Chapter 1 #2
“I’d be an alcoholic for real, coming home to you every day. Lish can have your ass,” I joked. The thought had never crossed our minds, but she was a beautiful woman, and when people didn’t have a narrative, they created one.
I wasn’t against dating. Most days, it felt like dating was against me. I kept running into the same boring ass women more interested in me as a business. I wasn’t offended by the sentiment. Marriage was a business, but mine was more beneficial to women than it was to me.
Swiping through the iPad, each profile was more unimpressive than the one before it, including Lauryn’s , who was an elementary school teacher. On paper, she was the perfect pick, just not for a nigga like me.
“I’ll get on it.” Fallon’s smile vanished, throwing her belongings into her purse.
“Talk to him before I jump off this sinking ship,” she told Jaleb.
“I love you, too. Thanks for believing in me.”
“Prove it and pick a damn girlfriend while I go get more money for your campaign.”
Fallon was pissed at me, so I tossed out a joke hoping to restore order in our friendship.
“Good. Use that mouth for something other than yelling at me.”
She laughed. “Ha! I don’t love you that much.” Then stormed out, slamming the door.
“Is it something you need to tell me?” Jaleb asked once Fallon disappeared.
“Something like what?”
“Why can’t you pick a woman. Are you interested in something else?”
“I know you’re used to people moving how you want, but don’t get fucked up.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“Every day, I do what everybody needs me to do. That’s the job, but I need something for me like Mich is for you.”
“Very poetic,” Jaleb smiled, sliding his hands in his pockets. “And also bullshit, Tre. You want success and power, yet you’re stalling to do what it takes to get there. Do yourself a favor and pick one.”
Ward remained in the corner, quiet and observant, while Jaleb patted my shoulder on the way out.
“This shit is crazy,” I sighed.
“You wanted to be a politician,” Ward rebutted, shaking his head. “You’ve never had problems bagging women before.”
“You must’ve lost your mind overseas if you think that’s the problem.”
“You’re the one flipping through a catalogue for dates. It’s alright if your game isn’t what it used to be. Even Jordan lost a step with age,” he taunted.
“I haven’t lost shit.”
My dilemma wasn’t about options or even losing a step. I knew once I leaped into politics, there was no turning back. My name held weight that my partner would also need to carry. I wasn’t picking just anybody for the role, even if it guaranteed a win.
“You stalling for Danielle?” Ward asked the question nobody else would.
“Why the fuck would I do that?”
Ward flashed his palms, surrendering. “You’ll find a way to make it work. You always do.”
“How does that help me right now?”
“Now the nigga who hates being told what to do wants to be told what to do.”
“Yeah, because I’m the boss. What I say goes around this bitch.”
“I’ll let you get back to your Order Me Bride, Boss . I have other shit to do.”
I knew what came with having a target on my back. I needed someone I could trust to have mine. As luck would have it, Ward was fresh out of the army. It was a no-brainer for me, killing two birds with one stone.
Ward left, leaving me to get lost in work. After lunch, I toggled between Zoom and phone calls until the end of the day. When I walked in, the sun was out. Now it was headed to rest as I climbed into the backseat.
“June better not be on bullshit tonight,” I warned, as Ward pulled onto the street.
They were cousins, but the three of us grew up together on 110 th .
We were inseparable until I transferred to a private school and then went to college.
Ward graduated by the skin of his teeth and enlisted in the army.
June had always been the hothead of the bunch and couldn’t stay out of trouble to save his life.
“Nigga been blowing me up all day like he has something good.”
“He fuckin’ better.”
It didn’t change as he got older, constantly throwing my name around to get him out of every jam. After a while, I started making June earn my help. It kept my hands clean while still keeping me informed, making me a better politician.
The ride felt longer than it was. The deeper we rode in, the music spilled from a cracked window overhead, and the smell of fried food rode the breeze.
We parked behind the old barbershop that’s been closed for years.
It was a front now, same as most of this side of the city.
June was outside, against the wall, with the gold grill flashing, and the same sharp eyes Ward had.
“You need to leave those nasty ass cigarettes alone,” I grimaced, fanning the smell of nicotine from the air.
