Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Laikin
I could’ve had Tisha banned from my building, but she gave the best oral sex. For her to get it in her head we would eventually be more was a joke. My life was complicated and busy with my career. Like right now, I stood on a red carpet of the gala fundraiser event taking pictures with two women by my side—my mother and one of many women I called to hang on my arms. My dad wasn’t into these things, and I understood; it took me a while to get out to places that didn’t entail parties and strippers.
“Laikin, who are you wearing tonight? And we see your momma, but who else is your date?” Gossip tea blogger, Alexandria, stayed in my business and she knew posing a question like that would get a cursing out normally, but with my mom here tonight, I would be on my best behavior.
I never liked her because she would always DM me on social media, trying to holla, and whenever I denied her, she’d post a story about me out with another woman, or some cheating scandal, which was weird since I was single. Heat spread through her cheeks at getting a story about me. “My beautiful mom and friend, Callie, are my dates tonight.”
“Callie, how are you doing with Mr. Laikin Trenton, billionaire race-car driver? Any plans of marriage and babies?” Alexandria interrogated and Callie giggled at the question because she knew our little sex moments would never become serious.
“Happy to be here tonight with Laikin and his mom,” Callie replied, locking eyes with me.
Having had enough of Alexandria’s shady interview, I moved my mom and Callie along the red carpet to take pictures for a few minutes, then walked into the ballroom. Mom squeezed my hand to calm me down and I looked at her, smiled, and kissed her cheek.
“I’m good, my queen.”
“I know, but never let them see you sweat.” Mom picked up a glass of champagne from the server.
“Laikin, where's our table?” Callie peered around the room, remembering Brett was coming tonight as my special guest. I noticed him sitting at a table with a few of my team members and friends. The event was started seven years ago to help support sports, the arts, and underprivileged cities around the country. Sarai, Kash, and Malik created the foundation to give back and I’ve been one of the sponsors. Social media and the public knew me as some playboy who went from woman to woman, but I gave back and worked on helping the next generation to not fall into a trap of gang violence, jail, or death.
I pointed to our table. “Over there with Brett and Sarai.”
“I didn’t know Brett would be here tonight.” Mom loved Brett like he was a second child and spoiled him just as much when he used to come for dinner during our youth. Brett always joked about the limelight, and how I was lucky to get to travel around the world with girls falling at my feet. Sometimes it was fun, but it could get lonely, dealing with the pressure.
As we approached the table, I pulled out my mom’s chair, then Callie’s. I bit my lip to contain my annoyance at seeing Amena with Sarai and her girls. We’d already dealt with each other on set and her showing up at my condo. Now, we were at a big gala together, and Callie was clinging to me, trying to make our closeness out to be more than it was, which would only cause more confusion.
I slapped hands with Brett, then Kash joked about my commercial clips that had been posted online. A few candid moments from behind the scenes got posted and I still had to hear my mother’s mouth about me showing off and getting too bigheaded.
My mom hugged Brett. Callie talked with the server, while I stood, briefly talking with my boys to avoid staring at Amena’s fine ass in her gold off-the-shoulder dress.
“Bro looking sharp tonight,” Brett joked, holding up his hand and pretending it was a camera, taking a photo.
I waved him off. “Man, shut up. Where’s my little homie, Kayne?”
“He’s with my parents. Amena tried to stay home, but I begged her to be my date tonight. Thanks again for the invite,” Brett mentioned, sticking out his hand for a shake.
“Never have to thank me, man. Kayne’s cool. I have to get him to the track one day.”
Mom held both hands to her chest. “Brett, I know that is not your sister, Amena. Child, when did you come back to town!”
Brett and Amena chuckled. Mom got out of the seat to give her hug. “Amena, so good to see you. Your mom didn’t tell me you were back in town,” my mom said, holding Amena’s hands.
“It was a surprise to everyone,” Amena laughed, shaking her head.
“Kash switch seats with me so Amena and I can catch up. You don’t mind, do you, Laikin?” Mom asked, glancing from me to Kash with excitement. I hated how she acted at these events sometimes.
“Ma.”
