Page 27 of Back in Blood

CHAPTER 15

CAPRI

“You ladies enjoy your excursion,”I eyed the sexy group of women that had come in to pay for the ATV’s they were renting from me. During conversation and according to the information they put on the registration form, they were from Chicago and vacationing in Diamond Cove for five days.

The group of five women were all different hues, sizes, and heights. It was variety for sure and even after studying each of them for a few minutes, I wasn’t sure which one I would choose if I had to choose one. More than one of them was flirting with me, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to be that person. Even if a lot of my customers were from out of town, I still got a lot of business from locals. I never wanted it to be put out there that every time a pretty woman came into my place of business that I was trying to sleep with her. Word traveled, and I knew plenty of men that had reputations for being creeps and pussy hounds. I refused to pounce on every attractive female that came to do business with me and because of that fact, women loved coming to me. Not all of them threw themselves at me or wanted to deal with me on that level, so they could appreciate the professionalism and good customer service without all the slick comments and lustful glares.

The weather was far from warm, so jet ski rentals had slowed down a great deal. As soon as it warmed back up, I knew that shit would be lit, so I wasn’t even tripping. I had opened the office that day, and I was staying there until closing. Since Benny stole from me, I needed my employees to know that the long hiatuses were over. I was showing my face on a regular basis unless I was out of town. Other than that, they’d see me a few times a week for more than an hour or so at a time. I wasn’t letting anybody else get comfortable enough to play with my money.

I was pretty busy and an hour before closing, my sister and nephew came in. “What’s up Jaylen?” I gave him a fist bump, and he proceeded to tell me about his day.

Bianca waited patiently while he chatted for about ten minutes, then she told him to sit in my lobby area and watch his iPad for a bit. Whenever she did that, I knew she had something she wanted to talk to me about that she didn’t want him to hear. Mentally, I attempted to brace myself for whatever it was she was about to share with me.

“Have you heard about Robin?” she asked meekly, and I gave her a blank stare.

I hadn’t heard anything about Robin, and I didn’t really care to. But I knew she was going to inform me about whatever was going on.

“She has ovarian cancer. I saw her Go Fund Me page on social media. I know she was wrong for what she did, but I donated $100. I feel bad for her.”

I continued to stare at my sister with a face void of emotion. I knew it would sound horrible for me to say, so I didn’t. But I didn’t give a damn. I didn’t wish cancer on Robin, and I wasn’t happy that she had it. But I wasn’t going to act as if I was so sad and broken up about the news of her having it. It was what it was.

“That was nice of you,” I finally said.

It was Bianca’s turn to stare. I had loved and done everything I could to protect and love Robin and Caprice. They were my world. It probably shocked my sister that I could be so callous toward Robin, but she had betrayed me in a way that no one else ever had. One little indiscretion broke my heart. Had Caprice not been my child, it would have been even worse, so even if I seemed like an asshole, everyone should think about the fact that it could have been worse.

“Hopefully she’ll be okay,” I added with raised brows. Bianca knew I only did so because I wanted her to stop staring at me, and she shook her head.

Remind me to never cross you. How are you though? You good?”

“I’m hanging in there. That’s all I can do.”

“You’re absolutely right. I’m proud of you, and you look good.”

I nodded. Most days, I didn’t feel good, but I had to keep going. I didn’t really have any other choice. Bianca and Jaylen stayed with me until I closed the office, then we walked a few doors down, and I got us all ice cream. I had showered and was smoking a blunt when Lisa called. I hadn’t spoken to her since she was in Tennessee, and I couldn’t believe that I actually called her while she was in the same space as Sage. I wouldn’t use the word interested to describe my dealings with Lisa. She was cool. We understood one another, and the sex was good. I couldn’t be mad at Sage for being interested in her, and I couldn’t expect her not to deal with him. As long as he was good with knowing I wasn’t backing off, that’s what it was. Lisa was single and free to do what she wanted with who she wanted. Never again in life would I expect a woman to be just for me, and that’s just what it was.

I told her to hit me up because I always reached out to her first. I’d let the choice be hers if she wanted to talk to me, andit seemed that she did. Her and Sage could have hit it off on the trip, and I didn’t want to be all on her too hard.

“What’s good?”

“Hey. I got back in town yesterday, but you know how that goes. Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Nah. I just got off not too long ago, and I’m sitting here watching TV. How was your day?”

Since being back at work, I’d grown accustomed to making small talk. It wasn’t like I enjoyed it, but no matter how I felt, I’d never be rude to my customers. The more I did it, the easier it became. I didn’t want to be on some Neanderthal type shit and always hit Lisa up and go straight to asking for sex. I could hold a conversation with her at least.

“It was very busy. I really enjoyed my days off. Now, it’s back to the grind. I’ve been staying with my parents, and I love them, but I’m ready to get my own place.”

Hearing her say that made me think of the house that I’d burned to the ground. It also made me think of the fact that the news reported that in two days, Sintonio would go before the judge to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty and be given a date for trial. I planned to go. I wanted to see that bitch stand in front of the judge and admit to killing my child.

“There’s nothing like having your own space, so I get that.”

“How was your day?”

“It was busy, but I’m not complaining because that’s how I like it.” I liked Lisa as a person, but her voice was making my dick hard, and I wanted the small talk to come to an end. However, if she came over, it would be because she suggested it.

There was a brief pause. “Yeah me too. You in the mood for company? I have to be up early, so I can’t stay long.”

That was perfect. As I said before, Lisa and I got each other. She wanted the D and wasn’t interested in sticking around afterit was over, and that worked for me. “I’ll see you when you get here.”

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