“I love you, bruh. Always have and always will. Never forget that,” Bear said as he held him tighter.
“I love you too, man,” Boss replied as he pulled away. His father spent a lot of time with him when he was younger and he never forgot that. Sometimes, he still had dreams about some of the things that they used to do together.
“Maybe you and Indigo can come over for dinner one day. I talk about you so damn much and my girl is dying to meet you,” Bear said as she walked him out.
“Just tell me when and where,” Boss replied once they were out front.
He sat at the bar and talked to Indigo while Bear announced last call. A few people got another drink and Indigo cleaned up the bar once they were all gone. Bear introduced Boss to his girlfriend and they made plans to have a barbecue at their house the following week.
“Tell me everything and don’t leave nothing out,” Indigo demanded as soon as they got into Boss’ car.
“I know it was killing your nosey ass not to ask me in front of him,” Boss laughed.
“I know but he looks so happy.” Indigo smiled.
“Yeah, we talked and he explained some things to me.” Boss shrugged like it was no big deal.
He told Indigo everything that he and his father talked about, and she was happy for him. She would always be there for him but she was happy that he would have one of his parents in his corner too. Boss would never admit it, but he needed that more than anything.
“I’m so proud of you, baby. We have to celebrate,” Indigo said as she leaned over and gave him a kiss.
They pulled up to Dixie’s a few minutes later and Indigo was ready to get to work. She was a little early but she had to freshen up and change into her Dixie’s shirt. Dixie had a few days off, so that would be Indigo’s first time seeing her since she saw her coming out of the hotel room with her father.
“I’m going rap with Grant for a minute baby. I’ll come sit at the bar when I’m done,” Boss said as he headed towards the back offices. Since Grant had been encouraging him to talk to his father, Boss wanted to let him know that he finally did.
Indigo headed to the employee lounge and went straight to the bathroom. Dixie had recently had the area renovated and had a walk-in shower put in there. For someone who was always on the go like Indigo, that was a godsend. She quickly took a hot shower and changed into her work clothes. The bruises on her face were fading but she still applied a light coating of makeup to make sure they weren’t visible. Once she was done, she put her belongings in her locker and got ready to work. As soon as she opened the door, Indigo ran right into Dixie.
“Hey boss lady.” Indigo smiled when she saw her.
“Hey boo. You look cute.” Dixie smiled.
“Thanks. How is it looking out there?” Indigo asked.
“Crowded as fuck, just like always,” Dixie replied.
“Good. That’ll make the time pass fast,” Indigo huffed.
“Come here for a minute,” Dixie requested as she walked away towards her office.
“What’s up?” Indigo asked once they were inside of Dixie’s office with the door closed.
“I just wanted to talk to you about the other day. You know, the hotel thing,” Dixie said.
“It’s okay Dixie. My daddy already told me everything,” Indigo replied.
“He told you his version. Now, I want to tell you mine,” Dixie sighed as she motioned for her to sit down.
“Okay,” Indigo said, giving Dixie her undivided attention.
“First of all, I don’t want you to look at me sideways like I’m some kind of homewrecking hoe because that’s not me. I’ve known your father since before you were born and he was my first real boyfriend. He was my first everything, if you catch my drift.”
“Yes, no need to elaborate,” Indigo said while holding her hand up to stop her from saying too much. She did not want to hear about her father’s sex life, no matter how long ago it was.
“Well, we dated off and on for years, but we were so young back then. We both played around on each other until I left and went away to college. We stayed in contact for a while but that didn’t last very long. By the time I graduated, I was with my husband and he was about to get married. We lost contact with each other until Boston started living with you and your mother. Irvin picked him up from my house one day and we were both shocked about how we reconnected. We stayed in touch, but we didn’t get back together until a few months ago. Old feelings resurfaced and it was hard to walk away. I’m not proud of what I’m doing but you can’t help who you love,” Dixie rambled.
“I’m not one to judge Dixie. How can I when I’m out here doing wrong too? I love you just the same. I would never look at you differently,” Indigo assured her.
