“No, he’s not dying. He is, however, getting older and dealing with a lot of regret. Mostly centered around you. Truthfully I should be the one having a hard time with it. He really isn’t trying to be up my ass, just yours.” Ace snorted a laugh then shook his head before looking at Vega.
“You can have him. Trust me. I don’t want him.”
“Vega—"
“Nah, don’t. I get it. He made mistakes but that’s on him. I swear I’m not being a bitch about it, but I am standing by my reasoning, and if I choose to let him in, then that’s on my terms, not his. You don’t get to fuck up someone’s life then rush them to forgive you. It don’t work like that.”
“Agreed. I told him the same thing and he’s going to back off. I hope you at least consider it. It would make things a lot easier for me.”
“Fuck you and your easy, this isn’t about you.” Vega smirked at his brother who laughed in return.
“You’re a man now. I definitely can’t deny that.”
“I’ve been a man, Ace. You just didn’t respect the man I was.”
“I won’t deny that, but I’m proud of you. Just know I love you, Vega. I know you have your issues with me as well, but I lived how I needed to in order to survive and keep my sanity. You might not understand it but it’s what I needed.”
Vega considered what his brother was saying. He knew Ace didn’t fit in this world. He was smart, but not built for this life. He needed to be in a corporate setting somewhere, not pushing dope.
“I’m not knocking you for how you live, Ace. It’s just not the same as I would have done. But regardless, we’re family, and I love you.”
Ace nodded, turning up his beer. That was all that needed to be discussed about the topic, so he left it alone.
“So the club’s opening soon. You ready?”
Vega smiled at the idea. “Hell yeah. Shit is dope as hell too. You coming?”
“Yeah, I’ll be there. Pop might come through too. He’s proud of you, Vega.”
“That’s cool. Long as he’s not trying to be up my ass. Money is money. I’ll take his like anyone else’s.”
Ace chuckled, knowing it wasn’t about that. Vega was softening to the idea of his father being around. Even if it was just to throw in his face that he was a man despite him, they had to start somewhere.
“What does your lady have to say about you opening a strip club? You’re gonna have to spend time there. How she feeling about that?”
“She hasn’t said much but we’ll see how it goes opening night. One thing for sure is she never has to worry about me disrespecting her, so I’m sure she’ll be straight.”
Ace chuckled at his brother. This was a new Vega, a businessman professing to be faithful to one woman. A woman he obviously cared about.
“I guess you have it all figured out. Looks like she’s your one.”
“Indeed, she is.”
Vega lifted his beer toward Ace who tapped it with his. “Congrats, baby brother. Be a better man than I was.”
“I plan on it.”
Both men were at peace. Ace was willing to accept Vega was his own man while Vega was willing to accept his brother could only be the person he knew how to be. As long as they both embraced that, then their bond would remain intact.
“So this isyour little space. I see you.” Nyelle jumped at the deep voice that sounded from behind her. She was half asleep because she was running late and had missed her morning dose of caffeine but smiled when she turned and laid eyes on Vega. He was dressed differently than she was accustomed to, but the sleek black suit that covered his frame looked damn good on him. Nyelle’s eyes fluttered at the same time the knots in her stomach took over.
“Hey, how did you get up here?” Vega moved into the tiny space of her cubicle, propping himself on the counter with one foot planted firmly on the floor. His hands were folded and positioned in his lap while he flashed Nyelle a mischievous charming smile.
“I have a little pull and I guess the suit helped. They let me up when I mentioned your name and ol’ girl at the front directed me to your desk after she asked me to go half on her firstborn.” Vega delivered a smug grin that had Nyelle rolling her eyes. She believed every word he spoke because April was definitely vocal about the men she encouraged. There had been a time when Nyelle had to check her about Reese. Now she would gladly hand him over to April without a second thought.
“So, you’re flirting with my coworkers?” Nyelle turned her chair his way and leaned back, peering at Vega.
“If it gets me up here next to you, then hell yeah.” He flashed Nyelle another smile and she playfully rolled her eyes.
