Chapter 8
Bria
I'm not sure why Crew pulled me into this room, covered in candles and scents that instantly took over my nostrils. I looked around the room, not knowing whether to be scared or intrigued by all the shit he had in here. This place mimicked some kind of praying shrine, and I won’t lie and say that I wasn’t freaked out just a little.
“What is this room for?”
“It’s to get rid of all those thoughts that I am sure are running through your head right now. Come sit down with me.”
He gently guided me to the middle of the floor in front of the lone table in the room. Crew grabbed two sticks of what I’m guessing was sage from a metallic black bowl, and then he lit the items inside the bowl before handing me one of the sticks of sage.
“Is this something to do with your religion?”
“Sort of. Just keep quiet and try not to think. Let the smoke take all the thoughts away from you. Both good and bad. Trust me. A clear mind is even better than a mind with good thoughts.” He looked over at me with those same low seductive eyes that I stared into in the club that day.
Crew sat the sage down on a wooden ladle that held it in the air and took mine to do the same.
“What are we going to do now?”
“Shhh. This room is simply for existing. Don’t think about what’s next.”
I closed my eyes even tighter because the peace that took over his face, I wanted to.
We both sat there for a while, quiet, relaxing, and I was trying not to think, until I wasn’t having to try at all. After a while of the silence, my mind cleared and I didn't have one thought, worry, or fear creeping in. It was weird at first, but then I went deeper and deeper into my relaxation.
This was the inner peace I'd longed for all these years introduced itself to me. It showed me for years that even when I didn't recognize it, I was a worrier.
Worrying about my sister when she would sneak out at night, and I was too scared to tell Mama that she was gone.
Worrying about my brother and how he was doing being locked up with criminals that I was practicing law to defend.
I think worrying has always been a part of my DNA, but now I know that I can fix that. One day at a time.
When Crew finally stood up from the floor, he had to shake my arm just to get me to snap out of the trance I was in.
"The Sage has burned out," he stretched his tall frame.
"How are you feeling now?"
I smiled shyly. "I feel okay. I feel better."
"You do?"
"Yeah, I mean, this was really peaceful. I've been to dozens of spas around New York, and none have quite had the vibes this little room has. It's interesting in here." I gazed around the room once more.
"I wouldn't expect any of this from you, Crew."
"There are a lot of things people wouldn't expect out of me, Bria, but I like that. I don’t want anyone to have me figured out,"
"Well, it's not like you hide your personality at all, Crew. I still think I’ve read you pretty well thus far."
Crew laughed, flashing that perfect ass smile of his.
"That's the thing, Ms. Lawyer. Most people feel like they can read you, like a synopsis of a book. One paragraph, and they think they know what you are about. Fuck out of here. I have way too many layers for anyone to do that, even you."
He walked out of the room ahead of me.
"So, what do we do now?"
"We eat and lay our asses down for the night."
"Oh no, I can't eat anything."
"Why not? Do I need to take you back into the room?"
"No, no, I feel okay. It's just that I don't eat this late. It's after ten o'clock, and my last meal is usually around six. I have to watch my figure, you know."
Crew looked from the tip of my toes all the way up to the baby hairs curled up on my edges.
“Trust, you can afford to go one night off your little diet plan. I snack all through the night, and I haven't gained three hundred pounds yet."
"That's funny. I wouldn't take you for a snacker."
"Why, because I’m a tall, slim nigga?" He chuckled. "Listen, tall niggas can eat. I may not be the fattest at the buffet, but these muscles need oxygen too. I'm sure when you were getting that fancy law degree, you had to take a science class once or twice, so you know that whole spill."
"Yeah, I did.” I twisted my lips to the side.
“But I guess I could eat. What were you thinking about making?"
"I don't know. I'm just going to get in here and find something.”
“Okay, well do your thing.”
I followed him into the kitchen, where he raided his fridge.
"Do you like eggs and waffles and shit?"
"I mean, I do, but breakfast at this time of night, Crew?”
"Yeah, fuck it. It's 8:00 a.m. somewhere. Cooking breakfast food is quick and easy. Call my spot, The Nigga House. You want yours light, fluffy, or dark?"
I laughed.
"I'll take it however you make them."
“Bet, my name Larry for the next thirty minutes.”
“You are silly, but I'm excited Larry!”
Crew winked his eye at me.
He got in the kitchen and started whipping up waffles, eggs, and bacon in his air fryer.
He was moving through the kitchen like he was in here a lot, and that was interesting as hell because I couldn't cook for shit.
I got deliveries in my condo building so much that the managers sent out a letter asking us to meet drivers outside of the building to slow down traffic.
Even a meal as simple as the one Crew is making is a little too advanced for me.
Once he was done, he fixed our plates, and I started digging in like I hadn't eaten in days. I felt guilty for eating this late, but I am also happy I did, because this food hit the spot.
I ate until I couldn't take another bite, and Crew finished just before me. He disappeared into a closet off the main hallway and came back with a large black comforter and a couple of pillows in his hands.
I got up to thank him and reached for the stuff, but he shook his head.
"Nah, this is for me. You can take the bed."
"No, Crew, you don't have to give me your bed. It's okay. I can sleep out here."
He frowned as if I’d disgusted him.
"No. You can take the bed. This couch ain't built for sleeping, and tonight I feel like you need some good rest. But don't worry, my bed is clean. I have a maid who comes through every day. Plus, I don’t bring bitches in my house."
"So, am I the first girl who has slept in your bed?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“For real?”
"Yes, really. I'm private, and I'm sure you know why.”
"Yeah, I do, and I get that," I replied, nodding my head.
"But if you are so private, why do you have me here?" I asked, and he reached up and pinched my cheek softly.
"Because you are different. You not a threat to me at all." He glanced away and laughed at the thought.
I crossed my arms. "You trying to call me weak or something?"
"I'm calling you a good person," he said, voice low and calm.
"You are on the better side of shit. Some hoes I fuck with I know would steal my chain off my neck if I passed out, but women like you don't have to be grimy to have shit. You go out and get your own. You are the only type of woman that I would trust in my house, to be honest. Now go in there and get yourself some sleep. You can light the candle next to the bed, too, if you need. The wax inside helps you sleep.” Crew opened up the comforter in his arms and spread it across the couch.
He was lying down within seconds, and I walked back into his room.
It felt good that Crew trusted me, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I trust him too. Any man who would do what he did for me tonight deserves my loyalty. I’m sure a man like Marcus would’ve turned me in and been collecting brownie points for my arrest by now.