All I could do was smile and take a seat next to her and Amena as Kash changed seats.
“So, tell me: What have you been up to? Is your husband here?” My mom meant well, but sometimes she had a tendency to get off-track and want to know everything in one sitting.
Amena’s long lashes fluttered, trying to play off the awkwardness with a faint smile.
“Ma, slow down. The girl just got back in town.”
Mom scoffed and waved me off. Most of the crowd started to take a seat and introductions were starting. The money was made off donated items. I gave a few signed shirts and helmets. Kash donated tickets for a race. Amena listened and showed off pictures of her son from her phone, while talking to my mom.
“I saw the final cut of the commercial and you looked good.” Sarai approached from around the table. Malik stood off talking to a few bigshots from other teams. Anytime Sarai gave me a complement I embraced because she stayed on me when I fucked up.
“Is this Sarai being nice for once?” I teased, and she pretended to punch me in the shoulder. She extended her arms out for a hug, and Callie gripped my wrist, blocking me. Sarai’s head fell back in laughter, and I knew that at any moment, she’d be going off on Callie and hurting her feelings. Never in my life had I looked at Sarai in any way other than like a sister. Callie knew we were not together, only friends, and to trying to lay claim to me in public would only make me drop her and never call again.
“Sweetie, calm down. He’s a client only,” Sarai informed her, turning to head back to her seat.
“Callie, get a grip. We’ve discussed this already.”
Soon as she opened her mouth, the band started to play, drowning out most of the conversations. Our food arrived at our table. I listened to Mom and Amena, going back and forth in conversation like long-lost friends. My petty side could have hogged Mom’s time, but after seeing the smile on her face at the pictures of Kayne, I avoided being an asshole.
“Honey, have you seen Kayne? She has a little boy.” Mom gleamed in excitement.
“I have.” I drank the rest of the champagne, then held the empty glass up for the server to replace.
“Amena’s going to bring him by for a visit soon.”
I nodded and continued to ignore the hate coming from Callie on my right side. Amena sitting next to Mom only put more tension in the air, especially with Mom fawning over her. The spotlight flicked around the room watching a few kids smile at seeing some of the sports heroes in person.
“Ladies and gentlemen, next up for bidding is the opportunity to visit the racing track with Laikin Trenton, one of the biggest drivers in the industry and two-time champion,” Gizelle explained. She was the main announcer and an editor from the world of fashion, sports, and art.
I stood up and waved as the bidding started at Ten thousand dollars. A few photographers took shots. Some of the guys from the team approached, and we shook hands.
“Yo! Laikin, bro, hook me up with your friend,” Sincere, one of the other drivers, suggested.
I looked at who he was staring at—Amena, giggling with her brother—and I shook away the thought. “Off-limits.”
Sincere grinned, rubbing his hands together. “Off-limits because you have that on lock or off-limits because she’s married?”
“Sincere, dude is gonna kick your ass if you try his women,” Clarence jested, patting me on my chest.
Sincere waved off the comment.
My warning tone was confident and unmistakable. No, I didn’t want her—the last woman on the planet for me would be Amena—but that didn’t mean I wanted to see her date my friends, either. “Off-limits means off-limits, my boy.”
“What’s up, Callie?” Sincere flirted, licking his lips at her, and I should of have been pissed, but Callie meant nothing to me. I had no fucks to give. As long as he kept Amena off his radar.
What am I saying?
She’s a grown woman.
“The bidding for an hour-long visit on the race track with Lakin Trenton is now closed in the amount of seventy thousand dollars.”
The entire room erupted in applause. I marched over to the stage and hugged the older brown skinned woman and shook hands with her husband. My donation would help, and seeing us hit close to Four hundred thousand this year was amazing. Every time I visited different youth centers, the look in their eyes as they thought about what the future held seemed so far away, and I wanted to make a difference and teach them that nothing was impossible with hard work.
“Baby, can we go now?” Callie met me halfway before I made it to the table and cuffed my arm. The nagging got irritating.
“I need to grab my mom and check with my people before we go.”
“How long is that going to take?” Callie pouted, fixing my tie.