“I love you too beautiful, from the first day we met.” Dixie smiled as she hugged her.
“I know. That’s why you hired Monroe,” Indigo laughed.
“Don’t even remind me. I can’t believe that heifer faked a seizure just to go to Miami. And then had the nerve to be posting pictures all over social media. I’m too scared to fire her ass. I don’t want to die,” Dixie replied, making Indigo laugh harder.
She knew exactly how Dixie and a lot of others felt. Monroe was a live wire, but Indigo knew how to handle her. She had to calm Monroe down a few days ago because she had a fit when she found out that Indigo got jumped. She had no intentions of telling her, but Jaci mentioned it in her presence. She accused Indigo of lying to her about West and she was out for blood. Once Indigo assured her that she was okay and threw a few compliments her way, she relaxed and let it go.
“Let me get out here and get this money,” Indigo said as she and Dixie walked out of the office together. Boss was coming out of Grant’s office but he stopped to talk to Indigo.
“You look tired baby,” Boss observed as he looked at her.
“I am tired. I feel like I barely get any sleep now.” Indigo yawned.
“You need to quit Indie. Focus on selling your hair and shit. You know I got you, baby,” Boss assured her.
“I know you do but I’m good. Besides, I don’t even have any hair to sell right now,” she pointed out.
“Don’t even remind me.” Boss frowned angrily.
“I’ve been thinking about selling my mixed drinks too. Dixie is the only person who buys them from me but people are always asking about them,” Indigo said.
Precious taught her how to make a variety of mixed drinks and they were good as hell. Indigo sold them for forty dollars per gallon, but Dixie was her only customer. She served them at the bar and they always sold out. People were always asking to get large quantities and Indigo was ready to expand her business and make some extra money.
“Do that shit then. What do you need from me?” Boston asked, making her smile. It didn’t matter what she wanted to do; he was always right there to have her back.
“Nothing right now but we’ll talk about it later. I need to get to work,” Indigo said.
“Don’t be out there flirting and shit Indigo. I’ll keep your tip jar full,” Boston fussed.
“I got you boo,” Indigo laughed as he pulled her in for a kiss.
They were too wrapped up in each other to notice Quita, who was standing there watching everything unfold. Now she knew why Boston wasn’t being bothered with her anymore. He was too busy being in love with his best friend. Ari had stopped speaking to her over a nigga who didn’t give a fuck about either of them.
B oss looked down at his ringing phone and ignored another one of Keema’s calls. Indigo’s shipment of hair had finally come in and he was helping her get things situated. She and Jaci had the back room of Hank’s shop looking like a real hair store. Indigo decided to go ahead with making her mixed drinks and they had just delivered her one-door commercial refrigerator. She decided to start out making ten gallons a day just to see how they would sell. If that went well, then she planned to double the quantity.
“Damn girl. You got it looking like
a whole new spot up in here. You make me want to renovate the rest of the shop,” Hank said when he walked in and looked around.
Indigo’s area didn’t even look like it belonged in his shop. He was happy to have her there because he knew that it would drive more traffic to his business. Indigo and Boss knew a lot of people since they were always in Dixie’s. More customers meant more money, so everybody was winning. He was skeptical at first when she asked him about selling gallons of mixed drinks, but he decided to go along with it. Hank was down with anything that got him paid.
“Let me know. I can help you decorate if you want me to,” Indigo replied.
“Bet.” Hank nodded before he walked away.
“I hope I don’t have to lay his bitch ass out up in here one day.” Boss frowned once Hank was gone.
“What? Why would you have to do that?” Indigo asked.
“Because the nigga be flirting with you, that’s why,” he argued.
“Oh God,” Indigo groaned. “That man has never flirted with me, Boston. He’s happily married with kids.”
“The fuck do that mean to me?” Boss wondered.
“Bye Boston. Isn’t it time for you to go get the kids from school?” Indigo asked.
“Why you rushing me? Let me find out you trying to hide some shit,” he replied, making her laugh.
