“Oh, that’s what he told you? This nigga tells so many lies he can’t keep up anymore. I’m done with your dog ass!” Serenity spat as she pointed a finger at him.
“No need. I’m not here to cause a rift between you two. I just need to know where my business stands and I’ll be out. There’s no way in the hell I’ll ever give this man another chance,” I responded.
“Celeste, if you walk away from me, I’ll swipe that building so fast you’ll have to question if it ever existed,” he threatened.
Serenity’s voice sounded more like background music as Allen and I had an intense stare down. I was filled with rage while Allen’s eyes held nothing but sympathy and regret. He knew he was wrong and hadn’t been ready for me to find out his secret. I wasn’t sure how far along Serenity was, but I was sure the news wasn’t new. He’d likely known for a while now which made things even worse. He was going so hard for her the last time we talked and now it made sense why. Doing the unthinkable, I pulled out my keys to Luxe Addiction and took them off my ring. I laid all three on the soundboard and left the studio.
This would cause an inconvenience for my customers, but I wanted nothing to do with the man standing in front of me. He could have the building. I was done fighting and moving on without looking back this time. As I walked to my car, I heard him repeatedly calling my name in the distance. There were no words in the English language he could say to make me listen to anything right now. Tomorrow was a new day and I’d be packing Luxe Addiction up. I never wanted to part ways with my first baby, but life was what it was. Even if he gave me the building free of charge, I no longer wanted it.
CHAPTER 17
Shane
“Bro, if you can’t choose one, just get both,” Tripp said as he walked past me.
We were in the flower shop and I was stuck on what I wanted to get Celeste. It seemed like she had to work from sunup to sundown to get the new store up and running. The past few months had been a lot, but I watched her figure the shit out every single day. Her dedication and determination to keep her dream alive was admirable. It went to show that no matter what was thrown at a person, if they wanted something bad enough, they’d make it happen. The night she came to my place and told me what happened, it took everything in me to not go to the studio and beat Spinna’s ass. Honestly the only reason I didn’t was because Celeste needed me at that moment and she came before anything.
This weekend, I planned to take Celeste out of town for a small getaway. She hadn’t taken any time off and could use the break. From having her mother living with her to trying to make sure her employees were taken care of, she was constantly pulled in different directions. This weekend, I wanted her to relax and get much needed rest. No phone and no work. The only pass I’dgive was for her to talk to her mother. I was able to get Jade on my side about the trip when I saw her at the shop yesterday. She agreed to check on Cora while we were gone.
“I’ll do that,” I responded as I picked up both arrangements.
“What made you wanna take her to Pleasant Springs? I was thinkin’ you’d take her out of Illinois,” Tripp stated as we walked to the register.
“I wanted to, but just in case she needs to get to her mom, I don’t wanna have to worry about boarding a plane. We’ll only be an hour away. If needed, I can turn that hour into thirty minutes. I thought about takin’ her to Chicago, but my mom told me Pleasant Springs would be a nice place to visit. She said it looks all whimsical and shit. She gave me a few restaurants to try and suggested things she thinks Celeste would like. I just want her to be in a quiet environment for the next couple of days.”
“Sounds like a plan to me. I didn’t think I’d see you on this type of time after that shit happened with Mia.”
“Shit, me either. I thought I was gon’ be single for the rest of my life after that shit. Back then, there were times when I felt like I went a little too hard on her. I remember one night I was drunk off my ass and almost called her. The only reason I never called was because I had a feeling she was lying to me. I wanted to believe that baby was mine, but I can’t help but think she was pregnant by one of them New York niggas. That’s the only logical answer I could think of. If the baby was mine, she would’ve at least mentioned she was pregnant before she did what she did.”
“I believe that shit too. If we bein’ real, I wanna know what she was doin’ out with Deontay. Like, I know good and damn well she ain’t move back to Gwendal to fuck with him out of all people.”
