Chapter 4 #2
Relic reached out but caught himself from snatching the phone out of Jahleel’s hand for over talking. He didn’t put anything his son said past Jessica, but it wasn’t a topic that should’ve been aired out as if they’d been conversing about the weather.
It didn’t go over his head that Jahleel had asked about his sister coming with them, so she’d feel included like she had a father as well. Relic also didn’t miss how Jahleel had opened up for Kennedy with an ease his son hadn’t shown him when they’d met. Jahleel was comfortable with her.
“I hate to break it to you, but your mom was dating a bunch of damn clowns, Jah. Aren’t I talking to you now?
” she countered as if the sensitive topic didn’t move her.
“I don’t have to talk to Relic for us to have a relationship.
If he has a problem with that, tell him to take it up with me and see how well it goes. ”
Jahleel beamed. “Okay, but I don’t think you can beat him, Ms. Kennedy.”
“You’re right, but sometimes it’s not about beating a person physically. Remember that. I gotta run, but I’ll call you later tonight if I don’t get in too late.”
“Where are you going?”
“Out for drinks with an old friend.”
“It better not be a boy because me and Relic don’t like sharing. We’re your only boyfriends.”
Kennedy cackled before replying, “Who do you think you are, sir? It is a man, but he’s far from a boyfriend, and so is your dad.”
“Then, what is Relic to you?”
“Bye, Jah!”
Kennedy’s laughter lingered inside the truck, making Relic bite his inner jaw as the call disconnected.
His thumb hit the steering wheel in frantic taps to refrain from taking Jahleel’s phone to dial her back and call her everything but a child of God.
His molars grated as Joseph’s vile laughter filled his head, taunting him for being the pussy ass nigga Kennedy had turned him into.
He wouldn’t have tolerated the disrespect she was giving him from anyone else.
“Have you been fishing?” he asked Jahleel, rerouting the topic to subdue his choleric thoughts. They’d surfaced the moment Kennedy mentioned a man while knowing he was tuned in to their discussion.
“No, but it looks fun on TV. You know how to fish?”
Relic nodded as he slowed in front of the green house that his son refused to leave.
He parked with his attention wandering to a wolf gray, mid-size sedan idling across the street, before it drifted to the porch where Jasmine sat with her legs crossed at the ankles like his girl cousins Toot and Tima were taught to do when wearing dresses. He relaxed at the innocent habit.
It was better than the habits Joseph had embedded in him that he couldn’t shake if his life depended on it. When it crossed his mind what he might’ve instilled in Jahleel so far, he tore his eyes away from Jasmine to pin on his son.
“We’re going to hit the water this weekend. One of the best things Joseph taught me was how to fish, so I’m going to teach you.”
Jahleel’s brows dipped. “Joseph?”
“Joseph is my father’s name. Your uncle lied when he told you we didn’t have a dad. Joseph wasn’t his dad, but that’s all you need to know, so don’t ask me about him.”
“Okay.” Jahleel agreed without pushback and opened the door as he flung his backpack over his shoulder. “Can I tell you something and you not get mad?”
“Maybe, maybe not. What is it?”
“I’ve seen your dad before.”
Indifference caused Relic to stare at his son without so much as blinking while he processed the information. The palpitating beats in his chest exposed his true reaction.
“In a picture,” Jahleel clarified, setting his dad’s heart rate back to normal.
“That day Grann Judy showed me her pictures and gave me one of you, I saw a man that looked like us and asked who he was. She told me his name, but that’s it, and said don’t ask you or my uncles about him.
She threw his picture in the trash, too. Is he a bad man?”
“It depends on how you look at it.”
Relic settled on that answer because if he admitted his father was a bad man, he’d have to look in the mirror and self-reflect. He’d always despised his own reflection.
“My mom said you were a bad man, but I don’t think so.” Jahleel climbed out the truck and then peeked in with a smile Relic tried returning but failed. “You’re picking me up this weekend, right?”
“Right,” he replied, barely recognizing his own voice.
It was too low and lacked power because his son had siphoned that trait out of him with a simple statement.
He couldn’t remove his gaze from Jahleel as one third of his heart shut the car door, raced to his grandma’s porch, and hugged Jasmine before they hurried in the house together.
