Chapter 6
Trek
Ididn't want to leave Travel or Deshoni, but duty called.
It was my job to transport various goods, except narcotics.
I refused to fuck with that shit again. Dealing with that shit was how I almost missed Junior's birth.
I'd been locked up a few times for possession before and after he was born.
The last time I was released, I vowed never to fuck with it again.
It's been close to eight years, and I hadn't dealt with that shit.
I had no desire to mess with narcotics anyway.
The real money was in transporting cases of cash to the right owners or transporting people on the run.
Dirty money needed to be transported as undetected as possible, and I was the man for the job.
Once I got out of the petty street thug life, I cleaned up my act.
Travel made me book smart while I upgraded my street smarts.
I met a guy who knew a guy, and ever since then, I've been successful at being a transporter for the past ten years.
My money was stacked for years, but what I mainly craved was to spend it on my best friend.
God, I was in love with that woman. Travel had no idea how much I loved, adored, and admired her. She was so much and still some more after that. I wasn't sure if she believed me or not about how I felt about her, but I had plans to spend the rest of my life showing her.
While I drove to a seedy bar in Ohio, my fingertips traced over my lips, as if I could still feel her lips on mine.
It was the best fuckin' kiss I'd ever received.
I wasn't prepared for how skilled she was at kissing.
I could honestly kiss Travel all day long and wouldn't spend a second worried about exhaustion.
Under her was where I wanted to be for as long as I could.
What a blessing it would be to share a life with her, not to mention having her tied to my bed in my sex room, would be the highlight of my life.
She was interested. I could feel that she was.
It was already a privilege to share the same space with Travel. Now it was only a matter of time before I convinced her to be a part of my life. I'd accomplished all my goals except one... Travel.
I'd had too many dreams of waking up to her in the morning and going to bed with her.
She was the first and last face I wanted to see whenever it was time to close or open my eyes.
Not to mention, I'd wanted to wake her up with the best morning head and sex ever.
She deserved not only to be adequately loved but also sexually pleased to the fullest capacity.
Travel was statuesque with a slim-thick, curvy build.
A body like hers should be worshipped day and night, which was what I planned to do once given the green light.
For now, it was time to focus on my job.
I pulled into the parking lot of the shitty bar and killed the engine. Apparently, that small joint was the largest money-laundering operation known to those who needed to know. All I had to do was pick up my delivery and drop it off in Indianapolis. I'd be back in time before my babies woke up.
While I tucked my piece in the back of my waistband, my eyes scanned the dark parking lot.
There were about ten to twelve cars parked.
However, the sight of a gray and slightly tinted SUV caught my attention.
It was cloudy as hell in there, so they were clearly having a hotbox session.
I was still on guard, though. You could never be too cautious in this business.
There was a red license plate cover over their plate, and I made a mental note of it.
I climbed out of my sports sedan, which I used for transportation, and proceeded to the building.
My suit was sharp, so I felt good tonight.
When I stepped inside, it looked exactly as I'd imagined.
The customers were spread out. Their stereo system was probably ten years too old, and the tables and chairs were wooden and had probably been here before I was born.
Everyone looked as if they were regulars, and the spots they sat in were theirs only.
My eyes landed on the bartender. She was brown-skinned and looked middle-aged, with her long weave ponytail. The directions were to ask her for Skinny Lou.
I walked up and tapped the top of the bar. "Evening, ma'am. I'm here for Skinny Lou," I announced.
She nodded and topped off the mug of beer she had poured. Her customer greedily accepted his mug and downed it before she headed to the back. Damn, he was a drunk, or he'd had a hell of a day.
Minutes later, the bartender returned with two goons following her.
One was tall, lanky, and tried to put on the toughest face he could muster.
He carried two duffel bags of what I assumed was money.
Or rather, the bags appeared to carry him because he struggled tremendously.
The other goon was short and portly, smoking a cigar.
From the suit he wore and the cigar he smoked, he had money.
