Chapter 7
After making sure Jelai made it home safely, I stopped by the shop to see how things were coming along.
It was crazy walking into my own business, a business I started while I was in prison, and see it flourishing.
I knew it was doing well based on the bank statements my folks would share with me, but seeing so many cars being serviced or waiting to be serviced filled me with pride.
One of the first things I did when I got out was link up with the surrounding businesses so we could cross promote and advertise.
The car wash and detail shop next door had already joined me.
We were offering our customers a bundled deal for detailing and tune ups, and just that promotion alone had doubled our business.
If things kept up like this, I’d be able to use the profit from the first shop to buy my second.
I busied myself with paperwork and thinking of some ideas for social media promotion for a couple of hours before getting ready to leave. My plan was to stop by the clubhouse before heading home since Mama wanted her kids there for dinner.
As I made my way out, I said my goodbyes to the crew so they’d know I was gone, and Mesha was the only one keeping me from making a quick exit.
I released my annoyance through a long exhale.
She’d made her attraction to me clear the first time I came and introduced myself.
Though she didn’t straight up tell me she wanted me, it was clear by her actions that she did.
“Hey, boss. You got a minute?” she asked, gripping my arm, and I instantly pulled away.
“Actually, no. Did you put the company party on the calendar like I asked?” I checked, continuing toward the door.
“Yes. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
That made me stop walking and look at her.
Truthfully, Mesha was attractive, but I wasn’t interested in her or any other woman that wasn’t Jelai.
The women I talked to while I was locked down weren’t worth shit but meaningless conversation and a quick nut.
There was really no effort on my part with them, and I was saving all my energy and effort for Jelai.
Women were throwing themselves at me left and right since I’d gotten out.
If only she knew how dedicated to her I was already.
“Wassup, Mesha?”
“I was wondering if you’d be my date for the party. I know you said it would be something small just so we could kick it with you and get to know you a little better but—”
“No,” I declined.
“No?” she repeated, face scrunching up and displaying her brewing attitude.
“Ain’t that what I said?” I asked with my own frown.
“Why not?”
Chuckling, I shook my head and continued to walk with her trailing behind. “I gotta have a reason to not want you? Times have really changed.”
“Wow. That was rude.”
Sighing, I ran my hand down my face and turned toward her.
“Look, I’on want no drama in my place of business.
I’m not interested in anything you have to offer.
Is that going to keep you from doing your job?
If so, I can go ahead and terminate your employment and give you a written recommendation now. ”
“No, no, it won’t. I can um . . . We’re good. Promise.”
Mesha gave me a forced smile before briskly walking away. I wasn’t too sure if I trusted her or not, but since I didn’t have the desire to find someone to replace her right now, I’d let it ride. If at any point she made shit weird around here, I’d fire her, with no hesitation.
I was in my own world as I cleaned up the clubhouse in preparation for the meetup they were going to have tonight.
I didn’t mind cleaning. Even before I got sat down, I liked having a cleaned and organized space.
My cleaning style had intensified while I was locked up, which came in handy now.
Just as I’d finished the last of my prospect cleaning for the day, I heard what sounded like trash being dumped on the floor.
I inhaled what I needed to be a calming breath before I turned around.
When I agreed to prospect, I knew I’d have to do grunt work.
I also knew there would be assholes who tried to make the process more difficult than it needed to be in order to haze me.
What they hadn’t taken into consideration was anything they called themselves doing to irritate me would be nothing in comparison to what I’d overcome over the last decade.
Even with that being said, I didn’t tolerate disrespect.
I’d go back to jail behind that shit, so I hoped what I heard wasn’t what I thought it was.
Sure enough, one of the bags I’d filled with trash had been emptied back onto the floor. Rian stood there like he’d conquered the world with a cocky grin on his face.
“You missed some shit,” he said before his two minions laughed like he’d told a joke worthy of a stage.
“Ah shit,” Sonny grumbled, briskly hopping from the bar stool he was sitting on and making his way next to me. Between him and Cole, Sonny was the peacemaker, while Cole was always down for whatever—no questions asked.
“I’on know what you think this is, but I ain’t ya fucking butler,” I told him. “You gon’ have to pick that up yourself.”
“Nah.” Rian dropped the now empty bag. “You’re the prospect, and Prez told you to clean the clubhouse in preparation for our meetup tonight. So like I said, you missed some shit.”
