Chapter 5
chapter five
Brayden.
“You’re quiet.” Melanie tapped the side of her water bottle as she stared at my profile. I kept my eyes locked on the pieces I was working on. For the past hour, Melanie and I had been in the basement, with her talking about everything but the reason she was here.
The very dysfunctional relationship that kept her miserable and longing.
“I don’t know why you won’t sell these pieces. They’re so beautiful.”
“Who says I haven’t?” I cut her a glance and leaned back, admiring my handiwork. The farm table I was currently repurposing had been down here for a little over a week and I was almost done with it because of a lot of late nights where I was too inspired to sleep. The craftsmanship of the work was some of the best I’d ever seen but the top and two of the legs had been charred after a house fire.
“Haven’t what?”
“Sold any of my pieces.” My focus remained on carefully cleaning up imperfections with the design I was carving on the perimeter of the table.
“Have you?” she squealed in excitement, which brought a smile to my face. Repurposing furniture was personal to me. Not even Nox knew I sold a few pieces and currently had a few in a shop downtown.
Amos Classical Design Studio was a Black-owned furniture store that carried unique pieces by Black designers. On a whim, I decided to reach out to find out the process for getting my work on their studio floor and it just so happened they were accepting new pieces. I dropped everything and drove two end tables and a farmhouse chair down to them and they sold the same week. I celebrated the win alone, not sure if I wanted outside voices pushing me to make the restoration I claimed as a hobby into a business.
“Yeah, I have.”
“Why the heck don’t I know about this?”
“Because I haven’t told you. I have told anyone, Mel.”
“Why the hell not?” She frowned. “You could have a whole store, or sell pieces online, or…”
“It’s personal and what you’re doing is exactly why. I don’t know if I want it to be a thing.”
“It’s already a thing. You spend all your free time down here.” She threw her hands up. “And you sold pieces. How much more of a thing can it be for you to classify it as such?”
I tossed the tool on the table and lifted from the stool, brushing my hands over my thighs. When I headed to the stairs she followed me through the house out onto the front porch where I took a seat on the steps. She filled the space next to me.
“Well?”
I kept my eyes on the street, watching each car that navigated down our block. Living in the Historic district of Bedford Grove meant beautiful, antiquated surroundings and slow living. Nox and I both purchased brownstones that needed some love and care but offered great bones and an affordable price. We also were neighbors which made navigating the business aspects of Smoked & Spiced so much easier.
“If I accept the idea of it becoming a business then you and Nox both will be on my ass about making it a business.”
“So what? We love you and want you to be successful.”
“That’s the thing, I can’t say I want to be successful. It’s a hobby. Something that gives me peace. Smoked & Spiced is enough stress. I don’t know that I want to add to that.”
She stared at me and I could see all the points she wanted to argue but thankfully she let it go. “That makes sense, but I will say this, you can do it without stress. However, if you don’t, I understand and I’m proud of you for the pieces you have sold. You’re really good, Bray. The best.”
“Thanks, and I know.” I grinned arrogantly. “Now can we talk about why you’re here?”
She cringed. “Say what you need to.”
“There’s not much to say, Mel. We’ve been here enough times to have exhausted any advice I could give.”
“You’re mad.”
I turned my head and exhaled a sigh. “Nah, not mad, just disappointed.”
She laughed sarcastically. “The disappointment is worse than the anger.” Her head lowered to my shoulder. “I know you don’t understand…”
“I really don’t, Mel. I’m not saying things are terrible. It could be worse. Every couple has challenges but the good has to outweigh the bad, and with you two, the scale is leaning in the opposite direction.”
“I know,” she stated quietly. “I want the good stuff, but I want it with him.”
“You can’t make him be something he’s not. He has to want it with you and he doesn’t.”
“As much as my heart knows that, I still can’t seem to walk away. I can have something great with someone else. I’m well aware of the possibilities, but deep down inside I stay because I’m hopeful that he’ll start to want it too.”
“He won’t, Mel. The damage is already done. You teach people how to treat you, what’s acceptable and what’s not. He gave you bare minimum and by default that’s the lesson he learned when it came to showing up for you.”
“So it’s my fault?” She lifted her head and glared in anger. I kept my expression stern because we had been here enough times before.
“In a sense, yes, but I understand your perspective. You believed you could be the one to change him. People don’t change who they truly are, they just get better at manipulating you to accept them. He never intended to be what you needed. His end game was forcing you to accept the bare minimum he offered. You have to accept responsibility for your role in that.”
“I think that’s where I am now. This is me accepting responsibility.”
“Yeah?” We had been here before, then she always ended up making excuses. I wasn’t pushing Mel to leave him, even if I thought that was best because I understood the blame game. If she wasn’t the one who decided it was time to move on, the blame for ruining her relationship would be tossed at everyone besides herself.
