by Anna Black
I was about to speak, but again, my client walked out. “My dryer shut off,” she said.
I looked at my best friend and nodded. “I hear you, and I accept your words. I’ll call you later, okay,” I said. She gave me a quick hug, and then she left. I finished my client and headed home. As soon as I got home, Rel was parked outside of my place. I got out, and he got out of his car. “Hey,” I said, looking him in his eyes. At that moment, my heart was shot by Cupid, and I wanted to expose myself and tell him everything.
“Hey, beautiful. How was your day?”
“My day was long.”
“Shall we get out of this cold? I mean, you are wearing damn flip flops. It’s too fucking cold out here for damn flip flops, Chas.”
“Yes, and the flops are a long story too, baby,” I said and hurried towards the door. I opened it and keyed in the code to my alarm.
Even though Gabby moved, Malice still installed cameras and a state-of-the-art alarm system. Trina had been quiet, so no one was worried about her ass anymore. I tossed my keys and put my bag down by the door. My place wasn’t furnished or decorated like I would have loved it to be, but I was focused on saving for fixing up my shop. I didn’t care about anything else.
“Do you want anything, babe?” I asked as I removed my coat.
“Nothing but to talk to you.”
“I know, Rel, but can I shower first? Gabby came by the shop, and I’m ready to talk,” I admitted. I processed all she said and telling him who I was before wasn’t going to taint the woman I had grown into, so I would tell him. I was in love, and I wanted him to love me, so I had to be free of my past and give Rel whatever he needed to know that I was for real about us.
“Go and shower baby, I’m not going anywhere. Are you hungry? I can get you something.”
I was, so I nodded yes. “I am, I haven’t eaten since earlier.”
“What do you want?”
“Whatever you order is good.”
“I got you, babe, go shower,” he said.
I headed to the bathroom, and I showered. I let out a good cry while I cleaned my skin. When I went back to join my new partner, he told me he ordered some rib tips and wings. I was good with that. Although I never ate that kinda food that late, but I’d do anything that Rel wanted. When I sat on the sofa, I let him pull me into his strong arms and hold me.
17
Rel
I held her close and inhaled her scent. She smelled of tangerines, and I wondered what her bath soap was, but I didn’t ask. We were in silence for a moment, but I pulled out my phone. I went straight to Pandora, and I put on Kem’s station. Her place was sparsely furnished, and although I enjoyed being at my place more, it didn’t annoy or irritate me to be at hers. I wanted to know why she wasn’t trying to make her new place her home. I was used to women wanting to be in a place decorated to the tee, but Chas was so detached from everything and only had the bare essentials. I needed to know why.
I offered for her to leave items at my place to keep from continually having an overnight bag, but she acted as if she didn’t want to attach herself to me, so I needed her to tell me what was wrong. I was trying so damn hard to be closer to this woman and build something good with her, so we definitely had to resolve her issues. Whatever it was it was holding her back, I had to help her in any way that I could to get over her past.
Grub Hub came, and we laughed, ate, drank, and did our regular evening routine. When we were done and finally settled on the sofa, I dove in on her. I wasn’t going to let her avoid me any longer.
“Can we talk now?” I said seriously. She nodded, but then turned away, and she tensed up again. “Why are you so afraid to share your past with me, Chas?”
“Because I was the worst me that I’ve ever been in my entire life. I just want you to hold on to the Chasity that I am today and not see me as the woman that I was when I was with Christopher.”
“I’m in love with the Chasity that is sitting in front of me now, and nothing from your past will taint that, baby, so you can talk to me. I mean, shit, no one’s past is squeaky clean, so let me assure you that whatever it is, we are good,” I said tenderly.
Her eyes welled, then she inhaled and exhaled deeply. “You’re in love with me, Uriel? Are you positive about that?” she asked. That was the first time she called me by my government name.
“I am, Chasity, and your past ain’t shit. What we got is the here and now. I want you to let that shit go so we can build our thing. What did he do to you so horrible, Chas, that you can’t tell me? I would never see you any differently than how I see you now,” I said and wiped the tears that ran down her face.
“First, I gotta say that I’m in love with you too. It just somehow crept up on me, and when it hit me, the higher the wall grew. I just felt like, if you knew the things I went through and all the things I allowed Chris to do to me, you’d leave. I was weak, in love and a damn fool back then, Rel, for the wrong got’damn man.”
“Baby, what happened? I mean, please tell me everything,” I said. Then I was honest with her about what Gab and I had discussed earlier that day. “Gabby told me about your shop but didn’t give me any other details. She just insisted that I ask you. Of course, I went by there, had Malice to open the door, and I took a look around, babe. Your shop is in a great spot and the damage is not as bad as you think.”
“You went to my shop?” she asked, and her eyes widened.
“I did, but I need you to bring me up to speed on the things that transpired and how your shop ended up fucked up like that.”
