Chapter 12
Twelve
“I promise to get by there tomorrow, Mama,” Shyriq said, pulling into the parking lot of the cigar lounge.
It was packed, but that was to be expected for a Saturday evening. He managed to find a parking spot somewhat near the door when a car pulled out. Backing in, Shyriq could hear his mama’s next words before she said them.
“Mmhm,” Joyce hummed. “I sure hope so. I’m starting to think you have a woman who’s been keeping you hostage.”
Shyriq chuckled. “Not quite. When I get one and decide to settle down again, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Now, that’s what I like to hear. I’m glad that hussy didn’t scare you off from finding a wholesome woman who actually loves you and isn’t out to get your money.”
“Yeah,” Shyriq agreed, knowing Joyce would keep him on the phone if he said any more or fed into the conversation.
She liked Xena at one point in time. Joyce even loved her, but she rubbed her the wrong way one too many times, so now, she doesn’t care for her at all. Once she found out she’d been cheating on her son, Joyce gave Xena an old-fashioned cursing out and blocked her number.
“And who doesn’t mind starting a family? I want grandchildren at some point in my life, Shyriq,” Joyce said.
“You’re going to live a long life, Mama. So, that means I have time,” he teased.
“Between you and your brother, I don’t know who’s worse.”
Shyriq felt insulted. “C’mon now. You know Rush and I are nothing alike. He doesn’t even want to settle down.”
The line was silent for a half a second. “True. You got me there.” They shared a laugh. “Don’t worry, though. I’m calling him next. Enjoy your night, and I better see your face tomorrow, or I know something.”
Shyriq smirked. “You will. Love you, woman.”
“Love you too.”
The call disconnected from his Bluetooth, and Shyriq grabbed his phone from the cup holder.
Stepping out of his truck, he straightened his khaki-colored shirt, closed the door, and hit the locks.
A night out with the fellas was just what he needed.
Getting out of work and husband mode was hard when it was all he knew, but he was adjusting slowly but surely.
Unlike the club, the lounge was more his speed.
Entering the building, the host, who he was familiar with, greeted him.
“Shyriq. What’s going on, man?” Luke greeted. “Good to see you.”
“You too. Everything been good?” Shyriq asked.
Luke nodded. “For sure. Just holding down the fort.”
“That new baby and the wife got your skin glowing,” Shyriq jested, but highly impressed.
“Aye, man. What can I say? Happy wife, happy life. Our baby girl just added a lot more,” Luke said.
His happiness was radiant, and instead of feeling like he was missing out like before, Shyriq was optimistic that he’d experience those same emotions one day.
“Right on. Can’t do anything but respect it. Let me get in here with these fools.”
“A’ight. Enjoy your night.”
Shyriq walked down the dimply lit hallway and entered the lounge area. A smooth jazz tune filled the speakers, making him nod his head. Thankfully, the place wasn’t overly packed, and he quickly spotted his crew. Cane was the first to shake his head as he approached.
“Damn, look who made it,” Cane joked, raising his glass.
Shyriq slapped hands with him, Travis, and Bleek. “I can’t even get comfortable before he’s on my case,” Shyriq said. “What’s up, fellas?”
“What’s good?”
“What’s going on?” Travis and Bleek replied.
Shyriq eased back into the plush booth, stretching his arm over the back as he scanned the dimly lit lounge. The scent of whiskey and cigars was thick in the air. It had been too long since he’d visited the spot, and he welcomed the aroma.
Travis was already sipping his drink, a dark amber liquid swirling in the glass. Cane leaned back with his signature grin, ready to dig into Shyriq’s business. Bleek looked content and chill like he always was.
“Heard you were a free man,” Bleek said. “How you feeling?”
Shyriq huffed out a dry laugh. “Not free yet. You know how that shit goes. Paperwork needs to be signed off on, and then it’s a go.” He rolled the tension out of his shoulders just as a waitress came by.
“Welcome. What flavor cigar and drink can I get for you?” she asked Shyriq.
“What’s your name?” he questioned.
She looked a bit flustered by his question. “I apologize. My name is Shar.”
“No need to apologize, sweetheart. I just like to know the name of the person who’ll be servicing me,” Shyriq replied. “I’ll take the CAO Cherrybomb and Nine Oak neat.”
Shar typed in his request and looked up. “Any food for you?”
“Not at the moment. Thank you, though, Shar,” Shyriq said.
“My pleasure. Gentlemen, any refills?” she asked, and they shook their heads.
Travis replied. “We’re good for now.”
“Okay. I’ll be right out with your order,” Shar said and walked off.