Removing her hands from my chest, I sighed in frustration. All night she’d had snarky comments and a pissed off attitude.
I swallowed hard before asking, “What’s up with the attitude?”
“I thought tonight we would come out as a real couple.”
“Since when are we a couple?” My neck jerked back in surprise at her suggestion.
“Laikin, it’s been three years of fucking and showing up at your events,” Callie hissed, getting loud and in my face, causing a few people to stare at us. Tamping down my anger, I ignored her and walked back to the table to finish hanging with my friends. Callie staggered back to the table, avoiding a few people holding up their phones to get any type of gossip. She sat and waited for me to leave.
* * *
Morning sunlight beamed into my bedroom, and I felt a heavy arm across my back. I slowly popped open my eyes and cringed at seeing Callie cuddled up in my sheets.
“Shit.”
Normally I wouldn't bring anyone back to my condo or my house in Malibu, but feeling a banging headache let me know I got too wasted last night. Brett suggested we all go out to the club after the fundraiser and like always I went to kick off some steam. Stretching and sitting up in bed, I gently nudged Callie to wake up.
My stomach revolted in terror at the thought that we didn’t use protection. “Callie.” I scanned the wastebasket near the bed and saw an open condom wrapper.
“Mmmm, Laikin…fuck me harder,” she mumbled, rubbing my chest.
“Callie, time to wake up.” I threw the covers back, stood from the bed in only my boxers, and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
Callie sat up, a teasing smirk on her face. “Laikin, why can't I stay?”
I stepped out of the bathroom with my toothbrush, shaking my head at her sitting up with her breasts out trying to entice me.
After rinsing my mouth and turning on the shower, I came back to grab her things and shoved them in her hand, so she could get dressed. “You already know we’re not like that, Callie.”
“Your parents and friends like me, on top of what it can do for your brand. Laikin, we can be good together.” Callie pleaded, sliding her dress on and slipping into her heels.
“Not happening and take this as our last outing or whatever you want to call it.” I kissed her cheek, went back into the bathroom, and locked the door.
Bang!
“I hate you, Laikin!” Callie screamed.
Chuckling, I jumped in the shower and prepared for all the bullshit Sarai would bring my way after last night. If Callie slept over, that meant paparazzi saw us come into my building together, and social media would blow it out of proportion.
Soon as I was ready to leave for the day, I locked the door behind me and almost tripped when I ran into something and dropped my keys.
“Kayne, I told you to be careful with the ball.” Amena’s sweet voice carried through the quiet hall.
“Laikin!” Kayne stood up, dropped the ball, and wrapped his hands around my legs.
“Sorry about him.” Amena tried to grab him, and I tugged her back.
“He’s cool. High five, Kayne.”
“Are you our neighbor?” Kayne wondered.
His question caught me off guard. “Possibly.”
“Kayne, that’s rude,” Amena chastised.
I glared at her for upsetting him. The anger directed at her shown on my face for dumping me all those years ago, but she kept trying to play the victim, and harping on Kayne for talking to me is getting on my nerves.
“Amena, chill. It’s just a question.”
“He’s a child. I’d rather he stayed out of adults' personal business.” She grabbed him by the arm and pulled him off my legs.
Curiosity got the best of me. “Are you moving in here?”
“At first, I thought it would be a bad idea, but the price isn’t bad. I have help from my parents, my brother and my savings, plus it’s close to Kayne’s school.”
Kayne dribbled the ball, making me smile. I rubbed the top of his little curls. “That’s cool.”
As she spoke, I could hear a nervousness in her voice, as if she thought I hated her. “Will that be a problem for you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw the same girl you brought to the dinner leave a few minutes ago.”
“Why would that be a problem? I’m not married to anyone.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
She scoffed. “I mean if you’re running women in and out of here, I think I should know.”
I chuckled, catching the snarl in her eyes. “Amena, you’re something else.”
“Something else?” Confusion creased her brow.
“Yeah. Look, I have a meeting in fifteen minutes with my PR team. They liked the looks you set up for my commercial and wanted me to reach out to see if you wanted to do more campaigns,” I said, ready to get out of the hallway. Going back and forth about my dating life that she had no right to comment on left a bad taste in my mouth. Her deep brown eyes sent me a signal that I would get hurt again.
