Page 155 of Can't Get Enough

“It wouldn’t surprise you?” I give my irritation free rein. “Setting aside the fact that you think I would choose a business venture over you—”

“A business venture,” she scoffs. “Don’t reduce it to that. We both know to you it’s more than that.”

“Setting that aside,” I persist. “I’m offended that you think I’d endorse or enable something that could have such egregious consequences for Black people, for equity.”

“Seriously?” She sucks her teeth. “Rich Black folks choose their own interests over the community’s all the time.”

“I’m just some rich dude to you?” I ask softly. “Just like every other man who has looked out for his needs and forgotten his girl’s?”

“You said it. I didn’t.”

“Hendrix, baby.”

She lets out a long frustrated breath. “Look, I know you’re in a difficult position.”

Is she really not going to ask me to choose her? My resolve strengthens, but all the words I had prepared to convince her recede.

“I’ll be in touch,” I tell her instead. “The next time we talk, this will be settled.”

“You’re not going to… well, tell me what you plan to do?” she asks, allowing a rare vulnerability in her voice.

“I’ll show you.”

“Goodbye, Mav.” The joy and eagerness usually in her voice when we speak is noticeably absent, flattened by worry and frustration.

“Goodbye, Gorgeous.”

I hang up, take a deep breath, and process what I’m about to do. It goes against every business instinct I have. The Vipers are an excellent investment. It’s an industry I know inside and out and what I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. And I truly believe it would invigorate my father in his grief like nothing else could, but this conundrum is not really a conundrum at all because of what I know in my heart. Something I haven’t voiced to Hendrix yet, but will not miss the chance to show her.

“Let me guess,” Bolt says. “We’re heading home.”

“You know me well.” I sigh and scrub rough hands over my face. “But first I gotta make a call.”

CHAPTER 51

HENDRIX

So you’re dating Maverick Bell?” Chapel asks, confusion and some displeasure in her tone. “I saw the pics of you and him all hugged up outside the courthouse. And now you tell me you’re no longer producing my show. This sucks, Hen.”

Who you telling?

I want to say it so badly, but show restraint and comport myself like the good professional I am.

“My first concern is as your manager,” I reply, tilting Daddy’s rickety chair back and trying to maintain my Zen. “And ensuring that the best opportunities are available to you so we can grow your brand. That’s my priority and my commitment.”

“You feeding me the company line, but you forget I know how bad you wanted to break into producing with this show. You sure Maverick is worth losing this shot?”

Two days ago, I would have answered with an unequivocalhell yeah. After discovering the owner of the Vipers is one of the assholes behind this lawsuit and that Maverick is in business with him…

Do you trust me?

Maverick’s question has been looping in my head ever since we spoke two days ago. We actuallyhaven’tspoken since. I’m still grappling with that question for myself. I’m certainly not unpacking it for Chapel. Not yet.

“Zere and I discussed this,” I say, sitting forward and evading her question. “We’ve agreed it’s better for all concerned if I step away from this project.”

“Because she thinks you stole her man.”

I really wish Chapel was not soread between the linesliterate.

---