Sitting at the small picnic table, I couldn’t help but smile as one of Wild’s twin daughters came over, whining. He and Dakota wanted to meet with me about potentially purchasing a new space for another store, and I was more than willing to meet them here. All of their free time was spent with their girls, so I had no problem coming to Kiddie Kingdom.
“Where that lil’ nigga at because I’m about to show his ass something?” Wild frowned as he stood from the table. “Blossom, give my wife whatever she wants. She’s going to be responsible for this shit when I go to prison.”
“Baby, wait!” Dakota reached out to him, but he had already picked up his baby and walked off toward the small trampolines. “I swear, Blossom… It’s like I havethreechildren.”
Still sitting at the table, she and I watched in awe as their daughter pointed out the toddler who was being mean to her. We looked on as he got eye level with the kid, surrounded by the twins. He frowned as he spoke to the child, using his pointer finger to poke the boy’s little chest. The little boy fell back with a bounce, crying hysterically as Wild and the girls began to jump up and down around him. Not even a minute had passed before the kids around them began jumping, too, as the child fought for his life to get up.
“You really have your hands full, Kodi…” I simpered, resuming my notes in my iPad. “So to make sure I have everything, you want anywhere from two thousand to three thousand square feet near the heart of the city. You also don’t want anything over five years old. Everything else can be discussed once the suite or building is found, right?”
“Yes.” She gave me a quick glance before returning her gaze to her kids and husband. “My main concern is location.” She grabbed her phone and keys to stand. “I am so sorry, but this man is about to have us tied up in a lawsuit. I will call you later.” She came around the table and gave me a quick hug before walking away. “Adrian, put that damn kid down!”
With tears streaming down my face, I laughed uncontrollably as Dakota ran over and tackled Wild until he dropped the little boy. Dakota didn’t stop hitting him, and I watched as Wild balled up in the fetal position, blocking her licks. Their twins joined in on hitting their dad, and soon, the other children joined in again. The adults pulled out their phones, laughing at the chaos. Even the little boy he pushed got in on the action. With my side hurting from laughter, I grabbed my things andmade my way out. It was still early morning, and I needed to go home because I had plans with Stacy.
“What is this?” My brows furrowed in confusion as I picked up a small envelope that was under my wiper blade on my car. My hands shook as I opened it, reading its contents.
“Watching you from afar isn’t enough for me. Your beauty is too captivating to keep me away. I will see you soon.”
Snapping my head from left to right, I looked around the parking lot to see if there was anything or anyone out of the ordinary. Tears pricked my eyes as I panted, damn near snatching my door off the handles as I got inside my truck. Pulling my phone from my purse, I dialed TJ’s number, only to receive the voicemail.
“Why aren’t you answering, TJ?” I whimpered as I sped through traffic. “Why can’t whoever this is just leave me alone!”
In my heart, I felt like it was the man I saw coming out of the Miller house the night I did the final walkthrough on the last home I sold. Days later, I found out John, a very successful stockbroker, had died in the house, along with his mistress. They said it was a murder-suicide, but I wasn’t so sure since I’d seen the man leaving the house with a knife. Did the man think I knew what he could have done? Did he plan to do the same things to me? Did he think I was going to speak up about seeing him there? I didn’t get a good look at him, so I couldn’t identify him, even if I tried. None of my questions really mattered because I was terrified.
Looking back and forth between the road and my rearview mirror, I sighed in relief as I pulled up to my townhome, happy I wasn’t followed. Taking a deep breath, I gathered myself andhurriedly got out of the car and made my way inside. After going upstairs to change into my loungewear, I got comfortable on the couch, ready to chill with Stacy. Taking a nap was out of the question because, knowing Stacy, she would be beating down my door in seconds. When I heard the knocking, not even a minute later, I chuckled at my accuracy. She waltzed in, wanting to do my hair today, and I did not object. We went off to gather everything before settling in the living room.
“I’m not the friend that’s going to tell you what to do, but I will never be the friend that will feed into your delusion. Just like a drunk mind speaks sober thoughts, so does an angry one. You’re not going to sit up here and tell me you don’t believe some of the stuff your brother keeps saying about TJ cheating on you. Officer of the law or not, I’m beating his ass if I find out it’s true.”
Listening to Stacy rant and rave about what Rowan yelled out in my office the other day, I pushed today’s events to the back of my mind as I sipped my wine. My best friend didn’t hold back about her hatred for Tyreek while she dyed my hair. I told her all the time that she missed her calling to be a beautician. Since meeting Stacy and seeing what she could do with some hair tools and products, she was the only person I allowed to put their hands in my head. She was even the one who cut it four years ago. My tresses that once flowed down my back now mirrored a newborn baby’s head. Tight curls or finger waves were my signature looks these days.