"You must be the transporter. You're a lil' younger than I expected, but I heard good things about ya'. I'm Skinny Lou," he yapped.
"Age is only a number from what I learned. I'll take the package and be on my way," I replied.
"A man of business. I respect that." Skinny Lou looked at his partner. "Hand him the packages."
He did as he had been instructed. Once I had the bags, there seemed to be a look of relief on Skinny Lou's partner's face.
"Alright, gentlemen. Have a good night."
"Safe travels," Skinny Lou stated in a sly tone. The smirk on his face definitely matched the shiesty vibe he gave off.
I nodded and strolled out of the seedy bar. Occasionally, I looked over my shoulder until I made it to my car. When the bags were tossed in and placed in my secret compartment, I put my hand on my weapon until I climbed inside.
My eyes scanned the parking lot again. Most of the cars were there except for the SUV. It was gone. Maybe they'd had their fun and left. I did the same thing.
I drove with the music playing low. My car ate up the miles as I drove on the highway.
My mind went back to Travel. I tried to fight it.
When I worked, work was all I wanted to focus on, but I couldn't help it.
Her smile made me weak. I started thinking about her figure in the brown skirt she wore on our date.
I'd barely had time to think about her long legs when bright headlights partially lit up my car. My car was fully tinted, so it wasn't as bright as it would be if I drove fishbowl style. I extended my side-view mirror to see if I could get a description of the person and the vehicle.
Rage filled me when I saw the red license plate cover on the SUV. Skinny Lou's words filled my head. "Safe travels." This was a setup.
I'd never transported for him before, and this was indeed my last time. I had every right to be suspicious about they asses earlier. I'm glad I listened to my gut.
A shot was fired, penetrating my side-view mirror. I quickly exited my thoughts. It was time to do some gangsta shit. A few more bullets hit my car, and I swerved. My car was bulletproof, but I hated my baby was ruined. Somebody was definitely paying for the repairs.
I upped my piece from my waistband. I'd never be able to hit my target going forward and trying to steer.
Them niggas fired at me again, hitting my back lights.
I looked around my surroundings. The highway was mostly empty, and it was dark as hell.
No cars were even in the vicinity of us, so I made my move.
I swiftly busted a U-turn and faced them.
I lowered my window and aimed right at their tires. There was no way I'd waste any of my bullets. Their SUV swerved until it smacked a medium and flipped over.
I rapidly hit my brakes and threw my car into park. I then climbed out and rushed over to the smoking vehicle with my gun out. I opened the door and squatted. All three of them niggas bled from their heads, noses, and mouths, but they were still very much alive.
I smirked. "Boy, did y'all think y'all had a nigga. This ain't no street game. This is grown man business."
I fired my gun, and bullets filled all three of their chests. There wasn't an ounce of remorse in me. They tried me, and now I'm the last man standing. I jogged to my car and sped off.
Three hours later, I arrived at the drop-off spot in Indianapolis. I gave the supplier the rundown and received a hefty tip for the damage done to my car. I'd barely made it out of the parking lot before he sent his goons to pay Skinny Lou a visit. The shit was out of my hands now.
<<<
"Run, Junior. Run! I yelled.
"Let's go, god baby! All the way! Yeah!" Travel screamed at the top of her lungs with Deshoni perched on her hip.
Junior had just scored another touchdown.
It was the last one of the game. He was the best running back his high school had seen in years.
I don't know where he got his skills. June didn't have an athletic bone in her body, and although I was in great shape, I never played sports in high school.
My ass was always in the streets. Had I stayed in school long enough, I could've made something more of myself.
It was cool, though. I was a kind person and a bomb ass father, which were two things that no one could take from me.
Junior's teammates hugged him and cheered for their victory.
I looked down when Travel's arm wrapped around my waist. She continued to cheer happily for her first baby, as she said at times.
I held her back and kissed the top of her head.
She smelled so good. It was chilly as hell out here, yet I couldn't keep my eyes off how the wind blew her long, dark hair in my direction.