She wiped her eyes and then sniffled. She took a few deep breaths, and I eyed her down. I wasn’t going to leave that time without her telling me what was in her head. “Chris was a monster to put it lightly. He was the love of my life, and I trusted him with everything. He was in control of our finances, all the bills, and I trusted him. He was my husband, so I believed he’d do right by us. Three years into our marriage, I found my salon and mortgaged it. I was just a cosmetologist and did hair. Running a business wasn’t my strong point, so I was ignorant of the books and running the business, but I trusted my husband to do that for me. The first-year, things were good, and money seemed to be pouring in. I had an excellent staff, and booth rent allowed us to rake in good money on top of the revenue I generated from my clients doing hair. I wanted to make some updates on it, so I took out another small loan that I learned afterward was like another mortgage payment, and that made things tighter, but I managed. My old, outdated beauty shop transformed into a beautiful, classy salon, and things were good for a couple of years. Money was flowing, and we bought our first home. My staff and I worked our asses off, but somehow, shit started getting even tighter. And when I would confront Chris, I’d get excuses and this and that, and he got it, so I continued to work hard and let him handle the business end of things, you know because he was my husband,” she sniffled.
“Then shit started to spiral downward. Like the power would get cut off at the salon, and I started to get late notices from our distributors for product orders. Then he became abusive. I remember coming home and confronting him about an order that hadn’t come in because the account was more than sixty days behind, and that was the first time he hit me. Rel, he hit me so hard that he knocked me to the floor. I lost consciousness for a few minutes and came to in a daze. I laid on the carpet trying to focus, trying to piece together what happened because I was sure that that nigga didn’t just punch me in my face like that. I mean, I had never been hit that hard in my life. When I managed to get up, he was gone, but that wasn’t the last time things got physical. I stayed with him after that as I let him lose our house and took ass whoopings weekly, terrified to actually leave his ass. When I finally found the strength to leave and packed my bags, that made him angry. The next day I went to work only to discover he had destroyed my shop. He still had the keys, so he went in and tore up everything. When I walked in, initially I was distraught but then thought I’m okay, I have insuranc
e. Only to find out that Chris let that shit lapse like he had done with all of our other bills, and I was shit out of luck. I wasn’t covered, so that was a damn loss. I lost everything with that man. Since the day I divorced him, I’ve been trying to forget him and all the hell he put me through. I’ve been trying to rebuild my credit, save money to do the renovations on my salon and I’ve just avoided relationships and love altogether because I’m damaged goods. I’ve kept my rent low, and I drive my beat-up car because I’m saving to restore my shop. Just nine years of my life was destroyed with that man, and when I hear his name at times, it just aches my insides, Rel. Thinking about my past with him just brings me down so bad, Rel. I thought I’d never have to tell a man that story. I never thought I’d get that close or even want to be close to anyone before you. I planned to get back on track, reopen my business, and become fabulous before I looked for love again. But then I met you and shit changed. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you or held back from telling you about what really went down with me and my ex. I never wanted anyone to know about that part of my past,” she said, and her head hung low.
I reached in and lifted her head. “First, I am sorry that your ex was an ass and a terrible man to you. Second, I am so glad you trusted me enough to share this with me and baby, I don’t see you any other way than I saw you before you shared that with me. You are so strong, and you will get back all the things you lost. When we first met, I told you that I have a gift of restoring things. I went by your shop, and it’s all an easy fix.”
“How can you tell? There is no power there.”
“We had flashlights and from what I saw, to fix it, ain’t shit.”
“For you. It’s damn near a forty-grand fix.”
“It is, but you are with me now. I’d fix it for you for nothing.”
“Rel, come on. I’ve saved twenty-three grand. I’m on my way to hit the mark. It’s going to take a little more time and patience, but I will get there.”
“And I’ll say you are already there. Ten grand for material only, if that. Most of the things you may need are already in my warehouse, Chas. I have tons of shit leftover from other jobs, and I’d have you back in business for pennies. My crew is good with wings and beer, baby. All you’d be out of are things that are not in my warehouse, and you may barely hit five grand,” I said. Cleaning would be the bulk of it, and whatever I can salvage, I’d salvage and restore it. I’d do whatever it took to get her back in business.
She put her face in her hands and shook her head side to side. “I can’t believe this is real. I can’t believe the words you are saying are real. I will gladly give you every dime I have in my savings if you can get me back in business.”
I pulled her close. “You don’t have to give me a dime of your money, Chas. Go shopping and get you some furniture and decorate your space. I will figure it out for you. If I have to do all the work myself, I got you, baby.” She didn’t speak any more words, she just sobbed in my arms. I loved her, and I’d pay for everything, but I was going to fix what he destroyed. That night we made love, and it was so intense and so electric, I thought I had an out-of-body experience. I was in love, and I’d do whatever it took to make Chasity happy and make her forget all about that crazy ass nigga Chris. She had been through enough. And after finding out he used to put his hands on her, I knew he was the last man I ever needed to see.
