Chapter 21
Chapter
Twenty-One
SUGAR BABY
One Month Later
Late April
My baby had been working himself to the bone.
He was having early mornings and late nights, which made me grateful I’d moved in with him because I hardly ever got to see him.
I loved feeling the bed dip from the weight of his body in the middle of the morning.
I loved feeling him wrap his strong arms around me.
I loved the sigh of relief he released before kissing the back of my head and telling me it wouldn’t be like this always.
Today was the first day all week that he was able to sleep in, and I wanted to make the most of it.
I made steak, eggs, and fried potatoes and onions for breakfast and planned to serve it to him in bed.
Once I had everything the way I wanted it on the serving tray, I grabbed the hot sauce and ketchup then headed upstairs.
At the sight of me, he put his bible away and smiled.
“Morning, pussy cat.”
“Morning, bae. How’d you sleep?”
“I always sleep well now that you’re here.”
“Good,” I cooed, putting the tray across his lap. I gave him a quick kiss before running my fingers through his hair. A true sign of him being busy was the state of his hair. That seemed to be the only time he let his braids get old or missed his line-up appointment with Rhakeem.
“I’m going to wash your hair when you get done eating,” I told him, making my way to the other side of the bed.
“Thanks, Suge. I’ve been so busy I haven’t even been looking at it because I knew I couldn’t take care of it right now.”
“I got you,” I assured, climbing into bed.
“You’re not going to eat?”
“Nah. I’m meeting Rittany for lunch. She said there’s something she wants to discuss with me.”
“You know what it’s about?”
“Not yet, but something is telling me it’s about a job opportunity she mentioned last week.”
“Cool. Speaking of job opportunities, I guess that’s a good place for me to tell you why I’ve been so busy lately,” he said, slicing his steak. “I’m making moves to get out the game. Keem is going to take over in the next year or so and I’ll be completely legit.”
“That’s great, bae! Right?”
Cash laughed as he nodded. “Right. It’s by choice, not by force. I’m over the duality of my life. And after that shit happened with Reek, I just can’t deny that I’m over it. I’m ready to start the next phase of my life.” He made sure to look at me when he added, “With you.”
“I love the sound of that,” I said, cupping the back of his neck before giving him a kiss.
As he ate, we made plans of how we’d celebrate him going legit.
At the top of the list was traveling. When he was done, I did what I said I would and took care of his hair.
I washed it and gave him a deep condition and hot oil treatment though he swore he didn’t need all that, but that didn’t stop his ass from being so relaxed he fell asleep.
Afterward, we chilled in the living room while I gave him his signature small plaits.
I couldn’t stop staring and smiling when I was done because he looked so damn good. Those lazy eyes. That cashew brown skin. My man, my man, my man!
I stared at my best friend like she was speaking a different language.
Hearing her say she was going to move were foreign words coming out of her mouth.
While I felt like this was what she wanted to talk about, I didn’t know it involved her moving to a different city.
Rittany was a nurse, and she only worked three days out of the week, which was why it was so easy for her to help me with my catering gigs.
“No,” I decided before taking a sip of my mimosa.
“No?” she repeated with a chuckle. “What do you mean no?”
“No, you can’t go. I hear you saying the job in Virginia pays more but no.”
“No?”
“What’re you? A parrot? No.”
“Sugar Baby . . . ”
“No.”
With a sigh, she stood and came to my side of the booth. She took my hand into hers as I avoided her eyes.
“Hey,” she called sweetly, but I shook my head.
If I looked at her, I’d cry. “I love you, and I don’t want to leave you, but this is a great opportunity.
I know money isn’t everything, but I’d be head nurse, and you know I’ll never be able to be that here as long as Nurse Rodgers is alive.
She’s been the head nurse literally for as long as we’ve been alive.
Ain’t nobody getting that position until she dies. ”
I laughed as I looked over at her because she was likely right.
“I am proud of you, Rittany, and I want you to excel. I just hate that you have to do it away from me.” Wrapping my arms around her neck, I closed my eyes. “Congratulations on the promotion, bestie. I know you’re going to excel there.”
“Thank you, bestie. And you know, you can always come visit me. And I can come visit you. We might not be able to see each other as often, but you’re still gonna be my sister.”
“How much time do I have you?”
“I have two weeks before I start.”
“Two weeks!” I all but yelled as I released her. “Rittany!”
“I know, I know, but I don’t have a choice. They are providing housing with furniture, and I can’t turn that down.”
“Well, we just have to make the most of your time here before you go. And I’m going to throw you a bomb going away party.”
“Ooh I’m excited! See if you can get Dre’s fine ass to come.”
My eyes rolled playfully, and I laughed as she returned to her side of the booth. I saw the way she was eyeing Dre when they randomly pulled up on us at the bowling alley last weekend. My girl wasn’t the type to approach a man though. She’d invite him to initiate something but that was it.
“I got you, sis. I’ll make sure he’s there,” I said, pulling my phone out to text Cash to make sure I didn’t forget.
I hated that she was leaving, but I was genuinely proud of her.
Just like I was shifting into a new season with my baking, my girl was getting ready to soar too.
It would be weird not being able to randomly pull up on her any time I wanted to, but we’d make it work. That I was sure of.