“Uhm, I don’t have a website or full portfolio. I’m still getting things together and making sure Kayne has everything he needs.”
“Sarai will hit you up about the details. I have a few interviews coming up and club appearances.”
“Fine, just have them send me an email.”
“Cool.” I squatted down to Kayne’s height and stretched my hand out for a slap. “When I get time, we’re going to play a one-on-one match.” I playfully picked up his basketball, bouncing it on the ground.
“Yay! See, Mommy? Laikin’s my friend.”
“Come on, baby.” Amena escorted him toward the condo for rent.
I saw the elevator open, and the realtor stepped off coming in my direction.
“Mr. Trenton, good to see you again,” Miss Claymont said.
“Miss Claymont, are you showing Amena the last condo rental?”
What Amena didn’t know was that I owned the four condos on this floor and rented them out as investments.
“I am. Hopefully, she signs.”
“Give her whatever she wants on price.”
Her face dropped in shock. “Huh?”
“Amena’s my best friend’s sister, and she’s moving back to town. Give her a break on the price and don’t tell her who owns the place.”
“Are you sure? They run high in this market.”
I knew she was worried about her commission. “Positive and don’t worry. You still get your commission.”
She nodded and smiled. “If you’re interested, then I have a few more buildings that opened up.”
“Send them to my accountant as usual. Thanks.”
“No problem! Thank you.”
I sprinted to the elevator and out of the building, hopped into my Maserati, and moved in and out of traffic, pressing the radio to one of my favorite stations when I came to a red light.
“Laikin, over here! Laikin, is it true you’re engaged to Callie Evans?” A reporter hanging out the window of a car next to me pushed a camera in my face for a picture.
Ignoring his question, I pressed the button for the window to roll up, and I rode off as the light turned green.
I arrived at Pierce Motors’ offices moments later, gripping my phone as it rang with a call from Brett.
Sincere came onto the elevator with me. “What’s up, man?”
Sincere approached and I nodded, listening to Brett speak on the other end of the line.
“I got a call from Amena. She got a place in your building. Thanks for hooking it up,” Brett said.
A knot of tension formed in my stomach at the thought of him ever finding out that I’d lied about our relationship. “Of course. She’s your sister.”
“Getting her a gig as your stylist…”
I smirked, stepping out of the elevator, and stalked down the hall to Sarai’s office. “Sarai liked the fit.”
He grunted. “If something’s going on with you two, I want to know,” Brett expressed.
“Yeah, that’s never happening… but I have a meeting.”
“All right, bro.” Brett let go of the tension.
“Yep.” I hung up and glanced at Sincere talking with Sarai’s secretary. He knew sleeping with Sarai’s team would land him in hot water. I gripped his shoulder, pointed to her open office, and he followed with a smirk on his face.
“Not the time, playboy.”
“Sincere, call me when you’re done,” she said, handing him a piece of paper. I snatched it out of his hand and dropped into the trash.
“Do you want Sarai to kick your ass?” My brows pinched together as I shut the door behind us, taking a seat in front of her desk.
“Sarai, tell your boy you have no problems with your girl out there talking to me,” Sincere egged on, picking a piece of candy out the dish.
Sarai cleared her throat, leaning back in her chair with both arms crossed. “Let me think… um… Sincere Pendleton is the biggest industry hoe that I have to field calls from, and bloggers are trying to get interviews about the alleged three DNA tests you had to take only this year. I really don’t think he would be a good fit for my secretary.”
“Damn!” Sincere shrunk in his seat, covering his face as I laughed.
“Leave her alone, Sincere,” Sarai demanded, leaning forward and picking up papers off her desk to pass to me and him.
“Man, you hating, Sarai,” Sincere grumbled, snatching it out of my hand.
“No, your momma a hater. Now, focus more on business and less on getting your little pecker wet,” Sarai blasted him.
At that moment, I couldn’t hold back anymore and cackled at her remark, holding my stomach.
“Fuck you, Laikin,” Sincere growled.
