“Oh, hell nah!” Aubree exclaimed, shocking Jessa and me.
“My thoughts exactly.” Jessa chimed in slowly before returning her attention back to me.
“Anyway, Duke gets in between us and she lets me know he won’t be here to protect me from her forever. I let her know then and there, I’m not the type she thinks I am. Women, like her, love to think when someone is beautiful they can’t fight. Well,I want her to try me, so she can find out just how untrue that statement is.”
“Well, you know you got us. I don’t play that bullying shit she tries to be on. I’m glad you were able to share your truth with Duke. Based on how you came in here, I’m going to assume he took it well.”
I nodded and checked my watch, noticing the time had already come and gone. I had two minutes left, and a few people were lined up outside. Every time I saw the effect the shop had on the neighborhood, butterflies filled my stomach.
“He did. I feel lighter now. I just wish I knew how to stop the shit that will inevitably be coming this way now that those girls took those pictures.” I shared.
Jessa nodded. “Maybe you need to get in front of it. I know you don’t want to entertain that part of your life. But I think even something as simple as a social media post could do. In an unrecognizable location, like your bedroom or something.”
I hated that what she was saying made sense. I claimed on more than one occasion that I didn’t want to continue to live in fear. But I was hiding one of the most pivotal parts of my life story.
“I hear you. I’ll think about it, if I decide to do it. Can I count on y’all to be my camera crew?”
“Damn right. Now, let’s open this damn door before these folks stare a hole into my forehead.” Aubree said, glancing at the customer, whose face was nearly jammed against the window.
I laughed and flipped the sign on the window toopenas Aubree unlocked the door, letting everyone inside. I hoped the day would fly by—I was already starting to miss that man. It wasn’t just the thumping between my thighs… my heart missed the safety I felt when I was with him.
I looked up at the ceiling and whispered a silent prayer.Lord, please be a fence.
I satbehind my desk looking over the same financial report over and over. I think I’d read the same line at least five times. The way Solana felt in my arms this morning was a steady reminder of what I was missing when she wasn’t around.
It was just like me to get some pussy and act like a kid in high school who ain’t never touched it before. I checked my watch a few times, ready for the end of her workday just so I could be in her presence.
It wasn’t just a sexual pull—I enjoyed being around her. That sweet but spicy vibe she had? It stayed with me. And now that the secrets were out, I could really get to know her.
But I couldn’t even lie… hearing what she went through while she was in the spotlight fucked with me. I knew about stars losing their lives to crazed fans and stalkers, but meeting someone who actually lived through that? That was different.
I clicked out of my reports and pulled up the internet to look her up. I’d been fighting to desire to do it since I got behind my desk. But thoughts of her being in real danger beat my need to respect her process on how much she told me.
My grandfather had raised me to be a protector. In the Hinton household, that was the role of the man, and I took that position seriously. I didn’t give a damn that we’d just made our relationship official this morning.
I typed in her name, Amore. Instantly, pictures of her filled the screen, all with that deep red hair. I’d seen her on posters here and there, but I never made the connection. I wasn’t really into social media or movies like that.
I continued scrolling through article after article until one stopped me cold—a video of a man standing at a podium. The headline readLost Superstar.
The article went on to say the police department hadn’t been helpful in finding her. According to them, Solana left on her own free will… and didn’t want to be found.
By the looks of the muthafucka on the podium, he had to be her manager. But he was practically salivating to find her. The shit didn’t feel like it was just about money. It felt like more; I didn’t want to assume she had fucked with this man before. But we all have a life we’d much rather not speak about anymore.
All I knew was he rubbed me the wrong way and if I saw his ass around here, it would be a problem. I made a mental note to ask her about him and find out what was up. I continued looking at the different articles recounting all the stalkers she had mentioned last night, but in a bit more detail.
The way Solana explained it hadn’t hit the same as seeing it laid out in front of me—every message, every threat meant to scare her. It made me understand even more why she had to leave that shit behind. I closed out the browser, unable to read another damn thing.
Just as I locked my computer, my phone vibrated against the desk, gaining my attention. I grabbed my phone to see a call from Juelz; I answered, hoping he had gotten the approval for a pull up with the Crown.
“You handled it?” I asked.
“Well damn, what’s up to you too?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, all that. Now, did you handle it?” I asked again.
Juelz cleared his throat before responding.
“Yeah, but they want to see you tonight, no exceptions. I’m going to assume they’ve heard about all the shit going on.”
