“Damn, I’m out. That’s thirty grand for me.” The voice next to him caused East to bring his attention back to the table just in time to notice the dealer pushing a sea of chips toward him.
He smirked as his eyes found his cards, noticing the queen of clubs placed next to the six of Spades, which put East at twenty-one.
“One more hand. Don’t be a pussy,” East taunted before he gave his attention to the dealer. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.
East left his chips on the table, knowing no man in their right mind would fuck with his money. It would be a death sentence. Once on his feet, East moved to the back of the room where Vega and Bad Boy were still talking, but they weren’t his intended target, so he bypassed them and walked right up to Joi, invading her personal space like they were familiar. Her eyes lifted to his and he smirked at the displeased look she granted.
“What’s up, Grinch? I damn sure wasn’t expecting to see you tonight.” Hearing the way East addressed Joi caused Vega’s attention to move their way before he spoke with a hand extended.
“I hope it’s cool that I brought them with me. If not?—”
“Nah, you good.” East dapped Vega, only giving him his attention briefly before it was back on Joi. “You covering their bets?”
“Yeah, I got them,” Vega stated with certainty.
His pockets were deep. Vega made good money under his brother before his fuck up, so covering them wasn’t shit to him. The issue was Vega had to figure out a way to keep making money now that he was home. For now, it was his old hustle, a problem Vega needed to do something about soon to avoid getting caught up again.
“Aight, bet, but I’ll do you one better. I’ll cover the Grinch. You can cover?—”
East paused and gave his attention to Nyelle, who had her eyes on Joi. It took her a minute for her to actually look at East, and damn. Extending a hand, she spoke. “Nyelle, and who are you?”
“East. Your girl didn’t tell you about me?”
East’s eyes never left Joi, even when he shook Nyelle’s hand. He could sense she was uncomfortable with his proximity, but he damn sure wasn’t letting up. It amused him and she smelled good as hell. The scent reminded him of apples and vanilla, which had thoughts of his tongue moving across her skin tiptoeing through his mind.
“Uh no, she didn’t. How do you know him, Joi?” She gave her girl a curious stare while her eyes darted back and forth between East and Joi.
“East is the guy who cut Nick’s hair.”
“Ohhh, theannoyingbarber. And I thought you said he wasalright. He’s more than alright, Joi.”
“Come on, Pretty Ny. You gon’ disrespect me like that?” Vega teased, moving to her side.
He wasn’t offended or feeling insecure in the least. His ego was always intact and wouldn’t allow him to. Not to mention, he could already see East had his attention focused on Joi.
“I have eyes, sir. I’m just making an observation and calling my girl out on her shit,” she shot back with a smirk, causing Vega to chuckle.
“That’s what’s up, but let them do their thing while we do ours. Come on, let’s go cash in. You sure you good covering her ten? I don’t mind. She’s my guest.”
“Was your guest. She’s mine now.” East smirked at Joi before offering Vega a nod that he was good.
Nyelle was extremely excited about whatever she was witnessing with her girl and the sexy barber, so she turned to East to speak her piece. “Take care of my girl. Oh, and thank you for the cut on my son. It was dope as fuck, so he’ll be back.”
Joi frowned and looked at Nyelle. “I’m with you, not him. He doesn’t need to take care of me.”
East chuckled and walked up on her. At the same time, Nyelle gave him one last warning look, offered her girl a smile, and shook her head.
“That would be inaccurate. Looks like he just claimed all of your time for the evening, sis.” Nyelle grinned at her girl before leaving Joi in East’s care while she left with Vega en route to the money table.
“You too good to chill with me, Grinch?”
“Stop calling me that.”
“Why? You act just like him. Mean and hateful. Every time I see your ass, you’re looking like the aftermath of someone pissing in your Cheerios.”
“Maybe it’s thecompanyI’ve been around when you see me.”
East was amused but not moved by her little show. She was feeling him, and he was also feeling her, so he ignored the comment and moved on.
