Chapter 5 | Jace
Determined to show Spirit a good time, we flew first class and toasted our new venture with champagne. I arranged for a car to pick us up when we arrived at seven-thirty. Since Vegas was two hours behind Houston, the night was still young. The driver took us straight to a mall on the strip so we could buy a couple of outfits and then to the Wynn Hotel to change. Once decked out in a Dolce and Gabbana black patterned suit and a cherry red and black lace dress, we rode to Blunt Minded Joint, MJ’s club, where the good times rolled.
On the way to his club, I explained to Spirit that I traveled to Vegas a few times a year to play dice and freely smoke, which I had been doing for years. I only smoked during the off-season because we were drug tested periodically. Once I retired three years ago, cannabis had become a regular part of my routine. I smoked it not only for relaxation. I also used it for pain management for all those bruised and broken bones I’d suffered over my seventeen years in the NFL. I didn’t tell Spirit that I wanted her here with me to expose her to all the benefits of marijuana and because I wanted her to accept me and my use. I wanted her to accept me, period.
In the six weeks we’d worked together, even with our arguments and irritation, I wanted her more and more as the days passed. Once I realized she was altering her schedule to avoid me, I stopped being open about my comings and goings to the restaurant. She didn’t want to see me because I tempted her. That sexy ass kiss in the elevator spoke of intense desire and longing and that she could do some damage. Damage that normally would have me running away from love instead of to it.
Whether it was right or fair, I wanted to feel how she used to make me feel. Her open adoration made me feel like a king. Like a man capable of doing anything. Spirit believed in me in ways I didn’t believe in myself. Once, when I was eleven, and she was nine, we were all hanging outside in the backyard. She and her sister and me and my brothers. Langston threw the football we were playing with into the tree of Mr. Mitchum’s yard, a neighbor who seemed to hate children. We were all trying to figure out how to ask him to let us in his backyard to retrieve it. We didn’t want to catch another whipping for losing our footballs in the neighborhood. Remi had the bright idea to latch onto the tree branch that extended into our yard. We all blew him off that it was impossible. Through the chatter, Spirit’s voice rang clear and loud. “The only one of us who could do it is Jace.”
Until she said it, I thought it impossible. I looked at her, and she nodded, encouraging me with all the faith in the world that I could and would do it. Within minutes, I climbed the branch, got the ball, and saved the day. All because Spirit Kimble believed in me.
Throughout high school, whenever I needed her, she was there. Other girls came and went, and Spirit was always in the background. We were never close friends like I’m sure she wanted, and she spent more time with Remi and Langston than with me. Yet, I knew if I told her I needed her to help me study or complete an assignment, she did it, no questions asked. Or if I had any doubts about playing football or excelling in college, she would reassure me on those walks home alone when it was just she and I. I would pretend for those twenty-four minutes that she was mine. That I was the good boy she deserved and not a boy fascinated with fast girls and football.
Now, she held my hand tight and leaned on my shoulder. She was gorgeous and fierce in the eighteen-hundred-dollar dress and nine-hundred-dollar shoes I bought her. She piled her braids high on the top of her head to show off her figure and the design. “You look better than any runway model in this dress.”
She kissed me sweetly. “And I never thought you could look more handsome than you do right now. I’m so glad I decided to throw caution in the wind and get away with you. I only came to Vegas once for a college friend of mine when we all turned twenty-one.”
“Actually, I’m still shocked you’re here with me,” I commented as the driver parked in front of MJ’s club off the strip. “We won’t stay long. I can’t risk you changing your mind about fucking later. I won’t believe it until I’m knee-deep in your pussy.” I nipped her ear, and she giggled at my raunchiness.
“I swear I’m not changing my mind.” Her hand cupped my dick through my pants. “I’ve been wanting to feel this for so long.”
I covered my hand over hers and willed my dick to calm down. “Snookie, if you don’t want to be ass up in this car, I suggest you don’t touch me there until we’re in the hotel.”
She looked at me and mused, “You were the only one of your family to call me by my nickname. Why?”
“I wanted you to see me differently. That I was closer to you, like family, because I called you by the name that people who loved you the most called you.” I kissed the tip of her nose. “If I could take back how I hurt you, I would. All I can do moving forward is never fucking hurt you again.”
Spirit sighed. “I miss the arrogant you. The sweet you, makes it hard for me to keep my distance.”
“I don’t want you to. I want us to get to know one another again.”
“Let’s just see what happens.” She answered, though I saw the doubt flicker in her eyes. “Come on, let’s go so we can leave.”
As she walked ahead, I wondered if I did the right thing bringing her to the lion’s den. I didn’t own her or have any claims on her. Hell, I wasn’t even her plug yet. Only ballers hung out here. Eligible men who would take one look at Spirit with that pretty face and shapely body and take her right from under my nose. I quickened my steps and placed a possessive hand on her lower back. When we walked through the doors and club, I greeted a few familiar men and women on my way to see MJ.
“Why do they call you JJ?” Spirit asked.
“Short for Jesse James,” I explained as we walked in and out of dark rooms blasting different genres of music where people freely used marijuana. We would definitely have a contact high in this place. “It’s my nickname when I’m here playing dice. The outlaw Jesse James was killed with a forty-five, and four and five is a winning combination in craps.” At her confused look. “It was the closest to the first letter in my name, and I used to be bad when I was a boy, so there you go.”