“This guy,” Cane chuckled, tossing his thumb in Shyriq’s direction.
“What now? You got a lot to say tonight.”
“I’m just happy to see you out and in good spirits, is all,” Cane said seriously, and the men couldn’t help but agree.
It’d been a while since they could all kick back and relax with one another.
Cane’s days were filled with cases as a highly sought-after attorney.
Travis kept busy cutting hair at his barbershop, and Bleek owned a mechanic shop.
Their lives were always on the go, and to know what Shyriq had been up against had Cane in good spirits to joke around.
“I feel you. I appreciate that. It’s been a minute,” Shyriq said.
“Wifey was telling me the other night how Xena has been talking ridiculous on social media,” Travis said, shaking his head.
Shyriq shrugged. “That ain’t got shit to do with me. She was no longer my concern once she walked out of that office the other week.”
“She really tried to get two million up off you?” Travis questioned in a whispered tone.
He and his wife Toya were good friends with Shyriq and Xena.
The women introduced the men to each other when they first started dating.
Shyriq was still somewhat private about what had gone down, but it was clear Xena no longer cared about her business being exposed.
Once it left the mouth of one person, the news was sure to spread.
Shyriq nodded. “Yeah. Crazy as hell if she thought I was agreeing.”
“She was ready to travel the world with another man on your dime,” Bleek scoffed, shaking his head. “That shit is sad.”
“Very. I handled her like a business transaction, though. There wasn’t much else I could do,” Shyriq said.
Before he found out about the cheating, he suggested marriage counseling and tried communicating with Xena about what the problem could be.
She didn’t like his suggestions and hardly wanted to talk.
Those late nights at the headquarters were for a reason.
She either complained or had her hand out if she wasn’t speaking to him.
What man wanted to come home to that? And she wasn’t having sex with him, so Shyriq knew something was up, and thankfully, he wasn’t the type of man who believed his woman couldn’t step out.
“You feel this was the best decision?” Cane asked.
“For sure, and the prenup came in handy too. I wasn’t trying to go before a judge, and I know she damn sure wasn’t. Hashing it out with our lawyers saved me from an even bigger headache.”
The fellas all nodded, knowing how stressed he’d been.
“Hell yeah. At least it wasn’t messy,” Bleek said. “What business looking like? I be so proud to walk into the stores or turn on the TV and see Nine Oak.”
Shyriq smiled. “Man, who you telling? It’s a blessing, for sure. Business is solid. Expanding distribution overseas. Got a few deals in the works. Hired a new assistant,” he said as Shar circled back.
“Here you are,” she said, placing his glass down and then the tray with his cigar and a lighter. “How would you like your cut?”
“V-cut,” Shyriq answered.
Skillfully, she used the cutter to trim his cigar before handing it to him. “Enjoy. Need any refills?”
The men mumbled off their requests, and she walked off.
Shyriq lit his cigar and exhaled. The V-cut in his cigar allowed a tighter draw to pull the flavors and smoke in.
Plus, the sweet notes of cherry, black current, and creamy vanilla paired deliciously well with the smooth caramel pour of the Nine Oak bourbon.
“This is nice,” Shyriq acknowledged.
“Yeah, I’m a fan of their brand too,” Bleek said.
Travis cleared his throat. “You got a new assistant?”
“Yeah,” Shyriq answered, sipping his drink.
Cane’s brows lifted. “What happened to Michelle?”
“She’s about to have the baby soon. Someone had to fill her spot,” Shyriq said.
Cane nodded. “True. I heard that maternity leave pay is real nice. I should tell Autumn to land a job before we have kids,” he teased, making them laugh.
Shyriq smirked. “Hey, what can I say? I look after my people. Michelle damn near runs the place, which is a good thing ’cause she’s going to be training Nhuri before she leaves.”
Pausing midsip, Cane tilted his head. “The chick from Patio?”
Travis leaned in. “Who is she?”
“Gotta be someone special. This man was booed up for damn near thirty minutes with her when we stepped out the other weekend,” Cane divulged.
Shyriq gave him a “yeah, right” look. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Shiiiit,” Cane dragged and laughed.
Travis scratched his head. “So, that’s what Toya was talking about,” he said.
“What you mean?” Shyriq asked with a frown.
“She was running down what all was going on with Xena, and she said she mentioned something about getting a video of you and some woman hugged up at the bar. Ol’ girl must’ve been who she was talking about.”
Shyriq set his glass down. “A video . . . of me and Nhuri?”
He was confused. That afternoon at brunch, he’d been much too occupied to notice if someone was recording him. The real question is why. All they were doing was talking. Furthermore, he was a single man.