Chapter 3
3
HANK
“ W ell I’ll be damned. Don’t you look hot as fuck.” I shook Kolbi’s hand as he extended it towards me. “For a guy who lived in ratty jeans and oversized T-shirts growing up, I almost didn’t recognize you. Dear god man, how much did that suit cost you?”
“More than I would like to admit, brother,” he laughed and pulled me in for a hug. I’m not usually one for hugs but Kolbi comes from a big family where hugging was just as normal as waving hello to someone. “We missed having you here in the Lowcountry. Conrad and Malcolm are already planning their characters for our next campaign when it starts again.”
He was one of my three best friends. Malcolm and Conrad were the others and we had all grown up together here in Charleston, South Carolina. I had been the only one to get the hell out of dodge, enlisting in the Army as soon as we walked across the stage at graduation and not coming home until I landed last week. The three of them had decided to stay and start their own lives here, working and staying close to home while I was gone.
I followed my friend and new boss down a fully marbled hallway and into an elevator. He pressed a button and we talked as the elevator took us to the top floor.
“You’ve really made a name for yourself,” I commented, finally seeing what my friend had built for himself. After graduating from college, something I never did, Kolbi started a security firm for businesses and homes around the city and grew it to be the largest security firm in the area. Based on his suit, I knew he made more in a year than I did during my entire stint in the military.
“Yeah, well, all the old white bitties need to make sure their pearls and paintings are safe from all the scary colored people around town.” He rolled his eyes and attempted a laugh, trying to make light of the looks and names he was often given due to the color of his skin. It was worse when we were growing up as he was oftentimes the first one blamed when something went missing or anything remotely illegal happened. But we always had his back and stuck up for him whenever anyone said anything remotely offensive.
“Kolb, come on man…” I sighed.
“Nah, brother, it’s okay. Really, I think me being Black actually helps business. When I show up for an install or consult, people take one look at me and think, ‘Well he’s the kind of person I’m trying to stay safe from, so if he is installing it, he must know how to keep the rest of his type out.’” The elevator doors opened and we both stepped out.
“At this point, I’m up charging for it,” he said with a wink.
We walked down another long hallway and passed people sitting at desks and large tables. The office was an open concept with some people standing at their desks and other people sitting on couches. Everyone was dressed casually which I found interesting, seeing as how my best friend was in a full suit. Some people looked up at me as we walked past and waved. Once we reached the end of the hall, he pushed open a large glass door that led into what I assumed was his office.
“Holy shit, Kolb.” My mouth hung open as I took in the view. Every wall of his office was floor to ceiling windows looking out into the harbor. Downtown sat right on the Ashley River which then led out into the ocean. From his office, you could see all of downtown and miles down both ends of the coast.
“Like I said, I upcharge for it.” He handed me a soda and sat down at his desk. “So, I was thinking I could have you head up my high security division.”
Finally pulling my eyes away from the water, I sat down in one of the plush chairs that sat across his glass desk. Who the hell decorated this place? Definitely not Kolbi—the guy grew up riding skateboards and sleeping on an old couch.
“Sure, man. I’d be fine with anything really.” The military had been all I’d done with my life and now that I was out, I didn’t really know what to do with myself. Having not gone to college, I didn’t have a degree to help me get any kind of job with a retirement plan or health insurance. Sure, I had benefits from my time in the service, but I couldn’t rely on that for the rest of my life.
“It’s mostly a management role but the people you would be overseeing are great and really good at what they do. This division oversees high security needs such as events, high-profile weddings, and they cover security whenever celebrities or politicians come into town. And of course, the rich and wealthy of Charleston.”
“Like the people they name bridges and schools after,” I joked, half laughing.
“Exactly like the people they name bridges and schools after,” he confirmed without a hint of humor in his voice.
“Sounds easy enough. I’m game for whatever, I’m just thankful you’re hooking me up with this Kolb.”
“I would do anything for you, brother. We’re all really happy you’re back. We didn’t expect you to be gone for over ten years when you enlisted after high school. Shit, some of us didn’t think you would make it past bootcamp.” He chuckled.
“Yeah, I don’t think I expected to be gone this long either but, it got me out of my house and forced me to grow up in places I needed to grow up. I’m happy to be back.”
We talked about everything included in my role—what my requirements and working hours were, and he filled me in on who I would be working with. When he told me how much he would be paying me, I choked on my drink.
“Is that actually what it pays or is that what you’re paying me because I’m your friend?” I questioned. I didn’t want special treatment and if that wasn’t what he was going to pay someone from off the street, I didn’t want it.
“Yes,” was all he said to answer my question before continuing, “Now, you’ll need to go to the floor below this one and talk to Margie in HR. She will have all your paperwork, badges, and keys for you. Once you fill it out and she files everything, you will have your sign-on bonus in your account. That should help you get settled and set up with everything you need now that you’re home. Do you need a place to stay?”
