“This gray hair isn’t from the good times but I’m proud of my boys. Didn’t know if they’d make it to the other side.”
“We did though.”
“Barely,” Reg muttered, brushing loose hair from the side of Samari’s face.
“How’s your mom?”
“She’s straight. Feeding me and talking shit because I don’t fall through enough.”
“Not much has changed then.” Reg chuckled.
“Not a damn thing.”
Reg removed the cape and Samari lifted from the chair and leaned close to the mirror, checking out his work. The precision of the taper and fade brought a smile to her face.
“You still got it, old man.”
Reg snorted. “You thought I wouldn’t?”
Asao stood and removed cash from his pocket, handing it over to Reg who waved him off. Asao placed the hundred on his station. “I don’t need your money.”
“Didn’t say you did but I also know you taught me that a man who has debt with another can’t call himself a man.”
Reg smiled and nodded. “Seems like I did teach you something.”
“You did.” When Samari was close enough. Asao loosely looped his arm around her neck, bringing her back to his chest. “Plus you haven’t had anybody in your chair in a little minute with these basic ass skills you’re pushing in here.”
Reg threw his head back and laughed. “You better be glad I’m not going to encourage my songbird to find someone else to occupy her time. And don’t forget, Lee gave me leeway to whoop your ass, youngin’. That doesn’t expire.”
Asao grinned. “You got that. We’re about to head out though.”
Reg nodded and looked at Samari. “Come see me more. I need to know you’re okay.”
“I’m okay.”
The introspective gaze that traveled over Samari brought a smile to her face. Reg took her in, trying to determine if she was truly okay. She had been to him multiple times after the deal with the label fell through and he sensed the weight of how Samari’s world crumbled. Reg wanted justice but didn’t have access to the kind of money or connections to handle the situation legally. He’d threatened to handle things in the only way he knew how, with a good ol’ ass whooping, but she refused to allow him to get involved.
“You take care of my girl,” Reg said sternly to Asao.
“She’s good with me, OG,” he promised before Reg embraced Samari one last time, speaking quietly so only she could hear. “You have any problems out of him, you let me know and I’ll take care of it.”
Her heart warmed from the love she felt in his presence. Reg treated her as if she were his. She was blessed to have a father figure. Reg never had kids of his own so the two formed a bond that allowed a partial understanding of what they were void of intheir lives. That bond had survived years and would continue to stand.
“You knowI’m not gonna let you win, right?” Asao said as he held the door open for Samari to enter Local Cue. His eyes dropped to her ass after she passed him and his focus was temporarily consumed with thoughts he needed to curb if he was going to stick to the plan of chillin’ for the day.
“That’s cute that you think I would need you to let me win. I know how to play and probably better than you.” When she glanced over her shoulder and blessed him with that pretty smile, Asao nodded, following the path she took heading to the rear left side of the building where the only empty table was.
It was early enough in the day that Local Cue was partially empty and the few bodies that lined the bar and sat at tables didn’t bother them. Asao offered a nod to a few who made eye contact but didn’t directly give anyone his attention.
“You got that,” he said, joining her at the wall where the cues were lined up.
Asao had never been skilled at pool. It wouldn’t take much for Samari to claim a win. She was in a good mood, so he wouldn’t share that small detail.
Instead, he stood next to her, highly amused, watching as she pulled her lip between her teeth and squinted, examining the row of cues like the selection would be life altering. After she made her decision, he grabbed the next one in line, not putting any thought into the one he chose.
While Samari examined her cue, Asao walked around the table collecting the balls. After he had them set up and ready to break, he motioned for Samari to do her thing. He leaned against the wall, legs spread with the cue between them, watching as she lined up, preparing to break.
“You trying to show me something?” he asked as soon as the balls were in motion across the red felt that covered the table. Samari called her first shot and grinned after she made it.
