Page 70 of Master's Rise
I pull in and the Security guy beeps as the door goes down. I like that he’s telling me it’s all good and he’s out, even from his truck. I can hear the bike leaving with him and smile. Cort said something that has them talking to me. I love this new phase of my life. I don’t think I could have even dreamt all this up.
Walking in, I smile. He’s just getting ready to eat. “Is that all you cook when you’re alone?” I ask, walking to him for a kiss.
“Mostly. I like breakfast but don’t expect you to eat it for dinner unless you want it. How was your girl day?”
I kiss him again. He’s a good cook and is so damn thoughtful. “It was good. Harmony hired Chris. They’ll make a good team. Freedom’s classes are getting bigger and Harmony needs the help for her own classes.”
He nods swallowing. “The Club chick will be a good fit. She’s a good dancer too.”
I donotask the first question that pops in my head. “Her name is Chris.”
He nods. “I don’t know her other than Club chick. Amos handles the Club chicks. I think that one was a stripper that was being forced to do more than perform.”
“Good info to know. She said that. She’s grateful to the Club for getting her out and giving her a place to live. She’s a good woman to know, she’s smart, resourceful and funny as hell.” I’m still not asking.
He smiles, I bet knowing what’s going through my head. “No Club chick will throw shit at you. I haven’t been with any of them.” The Club was like a month old when I met him. He also knew what was going through my head. Men.
I shake my head. “I’m not asking and I’m not afraid of women throwing shit at me. I’m not afraid of the Brothers either.” I wink at him.
He laughs almost choking on his food. I get him water. “Did you have a good day?”
“Yeah. We went to the new office. Everything will be ready for Monday. They were testing and finishing moving shit today. It was weird walking through. Like the building was excited for us to be moving in. I felt it all. The power of all we did to make it here and the people that taught us how to do it.”
I smile. He’s so open to things like that. Not in a weird flower power of universe talking, but his mentor and old President, his dad, Major and Rex. He focuses on the people he talks to and seems to know what they’re feeling as they talk. He remembers the conversations and learns from it all. I’m trying to do the same with all the new people talking to me, but sometimes I’m a little overwhelmed.
“Your dad will always be with you, but I bet it felt like Crow was telling you that you did good.”
He watches me for a few seconds, as if contemplating that. “He was. His whole Indian thing was following the lessons of our fathers. Even now, when I need help or I’m unsure, his voice and lessons are what play in my head. My dad is like you said, always there, but Crow had lessons about guiding the Brotherhood that seems to apply to everything in my life.”
I understand and nod for him. “It’s who you are. I felt it right away. You draw incredible people to you that have a purpose to them. They want to help you spread the good that you’re doing. Even the people like Ajhil - the little people that will remember your lessons. He watches everything you do and does all he has to offer right now, but I see a light in him that will burn for a long time. He’ll remember your words and teach them to his kids, friends and maybe even the homeless that he feeds.”
“How old are you?”
I hit his arm. “You think you’re different than me? You’re young and your elders listen to your words, Cort. They know what you say matters. Don’t pick at me for throwing my little tidbits in. I’m just telling you what I see.”
He pulls me in for a hug. I never knew men liked hugging so much. “I want to ride over to the office and see the portico lit. Come with me.” It sounds like a question but I don’t make him ask outright. I’m excited to see what he's done.
“Get your ass in gear, Masters. We got lights to see.”
He laughs. “Right you are, Masters.”
I giggle all the way to the bike. He’s called me Masters since he got my name-change papers from the lawyer. He’s cute.
