Chapter 17
Sade
“I don’t step into a man’s space to adjust… I step in to take control of it.”
Days later…
Iwoke up to a flat tire on the first day of work.
Of course.
I was already irritated, on the second day of my period, starving, and needing coffee. I stared at it for a second, hoping it would magically fix itself.
I grabbed my phone and texted Laila, knowing she was already at the site with the crew, and it was miles away.
Me: Got a flat. Can you get me?
A few seconds later:
Laila: I got you.
I exhaled, leaning back in my seat.
Another text came through from her.
Laila: She already busy. I’m on my way. – V
I frowned immediately.
Me: Give Laila her phone back. You’re so unprofessional.
I sent another right after.
Me: If you come get me, Laila is fired.
Three dots popped up.
Laila: LOL yeah right. I’m on my way.
I huffed, tossed my phone in the passenger seat, then grabbed it again and stepped out, sitting on the edge of the hood. No point in sitting there getting more irritated.
Forty minutes later, I heard his car before I saw it.
His loud ass Hellcat pulling up, music blasting.
I stood up, already annoyed.
He pulled beside me, leaned over, and pushed the passenger door open.
“Get in.”
I looked at him. “You could’ve turned the music down.”
He didn’t move to touch it. Just looked at me. “You need a ride, don’t you?”
I got in.
As soon as I sat down, I saw my coffee in the cup holder. And a bag.
He nodded toward it. “Ya girl said this’ll make you happy.”
I grabbed the drink, took a sip, and closed my eyes for a second.
That helped.
I reached into the bag and saw my usual sausage croissant.
“Thank you,” I said, calmer now.
He nodded once, eyes still on the road.
The ride was still hell.
The music loud as fuck, windows rattling, engine roaring every time he pressed the gas. Drakeo the Ruler “I Want It All” playing back-to-back, bass hitting through the seat.
I shifted, uncomfortable, cramping, trying not to let it show.
He stayed focused on the road.
Didn’t check on me.
Didn’t lower the music.
That somehow made it worse.
By the time we pulled up to Compton, I was ready to get out.
I stepped out first, adjusting myself, then walked ahead.
My crew was already moving.
Laila looked at me and smirked. “You made it.”
I gave her a look. “We’ll talk later.”
She smirked. “Aww. Thought you would like that.”
I frowned. “I didn’t.”
“I'm sorry. He took my phone as soon as I told him I had to get you.”
“It’s okay. Just don’t let it happen again.”
“I won’t.”
Vaughn walked up behind me, quiet, stepping into my space without announcing himself.
I watched him for a second, then stepped forward.
“Let’s get started.”
He glanced at me. “Yes, ma’am.” A small smirk, then he turned and started walking. “We’re starting with building two.”
I moved beside him the whole day
Not behind him.
I’m sure he noticed but didn’t say it.
We walked the site while he ran through timelines, expectations, and material. Straight to the point.
“You sure you can handle this?” he asked, as we stood on one of the balconies.
“You ain’t hire me to be unsure.”
I started asking questions, calling things out as we moved, and pointing out areas that needed adjustment before they became problems.
My crew followed my lead.
His crew started paying attention.
I stopped at one section, looking at the layout again.
“This blueprint is not gonna work long term.”
Everybody on his team paused for a second.
I was sure that wasn’t something people said to him.
A beat passed before he spoke. “I’ll fix it.”
I nodded and got to it again, directing my crew, shifting things around, making calls on the spot.
He stepped back a little, letting me run it.
The rest of the day moved like that.
Back and forth.
Him checking.
Me correcting.
No stepping on each other, but no backing down either.
At one point, we both reached for one of his company’s iPads from a table.
Our hands brushed.
I looked up, and he was already looking at me.
It held for a second.
Then we both moved.
We had lunch separately.
Then nine hours went by like that.
By the end, I was tired, still cramping, still a little irritated, but the progress was there.
I went to the bathroom to freshen up, then came back and looked over everything I had done.
He walked up beside me. “Don’t slow my project down with that attitude.”
I looked at him. “Don’t give me nothing to fix, and I won’t have an attitude.”
A small breath left him, almost a laugh. “Enjoy the rest of your day, ma.”
I turned and walked back toward Laila’s car, already thinking about wine and getting off my feet.
Behind me, I could still feel him standing there.
Watching.
This was going to be a long two years…