Page 4

We pulled up on Germ’s bike. I eased off, shielding my eyes from the sunlight. My eyes skated up and down the block. They had a crowd already, and it was only 9:00 AM. The way I saw it, he’d already missed money by pulling up at this time with his cocky ass.

“We’re late?” I probed with an arched brow.

“We’re on time for my appointment. That nigga Drake’s an early bird. You should know that already.”

I rolled my eyes. He swore that me and Drake had a thing going on. I also didn’t deserve love no matter if it was with Drake or someone else. I swear that survivor’s guilt was a motherfucker. Damn, I missed Chelly and even more with the anniversary of her death approaching in a few months.

“A few others are in there, too.”

I already knew who the few others were—the damn Saints.

They were everywhere since the plaza was filled with Saint owned businesses. I’d yet to meet whoever their master was. I appreciated them taking Germaine in when he needed them. I just didn’t trust any fucking body with my baby brother after losing Chelly. He was all I had.

I huffed yet followed him inside. I prayed I didn’t regret this. I already had these dumb ass niggas that wanted to be affiliated with them in the parking lot cat calling me. Germaine grimaced then spit on the ground, pulling up his jeans. I wondered if he lived a life I wasn’t sure of, but one glare and their ignorant asses shut the hell up.

“Thirsty bitches.”

He eyed my attire, his eyes descending the length of my body, and I sucked my teeth. I never dressed for attention as I was casually clad in a gray and black sweatshirt that slightly exposed one shoulder, skinny jeans, and gray, denim Vans.

As soon as we entered, Drake threw up both hands and smiled. My eyes subtly rolled as I fought not to amp his ass up. If I even pretended to respond to his flirtatious efforts, he’d be in my face all day.

Don’t get me wrong. He was aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, which meant he naturally drew attention from bitches. I hated attention, and I hated that he didn't seem to respect that as he ambled toward me. I groaned and closed my eyes. Yeah, this was about to be a long ass day.

“Wifey, you’re hanging out with us today?”

He threw his arms around my neck and pecked my temple. I fake smiled and peeled his arms from around me. As predicted, all eyes were on us from Krystian, Lupe, Biscuit, Rollo, and my bitch, Teenie. She was sexually affluent, and although most thought she only liked pussy, I knew she liked it all. Her current love interest and probably hubby from what I could assess thus far was Biscuit.

They all gave me a hard time about not giving Drake a shot, except her. She was also the one that told me he was the biggest whore in Rockside. From the looks of the thirsty women in the front lobby that salivated at the sight of him, I’d say she was spot on.

“Zee will be out for a minute. Personal shit, so Merci agreed to help us out,” Germaine announced.

I respected that he didn't share her medical condition. I was huge on that considering the field I worked in. I could only hope Kane gave me the victim’s name. I wanted to deliver flowers in one of the vases I made. That would make me feel a little better, and maybe she’d leave me the hell alone when I was sleep.

“Appreciate you, lil baby. I figured she was just late.”

He pressed his body against mine and grinned. Nice try, but the sounds of sucking teeth told me our audience wasn’t happy, and I really didn’t give a damn. I politely pressed my hand against his chest which created space between us.

“You’ll stop running one day.”

“I’m a grown woman that takes care of herself. Why would I have to run? Now, can you please move before I knock one of these bitches out?”

My head swiveled toward the lobby area filled with parched hos that couldn’t wait to have their turn with any of them, especially Drake.

“Marry me.”

“I’m a lesbo. No thanks.”

The guys all hooted and laughed as he clutched his chest, faking as if I’d broken his heart.

Once all eyes were no longer on us, I settled in and began to check in those who had an appointment first. For a few, I looked at what they booked, deciding who was the best tattoo artist. Don’t get me wrong. Germaine was the best, but I knew Joreen. She’d show up soon enough and start unnecessary drama.

Although I’d never admit it, I was glad I came, especially when the first few hours seemed to fly by. The energy was light as the music boomed throughout the air. They all joked and laughed while I logged into my site to see if any of my pieces had sold. When none had, I felt slightly defeated until I remembered my why. I created to leave pieces of me in the universe, to leave my mark, and to make those who received them happy. If I did make money, the rest would go to Germ’s art school tuition. That was what mattered the most, which was keeping him focused and alive.

“Damn, y’all not ordering food today?” Teenie asked, rubbing her stomach.

I chuckled since Teenie wasn’t small in stature at all. She was quite the opposite, standing at five foot eleven and easily 200 pounds. She was solid with the cutest outfits she designed herself. She loved tatting, but her passion was in creating her own clothing line.

“I’m saying, though. None of that Chinese food,” Biscuit chimed in. “If I have another pork fry why, I’ll be speaking Chinese.”

They all howled at how he imitated Sue Lou’s accent when she spoke. I loved Sue Lou and her mixed wonton and egg drop soup.

“Y’all spoiled. Just because Zara did, don’t expect me to make lunch runs.”

They all grumbled while Germaine thanked me.

I opened the drawer, eyeing all the menus from the nearby restaurants. One caught my eye—Pearls of Island. I quickly skimmed over it, feeling a tightness in my chest. They were known for their soups, especially joumou soup. I hadn’t eaten it since the night Chelly died. As my prior fucked up mood made a reappearance, I quickly shoved all the menus in the drawer.

I tapped on my cell and found Luigi’s. They were known for deep dish pizza. After one or two slices, they all would be more than satisfied. I treated me and Kane to one at least once or twice a week during our four-day shift when working at the fire station. I ordered six pizzas from meat lovers to Hawaiian ham and pineapple and a veggie pizza for me.

“Food’s coming in about an hour,” I announced when Joreen’s ass came rushing in.

