Ugh.
It was clear Jamila felt the same way once she expressed, “Still. It’s the principle. And I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t be okay with you doing the same thing with one of these niggas in here. I mean, look at him. He’s definitely trying to take her home tonight.”
She was absolutely right. But for the sake of not causing a scene, I told her, “Look. If I’m chill, then you should be too. So make that happen, please.”
“No wonder Jason was out here on your ass,” she muttered before downing a shot, clearly thinking I hadn’t heard her considering the plain expression on her face once she slammed her empty glass on the bar top.
But I had heard her, and I wasn’t about to let her get away with that slick ass comment, getting ready to check her when someone behind me asked, “Excuse me, Miss?”
“Not now… Khalid?”
The second his voice registered in my head, I turned around to meet those playful brown eyes of his, noticing an extra glow about them as if he had already downed a few drinks himself. And even his smile seemed especially giddy, only doubling down on my assumption when he said, “What’s good, Jayla? I ain’t expect to see you two times in one night. Always a treat though.”
“It’s uh… good to see you too, Khalid,” I told him in an attempt to calm down my earlier fury with Jamila, her gentle elbow nudge into my side prompting me to introduce her. “This is my little sister, Jamila. Jamila, this is…”
“The man of my dreams. Or probably something like it,” she gushed with a wink, her flirty demeanor only making me roll my eyes. Then again, she had been looking forward to this moment since finding out I knew him in real life, so it only made sense for her to be ready to make good on the opportunity now that it was right in front of her.
Of course Khalid fell for it right away, brushing her off teasingly when he replied, “Ah, come on with that flattery shit, shorty. Blush doesn’t even look right on my cheeks.”
“Yeah right. Everything looks right on you. Literally everything,” she practically groaned in a way that only made me side-eye her even harder, especially once I saw the way Khalid licked his lips in response.
“He’s really feelin’ this shit,” I thought to myself as he gave her a once-over before running a hand over his mouth, his lips pulled into a grin as he said, “I got a feeling I could say the same about you, but I’m chillin’.”
Their interaction had me feeling like a third wheel, forced to insert myself when I blurted, “Jamila is getting ready to move here. Just took a job in fashion.” But I instantly realized my words only made that third wheel scenario more accurate since Khalid turned her way with his eyebrow piqued, completely blocking me out of the conversation.
“Oh, word? Congratulations. Maybe you can swag me out one day now that I’ma be working with your big sis,” he offered with a hand tossed my way, almost as if I was an afterthought.
This is some bullshit.
“I’m sure we could make that happen,” Jamila sang, peeking over towards me like she was expecting me to back her up.
I didn’t say a damn thing.
In fact, I only gave an annoyed roll of my eyes, that annoyance growing even thicker once Khalid asked, “How about we discuss the details right now? Over a dance?” Then he stuck his hand out to my sister; a hand I was tempted to knock out of reach until Jamila filled it with her own.
“I like the way you think, Khalid,” she replied just before he led her out towards the dance floor, the sight making me a little sick since… that should be me.
Or maybe it shouldn’t have been me. I mean, they did look good together, they were a little closer in age, were at similar points of adulthood. And even their energies were alike, that carefree, go with the flow attitude towards life something they both shared.
Honestly, they seemed like a perfect match, or at least a lot better of a match than Khalid and I could ever be. But before I could really sulk about it, I felt a warm body standing a lot closer than it should’ve been, prompting me to peek over my shoulder just as that person groaned, “Damn, baby. You look amazing.”
His words - his presence - might’ve put me in a better mood if I hadn’t been a witness to his little situation earlier. But considering I wasn’t the only one to see it with two eyes, my scowl only tightened when I replied, “I know.”
“Lemme buy you a drink,” Eric offered, clearly unfazed by my cold shoulder.
But I wasn’t budging, instead taking a step to the side to create more space between us as I crossed my arms and told him, “I’m good.”
“Is there a problem, Jayla?” he asked, his eyebrow piqued in a way that told me he already knew the answer to his question.
“Just like a man,” I thought in my head, shrugging as I turned my attention back towards the dance floor. “No problem at all. I’m just no longer interested in the likes of you.”
Of course, it was that that really bothered him, his tone turning more urgent when he asked, “But what happened? I mean, we had fun the other night, right?”
Looking him in the eyes would’ve only made me more upset about it all. So instead, I kept my eyes trained forward as I told him, “Yes. The same fun you just had with homegirl a few bar stools down. But it’s all good. I’m not even trippin’. Thanks again for the dinner.”
“So it’s like that?” he asked, doubling down on that whole “just like a man” thing from earlier. In fact, it only reminded of the day I told Jason I wanted a divorce and he asked the same question as if I hadn’t been dealing with his shit for far too long up until that point.
The memory in combination with my current attitude fueled me to snap, “Obviously, Eric! Damn. Now get the fuck on somewhere.”
“Man, you’re buggin’,” he muttered on his walk away, my shoulders dropping with a heavy sigh as I considered all the ways this night had taken a turn for the worst. I mean, I was supposed to be out celebrating Mila’s new job and basking in the afterglow of my successful business dinner with Khalid.
