“What is all this for?”
“It’s an auction. Just something fun,” Bee replied. “We do it every year. The women bid on each basket strictly based off the items inside that the men placed to describe themselves. Whoever wins gets a date with whoever the basket belongs to. Eight eligible bachelors sign up for it.”
“Sounds… very slave auction,” Coast mumbled, eyeing the baskets to see how different they were.
“You can stay here and man the table. Just take the money, put it in this bag,” Bee handed her a small blue bank bag with a zipper, “and write down the name of whoever bids on which basket.”
“Do I get a lunch break, boss?”
“I’m doing this for the baby. Not you. If you want to go grab something before, you go right ahead. Make sure to come back in ten minutes.”
Coast was starving. She wolfed down that gas station hot dog and slushie like it was nothing. The barbecue aroma toyed with her senses, and she found herself wandering over to the BBQ Junction booth where two older men with a striking family resemblance roasted each other.
“What can I get you, sweetheart?” One of the old men questioned with a gold toothed grin.
“Hook her up, Stacks. She eating for two.” Mozzi eased up beside her.
Coast hated that she was growing used to his voice. Eyes rolling heavily with annoyance, she turned and looked him over, standing beside her.
“Don’t tell me it’s yours.” Kool grinned.
“Shit, might be.” Mozzi grinned in Coast’s direction.
“First of all, stay the hell out of my business.”
“What you hiding it for?”
“What part of my business do you not understand? Intrusive ass.” Coast glared at him.
“Drop that stank ass attitude. Slap some ribs, potato salad, baked beans, and that corn on the cob on her plate,” Mozzi told Stacks.
It all sounded good to Coast, so she didn’t argue.
“I’m Mozzi.”
“Did I ask you any of that?” Coast shot back, making both old men chuckle.
“Sounds like you met somebody that ain’t a member of your fan club.” Stacks made her plate and handed it to her. “There you go. You don’t even need a ticket, baby, since you giving him such a hard time.”
“Fuck you, old man.” Mozzi cut his eyes at Stacks.
He’d known him since he came to his knee and used to run past his first location, a little hole in the wall near the projects that Mozzi grew up in. Stacks and his brother, Kool, had seen Mozzi raising hell since he was missing teeth. So, when they came across one another, it was nothing for them to throw insults in the most loving way.
“Thank you.” Coast grabbed the plate and smiled.
“Oh, you can grin for this muhfucka, though.” Mozzi sucked his teeth. “I see how it is. Food is the way to your heart thesedays. Guess that’s the only way I’ll get to see that pretty ass smile.”
“Aren’t you playing in the tournament?” Coast picked up a rib and took a bite.
“You should come watch me. Be my cheerleader.” He licked his lips and flirted.
Coast tried to avoid the little flutter in her stomach when his eyes locked on her. Glancing past him, she spied the girl he was with atComfort Kitchenhovering in the background, trying her best to be a fly on the wall in their conversation.
“Looks like you already got one.” Coast nodded in Roni’s direction.
Mozzi glimpsed her over his shoulder. Arms tucked across her breasts, she grilled them both from across the way.
“If we gon’ be in this relationship, you can’t be worried about the next bitch.”