“You really kill me with that jealous shit. Here I am cheating on my boyfriend with your ass and you got the nerve to be trying to check other niggas.” Indigo smirked.
“You already got two niggas. That’s enough,” Boss replied, making her laugh harder.
Although that was true, she spent way more time with Boss than she did with Justice. He chilled out with working so much for a while but he was back at it again. The only difference was that Indigo no longer complained like she used to. He worked all kinds of hours and he didn’t have a set shift. He kept saying that he was going to get a permanent shift, but she wasn’t rushing him. She loved when he worked overnight because she didn’t even bother going home.
“You be worried about the wrong shit. We still haven’t signed up for our GED classes. It only takes twelve weeks Boston. We could have been finished by now,” Indigo noted.
“When do we even have time to do that Indigo? You’re trying to do too much love. You barely get any sleep as it is,” Boston said.
“I sleep enough. Besides, it’ll all be worth it in the end,” Indigo replied.
“Let’s get another room. Draco was telling me about a room that he rented for him and Jaci with a hot tub inside,” Boss said.
“Where?” Indigo asked.
“I don’t know but I’ll find out. I’m about to bounce. I gotta make sure the babies get home on time,” Boss said as he kissed her and left.
Indigo finished doing a few things before she locked up her area and left. She wanted to take a nap since she had to work at both bars later on. She lit her blunt as soon as she got into the car and headed home. As soon as she passed the second red light, she heard the wail of sirens behind her. Indigo looked in her rearview mirror and got over when she saw a police car. The car got over with her, so she switched lanes once again.
“The fuck,” Indigo mumbled when the car stayed behind her.
She quickly put her blunt out and put it in the cup holder. She let her windows down and sprayed some strawberry air freshener to conceal the scent. There was a gas station coming up, so she pulled over and the police car pulled over right behind her. She didn’t know why she was being stopped but she got her paperwork ready to receive a ticket that she didn’t deserve.
“Wow, and here I was thinking that this was just a normal traffic stop. Is that weed that I smell mixed with that cheap ass air freshener?” Keema smirked as she walked over to Indigo’s car.
She was tired of Boss ignoring her and she knew just how to get his attention. Although Ari didn’t fuck with them anymore, Keema and Quita remained cool. They put the incident with Boston behind them and continued to live under the same roof. Keema was pissed when Quita came home a few days ago and told her about Boss and Indigo. Although Quita had moved on and left him alone, the same couldn’t be said for Keema. She caught feelings and she hated rejection. If locking his best friend up was what she had to do, then so be it. She heard all about Indigo selling hair at the hair salon now and she had been going there every day hoping to see her. She hadn’t had any luck previously but that all changed when she pulled up earlier. She saw when Boston left and she waited until Indigo did the same. Keema was trying to think of an excuse to give for pulling her over, but she didn’t need one. When she saw Indigo sparking up her blunt, she had all the probable cause that she needed.
“I guess Boss stopped answering for you too. Y’all hoes do too much,” Indigo fussed.
“Yep, and this hoe is about to take you to jail unless you have a medical clearance for the marijuana that you were just smoking,” Keema replied.
“That’s cool love. It’s not my first go round. I’ll be out in a few hours.” Indigo shrugged.
“And this is the kind of hoes that he likes,” Keema said as she laughed sarcastically.
“Nah, get that shit right. I’m the hoe that he loves,” Indigo corrected.
“License please. Knowing you, I’m sure I’ll find something else when I run your name.” Keema smirked. Indigo wasn’t in the mood to go back and forth with her. She handed Keema her license and watched as she walked back to her squad car. As soon as she was gone, Indigo grabbed her phone and called Boston.
“What’s up baby?” he asked when he answered.
“Nothing but I’m about to go to jail,” she replied like it was nothing.
“For what?!” Boston yelled.
“Your police bitch just stopped me for whatever reason. But, anyway, I was smoking and the bitch smelled it. She’s running my name now but that’s a waste. I don’t have no warrants or nothing. Just come get me. I’m not trying to spend the night in jail.”