“You must come here a lot.” She quirked a brow. “You bring your women here?”
“Do I have women that I bring here? No. Have I met women here? Yes.” I tapped her lower back softly. “I know how you women get when you start comparing yourself to the last one. We’re not bringing up other women on this brief trip, okay?”
“Excuse me?” Spirit stopped walking. I closed my eyes briefly at my own errant mouth. “Don’t ever compare me to another of your women because I’m not your woman. It was a simple question. You answered it. The rest of what you said was unnecessary.”
I twisted my neck. “Sorry. Can we find MJ so we can get out of here?”
She glared and walked ahead of me straight into the arms of the handsome and charming Malcolm Jacobs. “MJ?”
“Spirit from Jackson, Mississippi. What are you doing here?” He held her warmly and kept his arms around her as he pulled back to look at her face. “Still as pretty as when you were a little girl. How is that sister of yours?”
“Trinity is good. Told me to tell you hi.”
“She still married?” he smiled.
“Happily.” She tapped his chest flirtatiously, and I swear I wanted to punch the shit out of him.
“How did you find out about me here?”
“I flew here with Jace. He’s investing in my restaurant, and we need some THC and CBD.” MJ finally noticed me when she pointed at me, refusing to look in my direction.
His smile grew wide. “I didn’t know you were rolling in.” We hugged and stepped back. “You have time for a game.”
“Not really. I wanted to pick up some supplies and show her around. Spirit isn’t comfortable with marijuana. Trying to get her to loosen up.”
Spirit wrapped her arm around MJ’s. “I’m getting more comfortable by the minute.”
“Come on, let me bring you to my recreation shop.” MJ was a player and loved women. The way Spirit described me to him seemed impersonal. He probably thought we were only just partners or a sneaky link. “Did you get a chance to go home for the holidays?”
“I did. I saw your Mama at church on Christmas Day. Crazy how I see you a couple of months later.”
“Must be meant.” He flirted.
I sighed loudly, “Like the other women you’ve said that to today.” I know it was petty as fuck, but MJ was not about to move in on the woman I did want to make mine.
He looked back over his shoulder at me. “My bad, she yours?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“No,” she answered with a roll of her eyes.
“Did you just roll your eyes?” I asked.
“No.” she lied quickly. Her eyes already warning me not to kiss her.
MJ looked between us, trying to read the vibe. “Did I miss something?”
“Naw. She knows I hate when women roll their eyes in my presence.”
“Then you must want a woman other than a black woman.” MJ laughed as we finally made it to one of his large rooms. He had glass cases with different strands of cannabis. “I hear you down there in Houston, starting a restaurant. It’s going to do well. Marijuana is everywhere up here. Down there, you’ll be a hot commodity. Seriously, the government gives marijuana a bad rep. It’s no different than you choosing your favorite cocktail and enjoying all the feels. Did you tell her you use it because you have so much pain from your football injuries you can’t walk?”
She looked at me, concern etching her face, and I shrugged. “It’s cool.”
“It’s about making sure you start with different strands that mix well with your recipes or cocktails. Strands that enhance or blend the taste. You never want the taste to overpower the food. The vials I already gave JJ should work. I can give you more.”
I nodded. “We can come back tomorrow and meet you to buy more. We’re just going to browse. Can you give us a moment?”
“Yeah. On your way out, holla at me.”
“Done.” He closed the door behind him, and I slid one hand in my pocket. “Did you use to have a crush on him, too?”
“What’s that’s supposed to mean?” Spirit walked closer to me.
“Laughing in his face and holding his arm. What the fuck was that?”
She crossed her arms. “You brought me here to see what marijuana is all about, and the minute you have a chance to do it, you chastise me like I’m a child. You’re so fucking jealous you can’t think straight. Doesn’t feel good, does it?”
My nostrils flared.
“You know why I can’t let go of the past? You were so damn callous with my heart. I would’ve understood it more if you didn’t know how I felt about you. Except you’ve made it abundantly clear, you knew I loved you back then.” She touched my chest. “Did you feel that burn every time MJ said anything to me or touched me? That burn is how I felt with every girl who wore your jacket and the girls you hugged or kissed in front of me like I didn’t matter. Then you ask me to go to your prom, and I’m on cloud nine. I got my dress and everything, and then you don’t even bother to tell me you asked another girl. A hateful girl because she resented our alleged closeness. She couldn’t wait to tell me that you wanted a dime for your prom and not the charity case who lived next door. She said that in front of other kids, and they laughed. It took all my willpower not to cry in humiliation and this overwhelming feeling of betrayal that you tricked me. I hated myself for being a fucking idiot to ever believe you wanted me. That you would ever want me on your arm for the world to see.” She wiped her eyes. “I thought at the very least we were friends, and you would never hurt me like that. You know who defended me and told her to shut the fuck up and that if she wasn’t a girl, he would punch the living shit out of her, your brother. He was my hero. Not you.” Her chest heaved.
“You can stay here with your friends or leave. I don’t give a fuck. I’ll catch an Uber back to the hotel. I don’t think I want to be around you anymore. I would fly back to Houston if I was up for any more travel.” She strutted out of the room, and I sank into the wall behind me. My heart broke for the girl she’d been, hurt by the boy she still believed I was.