Chapter 20 - Blossom #2
Shaking my head at her, I watched as she led him through the home and showed him the updated appliances and luxury amenities.
The house was only five years old in an established neighborhood.
When news broke that Highland Meadows was expanding, most of the local realtors scrambled to secure the new houses.
I chose to focus on the houses already integrated into the neighborhood, planning to elevate them so they could compete with the new developments.
I had done just that with this three-bedroom, two-bathroom house.
There was a lot of underutilized character here, from the built-in kitchen cabinets to the red-bricked fireplace to the double-stacked crown molding in every room.
The house also had its own pool, fenced-in backyard, a finished basement, a two-car garage, and additional space for an office.
There was more than enough space here for a single man who was looking to put down some roots.
As they continued their tour, going down into the basement, I checked a few emails and messages.
My mother was constantly sending me updated information on my father’s campaign plans, wanting my opinion or commitment to join them in some cities, so I tried to make sure I was available throughout the day to communicate with her.
Noticing a missed call from JJ, I bit my bottom lip.
I hovered my thumb over his contact icon before pressing it to call him back.
There was no harm in seeing the reason for his call.
It seemed as if he was waiting for me to call back because he answered immediately.
“Bloss Baby.” He rasped into the phone, making me suppress a moan threatening to slip through my lips. “Why am I just now hearing from you? You hiding from me?”
“Well, hello to you, too, Papa.” I smiled like a giddy schoolgirl as I took a seat on the sofa. He loved it when I called him that, and it had grown on me too. “How’s work? Are you being nice?”
One of the things I’d learned about JJ over the last few weeks was that he was mean as hell.
There had been times when I’d heard him speak to his associates in a way that made me feel sorry for them, but then his tone would change in an instant when speaking to me.
I minded my business about it, but the way he could go from hot to cold to hot again was a skill that came to him naturally, and it had my antennas up.
“Fuck these people.” I could hear the frown in his voice, which made me giggle. “I didn’t call to talk about that. I wanted to check on you and see why I haven’t seen you in two days. You don’t miss a nigga digging in that pussy?”
Clenching my thighs together, I cleared my throat just as Mr. Mitchell and Stacy re-entered the room. They were both smiling and laughing, so I took that as a good sign. Standing, they both locked eyes with me and became silent, seeing as though I was on the phone.
“C-Can I get back to you on that answer?” I replied, remembering I was on the phone with JJ. “I’m in the middle of a showing.”
“If you want to show something, send a picture and show me that pus—”
“So, what’s the verdict?” I ended the call. Now was not the time for me to be flustered, but that didn’t stop my face from flushing. Taking a beat, I calmed myself as best as I could while Stacy stifled her laugh. “Do you like this home, or should I find something else?” I asked Sean.
“How soon can I get the keys?” He pulled from Stacy, stuffing his hands in his slacks. “My new friend here said there’s a seafood spot I need to try that will make my mind up for me. If I like the food, we have a deal.”
Clapping with more enthusiasm than I should have, I couldn’t help but smile.
Stacy was so personable, but she was also a flirt.
Both characteristics were a killer duo with men in the housing market, and since she knew when and how to be professional, I knew she would be just as liked by women in the market too.
She didn’t think she had what it took to actually sell houses, but I let her know every chance I could that it was in her. This here proved it.
“I love to hear that. Should you decide to stay, you can have the keys as soon as tomorrow,” I assured him, shaking his hand. Turning to Stacy, I smiled at her as well, as she, in turn, winked. “Let me know what you want to do, and I can make it happen.”
“Bet.” He grinned, pulling his ringing phone from his pocket. “Sorry, ladies, I need to answer this FaceTime.” Once he answered, the loud screaming of children could be heard. “Loon, give me a minute. I’m still looking at this house.”
“Hurry up, bitch! Luck and Lori are on the way back, and I know you don’t want to be on the phone when the Wicked Wanch of the West gets here.”