Before I could respond, it was my turn to step up to the register. It only took a few moments to pay for the flowers then Tripp and I were on our way.
“A part of me wanted to know why they were together too. It didn’t make sense to me. I don’t need Mia or Deontay thinkin’ I’m tender dick over seeing them together. I really don’t give a fuck for real, but I wanna know what bullshit they’re up to.”
Deontay never had a problem getting women. He might have been a goofy ass nigga, but that didn’t keep women away. Half the time, women only saw the jewelry and money. Nothing else mattered. Mia knew Deontay and how I felt about him. There was no way he could’ve manipulated her into fuckin’ with him after all this time. If that happened to be the case, best of luck to them. My attention went to Celeste and making sure I was the best producer. Mia had gone to my mother’s house a few more times but that stopped when my mother wouldn’t answer the door.
“You better than me, bro. It’s not even about being shitty over a woman. It’s about mafuckas playin’ in my face and thinkin’ shit sweet. I been tellin’ you for years now that you spared Deontay’s ass too many ass whoopins. I know you said it’s because of your uncle, but fuck that. Unc ass would just need to understand.”
Tripp and I talked more about the situation as we drove in the direction of Exclusive Diamonds. Ever since Dennis visited my dad, the payments he’d been giving my mother had gotten even smaller. I’d always make sure my mother was good financially, but I wanted to know what was up. I still hadn’t been able to get Dennis on the phone, but today would be the day I got answers. I needed to know what was going on before I left for the weekend. Light snow flurries started right before I parked. After informing Tripp I’d be back in less than ten minutes, I hopped out and headed inside. To my surprise, Dennis was the first person I spotted. His smile dropping let me know he hadn’t expected to see me nor was he happy.
“What’s good, Unc? You don’t look so happy to see me. What’s up?”
“Shane, I’m always happy to see you. What brings you by today?”
“I’ve been callin’ and textin’ you for a while now. You barely answer my calls. Also, the money you’ve been giving my mom has been coming up short. What’s goin’ on, man?”
“I had some things I needed to take care of, so I’ve just been busy. As far as the money, there was a misunderstanding with my accountant. That situation has been cleared up. Your mom will get the rest of the money in the next couple days. I talked to her earlier and let her know what was going on, so she’s aware,” he admitted.
From the tone of his voice to him barely making eye contact with me, I knew something was off. The only reason I didn’t push was because I knew he wouldn’t lie about talking to my mom. She was only a phone call away, so it would be foolish on his part to lie about that. There was so much more I wanted to say, but I’d gotten some of the answers I’d come here for. Deciding to leave well enough alone, I left the shop and went on about my day. Whatever Dennis was up to would eventually come to the light. Until then, I’d turn my focus back to music and being there for Celeste.
After dropping Tripp at his girl’s house, I placed a call to my woman to get an update on her location. When she told me she was at her townhouse, I checked the backseat to confirm I had our suitcases and drove in that direction. By the time I pulled into her driveway, the sun was starting to set and the evening air was cooler. I made sure the roses were in the passenger seat with the purple envelope taped to them before getting out of the truck. Using the key Celeste had given me not long ago, I let myself inside. The first person I saw was the day nurse, Stella.She was an older lady who took her job seriously. Any little thing going on, she’d call or text Celeste.
“What’s good, Stella? How’s Cora doing today?” I asked as I kicked my shoes off.
“She’s good. She’s been in a good mood all day. Talking and playing cards with me. She ate a little more than normal, but that’s a good thing if you ask me. Celeste got here not too long ago and they’ve been in the room laughing ever since she stepped through the door,” she informed me.
Whenever I came over, I made it my business to check in with whoever was working. Cora had become someone I cared about. Anything going on with her would affect Celeste, so her condition was just as important to me. Although the bedroom door was wide open, I knocked lightly to make my presence known. I didn’t get a chance to hear what they were talking about, but Cora and Celeste were both laughing when I walked in.
