Before we docked the elevator at Prime Stride, Marquise had texted me six times. All of his messages went unanswered. The doors opened, and we found Mr. Jefferies chasing his daughter around the lobby.
“You’re daddy’s baby,” he said after catching her and adorning her cheeks with kisses.
He made eye contact with Anissa, and it was as if I vanished. Mr. Jefferies extended his hand, and she transformed into a lovesick puppy. This was not the same woman who threatened to snatch every athlete from Noise Level Shoes. He coated her face with kisses and Khaira reacted in protest.
“How did the meeting go?” he asked.
“Easy money. He caved. I wouldn’t have signed that deal,”
I snickered at her comment. She ran over the man and was willing to back up and hit him again.
“Where are my manners? Hello, Erin,” Mr. Jefferies said with a warm smile.
The conversation with my uncle replayed in my head. Crazy and Mr. Jefferies didn’t fit in the same sentence to me. He hadn’t stopped kissing Anissa since she exited the elevator.
Khaira pulled up her hands and an intense game of peekaboo ensued. We were enjoying ourselves until my phone vibrated. I viewed the screen to see yet another message.
Marquise
Weirdo
Me
Oh, he remembers me now.
Marquise
You are jealous over a conversation
Me
You explaining to me as if I give a fuck.
Khaira reached for me, and I happily tucked my phone in my pocket. I sat in the lounge chair, and she covered my eyes. Once she uncovered them, we both giggled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Mr. Jefferies texting, and I knew what was heading my way.
Marquise
Me
You explaining to me as if I give a fuck.
Erin’s last text message tickled my dick. I loved her smart-ass mouth, it’s what made her stand above the rest—her noncompliance. She made me work for every damn thing except our kiss. She stunned the hell out of me sucking on my tongue. What she didn’t know was it’s going to cost her. We go together as far as I’m concerned.
This relationship was going to be harder than I imagined. Erin hopped her ass on the elevator with my mother, jealous for no reason. Bella and I had never crossed the line. Was she attractive, yes, but she gave family vibes. She’d been my personal shopper since I signed up with Noise Level Shoes. During the season, I gave her and her boyfriend tickets. Bella tapped the window, letting me know they were done packing my car.
Mom only goes to three places: home, work, and to Pops’ office. I texted Mom, and she ignored me, which made me chuckle. There leaves my best friend, Pops.
Me
Pops where is Mom.
Pops
You really want to know where Erin is.
Me
True.
