Page 59 of Tarek

“You need to address your trauma,” Dax says as he pours more bourbon into his glass. We all stare at him because we know the person who has the real trauma.

“What? I mean yes trauma makes you stronger, but it needs addressing. That’s all I’m saying,” Dax states.

“My trauma didn’t make me stronger, it made me into an asshole,” I reply calmly.

Cole chuckles. “Seem that you and Rhet’s PA’s best friend have a connection.”

Before he could finish his sentence, I counter. “We don’t have a connection, we have chemistry.”

Jasper places the Post-it back onto my table. “There is a difference?”

I drag my hand down my face. “Connection is like an emotional bond built over time through experience and mutual understanding.”

“Chemistry is an intense attraction, it’s a spark and boom. Short and sweet, connection is long term.”

Jasper rubs his chin and thinks. “So, it’s the spark that knocked your ass out.”

“I will shoot you in your fucking knee,” I declare as I pull my drawer open for him to see my Glock 17 Gen4 Cutaway.

With his hands in the air, he backs away from my desk.

“I think she is waiting for you to call her,” Dax says as he presses down into the chair to rise. “I gotta go.”

“Yeah, I am not doing that,” I reply.

“That’s why your ass is going to die in this pile of rock by yourself,” Jasper sneers.

Calmly, I place my Glock on the table and watch Jasper.

“I have a piece to,” Jasper raises his t-shirt and shows the butt of the gun.

“He will shoot you first Jasper. I will see you all next week I’m flying out to Seattle.” Cole dusts off his pants as he gets up.

I rock back in my chair watching my childhood friends, all of them I can trust with my life, my brothers but I will never tell them that.

“Y’all coming to the Union awards tomorrow?” Dax asks.

“No,” Jasper says bitterly. I hadn’t expected him to show, family ties and all that.

“I might, the only reason I will go is for Rhet. I don’t want to be around the Quarter Masters,” I state.

Quarter Masters, a group of old men that are too rich with too much power. Corrupt, ruthless and heartless.

“Either way I will be there. See you later,” Dax and Cole leave first.

Jasper holds on to the knob of the door staring at me.

“What?”

“Call her and make a connection, we all need a connection,” Jasper nods and closes the door behind him.

I release a puff of hot air. Some people need a connection, I sure as hell don’t need one.

* * *

PENNY

Any black woman will tell you that hair depression is a real thing. It’s that moment when you look in the mirror and you see your hair needs your attention and no matter how much product you apply you still won’t feel great. I experienced a bout of depression this morning, but as I step out of my loctician salon, everything feels right in the world. My locs were arranged in a 60s-vintage inspired up do rolled half up and half down. I instantly feel better. I even went shopping for a new pair of Spanx because my last pair was sliced open.

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