“Bro, leave that girl alone.”
“Anyway, I have a few things in the pipeline, and I wanted to see you both because one of them has you both lined up for an interview together,” Sarai expressed.
“The Maya West talk show? Isn’t she married to the Governor?” I remembered reading in the newspapers about a local talk-show host and the governor dating. They were also friends with Gage Young, who I’d met at a sports award show.
“Correct—even though she’s more lowkey because of her husband’s position, she’s only doing shows on a limited basis. I thought it would be nice to get you both on together.” Sarai typed away on her computer.
“We would need to fly out to New York.”
“Yep. The sooner the better. It would be a little mini tour. Basically, you’re both the stars of Pierce Motors, along with Ledger who I just signed to represent.” Sarai stood and walked to her fridge in the corner of the office, then grabbed two bottles of water and handed them to us.
“Ledger’s cool people,” Sincere said.
“I agree.”
“Perfect. I know you have a race this week, and then you’re off, so I planned the interview in a few weeks, and I have your plane tickets and hotel set up already,” Sarai informed me.
“Sarai, you have me doing back-to-back interviews with bloggers, and you know that’s not my style.”
“Look, you are still seen as a playboy right now. To combat the drama, I extended a ten-minute interview window—and let’s not forget, there are pictures of you and Callie leaving the party drunk.” She shoved the magazine in my face from Turnt Up Vibe. Soon as the flash went off that night, I knew Callie and I would be plastered everywhere. She had to get shit started by kissing my neck. I groped her ass, and it turned into a make out session in front of the venue while we waited for the limo to pick us up.
“That wasn’t my fault.”
Sincere slapped me on the shoulder. “Finally, it’s not me in trouble.”
“Shut up, Sincere. You two will act right and no partying. I have enough work to scrub any mentions of sex tapes being blasted online.” She scoffed, turning the computer around for us to see a blurred-out photo with my name in bold letters on Gossip Tea’s blog page.
I tried to forecast the probable moves Sarai would need to make if I had something illicit online. “Gossip Tea is lying. I don't have a sex tape.”
Sighing, she clasped her hands together and stared at me. “Doesn’t matter. As long as your name is mentioned, it’s getting interest. So, while I try and get it removed, I need you to play nice.”
“All right.” A quiet voice told me to keep my real feelings under wraps and not cause any more problems before my next race.
“Let me know if Amena is free. I have a contract for her.”
I gave Sarai the contact information. “I will check if Amena’s free.”
“Will it be a problem for you two to work together? I refuse to have any more issues, Laikin.” Sarai loathed the attention that came with dating someone in the business, being the wife of a billionaire and the team’s President. Getting noticed beyond the person you’re attached to brought problems, and she had nothing to worry about with me and Amena.
“Amena and I are professionals.”
“Bullshit,” Sincere coughed into his hand.
Sarai and I looked at him.
“With a past,” Sarai said with understanding and sensitivity.
Why did she continue the deep dive if she knew what happened between us. “Then find someone else, Sarai. You know clothing is not my thing.”
“No, I want Amena. What she did for the commercial really put you in a better light. Just keep it all business,” Sarai replied as the door opened. I whipped my head around to see Malik.
Sincere and I rose from our chairs to leave. “Gotcha.”
Malik shook our hands and pulled his wife into a hug. “Everything good in here?” Malik wondered.
“Always, honey.” Sarai kissed him on the cheek.
“Great. Sarai told you about the tour?” Malik inquired.
“Yeah, and I hate it, but what can I do?” My cynical inner voice kept telling me to cancel and focus on the goal of winning to get closer to the championship race.
Malik laughed. “She’s tough, but worth the headache.” Malik ducked when Sarai tried to slap the back of his head.
“Get out of my office, all three of you,” Sarai fussed, and I leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her cheek.
Sincere threw up the peace sign. “We’re out, fam.”
After leaving Sarai’s office I headed to the track to get in some practice time before I headed back to my condo to rest and get some sleep. I promised Kayne that we’d hang out, and I wanted to be in a better mindset—especially if Amena got a hold of the news about us working closely together.