hair is pulled up on her head, giving me a clear view of her pretty ass face. She’s glowing, looking incredible.
“Hey, beautiful,” I say.
“Hey. Um. What are you doing here?” she asks, blowing me because her text was clear, very clear.
“You texted me,” I say and she’s obviously stunned, still blowing me. I know what I read.
“I did?”
“Are you fucking with me?” I ask.
“No. No. No. I might have. Shit, I don’t know,” she says, really blowing me.
Although the only place I want to be right now is here with her, I’m also not staying any place I’m not wanted. Being who I am, I say, “If you don’t want me here, I can dip.”
“No! No. Come in. It’s just been a crazy morning,” she says apologetically.
She steps back to allow me in but I hesitate for a moment because I’m really not understanding this.
She clearly texted me. I know I’m not tripping.
“Please,” she insists when she sees my reluctance. “Come in. I’m tripping,” she says.
I step in and see she has a suite, not just a regular room. She leads me to the sofa then motions for me to sit. I do and place the bag on the table. She joins me and immediately grabs her cell.
“You did text me,” I say.
As her eyes look over her phone, she says with laughter, “I see. Oh my god! I was drunk. Wow.” She laughs more and shakes her head.
Then she looks up at me. “They gave me prosecco at the spa. I drink and I’ve had wine before but not that.
The girl warned me and she was right. I texted you while I was clearly feeling the prosecco,” she says, still amused.
“But clearly I wanted you here. Drunkenness only reveals your real thoughts, right?”
“That’s what they say,” I admit. I’m more relaxed now at her confession. “So you wanted me here?”
“Looks like it,” she says before tucking her legs under her butt.
“Good, ’cause I want to be here. I bought food too. You ate yet?”
“No. I was really about to look at this menu to order. What’s in the bag?” she asks with a huge smile.
“I got some meals-on-the-go from The Marketplace.”
“Can I look?”
“It’s for you,” I say and she drops her legs then leans forward.