My God. Nyelle’s entire soul blushed. How did this man, this stranger,fine ass stranger, have this type of effect on her?
“You’re full of shit.”
Vega chuckled and looked her over again, this time in a motion that matched the same slow-motion stride Nyelle used to get to the door when he first arrived. “I’m full of something, but it isn’t shit. I want to see you tonight. Your girl can come too. There will be hella muthafuckers up in there from what I know. I’m sure she’ll find something to keep her busy. Plus, I know how y’all be on that tag team safety shit, and since you keep throwing it out there that you don’t know me, you might be more comfortable if your girl rides with you.”
“I’m gonna be hella comfortable with her andnotyou because I’m not going anywhere with you.” Nyelle was beaming on the inside. As grown as she was, there was something about a sexy man who brought out the giddiness a woman felt when she was crushing like a teenager. Vega had that quality and it had her fighting hard not to expose her smiles.
“Come on, Pretty Ny.”Why does he call me that? “Give a real one a chance. One date, in a room full of people. I have a feeling you’re gonna bring me some luck, and I need that. My boy said the stakes are high. You don’t want me to lose it all on the table, do you?”
“That’s not my concern.”
“Damn, you’re difficult.”
Joi rolled her eyes and jumped up. She’d had enough, and when she stepped behind Nyelle, it surprised her, while the very sexy man standing in the doorway surprised Joi.Shit. She said he was fine, but not this damn fine.
“We’ll be ready by nine. I have a permit to carry and I’m a straight shooter. You try any dumb shit and I will pull the trigger.”
“Oh shit.” Vega chuckled at Joi. “You’re ’bout that life, I see.”
“Hell yeah, now go. We have to talk about you. We’ll be ready at nine.”
Joi slammed Nyelle’s door unapologetically. They both heard Vega’s deep voice on the other side by way of the laugh he released before he walked away.
“I’ve been here for an hour and I haven’t seen a man. That must be one long-ass shower.”
“Shut your dumb ass up. There isn’t anybody here but you. He just didn’t need to know that. I didn’t want to look desperate.”
“Well, you are,” Joi teased. “Why did you tell that lie in the first place? That man is fine as hell, Ny. You can be desperate for a man like that.”
“And he just got out of jail or did you forget? It was the first thing I told you about him. I’m not trying to be anyone’s post jail rehabilitation program.”
“Well, give me his number, I will. He’s been locked up for how long?”
“Three years.”
“Three years of good dick that he looked like he wants to offer you. You said you’re focused on your job, Nick, and occasional side dick. He completely qualifies.”
“Joi, are you serious right now?”
“Hell yes, I am. You better ride that man with no remorse. Rehabilitate and reform him and all. All that, sis, all that.”
“Sis, you’re trippin’. I’ma need you to leave with that craziness.”
“Oh, I’m leaving, boo. I’m about to go get fly so we can go to this card game. I don’t even play cards, but I’m hyped as hell right now. I can’t wait.”
Joi jumped up and grabbed her purse from the end table near where she was sitting before. She started the short distance to the door, only stopping after she had it unlocked and the door open. “I’ll be back by eight. Dress cute, Ny. None of that safe stuff.”
“How many timesI ask you to report in?”
Vega fired up the blunt in his hand then placed it to his lips. Inhaling deeply, he accepted the smoke into his lungs and held it there before allowing it to seep through his full lips and his nose simultaneously moments later.
“I’m here now, Ace. Calm the fuck down,” Vega stated calmly before repeating what he had just done.
“I haven’t seen you in days. You haven’t been answering my calls or my texts. I almost pulled up on your ass like you was my bitch acting up, but I’m trying to give you some space, fam. If I feel like that space is giving you room to do some dumb shit, then I’m no longer extending the courtesy.” Ace’s face was full of tension. His brother’s relaxed demeanor had him wanting to snatch Vega across the desk that separated them and fracture a few bones in his face. Vega was the unrefined version of Ace and it pissed him off.
“I’m a grown ass man, Ace. You don’t need to pull up on me. I fucked up. Trust me, I get it. You for sure won’t let me forget it,but I’m working on my next move. I’m done with the fuck shit. Did I not give you my word?”
“Your word doesn’t hold much weight with me right now, Vega.”