18
Chas
I had spent every free moment I could at my salon, helping with whatever I could. It was cold out the first couple of days, but once the power was back on at my salon, it was no longer freezing inside, and I could stand to be there. By week two, all the cleanup was done, and I was happy to see the damage wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. Rel and I were doing a walkthrough, I gave him my ideas, and he advised me on structure, designs, and what was possible versus impossible. He went over so many technical details about wiring and plumbing, and I had no idea that the previous contractors had taken short cuts and put me at risk of fire. Although Rel kept assuring me he’d foot the bill, I wasn’t comfortable at all when I knew I had saved a little over twenty grand for the repairs, so I wanted to pay for something. Him doing that for me was super generous, but it was all too soon for such a huge offer, so I kept enforcing my plans to pay him. He’d dismiss me, but there was no way I’d let him fix up the damage the Chris had made for nothing. He hadn’t chosen that bastard, I had, and it was my mess to fix.
Later that night, I asked again since I hadn’t seen him since we departed after the walk-through at my salon. “So, how are the numbers looking, baby?” I asked. He smiled and then took a bite of his sandwich. He slowly chewed it as he was savoring the flavor or just avoiding the question. “Baby, I’m so serious, tell me a number,” I pressed.
He swallowed. “Chas, baby, for the last time, stop asking me about numbers. I told you most of the things I need like flooring, paint, wires and so forth are on hand in my warehouse. We always have shit leftover from other jobs, so please stop asking me that.”
“But, Rel, I don’t know how to just sit back and let you handle it all. Chris destroyed it, and you don’t have to foot the bill for that. I told you I have money saved.”
“I know what you told me Chas, and I want you to use that money on something you need or want. The salon wasn’t damaged to the extent of all the other quotes you got before, baby, and this is easy.”
“I hear you, Rel, but I’m not used to a man, well, no man just strolling in and taking care of shit for me. I just feel like I owe you something. I mean, your guys are so nice, and I know the finished product will be amazing. I just want to repay you.”
He stood and walked around the island to the side where I was sitting then wrapped his arms around me from behind. “You repay me every time you let me stroke that heat between your legs. You repay me every time you call out my name so sweetly when you moan. You repay me when you cook amazing dinners, and you repay me when you suck my dick like your damn life depends on it.”
“My head game is the truth,” I kidded.
“It is, baby, and it is my pleasure to do this for you, Chas. I know it’s been a handful of months since you and I have been together, but until you, I didn’t want any of this shit. You have eased into my heart like a damn ninja, and every evening when I walk into your salon, it gives me joy to know that I’m doing something so special for you. Chris’ stupid ass did you in and like I told you back when we first started, I am a master at restoration. What I’m doing for you, no, for us, it makes me proud, Chas. I can’t wait until all the work is complete and you can get back to your own place. So, take the money and do something nice for yourself,” he said.
“Rel, baby, I hear you and all that you're saying, but I don’t even know what else to even spend the money on.”
“A new ride. That is the least you can do for yourself, babe. You are a boss, and in a few weeks, you’ll be back in your own salon, doing your thing, and you need a nice whip,” he said.
I smiled. He was right, but I wasn’t sure if I could splurge yet. “I don’t know how financing may be. You know I’m still working on my credit, and what I want will be more than what I’ve saved. I just don’t want to blow the bank on a car,” I said, being honest. Rel and I had grown close, so I didn’t have shit to hide anymore.
“Okay, well my credit is A-1. Let’s go looking at some cars, and I’ll finance it for you. You decide how much you wanna put down and we finance the rest. Problem solved.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You didn’t, I offered,” he said.
I turned to him, and my eyes welled again. This man was like heaven-sent, and he was my tenfold because I was the primary breadwinner when Chris and I were together. He’d never spoil me, care for me, or do anything close to what Rel was doing for me. And the kicker was the dick. Rel’s dick was like magic and Chris couldn’t fuck me that good, even on his best day.
“You know I’d never allow another man to step in, get this close
or even take on any of my shit, but you make me feel so, I don’t know,” I paused to think for a second. “So secure. A feeling I had when Chris and I started, but that then turned to shit.”
“Let’s not bring him up again in conversation, Chas. That shit is old and in your past. I love you, and that shit still blows my damn mind when I say it out loud. I’m glad I didn’t put up a fight because you are perfect for me, Chas, and I got’chu. Car, house, hell, if you wanna move in with me, I’ll pack you up tomorrow.”
I thought my ears were deceiving me. “Do you really mean that, Rel?”
“I do. I mean, you don’t want to buy Gabby’s place, I’m sure. And you still haven’t decorated shit around here, not even a painting on the damn walls, so why wouldn’t you move in?”
