Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
CASH
Mid-May
I looked on like a proud uncle as Tyreek walked across the stage.
It was his graduation day, and he’d done a complete 180.
Without the distraction of his friends, he’d ended his high school career with a 4.
8 GPA. As I promised him I would, I had something for him since he stayed out of trouble.
I held Sugar at my side as she wiped her happy tears.
I knew it was going to be hard on her when he left for college, but he’d elected to go to Howard University, the second best HBCU in the USA.
Regardless of how much his family was going to miss him, they were all so happy and proud of his growth and achievements.
Once the graduation was over, we met up with him in the lobby for pictures. After that, we headed to his favorite restaurant for dinner.
“Can I have a glass of champagne to celebrate?” he asked.
Terry shook her head and chuckled while Tony gave him a quick no. “You might as well let him have it here in front of you,” his mama said. “If you don’t, he’s only going to go somewhere and drink alone or with people he doesn’t know.”
“You got that right,” Sugar grumbled under her breath, but he heard her anyway.
As they bickered in true sibling fashion, I took a few off guard pictures that I’d show her when she was missing him.
When our waitress came back, Tony ordered champagne for the whole table, including Tyreek.
Tony led the toasts, followed by his wife and Sugar.
I wasn’t a man of many words, so when they all looked at me expectantly, I pulled the envelope out of my pocket and slid it across the table toward him.
“Proud of you, young man. You kept your word, and that’s your reward. Congratulations, and good luck with your continued success.”
“Thanks, Cash!” he replied excitedly as he ripped the envelope open.
Inside was Tristan’s information so he could work with him directly, the information on his app and the contact information for the tech team I’d hired to help him build it, and a check for a quarter of a million dollars.
That was more than enough to keep him from having to worry about working so he could focus on his studies and the app.
By the time he was done looking everything over, he hopped from the table and ran in my direction .
“What is it?” Terry asked, reaching for the contents of the envelope.
“Thank you, Cash,” he muttered against my shirt, gently beating my back as he held me tightly. “Thank you so much. I promise you won’t regret believing in me. I swear.”
“I know I won’t. Congratulations again, and never hesitate to call me if you need anything.”
After he released me, Tony pulled me in for a hug with tears in his eyes.
He thanked me, and so did a weepy Terry.
When I sat back down, Sugar Baby wrapped her arm around me and used her free hand to turn my head in her direction.
She planted a sweet, tender kiss on my lips before saying, “I’m going to show you how much I appreciate you when we get home. ”
Smiling, I kissed her again before declaring, “I like the sound of that.”
We finished our dinner, and by that time, the car Tony and Terry had gotten Tyreek had been delivered by the dealership.
He cried again before thanking them and pulling out of the parking lot like a bat out of hell.
I watched in amusement and pride. If I felt this proud of a boy I’d just met this year, I couldn’t wait to see how good this shit would feel when I did it for my own children.
August
Sugar Baby was finally doing what she loved—baking full time.
She’d done her soft launch last month and it was a success.
I wasn’t into social media, but I spread the word on the streets and told them to share it with everyone they knew.
This time around, she received just as much support for her baking as she did her catering.
I felt like when she initially tried to start her bakery, it just wasn’t the right season.
Now, her aunt was thriving with the catering company, she was thriving with the bakery, and everything just felt .
. . right. If nothing else, the love and appreciation she had for her success as a baker was worth the work and the wait.
People tended to appreciate things less when they were easy to come by.
Every day she woke up with a smile, and that was partly because she was finally doing what she loved.
I knew that baking was how she felt more connected to her mother as well.
We’d just gotten tattoos and were cruising through the city.
She got a tribute to her mother, which was a slice of pie and her mother’s signature underneath it.
I’d gotten Pops name on my neck. What Sugar thought was a random drive was very much intentional.
As soon as we pulled up to the small storefront suites to the right of the beach, she sat up in her seat.
“Are we getting food?” Her chipper tone and hopeful expression made me laugh.
“We sure can. I gotta show you something first.”
“What?” she asked, so excited she opened her own fucking door.
“Aye!” I yelled, grabbing her arm and pulling her back inside the car. “You don’t open your own damn door. The fuck is wrong with you?”
“I forgot! I’m excited!”
“Excited for what? You don’t even know what it is.”
“I have an idea!” she yelled as I got out of the car.
I chuckled as I walked over to her side.
This girl truly made me smile, and for a man like me, that said a lot.
She added a softness, a sweetness to my life that had been missing.
There wasn’t a thing about her that I would change.
I took her hand and led her to the third building.
The windows were intentionally covered so she wouldn’t be able to see what was inside.
“What’s your idea?” I asked, standing in front of the door.
Her cheeks damn near touched her forehead from her smiling so hard as she looked up at me. “I don’t want to say it and be wrong.”
“Say it,” I commanded, pulling her into me. I dropped a kiss to her lips after pinching her nose.
“Is this for me?” she whispered and pointed, making me laugh.
“Is what for you?”
“Ugh.” Her eyes rolled as she crossed her arms while I held her close. “You are so literal.”
“And you know that, so say what you know I want to hear.”
“Did you buy me this building for my bakery, Cash?”
“Would it be okay with you if I did?”
“Mhm.” She nodded rapidly, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth as her eyes watered. “I would really, really love that.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” Her voice cracked as she wrapped her arms around me. “Did you get it for me, bae? Or am I completely off here?”
I laughed as I finally decided to put her out of her misery. “Let’s see.”
I grabbed the key out of my pocket and released her so I could open the door. I stepped to the side and allowed her to walk in first. Her aunt and uncle were inside already, and so was my mom and the crew along with Rittany and Tyreek, who had come home just to surprise her.
“Ah!” she yelled, covering her mouth as she jumped up and down.
“Congratulations!” they all yelled as confetti and balloons fell.
She looked back at me with leaking eyes before hopping into my arms. I laughed as I carried her further into her new bakery.
“Oh my God,” she sobbed. “I didn’t know you were for real. I was just talking shit.”
“You know I’on play about you, Suge. Whatever you want and need, I’ma make sure you always have.”
I put her on her feet so she could take everything in. It filled me with pride as she walked around the space. The more she saw, the more excited she became. By the time we made it to the front, her tears had stopped, but I could see the ideas spinning in her mind behind her eyes.
She started rattling off her plans for the space—orange and yellow color scheme, large plants, comfortable vibe.
Whatever she wanted, I’d make sure she had.
I took being her steward and future husband seriously.
By the time we shifted out of this life and into the next, I’d make sure she was filled with love, lived a full life, and became the absolute best version of herself.