“Can I be honest with you?” I shifted my position in front of her, careful not to spill the dye or get any in my eyes. “Am I wrong for hoping that it is true? I have love for TJ, but I’m not in love with him. I feel as if this relationship isn’t progressing because it’s not where I’m supposed to be. You know how my family is when it comes to keeping up certain images… I feel like TJ just kind of fits the aesthetic.”
TJ wasn’t a horrible person. In fact, there was a time when I felt as if he were the man of my dreams. Meeting him almost three years ago at a luncheon held by the governor’s office was truly divine timing. I was there with my father, and TJ was there on patrol. He was so handsome in his uniform with the physique of a professional athlete. He was charming and charismatic, so when he asked me out, I happily accepted. I let him know early on that I was a virgin because I knew how men operated. He let me know it was fine with him, and he would wait for me as long as it took.
The weekend getaways and date nights were a dream. I loved every single moment we spent together. When my parents found out we were dating, that was all it took for my mother to sing praises of how well we looked together and how I needed a man like him in my life. She eventually began asking about marriage and children, and the next thing you know, I was engaged. The date nights and time spent together began to dwindle away, eventually coming second to his work. He went from being with me a few times a week to stopping by my townhouse a couple of times a month. The space between us had allowed doubt to seep in, and I hated that because I really thought TJ and I had something together.
“There lies the problem.” She pointed her gloved finger at me before she turned me back around. She was giving me a few blond streaks, and the tingles let me know it was almost time to rinse the dye. “You’re always doing things becauseotherswant you to. Whether it’s your parents or your good-for-nothing brother. You have to start living for you,Bloss Baby.” I chuckled at her nickname for me now after meeting JJ. “What is it that you want to do?”
“I want to live a fulfilling life,” I answered honestly. I continued answering her question as she motioned for me to get up and head to the sink. “I want to be with someone who lovesand cherishes me because I’ll do the same for them. I don’t want love to feel like a chore, but something that I need to breathe.”
“And you will have that, friend, as soon as you realize who is and isn’t for you.” She gave me a knowing look before she settled back on the couch. “Have you ever thought about dating other people? A certain doctor, maybe? That man already pulled up on you at your job, staking his claim. You might as well jump on his ass.”
At her words, my mind drifted to JJ. He was hands down the finest man I had ever seen. His tattooed skin peeked from under the tees that hugged his chest and arms like a second layer of skin. His low haircut and fresh line-up made me tingle in ways I’ve never felt before. His piercing dark eyes seemed to stare into my soul, and I had never been so nervous around a man in my entire life. I wanted to use my searching for his home as an excuse to reach out to him, but we never exchanged numbers. As badly as I wanted to ask Scotlyn for his phone number or find his information listed on the ME’s office website, I wouldn’t. I was sure he would find me when he needed to.
I shook my head, forcing the lustrous thoughts from my mind. “I’m already having trouble with one man, friend. I don’t need to add more to the mix.”
Letting the conversation die, I allowed her to lead me over to the sink again to wash the last layer of color from my hair. The annual Governor’s Gala was coming up in a few days, and TJ asked me to attend. Well, he didn’t ask; more like, let me know the event was coming, and he couldn’t wait to show me off. I haven’t had the time to sit and ask about the accusations my brother made, but I was going to.
Speaking of Rowan, I hadn’t seen him since he came to my office two nights ago. When Stacy and I left that night, I was looking for him in the lot because his truck was still parked outside. I wanted to help my brother, but I didn’t like feelingused. I knew he dabbled in drugs, gambling, and the occasional hooker. It wasn’t as if he was ever discreet. With him being the son of a well-known politician, he was always under a microscope, but Rowan didn’t seem to care one bit.
“Rowan also said, I act as if I’m better than him?—”
“You are!” she yelled, cutting me off as she tilted my head back, locking her eyes with mine. I closed my eyes and listened as she washed my hair. I could go to sleep right now from the way she was massaging my scalp.
“Your brother is a user and drug abuser, friend. That’s your family, and I know you don’t want to hear me bash him, so I won’t. But you don’t owe Row shit, and I don’t want you to feel bad about telling him no. He’s the oldest, for fuck’s sake. He’s the one who should be looking out and making sure you’re straight.”
When Stacy went quiet, I opened my eyes to see her smiling as she towel-dried my hair. “All done, friend! Let me mold you down, and we can take a snack break.”
Giggling, I took a seat at the island while my friend did her thing. As I waited patiently, I heard the faint vibrations of my phone. Finding it within reach, my breathing hitched as “Unknown Caller” flashed across the screen. With a shaky hand, I tried to calm myself and not alarm Stacy.