“Well, look who the fuck it is!” June clowned as my steps neared him and his entourage. “I didn’t know you still knew your way around.”
We dapped up, and June clapped my back hard.
“You can’t beat me.”
“In this tight ass suit?”
“You lay off those Oreos and you can get one, too,” I joked, jabbing his protruding stomach.
“Fuck you,” June chuckled, shaking his head, “I still can’t believe they let this nigga con his way into office. Sneaky motherfucka.”
“It’s the wrong day for bullshit. Did you holla at K-Low?”
“He’s not sold on your legal empire. He thinks it's a trap. Everybody’s waiting on him.”
We were all from the same cracked sidewalks and corner stores, but took different roads out.
I went to school and studied politics, and K-Low stayed in the streets.
I didn’t knock his hustle, but he was trying to knock mine.
That was K-Low’s problem. He was too emotional and wanted credit for doing less.
“Ain’t shit to wait on. Cops have been off everybody’s back, and it’s more money in his fuckin’ pocket.”
“K-Low doesn’t like change unless he’s the one pullin’ the trigger,” June explained, taking another drag of the cigarette.
“Yeah, aight. He’ll be the first to get left behind.”
“He’s probably mad at yo’ ass took Courtney to prom. He still ain’t over that shit,” June joked, hitting my chest. “Anyway, I didn’t just hit Ward about K-Low. I got something else for you.”
“What is it. Now?”
“Damn, Tre. That’s how you do family?”
“Yeah, because you’ve been full of shit lately.”
At times, the information June provided was accurate. Others, it wasn’t worth the hassle. He caught the apprehension in my expression and immediately copped a plea.
“It’s legit this time, but I do need a favor.”
“Let me hear what you got first.”
“My girl, Coco, works at the housing authority office. She’s been coming home bitching about her boss and these secret meetings with some rich nigga that wears suits like you,” June joked, unable to resist.
Flipping him off, he continued, “Anyway, she said the landlords are getting checks from the city to relocate tenants, but tenants aren’t getting a dime.”
“The guy her boss has been meeting with. What does he look like?”
“All she said is he’s old and white with a fucked-up hairline. I can ask, though. She scribbled down some names from the list. It’s yours if you can help a nigga out.”
“I’m not your lawyer on retainer. What did you do this time?”
“I didn’t do shit,” he maintained, causing Ward to laugh. We’d heard that line since we were kids. Now, I understood how stupid that shit sounded to our mothers.
“What is it, June?”
“A shorty I know needs an abortion.”
“Tell her ass to go to the clinic.”
“She said she can’t. Not without her husband finding out.”
Even Ward’s neck buckled.
“Let me guess. It’s yours?”
“Her nigga will be home from deployment next month.” June shook his head in disbelief. “She said if her shit gets blown up, she’s blowing up mine, and you know I’m on my third strike with Coco. I know you know somebody who’s discreet.”
“Discretion costs money.”
“I got money,” June stated, then paused, “How much we talking?”
Ward chuckled while June alternated between us, awaiting an answer.
“If the information checks out, I’ll see what I can do.”
“That doesn’t sound too promising, Tre.”
“If it checks out, I’ve got you, but I swear if you’re bullshitting, all four of y’all asses will be in Burberry shirts,” I threatened.
Lately, June was shooting bricks.
“I’m good for it, damn. Don’t get your suit in a bunch, baby.”
“Have you heard anything about a chop shop on Wexler?”
June scrubbed his beard while trying to recall, “Nah. Don’t think so. Wassup?”
“Miss Dot asked me to look into it.”
“Her old ass doesn’t have shit else to do. Fuck is she worried about it for?”
“Don’t know, but it’s your problem now. Get on it.”
“Nigga she told you .”
“Now I’m telling you. I have shit to do like finding someone to delete that side baby.”
He kissed his teeth then agreed, “I’ll ask around and see what I can find.”
“Send it to Ward. I’ll be in touch.”
“Pleasure doing business with you, Tre,” June smiled widely, feeling confident in the information he provided.
