Page 37 of Intentional Foul
I closed the thread and lifted from the table. “I’ll be back in an hour. Jhae, you know I can find you. Don’t try running,” I said, and Tyrus chuckled at my statement.
The driver pulled up with enough time for me to find a random bench. The grass was a unique manicured green with stone pillars and a rose garden. People were resting on blankets while others walked on the winding trails.
“Kansas City is beautiful around this time of year.”
“Hi, Aunt India,” I said without turning around.
She sat next to me in her signature color, white. The tailored jumpsuit fit her body to perfection, accompanied by shades and a ponytail. On her left stood a man in a black suit. I’ve never seen them apart, and he never said a word.
“I would ask why you are in Kansas City, but you’re usually wherever your Music Note is,” she said, and I chuckled.
“Did you get the flowers I sent for your birthday?” I questioned.
She bumped my arm with her elbow. “Yes, I did. I would ask how you found me, but we know how. Ivey is turning out to be a career criminal. I would take her under my wing, but neither Anissa nor Khalil would understand. She has real potential breaking cyber laws. She reminds me of an old FBI buddy,” she said. “Don’t you do it again, Mr. Shaw-Jefferies. An occasional text will do, and a championship.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said.
“Tell me what you need?”
I peered over at her. “Jhae out of her record deal with her masters and no debt. A clean break.”
My aunt giggled. “Your mother is going to struggle with this. Which reminds me not to answer the phone for her when she calls. Davey Cling finally made his way onto my list. I’ve been itching to get his ass since the Richards deal fell through. Give me until seven,” she said.
“What do you know about this Tyrus guy?” I questioned.
“He is legit. But I trust no one. Cover your ass. If I have to get involved, people won’t be alive when I leave,” she said.
Accidentally finding out who my aunt India actually was blew my mind. One of my college teammates got wrapped into a point shaving deal with a loan shark. He targeted me and Marquise because we wouldn’t play along. One minute we were leaving practice and the next we woke in a warehouse. Aunt India and her assistant entered the building with a gun. She shut everything down, sending us to the car. A light flashed before she exited the building. She made us promise to not tell mom. I’ve been intrigued from that moment.
“Can you send me a fake copy with me as owner but put the masters in Jhae’s name?” I asked, and she nodded.
“Don’t tell Marquise you saw me. I plan to interrupt his little party tonight. He should be tired of sex by now,” she said.
I shrugged because we both knew he held no plans of slowing down. He masked his pain by sleeping with different women and creating more broken relationships. I wanted more for him, but Dr. June said he had to want it.
“Love you, Auntie.”
“Do me a favor? You see the older black woman in the flower-print dress?” she asked.
A thin woman sat at a table playing chess with an older man. He had a wandering eye. She hit him twice in two minutes to bring his eyes back to the board.
“Take her these flowers. When she asks who sent them, smile and walk away,” she said.
The guy next to India passed her a bouquet of yellow and pink flowers. She extended them to me, and we both stood at the same time. As we moved in opposite directions, I paced myself, making it to the table.
“Walter, keep yo old ass eyes on the board,” the older woman said.
“Excuse me, beautiful. I believe these are for you,” I said, interrupting the game.
She leaned back to give her attention and perked her shoulders as I extended the flowers. As I examined her face, those eyes were familiar.
“See, Walter? This is how you treat a lady,” she said as she took the flowers. “Who are these from?” she asked.
I smiled and left them to enjoy their game.
Thirty minutes later, I pulled back up to the hotel. My heart raced with the thought that my woman could be gone. Jhae was slick and in fight or flight mode with me. I rubbed my hands together at the thought of us lying in bed together. The privilege it would be to caress her body and listen to her soft snores.
I tapped Jhae’s hotel room door and stood waiting. It took them five minutes, but Tyrus opened it for me. Jhae sat on the couch with her legs and arms crossed. I navigated to the empty seat next to her, leaving no space between us. From the tightness on her face, I knew she was upset.