But now...
“Great news! I just found a place!” Jamila squealed on her surprisingly-solo return, her interruption of my pity party really only confusing me since I wasn’t sure how that could’ve happened in the matter of a few songs.
I must’ve been wearing that confusion on my face since it didn’t take me asking for her to explain, “Khalid is getting ready to move out of his apartment into a house, and he told me I could take over the lease if I wanted. He only has a month left on it, but I’ll be able to renew and all that. It’s perfect!”
The arrangement definitely sounded good. And knowing Khalid had convinced my little sister to take his apartment over a dance, sight unseen, told me he really was good at that persuasive shit. But thinking back to the conversation between Mila and I before Khalid showed up had me struggling to be happy for her, pushing out a weak, “That’s… great. Congratulations.”
Of course she picked up on it immediately. “Wait. What’s the matter, Jay?”
The environment wasn’t ideal for the conversation, but I knew my sister wouldn’t take “nothing” for an answer. And honestly, she needed to know exactly I felt regardless of the circumstances since she obviously had no problem taking it there in the first place.
Just thinking about it had me right back fired up when I finally answered, “That comment you made earlier, about Jason. That was fucked up, Mila.”
She didn’t even pretend not to know what I was talking about, instead getting right to the point as she replied, “I’m sorry, sis. But you just… you have a way of ignoring the obvious signs right in front of you until you absolutely can’t anymore. I mean, you always knew shit with mom was a little off, but you let her control your life - your decisions - for the longest time. You knew Jason wasn’t being faithful, but you let it ride until a horde of women started approaching you about it as if one or two wasn’t enough, doing that whole “chill” thing until he started throwing it in your face via random birds. You know you like Kha
lid and he likes you, but you’re steady denying it for the sake “business” which… that nigga is even finer in person and he can dance his ass off, so I have no problem competing with you there. But you see Eric obviously ain’t worth a real damn, and yet…”
“Actually, I just told him to fuck off,” I interjected, trying to find a bright spot in her case now that she had decided to read the hell out of me.
While I wished I could rebut everything she was saying, I knew there was a lot of truth to her words which meant I was better off just listening even when she teased, “Wow. Then maybe you really are changing for the better.”
At that, I cracked the slightest smirk as she continued, “Seriously though, Jay. You’re one of the smartest people I know when it comes to this business shit. But you can be one of the silliest when it comes to just... trusting your instincts in your personal life. I guess I just want better for you, boo.”
Hearing it from my little sister of all people, the one whose case I got on more than anybody’s, had me feeling a little emotional. Maybe because it was a sign she was really growing up, or maybe because she was spot on and I needed the gut check.
Either way, I had to swallow the lump in my throat as I muttered, “Got me getting all teary-eyed in the fuckin’ club of all places…”
Wrapping her arm around my shoulder, she turned me back towards the crowd to suggest, “Well if they decide to drop, I bet I know someone who will happily lick those tears right off your pretty face.”
The new positioning gave me an almost perfect view of Khalid who was busy talking to the DJ, the two of them laughing it up after he whispered something in her ear that wasn’t covered by headphones. The action was innocent enough, but it was also the perfect reminder that dealing with anybody other than myself right now probably wasn’t the best idea.
I needed to get my shit together. And if I really expected that to happen, I’d have to focus strictly on me. So instead of going after Khalid, or anyone for that matter, I gave my sister a half-hearted smile when I told her, “Nah, I think I need a break from men for a minute. Let’s just go dance.”
Khalid
Things were officially in motion.
Londyn had moved out of her house and I had moved in, Jamila had moved into my old place, and I had just received my very first direct deposit for a series of Instagram posts featuring some dope ass watches I got to keep thanks to Jayla’s business savvy. It was honestly fascinating to watch her in her element, sweeping through contracts and negotiating better deals, optimizing my Instagram for best engagement and teaching me how to take fly ass product placement pictures with minimal equipment, always looking so damn fine. But now that we were really doing business together, I was trying my best not to mess up our working relationship, even if that meant falling back when it came to my forever-growing attraction to her.
She didn’t make that shit easy, though.
In fact, it almost seemed like she was purposely taunting me when she floated towards my desk wearing a fire red pencil skirt that had her ass on swole and a floral print blouse that was a few buttons short of being closed now that it was the end of the workday for her. And not only was her outfit on point, but her smile was full and her heels were on.
Today was obviously a good day.
She could barely contain her excitement when she gushed, “Your first check. Congratulations, sir.”
With a proud nod, I told her, “Thanks, boss lady. I must say, you knew what you were talking about.”
“Did you ever doubt me?” she asked, cocking her head to the side teasingly with an arrogant smirk.
“Damn, she’s really in a good mood,” I thought to myself, abandoning the desk to meet her on the other side and answer, “Never that.”
She gave a wink as if to say, “Good answer” before laying her folder out on the desk to show me what she’d been working on, one of my favorite parts of the process since the shit always got her crazy excited. And as usual, I could only smile while I listened in on the latest rundown.