We dapped up, and I grabbed a to-go order of Egg Foo Yung before heading home. The last eight days were busy as fuck. My fridge was bare, and I damn sure wasn’t coming back out later.
“If K-Low shuts down the pipeline, the other corners might follow. I didn’t come this far to let him derail me or the city.”
“What’s the move?” Ward asked, knowing my brain was in overdrive. We’d been homies since bruised knees and freeze cups.
“A wolf is just a dog with no pack. Check in and see where nigga’s heads at so it stays that way.”
“I’m on it.”
I already had one notch on my belt being single. If June’s information checked out, and Coco’s boss was meeting with who I thought he was, this was just the leverage I needed to get the building for my STEM lab.
Thandie: Come over tonight.
Me: I’ll let you know
Thandie: Okay.
Ward dropped me off, and I took the elevator upstairs, eager to eat.
We had decent Chinese spots near here, but nothing trumped home.
It was so good that I stood at the counter with my tie loose around my neck, devouring my food.
I stashed the rest when I got full and hopped in the shower.
Throwing on a sweatsuit, I grabbed my keys and walked to my Porsche.
Inside, I turned on the Clipse album and cruised to Thandie’s house.
Seconds after I rang the bell, she opened the door. Pulling me in for a quick hug, she pranced back to her laptop on the sofa.
“What you tappin’ away at now?” I asked, arms crossed, watching her work.
She didn’t look up. “You know I can’t tell you that. Only my man gets the inside track.”
“Damn, it’s like that now?”
“It’s how you made it. You don’t want my help,” Thandie groaned, rolling her eyes, “but if you did, consider how you present yourself at the gala,” she paused, scanning what she typed.
“and you could soften the drug legalization messaging. Maybe frame it as a public health initiative. People respond better that way.”
“There you go using that mouth for all the wrong shit,” I teased, letting my voice drop a little.
Thandie’s cheeks flushed, snapping the laptop shut. “And what’s that?”
“C’mere and I’ll tell you,” I urged.
Her hands slid to my chest, grazing over my clothes as she took them off. As soon as she stepped out of hers, I bent her over the couch and grabbed a condom. Thandie tensed with anticipation, but I could feel the energy radiating off her.
“I like watching you anticipate. You want this dick?”
“Yes, Treason,” she moaned, as I lifted her nightgown, massaging the stripes on her ass.
“What are you willing to do for it?”
My hand smacked her ass, forcing her breath to hitch. She trembled against my fingers curling on her clit.
“Treason,” she whispered, “you can have whatever you want, baby.”
One hand around Thandie’s neck, I guided her waist to let me into her garden. Hitting Thandie long and deep, she yelled my name, reminding me how good it felt. Welcoming each stroke, she’d already broken her number one rule—no politicians.
The daughter of a superior court judge saw us as manipulative liars. Thandie refused to repeat her parents’ toxic cycle, so she’d sworn off anyone close except me. Now, she was making all kinds of wild promises in the name of an orgasm.
“Anything, huh?” I said, voice low, teasing her opening. “If I wanted to spit in your mouth, would you?”
“Yes,” she whined, more eager.
“And if I wanted to watch you get your pussy eaten while you suck dick?”
“Maybe.”
“You’d share your dick?” I groaned, striking her ass.
“No! Fuck, baby, I'm sorry.” Thandie yelped without giving it a second thought.
I fell back on the chair, pulling Thandie with me. Her full-sized breasts angled in my face while she slid down my pole. She started with slow swirls, giving herself time to adjust. When pleasure replaced pain, she found her rhythm, making all my problems go away.
“This dick feels so good I wanna’ keep it to myself.” Thandie gripped my neck, swirling her hips to tighten the chokehold her pussy had me in. “Fuck Treason. We feel so good together.”
I was at her mercy right now, and she knew it, trying to make me cop to shit I wouldn’t say without her riding my dick.
“Tell me you need this pussy, baby!”
I wasn’t a rookie. I knew the shit you said in the bedroom always carried over outside it. Instead, I gripped her waist tightly to slow her down manually. Being led only turned Thandie on more, and now she was so focused on my dick she forgot what she was saying.