Page 53 of Off the Charts
“I did,” I pulled her closer by the hips. “I hear every word you speak and cling to every fucking one, J. I don’t miss a thing you do or say. Not even when you fussing and talking shit or going on and on about one of them dumb ass shows you got me watching now. I hear you.” I pecked her lips tenderly and when I pulled away, she released a small gasp.
“It feels good to be heard and not belittled. You see me right where I am and I can’t put into words how amazing it feels,” she kissed me again.
I licked my lips and held the door open for her. “Come on.”
I followed her inside, watching her ass jiggle in the jean shorts she wore. I couldn’t stop myself from smacking it. Jersei turned around and pointed giving me anaight nowlook.
The smell of the shop was always first to welcome me. It reminded me of a library from the smell of paper mixed with a faint smell of wood. There were two levels, with everything in alphabetical order.Side A & 33rdwas stacked with different eras of music but the best part was while it was diverse, it was for us by us and that was why they would forever get my money.
“Vayce. What’s up, my nigga. You good?” The owner Terren approached me, exhaling smoke from her blunt. Her locs were in a high bun and she was dressed in neutral colors that matched the store aesthetic. “Long time no see.”
I dapped her. “What’s good T? You straight?”
“Everything good,” she looked at Jersei, sizing her up from head to toe. I almost thumped her ass. Terren’s brows raised. “Ahh, I see. The lady got you busy. I’m Terren, owner. Your name?”
Jersei’s friendly ass shook her hand. “Jersei. Nice to meet you. This shit is nice. I’ve been wanting to come since seeing his collection. I love seeing fellow niggas win. I’ma go look around.”
“Thank you.” She watched Jersei walk away.
“Eyes on me nigga,” I snarled.
“My bad, V. You got good taste, respectfully,” she shook her head. “But look, everything is just how you requested.” I nodded once, sliding her the bills from my pocket and thanked her once she increased the music in the store.
Jersei was in the blues section locked in, flipping the records over reading them in its entirety. Not wanting to bother her, I went over to the R&B section in search of the next few I would be adding to my collection. I had all the classics, so when I came, I grabbed what caught my eye or a new artist I wanted to give a try.
“Is it always this quiet when you come?” Jersei asked from the next aisle over.
“Nah, they closed right now.”
“Oh, we can go. I think I’m going to get this one,” she held up a Dru Hill record. “The rest, you already have so they kinda mine already.”
I smirked. “We don’t have to go. They’re closed for you.”
Her brows dipped. “For me?”
“Yes. Are you a parrot?” My head tilted. “I wanted your first experience to be uninterrupted. It can get crowded in here and mutha’fuckas get to reaching all over you. That shit gets annoying. Keep looking around. They on your time, so take it.”
She looked around the store in awe and a smile stretched across her lips. “You’re a good man, Vayce Denver. Thank you so much.”
I winked. Jersei and I went through every row in the store. Outside of my home, this was one of my favorite places to relax. There was something about being surrounded by the words that contributed to my healing. The only thing that was missing was a blunt, but we were too close to the school year to indulge.
Almost an hour in, Jersei had almost ten records in her arms. I took them up front to Terren and led her to the upstairs portion of the shop. It was cozier up here and held most of the signed copies. The music increased and so did the nerves in my body, but I tried hard to play the shit cool.
“This my shitttt!” Jersei clapped to the beat. “I wonder if you’re qualified to give me love and affection.” She rolled her hips and extended her hands to me. I took them, laughing as she closed the space between us.
“Someone who can satisfy my every little need. I’m hoping it’s you,” I pulled her closer and sang in her ear.
With the sweet sounds of Donnell Jones playing in the background, J pressed her back against my chest as her hips slowly swayed into me. I wanted to sing every word, but for a minute, I wanted to feel our souls intertwining…deeper…if that shit was even possible. I kissed the spot on her neck, not sexually but to remind her mind and senses that I was here…to stay. Jersei released a soft moan when I kissed the shell of her ear as the song faded.
“Let me show you one of my favorite parts of the store.”
“Where is it?”
I grabbed her hand and walked toward the deep-cuts section. In the corner of my eye, I spotted it but went toward the opposite end. If it played how I wanted it to, she would work her way there.
Jersei gasped, reaching on the shelf to grabControl. “You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t her back in the day. In college, I got the Mohawk with the curls like she did in the video. I have to have this. Oh my gosh. I know everybody loves Rhythm Nation, but this album is at the top of the list for me.” I continued behind her, eyeing the end of the aisle.
“Why is this your favorite section baby?” She quizzed, grabbing another record. She flipped it over then put it back and glanced at me over her shoulder. “Because of the classics?”