“So I have a couple of new opportunities lined up for you. Natural hair care products for this mane of yours, some new black-owned cereal company since you say it’s your favorite food, and a new Bluetooth speaker that’s shaped like a Hennessy bottle designed to blend in at house parties – or kickbacks as you guys call them.”
“All lit. I’m with it. What you need from me?” I asked, glancing at the thick stack of papers she had brought along.
She was already flipping through the pages that were all marked and highlighted as she answered, “Just a few signatures right now, then we can get the shots we need for the posts sometime this weekend if you’re free.”
“Actually, I have a little something going on this weekend. Something I’ve been meaning to invite you to,” I told her, the silent curiosity already brewing in her eyes once she turned my way. And I didn’t keep her waiting, leaning against the countertop as I continued, “I’m having a little housewarming party. All chill, nothing major. But if you don’t have any plans, I’d love to have you drop by. Jamila too.”
The party was actually Londyn’s idea, though I imagined it was really just an excuse for her to bring her ass back to town already. But once she mentioned all the free shit – gift cards - I could possibly get, it was a no-brainer for me too.
To my surprise, Jayla’s interest seemed to grow when she crossed her arms and asked, “Ahh, so that’s what this is about? I’m getting the pity invite because you really want my little sister to come?”
“What? Nah. I want you to come, and I’m inviting Jamila to be nice. I mean, since she’s still new to town and all that,” I told her honestly, knowing it might’ve been a little shady if I didn’t include her.
Still, Jayla thought she was onto something when she groaned, “Mmhmm. I saw the way you looked at her at the club a little while back. My sister is a baddie.”
“No denying that. But I think I might know somebody who has her beat,” I replied with a wink, watching as she rolled her eyes teasingly in response while muttering, “Forever the charmer.”
Her attention went back to the stack of contracts, directing me where to sign as she said, “Anyway. Send me the details. I’m sure we can make some time if you make some time for me to get these pictures taken and posts scheduled.”
“So we’re trading favors now?” I asked, scribbling my name and initials down in the designated places.
She waited for me to finish them all before she answered, “One is a favor, the other is mandatory business. Though it might be cool to get some pictures of the speaker actually in use at your housewarming party. So I guess we can blur the lines a little bit.”
“If only that same energy could apply in other places…” I muttered more to myself than her, though I could tell by the way she tensed up a little bit that she had heard me.
But after a quick sigh, she acted unfazed, plastering on an easy smile to ask, “So we have a deal?”
“I’ll see you this weekend, boss lady. And I know you like to show out, but the dress code is super chill. Give me convenience store Jayla with the company cap,” I teased, laughing once she threw a little tap against my arm as she groaned, “Boy…”
Gathering her papers, she placed them back into the folder before tucking it under her arm. Then she placed a gentle hand against my bicep to say, “I’ll be in touch, alright?”
“Yes, please.”
Her smirk was enough of a goodbye, especially since I’d be able to witness the treat of her walking away once she turned around. But she only got a few steps before she stopped dead in her tracks and hissed, “Damn. Have I really been here that long? When did it get so dark out?”
“If you’d pick your ambitious ass head up from your desk a little more often, you’d know,” I teased, catching the side-eye she threw my way in response even though she knew I was right. Then again, her hard work was turning into a dope little side hustle for me which meant I had no room to complain.
But really, I was already holding the door open for her by the time I asked, “You scared of the dark or somethin’?”
She stepped past me with a short nod of thanks before she answered, “Of course I’m not scared of the dark. But as you may know, Mr. Security Guard, there are a few weirdos that like to linger around here when the sun goes down.”
“Well, tell them to come inside and start some trouble so I’ll have something to do. This overnight shit gets hella boring,” I admitted, knowing this little interaction with her would surely be the highlight of the next six hours.
Who am I kidding? Seeing her is always the highlight.
“In the age of YouTube and Netflix, how could you ever get bored?” she asked, the sight of her car in the distance - one of the few left in the parking lot - slowing her stride, almost as if she wasn’t quite ready to get rid of me just yet.
With that, I decided to take my time too, slipping my hands in my pockets as I answered, “For one, I’ve already watched just about every YouTube video you can think of. And for two, Londyn canceled her Netflix account since Chance already has one, so now I don’t have access.”
I was still a little salty about that shit, mainly because Londyn knew I was only two episodes away from finishing all the seasons of Breaking Bad and didn’t even give me a warning so I could hurry up and watch them. But Jayla was practically speaking my love language when she offered, “Want my password? I hardly ever have the time to use it.”
“Wow. I’m flattered, but nah. It’s only twelve bucks. I can afford to splurge a little bit now that I’m making some extra money thanks to you.”
“You’re welcome,” she replied teasingly as she opened the door to the backseat, then bent over to drop her folders on the leather.
While I probably should’ve had my eyes elsewhere, they were glued to her ass as I muttered, “That I am.” Though it was clear she hadn’t heard me when she stood back upright to say, “Have a good night, Khalid.”
The Lessons We Learn (FWB Book 2) Page 6