“You have to wait until I’m done. I didn’t expect to see you today anyway. Ace didn’t tell me you would be here.”
“He didn’t know. What we eating?”
Paris offered a strange look, which Vega picked up on, but before he could question her about it, she was questioning him. “So tell me about your date? Did she like the food?”
“Hell yeah, she did.” Vega smiled which made Paris smile. “You know that shit was a-fucking-one.”
“Good. So, when do I get to meet her?” Paris’ brows lifted the same as her cheeks did when she smiled.
“I don’t know if I want her around you, sis. You know all my secrets and I’m trying to impress her.”
Paris laughed hard. “I do but I won’t give her the good stuff until I know she won’t run behind it.” She winked at him and he laughed. “It seems as if you like her. I want to meet her, Vega.I’m already impressed that she was okay with a home cooked meal as a date and not an overpriced restaurant. She might be the best one so far and I haven’t even met her yet.”
“She is, sis. I’m telling you. And I’m not just saying that. She’s dope as fuck on some real shit.”
Paris could feel it. Her baby brother had found his one. She couldn’t wait to meet this woman who had stolen Vega’s heart. “Soon, Vega. I mean it,” she warned.
“I got you, sis. Just let me figure a few things out and?—"
“Son. I didn’t know you would be here.”
Vega clenched his jaw at the sound of his father’s voice. When he turned to see him, his eyes landed on his father first then his brother a step behind him. His first thought was how similar the men looked. Ace was their father through and through.
Ace studied his brother for a moment to gauge him. His brother’s relationship with their father wasn’t great. They barely spoke and Ace never forced the issue. He was positive that one of them would be leaving soon as it wasn’t normal for them to occupy the same space for too long.
Vega spoke to his brother, ignoring his father. “I didn’t know you had company. I can holla at you another time.”
“Vega…” Ace released a sigh, understanding both sides. He had conversations in exhaustion about his father’s absence in Vega’s life and what it meant. He wanted harmony with his family; he was too old to be dealing with either of their issues.
“What?” Vega already knew what was up. Ace wanted him to play nice, but he wasn’t going to.
“Just stay. We’re about to have dinner.”
Vega chuckled and shook his head. The issues with his father had a way of pushing him into the worst bouts of stubbornness ever. He wasn’t fucking with him on any level and for good reason. His father basically chose his new brick over his son. Acewas old enough to stand on his own, but Vega wasn’t. The kid in him who wanted his father’s love and guidance wouldn’t let him be civil about it.
“Nah I’m good.” Vega shot his father a hateful look before he turned to Paris. “I’ma hook that up soon. You got my word and she already in love with you because of all that extra shit you put into our meal, sis.”
Paris was at his side out of habit. She knew the discord amongst the Orr men and felt the need to stand by Vega because he was affected most by it. Vega kissed her cheek before he walked away tossing out, “I’ll holla at you too, Ace.” Vernon Orr was tired of the separation in his family, which prompted his decision to follow his younger son to the door.
“Do you hate me so much that you can’t share a meal with me?”
Vega turned quickly and narrowed his eyes at his father. “I don’t hate you. Shit, I barely even know you. You made sure of that when you chose the next brick over your family.” Vega laughed arrogantly before looking his father in the eye; one of the only things he remembered his father teaching him as a young child. “I just don’t fuck with you. It’s all love though, Pops.”
Vernon had no argument. He was wrong. After all these years, he understood that now, seeing how badly it affected his son. “It’s on me, Vega. I get that and I want to make it right.” He spoke honestly, from the heart. He did. He knew he fucked up by leaving his youngest son in the care of his brother. But his head was all fucked up over losing his wife. Vega reminded him of that loss, which made it hard to deal with him. He did the cowardly thing and walked away, handing over his empire and his child who needed him.
“Yeah it is, but I’m good. Live your life, old man. You been doing that, so why change now?”
Vega reached the door, opening it just as his father spoke again. “I fucked up, Vega. I do love you, but I didn’t know how to not have your mother and still love you. You reminded me so much of her. She loved you most. You’re the most like her. I just?—"
“You were a fucking selfish ass coward,” Vega said, looking over his shoulder at his father before he shook his head and walked out, slamming the door.Fuck him. I’m good.Even if he wasn’t, Vega would find a way to make sure he was.
It was halfan hour before closing and the only clients left were the two in chairs. East had finished his last a few minutes before and was in the process of cleaning up his station when the door signaled someone was entering the shop. Because of the late hour, East assumed it was Joi. He had texted her and asked her to meet him here so they could spend the night at his house. When he glanced over his shoulder, he noticed a woman, just not the one he was expecting.
“Damn she’s bad, I got her.”
East laughed under his breath when he heard Poole speak from beside him. Seconds later he was on his feet moving her way. All eyes were on Asako as she moved with purpose, stopping only when Poole addressed her.
“I know you’re not here for a cut, so what can I do for you?”