“Uh, no. I have an apartment north of the city.”
“ Where north of the city?” He dragged out his words slowly and furrowed his brows.
“Kolbi stop. It’s in a safe area and I like it. I don’t need you giving me any more handouts. The job is enough.” I stood up from my seat and extended my hand towards him. He mirrored my movement and took my hand to shake.
“Alright, well if you decide you don’t want to stay in some shithole anymore, you let me know. I have a few places around town I keep as safe houses if you need a place to crash.”
“I’ll be fine, thank you.” I dropped his hand and started walking towards the door to head to HR when he called out to me.
“Oh, and just a word to the wise, Margie is really sweet and good at what she does, but she will try and get in your pants. She might be old, but she’s not shy. Keep your guard up.”
I turned slowly to look at him and gave him a puzzled look. “You hired a horny old lady to work in your Human Resources department?”
“I didn’t know she was horny when I hired her. She was really nice during her interview, even brought homemade grits for me. It wasn’t until after she was hired that she invited me to a hotel room to meet her for drinks after work.” He was laughing now. “I promise, she’s harmless. Just always tell her no, no matter how many times she asks.”
He raised his hand and waved to me before sitting back down at his desk. I pushed the glass doors open again and walked back toward the elevator, bracing myself for my meeting with a horny, elderly woman. Only Kolbi would hire someone because they brought homemade grits to their interview.
Two hours and multiple sexual advances later, I was free from Margie and officially an employee. My official next day would be tomorrow and I was expected to be at the office by 0830. After leaving my meeting, the first thing I knew I would need to do is figure out how I was going to get in and out of the city. I had left home at eighteen and never had my own car, so when I came back last week, I didn’t have one waiting for me. It hadn’t been a big deal since the gym and the grocery store were within walking distance of my apartment, but now that I had a job, I was going to need a way to get around. I would just take the bus to work like I did today until I figured it out.
Exiting the office and walking out onto the sidewalk, I was hit with the sounds and smells of downtown Charleston.
Growing up here, I always enjoyed walking around the city and watching the tourists take it all in. Charleston wasn’t huge, but it had a big city, small town vibe to it that was charming enough to make it a popular tourist destination. The weather was warm already and the humidity was sinking into my skin with precision. I could feel the beads of sweat spring up on the back of my neck as I stood just outside the office. Not wanting to idle too long on the sidewalk, I turned left and headed towards the water where I knew the ocean breeze would help to break the heat.
As I walked towards the pier, I passed couples and families enjoying the city and sights. Charleston is old, really old, and that added to its charm. Horse-drawn carriages pulled groups of people down the street as guides educated the passengers on the history of the city. I couldn't help but laugh at the stream of cars that had gotten stuck behind a carriage and now had to wait until it moved over to pass.
A few blocks down, I ducked into a coffee shop to grab a coffee and something to eat. I sat outside at a small metal table and watched as people took photos, laughed with their friends, and walked down the slate sidewalks. I watched as a couple got what I assumed were their engagement photos taken by a photographer holding an oversized camera. The girl was wearing a white dress and laughed as her fiancé dipped her back in the middle of the street, the photographer snapping photos as he did. When he pulled her up, he kissed her on the neck and she smiled for the camera. A lump grew in my gut as I watched them. I was nearly thirty years old and I hadn’t been in a relationship since high school. Sure, I’d been kinda busy serving my country and all, but still, it had been a while.
My mind flashed to the image of the girl from the gym who read in between sets. I wondered if she had someone in her life. Suddenly, I was picturing her in a white dress in the middle of the street and me being the one who dipped her back for a photo. Get a grip man, you don’t even know her name . I blinked the image out of my head and stood from the table to throw away the remnants of my lunch.
After a ten-minute walk, I hit the pier and pushed out a deep breath once the ocean breeze hit my face. The more the sun rose, the warmer it got and the more sweat started to roll down my back. It was early June and I knew that the heat and humidity would only get worse from here. My eyes watched as cargo ships rolled in and out of the harbor and smaller shrimp boats pulled in their morning haul. I loved coming down to this spot of town because of the big open grass area that looked out on the water. Kids were playing in the fountains and young men and boys were passing out sweetgrass roses to people passing by. They made me think of Kolbi.
I started to look for a bench to sit on and think about what I was going to do the rest of the day. I knew I should get on the bus to head home, get groceries, and figure out how I was going to get to work tomorrow, but it was too nice to leave the city just yet. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out to see a notification from my bank. Pulling it to my face, my eyes grow as I read the number that was just deposited into my account. A text from Kolbi came in close behind.
Kolbi:
Your sign-on bonus should be in your account. Happy to have you home, brother.
I suddenly knew what I was doing the rest of the day and what I would be taking to work tomorrow.