“Mm mm mm,” Sonny muttered. “If you wanted somewhere to sleep tonight, you could’ve asked for help. Preparing yourself for a hospital bed ain’t the move, my boy.”
“More like a coffin,” I countered.
Rian chuckled and looked back at his friends, as if they would be able to help him if I got my hands on him.
“Just clean this shit up, Prospect. I left you a gift in the bathroom too.”
My steps toward him were light, and Sonny was right behind me.
I saw him motion for Cole out of the corner of my eye, but I didn’t need backup.
If I touched this man, there was no doubt I’d break his fucking jaw.
He had one chance to realize how much danger he was putting himself in before I gave him exactly what he was looking for.
“I get you being in your feelings because I beat your ass,” I told him calmly, “but if I was able to do that kind of damage to you when we were young, imagine what I’d do to you now.
” No one else may have seen it, but I noticed the flicker of fear in his eyes before he scowled and puffed out his chest. “I’m about to go to the bar, have me a beer, and wait until Prez is done handling his business so we can ride out.
If you don’t have this trash picked up and whatever you did in the bathroom cleaned wit’cho nasty ass, I’ma give you the problems you looking for.
And this time, your daddy ain’t gon’ be able to help you. ”
Not fearing him in the slightest, I turned my back to him and headed to the bar. Sonny chuckled as he sat down next to me.
“I don’t know why he playing tough,” Sonny said as Cole sat on the opposite side of me. “He acting like he wants to get his ass beat.”
Sucking my teeth, I made eye contact with Chloe so she’d know I wanted something as she wiped off the top of the bar.
“He been acting stupid since you got out, bruh. I thought he’d be on his best behavior after what happened the last time y’all went at it,” Cole added.
“Like I told him, I’ma give him exactly what he asking for if he don’t clean that shit up. He got until I finish my beer to do so,” I said, not even bothering to look back and see if he’d started picking up the trash yet.
“Hey, baby. I haven’t seen you around here,” a woman purred from behind me, wrapping her arm around me and rubbing her hand down my chest.
I pulled her arm away, wondering if all women were so handsy these days.
That shit was annoying the fuck out of me.
I didn’t like people in my personal space to begin with, and I for damn sure didn’t like women I didn’t know touching me.
Plus, my body belonged to Jelai, and every time a woman touched me, it felt like a violation.
“Who you?” I asked, turning to face her. She was older but not bad looking. Her face put me in the mind of Vivica Fox.
“Tonya, but you can call me whatever you’d like.”
With a shake of my head, I turned back around as I told her, “I got an ol’ lady. You be easy.”
“Is she here?” Tonya asked, stepping between me and Cole’s bar stools. “If not, I know how to keep a secret.”
Scratching my eyebrow, I sighed and locked eyes with Chloe as she stepped in front of me, making Sonny and Cole chuckle.
Let them tell it, I was meaner now that I’d gotten out.
I wouldn’t say I was mean; I just didn’t have time for games and bullshit.
The only woman I had patience for outside of my family was Jelai.
“Let me get a shot of Jameson,” I said, needing something stronger than the beer I’d originally wanted.
“You got it, Wicked. You three want anything?” she asked.
As they rattled off what they wanted, I ignored Tonya and hoped she got the message as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.
I found Jelai’s profile on Facebook and sent her a friend request. Initially I didn’t want to get on social media, but I felt like that was a good way to talk to her until she felt comfortable giving me her number.
The only people on my friends list were family members, Sonny and Cole, and people in the club, and I planned to keep it like that.
When Jelai accepted my request, I sent her a message.
Wicked YH:
If you don’t want anyone to know I’m coming through, open your garage tomorrow evening at eight. I’ll wait until the sun goes down.
Jelai Williams:
Yes sir.
Wicked YH:
I expected you to make it hard for me.
Jelai Williams:
There is something I want to make hard but it’s not this
Wicked YH:
That happens around you without you even trying. What’s gotten into you though? You done playing hard to get?
Jelai Williams:
Not yet. Just making sure you know I’ll let you catch me if you keep chasing.
Wicked YH:
I got my running shoes on bae. See you tomorrow. Let me know if you need anything.
Jelai Williams:
After we took our shots, I prepared to go get Pops. I was even more ready to leave, have dinner, and go to sleep. Tomorrow couldn’t get here fast enough. At the sight of the trash being picked up, I chuckled. Maybe this nigga wasn’t a dummy after all.