5. Bandaged Heart #2
As I moved around the kitchen, I noticed his briefcase was sitting on the island. It wasn’t in my way per say but I didn’t want them germs around my food. I picked it up carelessly, not realizing it was open. Papers spilled out along the floors and counters.
“Fuck,” I whispered.
Bending down, I gathered everything up with this one particular flyer catching my eye.
The paper attached to it listed the pieces, descriptions of them, and value.
Declan’s job was hosting their annual Gems of Time jewelry auction.
This was perfect for me and my girls. I doubled check to see if D was still showering and once I was in the clear, I banged Dice’s line.
Of course, she didn’t answer the first go round or second, so I called until she did.
“I’m confused on why you calling my phone the way you are. We ain’t fuckin’ with each other and you made that perfectly clear,” she fussed.
She had every right to get that off her chest. The last time we saw each other, I popped my shit. Nevertheless, I missed my sister. She was just as much my best friend as Rose and Rebel. Hell, this heffa slept in the same bed as me all through college cause she hated her roommate.
“Anything else?” I asked calmly.
“I’m glad you asked. It’s really fuck you for real. You got two other people to give a fuck about, yet you shut us off like we had the plague. Bitch we going through shit, too.”
“You want to tell me about it?”
She laughed before saying, “Don’t call my phone no more, Kash.”
“I got a heist, Dice. Stop acting like a bitch and listen,” I hissed.
She went quiet like I knew she would. Regardless of what Dice said and did, when it came to a job, the bitch was all gas no brakes until it was done.
“I know you broke by now so what’s up?”
“Stop acting like you know me, bitch,” she commented.
I had to giggle at her comeback. She wanted to be mad at me so bad, but I knew she missed me just as much as I did her. “I do though. Have you heard from Rebel? She needs in on this conversation as well.”
“Good luck getting that bitch to answer. She really went off the grid this time. She ain’t fuckin’ with us in any shape or form.”
“Hold on.”
I clicked over and dialed Rebel’s phone. It went straight to voicemail. That was expected so I sent a text saying I had a job. I had a call coming through seconds later. Answering, I merged it, so I didn’t have to repeat myself a thousand times over.
“Aight, get your pens and paper ready.”
“Where’s Rebel? The bitch ain’t answer, did she? I told you she ain’t fuck with us,” Dice ranted.
“You can call me separately, Kash. I ain’t got time to listen to this hoe run her mouth. I ain’t in the fuckin’ mood,” Rebel chimed.
“No, you gon’ stay put until I’m done. Okay, look. I’m in the Valley right now. I came back to see Declan for a bit. He works for this bank called Ross Savings & Loans.”
“I know it. It’s off Helen and Roosevelt,” Dice interjected.
“Well, him and his team are hosting a jewelry auction called Gems of Time next Sunday evening at six. I want everything there. My father got a chick that owes him some favors that deals in jewelry. From the pieces listed and their value, we’re coming up at least 1.5 mil a piece.”
“Hold on. I ain’t got my pen ready,” Dice said fumbling on her end. I released a deep sigh out of aggravation. This girl gon’ run me ragged. “Okay, say it again.”
“Bitch, get to the Valley by Thursday. We got shit to do. Rebel, where we at with it? We good?” I questioned. She was hit harder than all of us. Rose was her big sister, that bond was deeper than ours.
“We good. I’ll be there.” With that, she hung up and that was all she wrote. She had nothing else to say to us. I was grateful to even get that, so I wasn’t gon’ push for more.
“Sis, I know you pissed with me, but we got to push that shit to the side. Money, freedom, and our lives are on the line with this. We can’t fuck it up,” I spoke sternly to Dice.
“I know what’s at stake Kash. Much like Rebel, I’ll be there. How are you though? I might as well ask since you on the phone.”
“What you think? I’m fucked up in the head Dice, but it is what it is. I’ll see you soon.”
Hanging up, I dropped my cell on the counter and continued to clean up the mess I made.
When I turned around, Declan was standing there with his hands in his pockets.
I wasn’t sure of what he heard but from the look on his face, it said he’d heard enough.
I went to finish cooking, and he said nothing. I wasn’t gon’ speak until he did.
Declan was the kind of man that didn’t hound or hover. He was definitely gon’ say something just not now. If I knew him like I thought I did, he was gon’ wait until Dice and Rebel got in town to see what game plan we could come up with.
“You ready to eat?” I inquired.
He offered a low chuckle before walking away to the living room saying, “Yeah. What’s on the menu?”
“Beef stir fry and eggrolls. That’s cool?”
“Yeah.”
Nodding, I finished whipping it up in the kitchen. I didn’t hide shit from D-Row. He was the one person I could be myself with at all times. The judgment was never given no matter the topic and respect was always in the room. I expected nothing less from him this go ‘round.
His plate was fixed shortly after, and I was joining him on the sofa. Handing over his food, he said grace and we began to dig in. He wasn’t gon’ poke so it was on me to let him in.
“We’re taking it all, D. Ain’t no ifs, ands, or buts. This the only way I get to see and spend time with my sisters. So… spare me, please.”
He took a few bites of his food without acknowledging what I said. I could see the wheels turning in his head, but he’d yet to let me in. Realizing there wasn’t much coming from this, I kept quit and paid attention to my own plate. We ate in silence.
Once he was done, he stood and said, “I’ll have the floor plans ready for you by Thursday. Don’t piss me off and get hurt, Sol. I will tear this city up behind y’all, you especially.”
“Thank you, baby.” I smiled as he walked into the kitchen. He was heaven sent, and he knew it. Having my back the way he did was what caused me to love him. This job was gon’ be easy peasy.