Chapter 4 #2
“Fix your face, Jela. I keep telling you that anybody who can abandon you wasn't meant to be in your life anyway.”
“He’s got a point, sis.”
“May I please be excused?”
“Here the fuck we go. Bye!” She stood again and reached for Scottlyn. “Leave her; she ain't done eating. I’ll call you when she’s done.”
Jela left the kitchen, and I looked at my brother. “Show her some grace, D. Not having your people around you to witness your biggest moments is fucked up. Nobody to walk her down the aisle and no family to witness it… Shit’s hurtful.”
“She don’t need them motherfuckas. As a matter of fact, I’m thinking about canceling the whole wedding shit and just taking her to the courthouse. Fuck all that extra shit.”
“Every woman wants a wedding, bruh.”
“Yeah, yeah, and every thug needs a lady.”
I chuckled. “What the fuck does that even mean?”
“I don't know. The shit just sounded good.”
We both laughed.
“Stupid.” My phone sounded as I looked at the caller ID, seeing my homie Saleem’s number flash across the screen. I hurried and answered the call. “Mr. St. James. How are you this morning?”
“Mr. Stone. A real nigga can’t complain. You all settled in?”
“Yes and no. I’m at my brother’s crib until mine is done.”
“You know I don't want to hear that bullshit about ya crib. Lane Builders would’ve had yo’ shit done before you even took the job.”
“I hear you, man. How’s the family?” I deflected. I didn’t use Lane Builders because I wanted my own team to show me what they could do. It was a trial run to basically see who I would keep and how efficient they were.
“Hold on a second, Tru.” He spoke to his assistant for a moment, then got back on the line. “The family is good. Promise driving Pure’s ass crazy.” He chuckled.
“Sounds like you like that shit.”
“I live to get on my wife’s nerves. She knew what she signed up for.
” We both laughed. “But I called because I need you to get your team together sometime next month. The contractors are putting the finishing touches on the building, so you might want to prepare them before the grand opening in January. Pure and I will be up there for the opening, then it’s go time from there. ”
“No doubt. I’m already on it, fam.”
“That's what's up. Enjoy the holidays, my guy. I’ll get up with you soon.”
“For sure. Peace.”
We hung up as I continued eating my food. Scottlyn was making a mess of her grits while Dame’s ass was texting on his phone.
“Fucking bitch. I don't need this shit right now!” he fussed.
I frowned. “What happened?”
“Brittany said she’s pregnant, man. Fuck! I wasn't trying to put no baby in this bitch.”
“Are you serious?”
“She’s about to get a fucking abortion. I can’t have no more kids, man. I slipped up with Jela… Well, not really, but I don't regret having a baby with her. That only means she can never get rid of me if she tried. But fuck Brittany. I know her ass set me up off that Henny and X.”
All I could do was shake my head at this nigga. He was moving recklessly and disrespecting his queen, all while talking about marrying her and locking her down.
“You can’t be serious, Dame. Like, you trapped her with a baby and talking about marrying her for what? To do this shit to her?”
“You don't understand.”
“Help me understand, please.”
“Jela provides nurturing, loyalty, and respect. These other hos I’m fucking only provide good sex. Where Jela lacks, they pick up the slack. Jela is boring as fuck in the bedroom, but Brittany and a few others don’t mind getting freaky.”
“That's the dumbest shit I ever heard in my life.”
“Fuck! This bitch just pulled up. Run interference for me. Tell Jela I had an emergency on the block.”
“Nigga, tell her yourself.”
“I don’t feel like arguing with her ass. Just do me this solid. Please?”
I tossed my hands up. “I think I’ma chill at the Westin after all. Y’all can have this shit.”
“If that's what you want to do, bro, then go ’head.”
“I don't need your permission, bum.”
“You do. Just because you're the oldest don't mean you don't have to listen to me.” He smirked.
“Do you even love her?”
“Who?”
“Your fiancée. Do you love her?”
He thought for a moment before he nodded. “I do. She’s the first woman that I ever felt an instant attraction to. She’s smart as hell and gorgeous. I had to lock her down, man. I couldn't let another nigga put a baby in her or wife her.”
“Then why are you doing this to her? If sex is boring with her, then voice your concerns and try to find a solution to the problem. You’re about to marry her just to fuck around on her, and now you got all this bullshit going on.
She can't be that valuable to you for you to be out here moving fucked up.”
He sighed heavily. “Come on, bro. I don’t need ya fucking third degree right now. I’m in a crisis.”
“Nigga, just go! Just know I won't be here when you get back, dumb ass.”
“Whatever.” He stood and kissed Scottlyn, then hurried out of the kitchen.
I looked across the table at my niece, who had grits everywhere, then stood to get her from her highchair. “Ya pops is a piece of shit, Scottie baby.”
“Shi! Shi! Shi!”
“Oh, damn. Don't listen to Unc, baby girl.” I laughed as I grabbed her and headed upstairs to give her to her mother.
By the time I made it to the master suite, I had grits in my beard and hair. I knocked on the door lightly, and a few seconds later, Jela answered the door, eyes red as ever.
“Oh, goodness. Y’all are a mess.” She laughed, but I didn’t.
“What's wrong, Jela? You know you can talk to me. Whatever you tell me won't go any further than us two.”
“I’ll be fine, Truce. Hand her here. I don't want him to think anything about us.”
“He’s not here. Had some business to handle.”
She scoffed. “He always has business to handle. We were supposed to be dropping Scottie off to you guys' mom to go meet with the wedding planner at eleven. At this point, I don't think we’re going to get married anyway.”
“Do you want to marry him?”
She looked away from me, which was a telltale sign that she didn’t. “It’s a lot to think about. I’m not saying I don't love Damien, but I’m also not stupid, Truce. He’s not a faithful man, and I’m unsure if he ever will be, but… he’s all I have.”
“He doesn't have to be. You got me too.”
“Pssh. You don't even know me.”
“I know you’re hurting. I know you’re lonely and could use a friend.
I’m not trying to push up on you, Jela, even though last night I had an epiphany while lying in bed.
The fucked up part about that realization is that I can’t even tap into it because the entity belongs to a nigga that shares my DNA. ”
Her eyes closed tightly. “Truce—”
“No pressure, shorty. I know you’re just as conflicted as I am. I’ve only known you for twenty-four hours, and already I want to get to know more about you. I don't want to make shit awkward, so go get you and baby girl ready, and I’ll take you to meet the planner.”
“He should be doing that. She would need the groom’s input as well.”
“I know my brother. I can stand in for him.” I handed Scottlyn over to her. “I’ve been known to give good hugs, you know?”
She smirked at me. “Maybe later.”
“Got you. See you in a minute.”
“Okay.”
I headed back down to my room to shower and change. Once I brought Jela back from her meeting, I was packing my shit and leaving. I refused to watch my brother play in her face. I was going to mind my business and leave her my number if she ever needed someone to talk to or simply needed a friend.