Page 37 of A Trial of the Heart
It was like once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. Even the questions I asked shocked me. Yeah, I’d thought of them, but I never imagined asking them. Surely, not all at once. I’d rambled so much I missed our drinks being dropped to the table. Rashad had even relaxed back in his seat and stared at me. Feeling embarrassed, I lifted my drink to my lips, taking a larger sip than I intended.
“Say something.”
“Are you done? I mean, ‘cause you got a lot to say, so I just want to make sure you got it all.”
I never made a fool out of myself, or at least, I tried my best not to. I was one of the most understanding and accepting people, yet I wasn’t displaying any of that with Rashad. He was a black man I’d met on my own, and I had already crucified him and said he was guilty simply because the white man had said so. I wasn’t any better than the people I worked with, even if he was guilty.
“I’m done.” I took another sip of my drink. This time, I sipped it like the lady I was.
Rashad sucked his teeth as he sat up in his seat. Both hands gripped the sides of the table, and fire danced in his eyes. I was scared but tried my best not to show it.
“I’on need shit from you or anybody else in these streets, and I damn sure don’t got to steal a thing to have it. My parentspaved the way for me to have a good education, allowing me to graduate with a master’s in business. I graduated top of my class with a 4.1 grade point average. I landed a job solely based off my skills at one of the top companies in the area. I worked there until I branched off and opened my own businesses with my own money. So, despite those raggedy ass charges you and y’all pill-popping boys got against me, I am an innocent man.”
“Wow...” I found myself mumbling.
“I asked your pretty ass out because, contrary to what you won’t admit, you and I hit it off very well… so much so I was balls deep every chance I could get.”
I gasped.
“You being with the district attorney’s office, I knew once the case got rolling, whatever we could have been wouldn’t happen, so I just wanted one night. I ain’t no thug, and I damn sure ain’t no scammer. I hate to see you lose, beautiful, but I can’t wait for the day you do.” He stood and damn near knocked the chair over. “Don’t worry…” He dug in his pocket. “I’ll pay for the drinks, and I’m tossing in an extra hundred for the pussy.” Rashad tossed the money on the table and walked away effortlessly.
My mouth fell open. I was stunned. I didn’t know whether to be mad, angry, hurt, or hell, even turned on. Being honest, my emotions were all wrapped in one. Feeling the tears slip, I knew the hurt from his words were what hit me the most. He’d counteracted my disrespect, and in the moment, I felt the need to defend it. It was so weird. One thing was for sure, and two things for certain, I knew the effect Rashad had on me. I wasn’t going to be the prosecutor on the case now. Arthur would have to get William to do it.
Chapter
Eighteen
Rashad:
Taking long steps, I exited the restaurant quickly. Shiloh had me more pissed than I’d cared to admit. She caused me to speak to her in a way I normally wouldn’t. I didn’t regret my words, though. Outside, I climbed into my car. I hit the start button, and the engine purred effortlessly. Without selecting my choice of music as usual, I placed the car in drive and sped from the parking lot. It was sad how a lot of people spoke about uplifting black men, yet the moment someone rendered them incapable with no proof, witnesses, bad rep, or anything… if they said you did it, you were prosecuted without a trial.
Always seeming to be the calm during my storm, my pops phoned in as I headed home. I pressed the button on the touchscreen in my car, and the call instantly connected to CarPlay.
“What up, Pops?”
I talked to my pops multiple times a day. Besides my brother, he was my best friend, and it seemed like he always knew when I needed him no matter how old I was.
“What’s up, Rashad?”
“Headed home. What you got going on?”
“Same ol’ thing. Just a different day.”
“I hear that.”
It got eerily quiet between us.
“What’s up, son? I know you didn’t answer my call just to breathe, so tell me what’s on your mind.” It was just like my pops to notice things whether big or small. “Yeah, you can, but you and I both know you’re not speaking because it’s something on your mind. So, what’s up?”Pops added.
I chuckled, coming to a stop at the red light. “Kind of got myself into some trouble. Before now, I hadn’t mentioned what was happening because I wanted to keep things low key. It only became a topic due to the nature of my relationship with Shiloh, and I needed someone to tell.
“Kind of trouble?”
I was innocent. I knew that, but with my charges, it would be hard for people to believe I wasn’t the guy I was painted to be.
“Legal.” I paused a second before giving the run down on my charges. I even mentioned being arrested in front of my youth.
“Those are some heavy charges, Rashad.”