Relic drove off once they were out of sight, and his mind wandered to the unthinkable.
He was certain Jahleel had mentioned Jessica’s negative view of him to fuck with his head.
.. to ensure he kept his promise and didn’t prove his baby mother right.
After thinking on it for some time, Relic decided that he was right.
Jahleel had used Jessica’s words against him, and he wasn’t sure whether to respect it or worry that his son was more like him than he assumed.
Hushed dialogue feet away made him adjust his shades before pushing the nagging thoughts aside to focus on his surroundings as he reclined in the leather chair adjacent to the dressing room.
His gaze went to the locked door Aura was behind, trying on clothes while her fans lingered nearby, waiting on her reemergence.
Relic realized within the first few minutes in the store; Aura had requested he meet her there, hoping they’d end up caught in public together. Fucking her label owner was a great look for the bad girl reputation she was building a brand around.
The last time they were photographed together at the salon’s grand opening was proof since it’d started a buzz that lasted for weeks and put cash in Aura’s pockets.
Relic decided he’d let her believe that she was pulling a fast one on him, so he could request a favor without having to give her anything in return. His presence was her reward.
“What do you think about this one?” The door latch clicked before Aura strutted out to pose for him.
Relic gave her an unenthused chin chuck of approval, assessing the shorts that fit her like panties, and a bralette that did little to conceal her nipples while showing off her flat stomach.
Aura spun for him, and his brow rose at the way her ass ate up the material that didn’t stand a chance.
His head shook since it was unfortunate, she didn’t know what to do with it in the bedroom.
“So, is it cool or what?” she quizzed, strutting over to stand in front of him. “Don’t pretend, you don’t like what you see.”
“The view is aight, but I know beyond the nice body and fat ass, you’re really a pillow princess who can’t take dick, Aura. I’m not impressed.”
She gawked before glancing around to ensure no one heard him. “Nigga, whatever!”
“Whatever is this lil’ ass outfit that’s like every other thing you put on. What are your other options? I thought we were moving toward a classier look.”
“Not for a damn club appearance. Did Savvy not tell you about the one she booked me for this weekend?”
Savvy didn’t have to tell him shit because he was the one that’d set it up. “She did,” he replied instead of letting her know as much.
“I’m not in the mood to do it, honestly, but the money they’re offering is better than usual. Why isn’t anyone else coming? I’ve never done one without P or Saucy.”
“You can’t move on your own? Because best believe P is making moves without all of you, and I’m sure Saucy is doing the same.”
“You ain’t got to tell me. I heard some big label hit her up about buying her out of her contract to sign with them. Did she tell you?”
“If she didn’t, you just did,” he replied while making a mental note to holler at Sojourney about it. “My security will be at the club as a precaution, so you won’t be alone. Maybe if you had friends instead of trying to be the bad bitch everyone is jealous of, that wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Money is the only friend I need. Now, what is it you want to talk about that’s so important you couldn’t wait?”
“Do you have a hair appointment set?”
“Yea, with Jennifer. I wanted to book with Tek’s aunt, but he told me that she was out of town. I heard about her crib being broken into. Is she good?”
“Cancel that appointment,” he told her, glossing over her prying. “There’s another stylist I want to check out for my salon. Book her and invite her to your appearance, too. That’ll give your friendless ass some company.”
“Are you replacing Tekken’s aunt? Is she not coming back?”
Relic stood, brushing a hand down his shirt to remain composed. Aura was sticking her nose into shit that didn’t concern her, and his patience was wearing thin.
“Where’s your phone, Aura?”
“It’s in the dressing room with my stuff. Why?”
“Because the quicker we get this over with, the better for you. Let’s go.”
He didn’t leave an opening for backtalk as he waltzed into the changing room, peering around before he spotted her phone on top of her pile of clothes she’d come in. Aura rushed in behind him and locked the door as he swiped it up.
“You gon’ get us kicked out the store if they find us in here together, Relic!”
“I’ve been kicked out of better places. Hit her up and let me see what you said.” He held out her phone and she snatched it, punching in the code as he added, “Her name is Ronnie runs the show or some stupid shit close to that. Figure it out.”