Page 19

This week had been a week so far. I had so many meetings schedule and the shit was crazy. The main one I was anticipating but also scared about was the one with Tatum. I was so mad at myself after what happened between us. I was feeling nice, but I knew exactly what was going on. I was the one that had Jas take us to a hotel which she wanted the same thing as me, so I didn’t take advantage of her. I just wanted to be close to her, for a moment I just pushed all the crazy thoughts about my life to the back of my head. The way she smelled, smiled and gave me all of her attention had me wanting her in every way. But how could I with this fucked up past I have? I completely embarrassed myself and didn’t know how she took it. I hadn’t seen her in a week and it was killing me. She had been calling and texting, but I wasn’t responding so she emailed me. We were friends and supposed to be way past the emails, but I felt some type of way and wasn’t sure how to handle this.

“Good morning, boss man,” Jasper spoke while walking into my kitchen.

“Good morning Jas.”

“What car will we be taking today?” He asked.

“We can do the black on black Tahoe today. Jas sit down for a second so we can talk.” He looked at me with a raised brow causing me to chuckle.

“Are you sure Boss?” I nodded my head giving him the ok. The fact that a lot of my men were older than me and been around since I was a youngin’ always made me comfortable to talk to them about anything.

“I just wanted to talk to you about that night. I know I keep stopping you every time you’re trying to tell me something. I think I’m ready to know what it is you want to say to me.”

“I just wanted to say you have nothing to be embarrassed about, she seemed like she was truly concerned about your well-being. I also wanted to say the way she keep trying to talk to you should tell you all you need to know. She not running off, she didn’t air a story about you. All of those things are factors you need to take into consideration. Not everyone is out to get you son, it’s time to let someone in other then the therapist. I want to see you happy you’re a fine young man and I saw you come up from a lot of shit. It’s ok to love sir, it’s actually the most beautiful thing in the world.” I sat and listened to Jasper he had been around since I first started he was my mama’s driver first, so I was sure he knew everything about me including the shit that went on with Carol. Most of the older workers including Ms. Trish in order to continue to work for me they had to sign NDA’s. This was why I knew I had a loyal team behind me, no one ever spoke of my past. Most of them kept their opinions to themselves unless I asked.

“She really gave you that impression?”

“Yes, she even made me promise to look after you and I told her you would be fine to just give you some space. I stay out of your business all the time because I know the subject is touchy. I hate that this happened to you son, but don’t keep letting that sick bitch invade your life. Therapy is good, but you also need to overcome somethings to enjoy your life the way you need too. I hate that the old bitch still working and around here like she can’t be stopped.” Jasper said in an angry tone. I didn’t want to get into it about Carol, but I knew this conversation would lead to that.

“Do you think it’s too soon if I decided to tell her my story being as though she’s a reporter? What if I fuck up and she tells the world about me?” Jasper sat quiet for a minute like he was thinking about what to say before he spoke.

“To be honest son, I think it’s time to come out. Now I know you don’t want it to come out and I know if she is the one to put it out it will be like her betraying you. But she didn’t give me that vibe, I swear she really seems like she for you. I know it’s soon and this is new to you, but what if you don’t take it there and miss out on something so beautiful?” I didn’t say anymore. I just tugged on my beard while in deep thought.

“Go ahead and get the car I need to meet up with Dashawn at The Brunch Spot in Cherry Hill before I head in the office. They allowing us to have a meeting there before they open for business.”

“OK, I’ll get the car ready and boss, he’s another good person. I see you and him being best friends, so it don’t hurt to open to him as well.” Jasper said telling me what I already sensed. I loved chilling with Dashawn and his wife they gave off a family vibe and that was something that I needed. I gave Jasper a head nod letting him know I agreed with him and he walked out of the kitchen. I got up and grabbed everything I needed to get my day started. I felt a little better after having this conversation with him. Now I just had to get up the nerve before this meeting with Tatum took place later this afternoon.

After Jasper was dodging in and out of traffic we were pulling up to The Brunch Spot twenty minutes later. Jasper then hopped out and opened the door for me. I left all of my things all I grabbed was my phone. I didn’t know what this meeting was about, but I knew Dashawn was cool so it would end well. We probably wasn’t eve going to be talking about work shit. I walked in the building and the place was completely empty. I didn’t even smell any food cooking and I didn’t understand what the hell was going on. I walked over to the table where Dashawn was sitting.

“Hey bro, what’s good with you?” He said while getting up to pull me in for a one arm hug.

“What’s up, I’m glad you made it.”

“I’m good bro, but what’ this about why we alone and where the grub at?” I chuckled.

“I told the owner to have his folks come late this is a private conversation. Where is your driver at?”

“Jasper is waiting outside.” I spoke wanting to know what the fuck this was about immediately.

“Alright cool, well I had an interesting meeting the other day. I didn’t put two and two together til my wife brought it to my attention. Now I know this is about to piss you off and we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to but I want to lay somethings out about myself first before we even get into that or what the meeting is about.”

“OK.” Was all I said before I sat down.

“Years ago, my name was Desmond Collins and I was the first child actor under Carol Peterson. Let me finished before you go crazy.” He said after I was sure he saw my nostrils flare. I was already ready to leave, but I thought back about what Jasper said earlier and decided to give him a chance to talk.

“Go ahead,” I barked.

“My mama took Carol’s money and we left and moved to Atlanta where I was raised and later changed my name to Dashawn Taylor where I was still able to pursue my acting career without being judged. I hate my mama til this day because of it. I wanted that bitch Carol to pay for everything she did to me and others. So, that’s one of the reasons I’m back in town and the other is to work with you. That has been one of my dreams for forever. Well, the other day Carol emailed me and wanted me to get you to work with me and her in something new. I started wondering why she just didn’t come to you herself. The Symphony brought to my attention probably because she can’t because of what she did to you.”

“What you mean what she did to me, you don’t know what the fuck you talking about!” I snapped and got up to head out.

“Man, you go to therapy, you like Tatum Reece but won’t pursue anything, you won’t work with child actors. I know what’s going on here bro, and I want you to know you’re not alone and we can take that bitch down together.” He yelled, but I didn’t respond or look back I just hopped in the Tahoe and told Jasper to drive.

Once we got on the road and headed to my studio I felt just a little better.

“Boss what happened back there?” Jasper asked.

“Nothing,” I lied. I just wasn’t ready to hear Jasper tell me what I needed to do, what was right and wrong. I just needed to process all of this and it was a lot to unravel today.