My mother taught me that lesson. She got pregnant with me in her teens, just like my Aunt June did with Nox. The only difference was Aunt June was more reckless with her choices and my mother, on paper, made all the right decisions after having me.
She went to college and obtained a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic medical sonography. As a traveling technician, she had a handsome salary and didn’t have to spend a lot of time at home with me. She traveled a lot, which meant I was on my own at times or under the watchful eye of my Aunt June which basically meant I was again, on my own.
Most of her life was a performance. She didn’t have it together. I never got to know my dad because after he left, she refused to chase the reminder of her biggest fuck up. I was already enough to deal with. That was how I ended up a Young. Nox and I both had our mother’s last name instead of our fathers.
As much as she liked to look down on my Aunt June, she wasn’t much better. She pushed me away but kept a rotation of men who weren’t good enough. In her eyes, if she didn’t date or claim them, then they didn’t exist. But they had, in our home, in my life, in hers, and it wasn’t the best. I was resentful, and the older I got, I was vocal about that resentment.
She only made decisions about keeping the men she dealt with discreet because I complained but she never missed an opportunity to remind me of how I was the reason she didn’t have a life, throwing her regret on me because she wasn’t mature enough to make better decisions.
The funny thing was now that I was out of her house and responsible for myself, she still didn’t have a life, at least not one worth celebrating. I loved my mother but she taught me a lot of life lessons, one very important one being, if you didn’t value yourself and know your worth, no one else could do it for you. Her drunken rants while wallowing in the reality of the pitiful state of her life and blaming me were proof of how little she valued me.
“Yeah, I have to want better and I do. I have to figure this out for myself.”
“You do and you will.”
“God, I hope so.” She scoffed a laugh and I removed my phone, checking a text.
Unknown: Hi, my name is Caeli Webb. Lennox gave me this number and mentioned you would be able to help out with a simple plumbing issue. He also mentioned you might be able to take care of it tonight. If you could please give me a call at your earliest convenience, tonight would be amazing. Thanks so much and I look forward to hearing from you.
She texted me.
I grinned at my phone, not believing Nox’s plan worked. When he showed up at my place with cupcakes and a story about how he gave Caeli my number, I couldn’t be mad at him. One, the damn cupcakes were some of the best I ever had and two, regardless of the promise he made for me to help them out with a plumbing issue, his lie about my skills afforded me an opportunity to see Caeli tonight and also have her number.
I smiled so fucking big just from a simple text. Mostly because Caeli was in need and soliciting me. Even if she didn’t know it was me she was reaching out to. Regardless I still smiled like a damn lunatic.
“Oh wow, you like this one.”
Melanie’s voice had me jerking my gaze in her direction. “What do you mean?”
“That smile on your face is classic Bray’s nose is wide open for some woman. It’s been awhile considering you haven’t been committed to anyone since I don’t know when but I know that look well.”
“You don’t know shit.”
“I most certainly do. Who is she?”
“None of your business.”
“Bray…” she whined with a light pout. “My love life is shit, let me live vicariously through yours.”
I frowned hard. “How about you just work on your complicated shit to make it less complicated.”
“Fine, but for the record, you’re a horrible friend.”
I chuckled as I typed out a reply.
Me: You available to talk?
Me: So I can figure out what you need. Might not be a quick fix.
Unknown: Sure, yes. That would be perfect. Is now okay?
Me: Can you give me ten minutes?
Unknown: Absolutely. Just call when you’re ready.
When I’m ready? Careful, Sugar Princess!
“It looks like something, or rather someone, else has your attention. I’m going to head out.”
“You don’t have to leave, Mel. You have a room here. This house is just as much yours as it is mine.”
Her smile blossomed. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. “I know but I have some tough decisions to make and I can’t do that from here.” When I felt her shift beside me, I quickly locked my phone, realizing what she was up to.
“Don’t be nosy, Mel.”
“How else am I supposed to know who she is? You’re being awfully secretive.”
I peeled her arms from around my neck. “If there’s anything to know, you’ll find out when I’m ready.”
“Translation, you like her but she doesn’t like you because of that big ol’ inflated ego of yours.”
I side eyed her and she grinned in defiance. “Say I’m wrong.”
I couldn’t so I went with…
“Weren’t you leaving?”
“Yep.” She lifted, brushed her palms over her thighs and I extended to my full height and walked Mel to her car. After a tight hug where I promised she would be okay no matter what decision she made, Mel was backing out of the driveway and I was dialing the woman who had me wanting to rethink my no commitment plans.
The goal was to build Smoked & Spiced and fully remodel the brownstone I lived in. I could make an exception for a woman like Caeli.
“This is Caeli.”
“Hey Caeli, what plumbing issues are you having?”
