Page 100 of Lovetown, USA
The bills take up residence inside Monica’s bra. “Hair appointment.”
“Where at?”
She pops another almond in her mouth. “Excess. It’s a salon off Cupid’s Arrow Drive.”
I nod once and take my leave.
Once I pull up and get comfortable outside the salon, I feel like I’m on a stakeout. I clock her security a few spaces over, but I ain’t worried about him. I just wanna talk to her, that’s all.
She comes out about thirty minutes later, hair swinging in the breeze, a little extra pep in her step. I get out and intercept her on the sidewalk before she can get to her car. I’m smiling, so she waves her security off, assuming this is just a friendly update or some shit.
It’s not.
“What are you doing out here in the middle of the workday?” she asks with a grin. “Playing hooky?”
“Something like that.” I scrub a hand down my face. “We have a problem.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Lane’s been having a hard time lately. You know anything about that?”
She conjures up a thoughtful expression, but I know better. “I don’t see why I would.”
“That’s good to know, Daphne, because going after her would be a real bad idea. Not that you did,” I add. “But hypothetically speaking, let’s say somebody put the word out there to blackball her around here and make her feel unwelcome. That would be a bad fucking idea.”
Her breathing shallows, her eyes narrowing. “Why is that?”
“Because that would bother me. And when I’m bothered, I fight back, and I don’t always fight clean.”
“I think…” she trails off, glancing over at her security, who’s still lurking. “I think it’s odd that you would think to get involved in something that doesn’t really involve you.”
I nod slowly. “I can see why you think that. You’re wrong, but I understand. But here’s the thing. I ain’t gon’ hold you. I know you’re a busy woman. Probably headed to a nail appointment my tax dollars are paying for,” I say with a chuckle.
She laughs in kind.
I lower my voice. “Here’s the thing: I know this chick. She’s real official. Big job, real important. Me and her, we used to fuck. Oh, we gotdown.”
She smiles at that.
“It’s all ancient history,” I say. “But see, the pictures ain’t.”
She sucks in a breath as her eyes go wide.
“I figured there may come a time when I needed something, or needed to get out of something. Insurance or whatever.” Istep closer. “I wouldn’t have thought I’d use my insurance for something like this, but here we are.”
She swallows hard.
“I’m a doctor now, but deep down, I’m still a country nigga from Sunnyside. Which sounds nice, but it ain’t. I don’t think she knew that about me. Her fault for not doing her research, I guess.”
“What do you want?” she says, almost in a whisper.
“I’m glad you asked. I want you or whoever to leave Lane the fuck alone. Let me handle her like I said I would. Simple.”
She nods. “Got it.”
“Do you?” I stare down at her, nostrils flaring. “Did you really think that was gonna go well for you?”
“I didn’t think you’d care this much.”
