Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Cadence
I was done with classes for the day, and I was going by Saint’s shop to visit him. Since finding out about each other, he checked on me daily and started sending me money without even asking. I learned from Eve and Harlow to just take it because he was going to find a way to send it, anyway.
I pulled up to his shop and parked before heading inside. I was greeted by a tall, light-skinned guy.
“Hey, I came to see Saint,” I said.
He looked at the guy next to him with a shocked look on his face. He probably thought I was a side bitch or something.
“He’ll be right out. He has a customer right now,” he said.
I thanked him and sat in the waiting area and scrolled on my phone. About twenty minutes later, Saint came from the back with another guy walking in front of him. When he saw me, he came in my direction and pulled me out the seat and hugged me before kissing my temple.
“I’on think you should be doing that,” I stated. “I think your co-workers think I’m your hoe,” I snickered.
“Fuck outta here. Them niggas said that?” he frowned.
“No, they just looked like you were caught when I asked for you,” I explained.
He turned toward the gentlemen and the girl who was working at the other station.
“Y’all niggas messy,” he laughed. “This is my sister Cady, I told y’all about,” he introduced us.
“Oh, you better have said something because I already had you on camera to show Eve,” the girl announced causing everybody to laugh.
“That’s fucked up, Gabi. I’m gone remember that the next time them niggas flirting with you,” he said as he walked me to the back of the building where his suite was.
“So, how you feeling after all this?” He asked once he was seated.
“Surprisingly, I’m okay. It’s not like I ever knew our dad, but it’s good to know that I have other siblings out here. I’m my mama’s only child, so that was pretty boring growing up,” I laughed.
“Yeah, I bet. I always had siblings, though. Even though me and Tre are cousins by marriage, that’s my brother,” he insisted.
“I understand. That’s like me and my best friend, Janae. That’s my sister.”
“I’m telling you now, good luck with Low’s ass. That girl is a live wire and loves to shop.” He shook his head.
“Shit, she sounds like my kind of girl.” I smirked.
We sat and shared stories about our childhood. He didn’t remember much about our father because he was around five when he died, but he did have pictures and said he would make copies if my mama didn’t have any.
“So, how’s Titan and his shoulder?” He asked.
“He’s in rehab now. It’s coming along, but he’s frustrated because he’s ready to get back on the field,” I explained.
“Shit sounds about right. That nigga could never sit still,” he laughed.
“But check it. Cousin or not, I’ll beat that nigga’s ass when it comes to you so don’t hesitate to call me if you need me.
I’on do that domestic shit and he knows it.
He’s been around me damn near our whole lives, so it’s expected,” he declared with a straight face.
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I simpered. “But I can handle Titan. I beat niggas, so I’m not worried.” I smirked.
“If I had any doubts, I damn sure don’t now,” he laughed. “I can see me coming to get you outta jail along with my wife and Low because they always ready to fight. Especially my baby mama.”
“Oh, you got one of them?” I asked.
“I’ain got shit. Fuck that bitch,” he snarled.
“Okay then,” I stressed.
We talked, and Low came in, and he gave me a matching tattoo like theirs. It was a simple heart that had the heartbeat line going through it, but he made it look 3-D. I didn’t have any, and I know now I was about to be addicted.
By the time I was done, I promised Low I would call her, and we would have lunch and go shopping. When I left them, I went to see my mama since I knew she would be off by now.
I walked in and found her in the living room watching TV. She smiled when she saw me.
“Hey, baby. You just left class?” She asked as I sat down beside her.
“No, I was done with class a long time ago. I went by to see Saint,” I responded.
“Oh, how did that go?”
“It was good. His employees thought I was his side piece, though.” We laughed.
“They must not see a TV. As much as you’re photographed with Titan, they should’ve known better,” she insisted.
I just shook my head because she was right. It seemed like every time me and Titan were out in public, it seemed like someone was lurking with their camera ready to capture whatever moment they could.
“You would think, but he straightened them out real fast.”
She was quiet for a second before she turned the TV down and turned to me.
“Look, Cadence. I don’t want you to be mad at me. I didn’t keep your brother away from you on purpose. I somehow figured the two of you would eventually cross paths,” she explained.
“It’s fine, Ma. I’m not mad. I like the fact that I have yet one more person to spoil me,” I simpered.
“I bet you do,” she laughed. “How’s Titan? His shoulder doing better?”
I explained to her what was going on and what his doctors we saying, and how frustrated he was.
“I know it’s probably a lot because he’s worried about his career, but he’ll be okay. Y’all just let me know if you need anything. I know he’s probably running Ai (Eye) raggedy,” she laughed.
“Oh, trust me. He’s milking this injury. She’s been going over there to cook and he’s loving every minute of it.”
I only stayed with my mama a little while longer because I needed to go home and study.
I had finals coming up, and I needed to make sure I was prepared.
Once I grabbed a bowl of chili, I headed home.
I wasn’t there thirty minutes before Nae called and said she was on the way.
I had enough time to wash my ass and change.
When I got out of the shower, she was sitting on my bed.
“Hoe, why you sitting on my bed? What if my nigga was in here?” I asked with a raised brow.
“I listened at the door before I came in.” She shrugged. “I’ain hear nothing so I knew you were alone.”
I shook my head at her logic because she thought she had all the sense.
“Who says you would’ve heard something?” I smirked.
She waved me off. “Bitch please. Those hoes weren’t going crazy for no reason, and didn’t you make him fire the chef?” She cocked her head to the side.
I didn’t even respond.
“Yeah, I thought so. What you doing home anyway and not with your nigga?”
“I needed to study. I got finals coming up and I need to focus, and we both know that man ain’t gone let me focus,” I simpered.
“I mean, if you put the book in front you, you could still study while Titan hitting it from the back,” she laughed.
“You’re ignorant.” I joined in.
We left my room and went up front. I had my books and notebooks scattered about and got right back into studying.
Janae had been helping me for close to two hours when there was a knock on my door.
Getting up, I opened it and Titan was standing there in a hoodie with a duffle bag thrown across his good shoulder and another bag in his hand.
“Aye, back up. Why you always come to the door fucking naked?” He grimaced. “You gone make me fuck you up yet, Tink,” he fussed.
“Oop,” Janae instigated. “Hey, Titan. How you feeling?”
“‘Sup, Nae. I’m straight but your friend gone run my blood pressure up.”
“Whatever. What are you doing here?” I asked as I sat back down.
He placed both bags on the floor and sat next to me.
“You’on want me here, Tink?” he asked as he peered at.
“Yeah, let me go.” Janae got up and grabbed her things. “Call me tomorrow, boo. See y’all later,” she said as she left.
I turned my attention to Titan, who was still looking at me.
“What?” I asked.
“I missed your mean ass.” He grinned.
“I’m not mean.” I rolled my eyes.
“Bullshit, but you got that.” He leaned back. “How was your visit with Saint?”
“It was okay. He gave me the same tattoo as him and Low.” I showed him my wrist, and he just stared at it.
“That nigga already about to piss me off,” he mumbled.
“Why?”
“Because he’s giving you matching tattoos and shit. What if I wanted you to get one with me?” he asked.
“We still can. I feel like I’m gone be addicted.” I shrugged.
“Yeah, I bet.” He leaned over and grabbed his bag before he got up.
“Come help me with this shit and I’ll help you study afterward,” he offered.
I got up and followed him into my room.
“That’s why you came over here?” I questioned.
“Yeah, and because I wanted to sleep on them soft ass titties.” He smirked.
I couldn’t do nothing but shake my head because he always had a crazy ass excuse, and I always followed his ass up.