I didn’t know shit about plumbing aside from the basics. Carpentry was my real talent. Between learning our way around the grill, our grandfather also taught us basic handyman skills. Whereas Nox was more interested in grilling, I found sanding, carving, and staining old wood to be my thing. There was something about taking old and worn creations and refurbishing them that intrigued me.
“It’s the sink. I don’t believe it’s major.” Thank goodness. “More annoying than anything. The house is on the older side so these things are to be expected but I want to avoid ruining the new cabinetry we just had installed. We fixed the leaky pipes once before, but I can’t promise they did a good job. Well I know they didn’t, because it’s still leaking. Whatever they did was temporary,” she huffed in annoyance.
“Might be a pipe or seal issue. Simple enough.”
“Hopefully, when do you think you could fit us in?”
“I’m free now. I could swing by if you’re?—”
“Yes, now is perfect,” she rushed out.
“Send me your address and I’ll be on my way in a few.”
“Perfect. You’re a lifesaver. I’m sending it now.”
After I ended the call, I saved her name as Sugar Princess. Seconds later a text came through with an address in Lindenwood which wasn’t far from where I lived in Bedford Grove which worked in my favor. As much as I wanted to see her, I wasn’t in the mood to be driving all over town to do so.
I took a quick but efficient shower then grabbed my tool kit from the garage so I could be on my way. I had a feeling Caeli wouldn’t be happy about seeing me but she sounded exhausted with the situation. So happy or not, she’d, at the very least, let me handle the pipe situation. And damn if I didn’t want to handle anything connected to this woman.
T he minute Caeli yanked open the front door, her smile dropped. Those pretty brown eyes narrowed to slits and I felt the explosive rage pulsing from her body. But I also didn’t miss the way she approvingly took me in.
I might have purposely dressed in the classic male fuckboy fit. Gray joggers, a step up from typical sweats, and a crisp white tee. I kept my footwear simple with gray socks and Nike slides. She approved, even if she was going to give me shit about being on her porch.
“What are you doing here?”
I lifted the tool kit into view. “Fixing a leak.” My eyes crawled down her body. “Or creating one based on the way you’re checking me out.”
Her mouth dropped open and those eyes narrowed again. She groaned in aggravation and moved to slam the door but I caught it with my hand before she was able to.
“Are you really going to turn down the offer of free help just because you don’t like me?”
“Yes.”
She pushed at the door but I held firm. “Cabinetry is not cheap. Especially not for a house like this. The sizing is not standard which means you had to custom order what you just replaced. Are you willing to let it get ruined from a leak just to prove a point?”
“What point would I be proving?”
“Attempting to prove that you’re not attracted to me.” I delivered a knowing smile and she released another aggravated groan. She didn’t, however, deny the claim and instead moved past the comment.
“How do you know our cabinets were special order?” She seemed genuinely curious.
“Carpentry and old houses are kinda my thing.”
She arched a brow and placed her hands on her hips. “I thought burnt meat was your thing.”
Since she let go of the door, it allowed me the brief opportunity to enter without plowing her over. I crossed the threshold and she glared at me. “I didn’t invite you in.”
“I thought we agreed that I’m going to save your cabinetry.” I flashed a smile and pointed. “Kitchen?”
She groaned again and I was becoming a fan of her throaty offerings but also couldn’t help wondering how many I could pull from her while making her cum.
“That way and you better know what you’re doing or I’ll sue for malpractice.”
I chuckled, heading toward the kitchen with her right behind me. “Malpractice is for doctors.”
“Then I’ll sue for whatever it is you sue inadequate plumbers for.”
“Noted, but I know what I’m doing, Princess. No need to get your lawyer on speed dial. Save the money, you might need it, your sales are shit.”
I glanced over my shoulder before I dropped to my haunches, placed the tool kit on the floor, and pulled the cabinet below the sink open. There was a half-full bucket under the PVC piping.
“My sales are fine. You really shouldn’t be such an asshole.”
“I’m here last minute to fix your sink, free by the way, yet I’m an asshole? Interesting.”
I felt her glaring behind my back while I took a flashlight from my tool kit and examined the pipes. It didn’t take long to locate the issue. One of the seals was loose. It hadn’t been completely tightened or possibly slipped over time. Regardless, this would indeed be an easy fix.
“Well?”
I removed a wrench, made the adjustment, then dropped the flashlight and wrench back in my tool kit.
“Done.”
“Done?” Her eyes bounced between me and the sink.
“Yep, loose seal. Whoever replaced your pipes didn’t ensure all the seals were tightened. That’s where your leak came from.”
“Let me see.”
I lifted and eased out the way, giving her space to check for herself and damn, if that wasn’t a terrible decision. I was offered a very nice view of Caeli’s ass covered in yellow jersey shorts that had me hoping she took her time.
“Stop staring at my ass, pervert,” she muttered, reaching under the sink. I chuckled and angled my head to the side, getting a better view.
