Chapter 10
Chapter
Ten
CASH
I t was nearing the end of March, and I’d spent my day making sure we had a successful and profitable first quarter at the food distribution warehouse.
I hadn’t seen my Sugar Baby in a few days, and I was actually missing her presence.
She mentioned her desire to try and redirect her cousins’ path, so I decided to invite him to check out the weed farm today.
As much as I stressed to him I’d taken this path out of necessity and planned to retire, I wasn’t sure if that did anything to sway him away from the streets.
He did share with me he was considering working at a dispensary, which I told him would be a good look.
Tyreek was concerned about the pay and if it would be worth his time.
I took that as an opportunity to pick his brain about what else he liked and what he was good at.
If he was that concerned about money, maybe starting his own business would be best.
I was impressed by the time I dropped him back off at home.
He knew three other languages, really was a straight A student, and loved to learn.
He could cook thanks to his mom and cousin and was strategic enough to win the bets he participated in.
I wouldn’t take him to the casino, but I did have an idea for a potential business endeavor that might be a good fit for the both of us.
Before I brought it up to him, I wanted to do my research though.
“Aye,” I called when he opened the door. “I got an idea for a business I’ll let you take the reins with. In order for that to happen, you’ll have to graduate without getting into any more trouble. Can you do that?”
This lil nigga looked toward the sky, as if he really needed to contemplate his answer.
“What kind of trouble? All trouble?”
That made me release a bark of laughter as I shook my head. “Yeah, lil nigga. All trouble.” The perplexed expression on his face was both amusing and alarming. “Why isn’t that an easy choice for you?”
Tyreek shrugged and avoided my eyes. “I mean, I’m not going to intentionally do anything to get in trouble.”
It didn’t take much for me to read between the lines.
“What? You got friends who will?” His head bobbed once.
“I’m all for being loyal, but at the end of the day, you gotta be most loyal to yourself.
To your respect and reputation. To your future.
The choices you make today will shape the man you are tomorrow.
If them youngins going down a path that don’t align with who you’re trying to be and what you tryna do, you need new friends.
” I gripped the back of his neck and forced him to look me in my eyes.
“And it ain’t a damn thing wrong with standing alone. Do you understand me?”
“I do. ”
As I released him, I nodded. “Aight, bet. Stay the course, and I’ll have something for you the day you graduate.”
“Thanks, Cash.” He got out the car then extended his fist for me to dap.
“Uh, you and my cousin . . . Baby, that’s my big sister.
Keep her safe, aight? I know I can’t fight you, but I’ll try if anything happens to her.
I’m fast and that might save me from your power.
I ain’t too proud to not run around the ring. ”
“Boy, get away from my car,” I said as I laughed. “Ain’t nobody gon’ hurt Sugar Baby. I give you my word.”
Tyreek smiled as he tapped the top of my car. “Aight, bet.”
There was something about Tyreek that reminded me of myself, but I could tell he was associating with the wrong crowd.
In situations like that, there was nothing you could say to make a person walk away.
They wouldn’t until they were ready. Hopefully he’d get to that point without something bad having to happen.
I put in my phone calendar to set up a meeting with Tristan .
I wanted him and his team to look into my idea before I presented it to Tyreek.
If his brain worked the way I believed it did, I’d let him create a sports app for people to bet on.
It would bring in hella profit and give him something positive to focus on perfecting with time.
When I was done, I headed toward the barbershop so Rhakeem could line me up before going to see Suge. Three days was too much time spent away from my lil pussy cat.