She needed to get home and catch a nap if they were going to be out late. As much as she hated to admit it, her partying days were long gone, and by midnight, she was ready to crash. Joi was cool with it though, because she was too old to be clubbing every night. The way her life was set up, she had to be more focused on building her career. Joi was a year into ownership of her lash and brow loft and was barely breaking even. Money over everything was her motto and she didn’t see it changing anytime soon.
“I’m tired as shit,”East mumbled as he sat outside his house in the driveway.
It was a little after nine and he was just getting home. His body and mind were exhausted. He had been at the shop since seven. His first cut was at eight and his last was at six. He had forgotten how long the days could be when he had to be on his feet all day cutting. As he pushed out a short breath, he climbed out of his car, feeling tension in his back. East was in decent shape, but regardless, standing on his feet all day had his back stiff and cutting heads had his shoulders and arms sore. He damn sure didn’t miss days like today, but he respected the work, and he respected his barbers who followed the same routine daily. That was why he made sure each one was paid well.
The stations he rented to them were affordable and he didn’t kill them with percentages. He didn’t have to. The shop kept clients in heavy rotation, which meant money was alwaysflowing. East’s shop was well known and elite in the city. It started with the dope boys who ran the city then crossed over to the celebrities in their circles. Not many in the city didn’t know about East. People paid good money for services and convenience. Since East had no issue accommodating, it was nothing for big names to drop big money just to have one of his barbers open up for them beyond business hours. Money was good, which meant life was good.
The second East walked into the house, his body relaxed. There was something about being in his own space that just calmed him. Unfortunately, it only lasted for a moment before he was forced to readjust due to the fact that he was greeted with a blast of energy he wasn’t expecting. His baby sister bolted his way and jumped into his arms, catching him off guard. At three years old, she was always moving a mile a minute.
“Ay, pretty. Why you up this late?”
“She didn’t see you today and had to wait.”
East hugged Kelsey tight and kissed her puffy cheeks. “You giving Miss Mel a hard time, baby girl?”
East looked across the room at his sitter, Mel, who was approaching him with a huge smile.
“No, she’s never a problem. Isn’t that right, smart girl?”
“I’m good, East,” Kelsey stated with confidence, placing her head on his shoulder at the same time.
It was late and she was tired. Now that her brother was home, she was slowly drifting.
“You want me to get her to bed for you? I’m sure you had a long day.”
“You don’t know the half, but nah, I got her. You can head out. Tell your husband I apologize for the long hours today.”
“It’s not a problem. You already know that. You sure you don’t want me to stay?”
Mel had no issue stepping up on days like today. They were rare. Usually, Kelsey went to daycare and East got her right after. Mel typically only had to sit with her when he went out or had business where Kelsey couldn’t be with him, but since she left daycare early with a fever the day before, she had to stay out for a full twenty-four hours. East explained that he had a barber out and needed to fill in, which meant Mel had been with Kelsey all day. She didn’t mind; Mel admired the fact that East took care of his sister when his mother couldn’t.
“I still appreciate you, and no, you’ve been here all day. Go home. Miss Ronda’s coming. She doesn’t have a family, so it’s easier for her to stay overnight.”
Mel nodded and headed back to the living room to gather her things but stopped to kiss Kelsey on the cheek before leaving.
“Your mom comes home this weekend, right?”
“Yeah. She’s ready too. She hates those stays.”
“I’m sure. I know she misses her baby girl also.”
East chuckled and nodded.
“Yeah, she does.”
East was happy his mother was doing better. She had been in an inpatient facility for the past three months, struggling to get her depression under control. Normally, it didn’t get this bad, but for some reason, she’d sank deep a few months back. East convinced his mother to do in-house treatment and he took over caring for his baby sister so she could.
Although his mom had a boyfriend who lived with her, he wasn’t Kelsey’s father. As much of a good dude as East thought he was, he wasn’t taking any chances on leaving his sister in his care. That meant he had to step up. It called for a few adjustments like finding Mel and Ronda through an agency to be on call and take care of Kelsey when needed, but he never complained. East even shut off most of the women he dealt with to make sure he could balance running his businesses andspending time with Kelsey. Family over everything was how he functioned, and even if he didn’t know a damn thing about being a father, he did pretty good at being a big brother.
“Call me if you need me before then. You know I’m always available,” Mel instructed with a genuine heart.
“I will, and check that drawer by the door before you leave. There’s an envelope in there for you.”
“East.” Mel frowned while he shrugged.
“Complain all you want. Just take it with you. I told you, I appreciate you. Text me when you make it home so I know you’re good.”
Mel smiled at the way East genuinely cared. She felt as if he was the son she never had, and in the short time she had known him, she had grown to love him as such.