“Nah, you ain’t going to jail. Just relax and let me handle it,” Boss said before he hung up. He immediately dialed Keema’s number and she picked up on the first ring.
“Oh, so you do remember the number. It’s fucked up that I had to go through all this bullshit just to get your attention,” Keema snapped.
“Which one do you want me to send first? I got a lot of them bitches but I’ll let you choose,” Boss replied, making her frown in confusion.
“What?” Keema asked in aggravation.
“Check your phone and you’ll see what,” Boss replied.
She huffed but she did what he told her to. Keema’s eyes grew wide from shock when she looked at the pictures that he’d just sent to her. She was speechless as she saw images of herself with his dick in her mouth. She was still in her uniform on most of them and her face, badge and name plate were clearly visible. He even had a few of her with cum dripping from her face while she smiled in enjoyment. Keema never even saw him with his phone out when they were together and she was at a loss for words.
“The cum shots are my favorite. I think your fiancé might like those too. Or maybe I can send them to your supervisor at the police department. I don’t think you’re supposed to be sucking dick while you’re on the clock,” Boss laughed.
“Boston, please don’t do this. I could lose my job,” Keema said.
“Ask me how many fucks I give about you or your job. You stopped my girl behind some petty bullshit and you want me to feel sorry for you,” he raged.
“I’m sorry but I was just trying to get your attention,” Keema admitted.
“Okay, you got it now. Mission accomplished. Dick, Keema. That’s all I had for you, my baby. The shit was never that deep. You hoes out here catching feelings for the wrong nigga.”
“I’m sorry,” Keema sniffled.
“Nah, I’m not the one who you should be saying it to. Apologize to my girl and I wanna hear that shit,” Boss demanded.
Keema hated to do it but she really didn’t have a ch
oice. She had to swallow her pride and do what he told her to. She put the call on speakerphone to make sure that Boston heard her loud and clear. She grabbed Indigo’s license and walked back over to her car.
“Here you go. I apologize for all of this Indigo. You’re free to go,” Keema said, sounding like an obedient child.
Indigo snatched her license from her and put it back in her purse. She pulled her blunt out and sparked it up again. She didn’t know what Boston had on Keema, but he obviously got her mind right. Indigo stepped out of the car and looked at her like she dared her to say something.
“You good baby? You straight?” Boston asked her.
“Yeah boo, I’m good.” Indigo smirked while blowing smoke in Keema’s face.
She was being disrespectful and that was her goal. She hated when the police used their badges as a way to intimidate and do people wrong. Keema was in her feelings but that was her problem. Using her position to get her way was low. Her issue was with Boss but she knew how to get at him, and it worked. Unfortunately, it didn’t work in her favor.
“Go get some rest love. I’ll see you a little later,” Boss replied before he hung up.
“Bye Keema. And next time, do something safe because this wasn’t it,” Indigo said before she got back into her car and pulled off.
Keema erased the entire message thread between her and Boston before deleting his contact info. She wanted no parts of him and she was happy that their lease was almost up. She didn’t even want to live in their house anymore. Her heart was beating out of her chest and she was praying that Boss wasn’t as petty as she tried to be. She did what he asked and he didn’t have to worry about her bothering him or Indigo ever again. She would miss the sex, but it wasn’t worth losing her man. She played the game and lost and, as far as she was concerned, it was over.
Indigo pulled her car into the parking lot of the hotel and killed her engine. She was drained but, according to her bank account, it was worth it. Her hair was selling faster than she could order it and her mixed drinks were doing well too. Indigo hated to give up her bartending jobs because of the tips, but she couldn’t continue working so much. She was thinking about hiring someone to work in Hank’s shop for her, but there weren’t many people that she could trust. She was so happy when Boss told her that he had rented them a room. She couldn’t stay all night, but he was cool with that too. Justice was off that day but he was hanging with his brother. They were both workaholics, so she was surprised that they were off at the same time.
To Boston, With Love Page 18