“Sure the fuck don’t.” He frowned, placing the phone to his chest before giving his attention back to me.
“Look, Blossom, I was just bullshittin’.
Good seafood or not, I want this house. I won’t be back in the city until next week, so send me the paperwork, and I can wire you the money directly.
” Glancing over at Stacy, he grinned. “You wanna have dinner with a nigga?”
“Hell yeah! And if you got money to pay for a house in full, I know you got sixty to pay for my meal.” Walking over to the coatrack, my crazy best friend grabbed her purse and jacket. “Friend, it’s getting dark out. Lock this up so we can leave.”
Letting her know I wanted to do one last check to ensure all the doors and windows were secured, I told her I was right behind them and thanked Mr. Mitchell for his business as they walked out the door.
Stacy didn’t know it yet, but I was going to give her the entire commission for this sale.
Maybe it would motivate her to take selling more seriously.
As I placed my hand on the doorknob, the door was pushed open, causing me to jump back in fear.
“Rowan?” I screeched, placing my hand over my chest. I felt as if I was about to have a heart attack. “What are you doing here?”
I hadn’t seen or heard from my brother since the day he went ballistic at my father’s home.
I never allowed his sickness to dictate the way I treated him, and no matter how mean he was to me, I could never wash my hands completely of him.
He had an illness, and while drugs and liquor didn’t help his behavior, I couldn’t just turn my back on him.
“Hey to you too.” He glanced around the home as he swayed back and forth. Wiping the tip of his nose, he appeared to be flustered. “You act as if you’re not happy to see me.”
“Surprised, is all.” I crossed my arms and took in his attire. His clothes were dingy and wrinkled, and he smelled as if he’d been swimming in a liquor barrel. “Why are you here? I thought it was, fuck the family?”
Just because I couldn’t do away with Rowan didn’t mean I was succumbing to his bullshit. I’d vowed not to tolerate his disrespect after the Governor’s Gala. I could love and pray for him from a distance until he could learn to respect me. Until then, I didn’t have anything for him.
“Still a bitch, I see.” He frowned as he mugged me. “You’ve always thought so highly of yourself and—”
“You know what? I’m not doing this with you.
” I stepped around him and toward the front door.
I made a mental note to come back over tomorrow and air the place out after this little visit that possibly brought in a stench.
“I have never once treated you like you’re less than my big brother.
I have always had your back, Row, even when others told me you were a lost cause.
“If you want to hate me and blame me for whatever is going on in your life, fine. You can do that in the comfort of your own home and not the one that is about to get me a twenty-thousand-dollar commission.” I held the door open and eyed him. “Let’s go.”
Mugging me, he said nothing as he grunted and stumbled out of the house. I wasn’t in the mood to argue with him about some made-up scenarios in his head. I was feeling good and hoping that I could call JJ over to help me feel even better.
“I’m going to sleep well tonight knowing your world is about to crumble around you.” He gritted at me with clenched teeth. “I wish I could stick around to see it.”
“Mhm, and I’m going to sleep even better knowing I haven’t burnt bridges with people I love the most over imaginary animosity,” I called back over my shoulder. I was done with the conversation as far as I was concerned. He said nothing as he stomped his mad ass across the street to his truck.
“Man, it’s cold out here.” I shivered as I locked the house up before wrapping my arms around me. The air was frigid and crisp, and I couldn’t wait to get home and light my fireplace. “It’s time to bring out the camo and Uggs.”
Unlocking my door, I felt my phone vibrating in my bag.
Seeing as though it was a private number, I silenced it before stuffing it in my purse.
I knew it was only TJ calling to plead his case for the hundredth time, and I didn’t have the patience to listen to his shit tonight.
To the side of me, I could see my brother still staring as he stood beside his own vehicle.
Weirdo.
“I hope the taco truck is still open,” I said to myself as I slid inside my truck. My stomach growled, telling me what I already knew: I hadn’t eaten all day. “I want three fully loaded—Mmm!”