“It’s your world, baby. We can do whatever you want. I’m with it as long as I’m with you,” he said.
After a few more exchanged words, I ended the call and walked inside the house. I was so happy I had been smart enough to keep my sanctuary. Even if Shane wasn’t in the picture, I valued my peace and needed it more than anything right now. Since I’d left Allen’s house a couple hours ago, he’d texted and called me several times. The only reason I wasn’t bothered was because his notifications were muted. Part of me wanted to wait until Shane got here so we could shower together, but I was so mentally exhausted I couldn’t wait. I took the quickest shower before throwing on an oversized T-shirt. I didn’t do my usual moisturizing or nighttime routine.
Thankfully, Shane rang my doorbell before I could drift into a deep sleep. The smell of his cologne mixed with the faint scent of weed lingered throughout my bedroom as he showered. By the time I felt his strong arms around me, sleep had taken over. Turning to face him, I threw my leg over his waist and buried my face into his chest. When he caressed my back, my body let go of everything it was holding onto.
“I got you, baby,” he said as he repeatedly kissed the top of my head.
Shane didn’t know, but he was making me fall in love with him. Even if we didn’t get far, I was grateful to experience a man like him.
CHAPTER 13
Shane
For weeks, it felt like I had to go through hell and high water to reach my uncle Dennis. He wouldn’t answer when I called, and on the off chance he did, he rushed me off the phone and never called back. I knew he was a busy man, but he had employees to run the shop. Honestly, all I wanted was to ask about my dad since my dad wouldn’t tell me how the visit had gone. I’d noticed my uncle hadn’t asked me to join him to do anything with the business lately. I wasn’t pressed, but still thought it was strange that the communication between us had stopped. If he changed his mind and decided to hand it over to Deontay, I was cool with that.
“He still didn’t answer?” Tripp questioned as I pressed the red icon to hang up.
“Nah. The shit’s starting to be a little questionable. Just last month, I couldn’t keep that nigga off my phone. Now he’s going weeks without saying a word to me. All of this shit happened after he went to see my pops. Neither of them will tell me what the hell happened and it’s starting to frustrate me. I want to ask my mom, but I don’t want her worrying about shit,” I admitted.
“I feel you. I’d be on high alert too if somebody switched up on me like that. Just ask your dad when you see him.”
After a lot of convincing, I finally got my dad to add me to his visitation list. I’d be going to see him in the morning, but I’d called my uncle to get a heads up. I hadn’t seen my father in years and wanted to be prepared for anything.
“I am. I was just trying to make sure everything was good with his mental. I’m not leaving that prison until I know what the fuck is going on. My dad’s trying to handle everything from behind bars and I don’t like that shit. He keeps telling me to focus on the music, but I can’t focus knowing he’s stressin’,” I explained.
“He gon’ be good. He’s been like that since we were kids. He’s one of those men who feel like complaining is a waste of time. I feel where he’s coming from, but I also feel where you’re coming from when you’re trying to help him out. I wouldn’t take that shit personally though. Your dad left when you were barely a teenager. He doesn’t know his son as a grown ass man. Mentally, you’re still that little boy to him. I’m glad he’s letting you visit. That’s probably something you both need. He needs to see his son and you need your father’s guidance. What’s the plan if you find out Dennis is on some sneaky shit? ’Cus I won’t lie, the shit he’s doing is weird.”
“I’m hoping I’m overthinking the whole situation. Dennis been a real nigga since my dad left. He looks out for my mom every month and has never missed a payment. I’ve told him several times that he didn’t have to keep doing that, but he wasn’t having it. Anytime I needed him, he was there. I don’t know though. I’ll see what’s up soon enough.”
Taking a pull from my blunt, I sent a text to Celeste and set my phone down. Even though that nigga Spinna was at home, Celeste and I had still been stuck together like white on rice. The more Celeste saw pictures of him out with Serenity, the morecomfortable she became with the idea of us. Since he’d come back from Dallas a few weeks ago, she’d been staying at her townhouse. Spinna hadn’t tried anything funny with her store or her mother’s living facility, so I was good for now. Celeste and I had planned for me to meet her mother in the next couple weeks. The three of us would go out for dinner at Miss Cora’s favorite restaurant.
“I’m about to get up out of here, man. I need to make a run. Let me know if you wanna go to Atlanta with me next week,” Tripp said as he stood.
“The last time you went to Atlanta I was damn near makin’ funeral arrangements. Ain’t no way I’m lettin’ you roll out there alone.”
“Aight, man. I’ll holla at you later.”
After shaking up with my brother, I freshened up and headed out as well. Today was my first official meeting with Serenity and I hoped this shit went well. We were supposed to meet when she got back from Dallas, but I was told her schedule had been busier than expected. I wasn’t tripping since it gave me more time to talk to Celeste. I wasn’t sure how she’d feel, but I wanted to make sure I’d be committing to the project before speaking with her.
When I pulled up to the studio, I parked and went inside. My blood damn near boiled when I opened the door and saw Spinna’s ass all in Serenity’s face. I didn’t give a fuck about what this nigga did in his personal life, but for him to be living like this and holding Celeste hostage was some shit I couldn’t get with.
“What’s up, Shane? Long time no see,” Spinna said as he extended a hand.
As if his hand was covered in shit, I looked down at it before focusing my attention on Serenity.
“What’s good, Serenity? Jay told me this was a meeting about business.”
“Yes, it is,” she countered as she shook my hand.
“Is there a problem with me being here or something?”
“Yeah, it is. When I conduct business, the conversation is between me and the person I’m providing services for. I’m not providing you with any services and you’re not Serenity’s manager or lawyer. So what’s the purpose of you being here?” I threw back at Spinna.
“She’s my business…that’s all you need to know.”
“Nah, that doesn’t work for me. You can either get the fuck out or this meeting is a wrap before it even starts. No disrespect to you, Serenity, but I don’t talk business around any and everybody. If you tell him everything we talk about, that’s your thing, but buddy needs to go.”
“Am I missin’ somethin’, my nigga? If there’s a problem between us, let me know what’s up.”