I immediately slid my Beats in my ear with hopes she’d not pretend we were in-laws. If your name wasn’t Micheline Dubois, the fuck was she calling me “sissy” for? I shook my head when she ducked down and slid her face in between Germaine and his customer. He smiled, pecked her lips, and she melted. He knew her well when he fished a few hundred dollars out of his pocket and placed them in her hand.

“Turn that up, Merch!” Germaine yelled.

I shook my head. He knew I despised that name. It gave booster vibes. Lucky for him, I loved Swan. In fact, her album stayed in rotation on my Spotify.

“Yo, wifey?” My head slowly rolled toward Drake as he slid his teeth across his top grill. “You already know that nigga will be busy working late tonight. Let me take you home or better yet… out on a date.”

“I have to go swim with a school of sharks. Sorry,” I sang.

They all howled at that as he smirked. Krystian walked up and gripped him on his shoulder with the biggest grin on his face. I used to think he was the sweetest of them all until I saw him put a gun to this man’s head. It was years ago, but since then, I never allowed those full, round cheeks and large, brown eyes he sported fool me.

“She ain’t fucking with you, Drake. Chill out. Let her come to you when she’s freed up her schedule.”

“You’re right. I guess when she’s done hanging out with farmer boy.”

I rolled my eyes and giggled. He loved to call Kane “farmer boy” since he often wore overalls outside of work. He was a country boy from Pellum that didn’t allow the streets of Rockside to change him.

“It’s cool.” He shrugged then slid two hundred dollar bills on the receptionist counter. “For lunch, and keep the change.”

I gladly slid his gift into my pocket since I placed the order on Germaine’s card. He just didn’t know it, but he was the boss. It was the least he could do. I figured they took turns but whatever. The deed was done.

“Hanging around here until Zara comes back?”

“Maybe. Maybe not. For now, though, y’all should come up with a better system of how you all manage walk-ins along with appointments.”

Those bitches were complaining about how long it was taking. I knew it had nothing to do with their tats.

“Handle that. I trust you.” He winked and sauntered off just before a cleared throat grabbed my attention.

Damn, when had he walked in?

Immediately, I felt a rush when his orbs latched onto mine. I wasn’t sure if he knew me or not but staring, and how he did it, was rude as fuck. I observed how all the chatter in the room lessened. Instantly, the loud music ceased. When he looked around the shop, he waved his hand in the air, motioning Germaine to come over, and he did. Shocker. Whoever he was, he had my brother damn near shaking in his boots. The fuck?

“Where is he?” His voice boomed throughout the room, demanding attention.

Hell, even mine as I instantly became stunned. I had no clue who “he” was, but judging from the silence and eyes that danced around, the others did.

“Uh…” Germaine looked around and gulped. “I’ll check, Truth. He’s somewhere around here.”

Oh, so he was the infamous Truth Saint, head of the Saint Riderz?

After Germ jetted toward the breakroom or whatever room they called it since a lot seemed to go on back there from all the murmurings, the others ran to grace him with their presence. The entire time, I didn’t know if I wanted to be annoyed or mesmerized as I dissected each facet of his body from his height to the smoothness of his cedar colored skin.

He had to easily be six foot four or six foot five with a neatly trimmed beard that housed full lips and soft brown, yet brooding eyes wrapped with long eyelashes. His hair, while a low-cut fade, was a sea of waves, and he smelled of bergamot and citrus, a scent I’d never smelled before but one I’d remember because of him.

I took in his attire. He was casually dressed in jeans and a tank that demonstrated the pride he took in his body from his broad shoulders, firm arms and abs, and legs that were built Ford tough. For the first time, I understood why all the bitches were drooling, but at the end of the day, his presence was indicative of a man who caused trouble and didn’t run from it once he had.

He looked my way, and I quickly looked down. I pecked on my cellphone to look busy, but my eyes had a mind of their own when they lifted and fastened onto his.

Fuck! He caught me again.

His jaws tightened, and I frowned. The hell was wrong with him?

“He’s coming, Truth,” Germaine spoke slightly out of breath. “Give him a minute.”

“Remember what I said.”

My brother nodded like a damn bobble head. Ugh, I was so upset.

“I hear you. Let me get back to work, but I’m glad you came through. Shop’s doing well. Plenty of business.”

“I see. Proud of you.”

Truth’s eyes surveyed his surroundings once more until they landed on mine when I kissed my teeth. It didn’t matter who he was, I wasn’t one of those little bitches that would be at his beck and call like the thirsty gang behind him. He chuckled, and I rolled my eyes.

“Is there a problem?” I muttered without lifting my head.

“Naw.” He tapped on the counter. “You could try smiling. I’m sure you’re prettier when you do.”

I didn’t have a quick comeback, so I tucked my lips and sat like a mute. My skin flushed as I felt his eyes roam over me. That, however, was short lived when one of those birds rushed to the counter and sucked her teeth.

“Can you check to see when Drake will be ready for me?”

I suspected she was one of his situations. Whatever she was didn’t earn her an express pass to his chair when he looked up and waved her off.

“Checked,” I replied and giggled.

Her neck and eyes rolled so hard I felt myself spinning. That was proof that men like Drake and Truth weren’t worth the trouble. I had my own issues, like trying to sleep at night without waking up in a cold sweat.

“That’s you?” he asked.

I looked up, forgetting he was still there. He was quiet like a fucking cat. My brows dipped in the middle of my forehead, wondering who he was referring to.

“Drake?” Immediately, I was annoyed. “And why would that be important for you to know?”

He laughed then tapped the counter.

“Never mind.”

He eased by the bitch that was just there waiting for Drake. She couldn’t keep her eyes off of Truth, and sadly, neither could I. He pushed open the door, and when he hooked a right, he caught me staring again.

Damn. I really do hate myself.