“What makes you think your ass is worth looking at?”
She glared over her shoulder and caught me in the act. When her eyes narrowed more, I admitted, “I asked the question, never said I wasn’t guilty as charged. It’s a very nice ass, Princess.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Can’t, sorry. It’s stuck in my head now.”
“I’m not a princess.”
“You damn sure aren’t. I would assume royals have much better manners.”
“Then stop referring to me that way.”
“It’s who you are in my head now. Sugar Princess.”
“Because of the cupcakes,” she murmured. “Well, the cupcake part is more my sister. I’m the business side.” She lifted with the bucket in hand, which she dumped into the sink.
“Interesting.”
“What’s interesting? And don’t give me some shit answer about how it makes sense because she’s the nice one, more of a people person, and I’m not.”
I smirked. “I wasn’t going to say that, but now that you brought it up…”
She glared and I chuckled. “I was going to say it’s interesting because that’s how me and Nox function. He’s more of a people person, creative, chef, and I’m the business side of things.”
Her eyes flickered with something, likely annoyance that we shared a commonality. This woman didn’t want to cut me any slack.
“Thank you for fixing the leak and I don’t mind paying for your time.”
You don’t ever have to pay for my time…
I quickly shook my head and leaned against the counter opposite of the one where she was standing. We faced each other and I was offered another tempting view. As nice as her ass was, her face was equally pleasing. Caeli was a beautiful woman, even when scowling at me. “No need. I didn’t do much.”
My phone vibrated with a text and when I had the device out of my pocket and read the message from my little cousin I shook my head.
Peaches: Bray, can you send me some money?
Me: For what?
Peaches: I just need it.
Me: Nah, that’s not how this works. You need money, you let me know why. Nox makes sure you have what you need so if you’re asking me, you can’t ask him or don’t want to.
…
Peaches: There’s a new fit I want to get.
I knew it. As her big brother, Nox was Peaches’ main provider since my Aunt June wasn’t as consistent. I was next in line with my little cousin, making sure she wasn’t out here running up in men’s faces with her hand out for funds. She was spoiled. We were the problem but I couldn’t complain. I loved her little spoiled ass.
Me: Why didn’t you ask Nox?
…
Peaches: Never mind, I’ll figure it out…
Me: You didn’t ask Nox because he just handed off a grip. I got you, I’m about to send the money but stop being reckless with your funds, aight?
Peaches: Okay, I promise. Thank you, Bray. Love you ??
“Yeah, I bet you love me. I’m sending you money.” I hadn’t realized I’d spoken out loud until I heard Caeli clear her throat. The annoyed look she delivered had me grinning. She likely assumed I was communicating with a woman. One I was involved with.
“Uh, well, I guess that’s it then. You can leave.” She gripped the edge of the counter and leaned back onto her hands instead of making a move to rush me out of her house like I expected. While she watched me, I took in the detail of the kitchen.
It was massive. There were wood cabinets, countertops, and a custom spice rack built into the set near the stove. The wood was polished and well kept, or possibly even had been replaced recently. I wasn’t surprised to find an eight burner range that should have been in a restaurant and not a home. The stainless-steel appliances were void of any smudges and the counters were lined with glass jars filled with sugars, flours, and other baking necessities.
“This your parents’ house?”
“My Aunt Florence. She passed it down to me and Camilla, why?”
“It’s old?—”
“I love this house, old or not,” she stated defensively, cutting me off. My eyes slowly landed on her.
“I was going to say old but beautiful. It has good bones. Historic properties are kinda my thing.”
“Oh, that’s right. You’re not just into bullying women. Carpentry is also on the list.”
I chuckled and brushed a hand over my head. “I don’t bully women, Caeli. We made a bet, you lost, I won. Which, by the way, means you still owe me dinner and your truck needs to be out of our spot in the morning.”
“Not happening.”
“It’s not?”
“No, it’s not. Terms no longer apply. You didn’t offer full disclosure.”
“Full disclosure about what?”
“Part of our deal was I buy you dinner. You have a girlfriend. Why would I share a meal with a man who’s involved with another woman?”
A girlfriend?
Oh wait, Melanie. She thinks Mel and I are dating.
Things just got interesting.
“Why would me having a girlfriend matter? Sharing a meal is not a commitment unless you only accepted that term because you want more than just a meal.”
Her face shifted. “And the asshole is back.” She pointed to my tool kit.
“You can go now.”
“Why? Because I’m right and you don’t like that I called you on it? You want more than just a meal from me.”
“Your ego is seriously inflated. You should see someone about that.”
I chuckled and crossed the room to lift my tool kit, but before I did, I encroached on her personal space. “My ego is just fine, Caeli, and a deal’s a deal. You owe me dinner. You decide when you want to pay up.”
I stepped away, lifted my tool kit, and left the house knowing this woman was going to make my life very entertaining.