Page 67 of 10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace

This was a sensitive subject because he had abandoned the paint brush and went right into rubbing his hands on his legs. “You were seventeen, someone that she was supposed to care for. She was a grown woman. I know you wanted it, but she took advantage of you.”

“I’m not talking about this shit no more, Wonder… you making the shit weird.”

“I promise I’m not, Mavie… you were taken advantage of.”

He stood up and pushed the chair away. “Stop saying that shit to me… ain’t no-fucking-body take advantage of Menace Caselli.”

I remained quiet as he looked at me, clearly worked up. He stood there for a minute, then he left me in the studio – alone.

He needed a moment to process it, and I was going to give him that. Angelica was supposed to protect him, and she had a relationship with him. I didn’t care about the age of consent being seventeen, either. That woman should have protected him.

I picked up the chair that was knocked down onto the floor and looked around the studio. How could a man so sweet be so guarded? Menace was someone who had so many levels and layers to him that I was becoming dizzy trying to figure him out.

The only problem I had was that Iwantedto figure him out.

Menace

Recommendation: Listen to “Interference” by Tems

“I’ll denythis shit if you tell yo’ man… but she not speaking to me.” I paced from my windows to my bathroom and back again.

Skyler laughed. “Well, isn’t it the Menace Caselli that needs my expertise in Stevie language.”

“Skyler, stop fucking around with me. You already raising a damn serial killer, and got the nerve to laugh… she still squeezing that toothpaste?”

“Yep, and want to know something?”

“What?”

“Stevie taught her.” She busted out laughing like this shit was funny. As if my chest didn’t become tight and I didn’t sit on the ottoman near my bed to catch my breath.

“Stop fucking lying.”

“Oh… you haven’t shared a room with her yet. Wow, you’re in for a treat, Menace.”

I ran my hand down my face. “She won’t talk to me and because you her cousin, I figured you could help me.”

“I don’t know if I truly agree with this whole arrangement. Why do you care about her not talking to you if this is business?”

“’Cause it’s not fucking business… I care about her weird ass.”

“Well, ain’t that the pot calling the kettle black.”

“You racist, Skyler?”

“What?” she blurted.

I groaned feeling like this wasn’t getting us anywhere. “What do I have to do?”

“What did you do?”

“Told her to shut the fuck up.”

Skyler gasped. “Nooo.”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

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