Page 40 of No Remedy for Love

“I’m good but this ain’t no meeting place. Do all that extra talking shit on the outside when Blaze get off.”

“You got something you wanna say to me, fam? If so, I’m right here, say that shit. I’m too grown for subliminals.” Blaze was over being the bigger person, especially when he found out why Mav was acting like a bitch.

“Like I told you before, if I had a problem with you, I would have said something a long time ago.”

“Well, be a man and keep shit real. You keep aiming all your comments at me like I’m the only nigga in here talking.”

“My comments are aimed at whoever.”

“Why is my name the only one being mentioned though?”

“A hit dog will always holler.”

“I guess that’s why you been making so much noise lately.”

“Meaning what?”

Mav was trying to see where their conversation was going. He underestimated Blaze’s calm demeanor. He could bang with the best of them and he didn’t mind showing Mav just how he got down. That’s all he used to do in high school and sometimes in college too. The sports world wasn’t always pretty, so fighting was like inhaling to him.

“Meaning that shit seemed to be all good until the subject of Remi comes up.” Kiva’s interest was piqued when she heard that, and she was all ears.

“Remi? The fuck she gotta do with anything.” Mav’s palms started sweating at the mention of her name while Kiva was so close by.

“You tell me, nigga. I noticed that you been in your feelings since you saw us at the tournament.”

“Nigga, I could give a fuck less about what Remi or any other bitch got going on. I got a girl and we’re good.”

“You trying to convince me or yourself?”

“The fuck is you that I gotta convince you of anything! Worry about the hoe that you married and turned into a housewife. Focus on who she’s fucking.”

“C’mom now, fam. You already saw what I’m working with. You know firsthand how it is. Do you really think I give a fuck about who she’s fucking? You gotta come a little harder than that to piss me off,” Blaze laughed, knowing that he was getting under Mav’s skin. Besides a kiss, he and Remi had never even gone there, not that he didn’t want to. As far as Reanna, he didn’t know or care if she was fucking somebody else. He wasn’t dicking her down so he was sure that somebody else was. He had plans for her too and he was ready to put them into action.

“Dude, all this arguing back and forth is for bitches. You saying all that to say what? You trying to do something?”

“What’s up my, nigga? Like I won’t spank your bitch ass in your own shop.” Blaze stood up and got ready to rumble.

“Maverick!” Kiva was both shocked and embarrassed about everything that was being said and done. “This is our place of business.”

“My bad sweetheart, you’re right. I almost forgot that I’m a muthafucking boss. Get your shit and get the fuck out my nigga.”

“Nigga, my shit been gone since this morning. Did you see me cut anybody’s hair up in this bitch today?”

Mav discreetly peeked at the once filled barber station and saw that it was empty. He never even paid attention to it when he got there. Blaze was right; he had been there all day and hadn’t cut one person’s hair.

“Damn!” one of the barbers laughed while instigating at the same time.

“Grand opening in two weeks. I’ll have booth rentals available for anybody who’s interested. Tell a friend and come holla at ya boy.” Blaze walked around Mav’s shop, handing out his business cards and grand opening flyers.

“Man, this nigga is wild” the men in the shop yelled as they laughed at how bold Blaze was being. He didn’t give a fuck about being disrespectful in Mav’s shop. He was promoting his new business right in his face as if he wasn’t gonna be the competition now.

Blaze must have already been in the process of leaving, and Mav felt kinda stupid. He thought he was doing something by putting him out of his shop, not knowing that he was playing right into his hands.

“Y’all get at me and bring the kids to the grand opening for their free haircuts.” Blaze smiled and nodded at Mav before walking out of his shop for good.

Kiva locked eyes with Mav but she wasn’t even mad. He had guilt written all over his face and she knew that he was gonna be trying to kiss her ass as soon as they were alone, but there was no need. She was playing the game just like Blaze until she too was ready to make her final exit.

“Hold it down for me until I get back. I need to get a few more supplies for the shop,” Mav said to no one in particular before he left and got into his truck.

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