Page 4 of Jagged Edges

“Danny, boy,” I returned with a nod of the head.

“One second and this one is on the house for getting me out of that jam. How long will you need it?”

“Twenty-four hours,” I assured him, “Then, I can handle myself from there.”

Though I had transportation waiting at my loft, I didn’t mind taking advantage of the services being that they were on the house. Initially, I only needed a ride home, but for the next twenty-four hours, I wouldn’t have to touch a wheel. That was good enough for me.

“Done. Let me get Lester out here.”

My awarenesslike Keanu in the matrix.

I’m saving souls and y’all complaining ‘bout my lateness.

Lauryn Hill spat fire on Nas’ track,Nobody, causing a few head nods and bobs from me as I pressed the button on the master remote to roll back the drapes and lift the blinds. The sun’s light had faded and darkness surrounded me. Every inch of glass - floor to ceiling - was flooded with deep, dark hues. My zone.

From the comfort of my bed, I watched the trees sway in the slight breeze. The hills were a sight that I enjoyed so much that I bought a crib in them. Elevated. Above all the bullshit. The loft that I’d purchased only three years prior barely got any foot traffic because I was hardly home. Hardly in the city.

It had been over a year since the last time I’d seen the inside of my spot. The concierge had done a damn good job preparing it for my arrival and the interior decorator spared no expense bringing my shit to life in the last month. She’d outdone herself. I made a mental note to wire athank youto her bank account within the next few days.

Sighing deeply, I gazed at the city’s skyline with a swollen chest and heavy heart. Channing had once meant the world to me, along with the people within it. However, my occupation had pushed us apart and left me wondering if I’d ever make it back. Yet, here I was and I was thankful for the moment.

Peeping at my phone, I noticed it was going on 8:00. If I wanted to be out of here in time, I needed to get a move on it. With luck, I would make it to my destination around 9:15. Deciding on a fit was first on my list.

I stood to my feet, stretching my arms far above my head, causing the towel I’d had wrapped snugly around my waist to fall to the floor. My dick sprang from underneath, slapping my right thigh in the process. Thoughts of Cash quickly invaded my space, almost making me reconsider the plans I made to stay as far away from her as I could.

I’m good, I confirmed.

The city was full of women who were all at my disposal, and always had been, but that itch I once had to knock them down like a game of jingle had died. My desires were changing. Evolving. And, at this point in my life, if it wasn’t something solid, I didn’t want to be involved.

“Alexa, turn it up.”

Instead of sulking, I started for the master’s closet. Inside, I grabbed a black Armani tee and matching, black denim. Though my options were plentiful, they were alike. Black every fucking thing. It was signature and looked flush against my tar-colored skin, compliments of my pops. He was as black as they came.Skin black. Eyes black. Lips black. Gums… black. I’d inherited every bit of him, seemingly leaving my mother out of the equation entirely.

Within twenty minutes, I’d managed to clothe my naked limbs and put some shoes on my feet. I stepped in front of the full-length mirror that hadn’t previously been part of my home’s decor and admired myself - silently thanking the interior designer for the new addition.

Women, man. They just knew what to do and how to do that shit.

The void that I immediately felt upon first glance wasn’t foreign. I didn’t have to search to understand why it was there or where it had come from. The bareness that I felt was an easy fix, starting with the gold teeth I clamped into my mouth in just a few seconds. Next, I slipped my head through the large loop of chain and rested it on my neck. I finished the fit with a gold Rolley and bracelet combination.

Better.

Smoothing the edge of my beard, I approved the final look before stepping off and toward the kitchen. My fridge was loaded with the freshest organics from the farmer’s market. I grabbed a peach and the bottle of Hennessy that was chilling. Again, I made a mental note to transfer a few extra funds to the concierge personnel responsible for stocking my fridge in anticipation of my arrival.

For the next five minutes, my focus was aligned with the task at hand. I sliced the peach into four pieces and plopped them into the blender. The loud, bustling sound of the machine at work overwhelmed the speaker in the corner of my bedroom but didn’t last very long. Once the puree was complete, I poured it into a glass from the collection and topped it with two shots of Hennessy and a splash of lemonade. Shortly after, I was onmy way out of the door, but not before grabbing the gift I’d had delivered a day prior.

Three

God.

I felt so much better after a quick wash-up and change of clothes. The fog of the running water had swelled every strand of my hair but I wasn’t opposed to the fluff at all. I pulled the very top into a loose, large bun and allowed the majority to hang past my shoulders. The lip gloss I swiped on my lips after fixing my brows and coating my lashes with mascara was the perfect touch. To put it lightly, I was feeling the look and it felt really good. Living out of a camper for the last year and some change of my life, I didn’t get to say that too often or feel this too often.

Once I was at my very best, I cleaned the mess I’d made of the bathroom. I repacked my bag and snagged a final look at myself in the mirror before tossing it over my shoulder. My anxietyrested in my neck, causing me to freeze as my hand graced the knob. Silently, I inhaled slowly and then released. Repeatedly, I performed the breathing exercises I’d been taught by YouTubers with the same social anxiety issues as me.

You’ve got this, Brisk. I did. I knew I did. If not for me, then for Melonie. I couldn’t let my girl down. We’d known each other for a good bit now, and she hadn’t failed me yet. Nodding in encouragement, I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

WHAM!

I squinted after my face collided with a hard, swollen chest. Immediately, I stepped back to put space between myself and the houseguest that I’d practically assaulted. The anxiety that I’d swallowed came rushing to the forefront, causing me to stumble over whatever words were trying to meet the surface as I tried maintaining my composure.

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