The moment she gave me the green light to make love to her, that hair was the first thing I planned to wrap around my hand. My mind traveled to all the ways I wanted to dominate her body. I'd barely had time to bask in my fantasies when there was a tug on my sleeve.
I looked down. Travel pointed to the left. June stood next to the bleachers with her arms folded. She wore the meanest mug I'd ever seen. It was evident that she was livid.
June looked between Travel and me. I could sense the wheels in her head playing tug-of-war. She had already created the worst possible scenarios in her head, and she was ’bout to let us have it.
"It's alright, Trek. We'll deal with whatever drama she throws our way. Let's go," Travel encouraged.
"You're right. Here, give me Deshoni, and I'll help you down."
She did as I instructed, and we descended the bleachers like the other families. I made it down first and then took Travel's hand to help her down.
Before we could even walk toward June, she had already made her way to us.
"I thought you said there wasn't nothin' goin' on between y'all. It looks like a whole bunch of shit goin' on," June hissed with a full attitude. Her eyes were wide, her hip was poked out, and her neck rolled with every word she said.
I hated to hurt her feelings. Regardless of what June thought, I cared about her, and I never wanted to hurt her intentionally. Still, I couldn't help being in love with my best friend.
Travel extended her arms, and I handed her Deshoni.
"June, at the time you asked me, there wasn't anything going on between us.
Now there is something going on between us.
I'm sorry if it hurts your feelings. You know that's never my intention.
We can talk about this somewhere else. You know I don't discuss my business in front of parties that ain't included," I expressed.
She chuckled and shook her head. "Fuck these people and that bullshit ass apology you just gave." She turned to Travel. "Why my baby daddy? You got yo' own baby daddy? How would you feel if I fucked on yo' baby daddy?"
Travel chuckled. "I wouldn't give a damn. Mook's ass has been for the streets. I'm surprised y'all ain't linked up. It shouldn't be too long now since you know about Trek and me."
"Bitch, you so lucky you holdin' that baby or I would've been stole on yo' ass," June threatened.
Travel laughed again. "You tried before. Remember, I walked yo' ass down like a trash bag. You're lucky I'm holdin' my baby or I would've dropped yo' dirty ass again."
June went to leap, but I stepped right in front of her. "June, chill. We're at our son's game. I'm not gonna let you hit her, and I'm not gonna let her hit you. Let's not show out in front of these people. We're better than that. We can hold a mature conversation after everyone has calmed down."
June pushed me away. "Fuck you, Trek! You've been lyin' to my face for years. You had that bitch around my child like she was just yo' friend, when all along you knew you loved her." Tears sailed down her cheeks.
I felt so bad for her. This was not how I saw our night going.
"June, I swear I'm so sorry you're hurt. I really am, but you and I have been broken up for more than ten years. You've had more boyfriends than I can count. I've dated here and there, and you never said shit. Why are you trippin' all of a sudden?"
She wiped her eyes and gave me a menacing glare.
"Regardless of what you think, I know you.
I knew you wouldn't settle down with any of them bitches.
Your heart has always been with fuckin' Travel.
That fuckin' damsel in distress act really got yo' ass in a chokehold.
" She shook her head. "Fuck both of y'all.
Tell Junior I'll be in the car waitin' on him. "
"June, wait," I called out to her.
She gave me the finger and kept walking. I shook my head and turned to Travel.
"I'm sorry, love," she softly expressed.
I kissed the top of Travel's head and pulled her close to me. "It's not your fault. She had to find out the truth eventually. I hate that it hurt her more than I expected."
"June really loves you. It was way more than I knew."
"Let's go. It's just something she and Mook both will have to get used to. They both misused us, yet now it's a problem that we want to enjoy our happiness together. I'm not with the bullshit. I've sacrificed what I wanted for years, and I'm not about to let anybody take you from me."
Travel nodded. "I agree with you."
"Point blank period." I steered my loves to my truck and waited until I knew my son was safe with his mama. I prayed it went up from here.