"You know I was doing it for you, Warren. You were the one going places, so I took the wrap for you."
"You did, which I appreciate, but you were the one who got caught. Now, I just need this favor from you."
"I told you I'll do it, even though I don't want to."
"You don't have to; but if you don't, then I'll make sure Asia knows what happened."
I seriously wanted to beat Warren down at that moment, but instead, I rang the doorbell. Even though it shouldn't matter if he did tell her, I didn't want to do that to Asia. She had been through enough of my shit, and she didn't need anything else to make her think less of me.
The door opened, and one of Tyrone's men, Monty, looked shocked to see me, which was understandable, since I hadn't spoken to him in years.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat has dragged in. D Alexander."
"Yeah, it's been a minute."
"It definitely has. I don't know if I should let you in, though. Tyrone was pissed after you walked out on him and the business."
"Well, I had a reason for that."
"If it's because of that sexy woman you were with, then I probably would have, too."
Warren rolled his eyes and sighed. "Are you going to let us in or not?"
Monty moved to the side and directed us to the back of the house. I took a deep breath as I came face-to-face with the man I'd been avoiding. As soon as he saw me, he stood up from his chair and stalked over to me with a smirk on his face.
"I knew you would come back."
I stared at the TV in the corner of the room. I couldn't look at Tyrone. I was already pissed that I had to go through with this.
"Regardless of your reason for coming back, I'm glad you're here. You were one of the best."
I continued looking at the TV. At that point, I felt disgusted. I was really trying to change my ways and be the man that I promised Asia I could be. Yes, I'd made mistakes in the past and I felt as if I was being punished by my current situation. And I was only making things worse by associating with Tyrone again.
"Just tell me what I need to do so my debt is paid."
"You think that's how it works? Sorry to disappoint you, but you're going to be working for me until I have no use for you, and I don't see that being any time soon."
I glanced over at Warren, who seemed to be enjoying this a little too much. I guess he would, considering that he'd get a cut from whatever I sold.
I shook my head, hating myself for what I was about to do. I just hoped and prayed that Asia would never find out about this.
Asia
After lunch, Bryon kept his promise and told me I could have the rest of the day off. Since I really didn't want to go back to the house, he suggested I use his place to write. I was a little surprised that he would let me use his place without him being there, but he did say he would be working from home, waiting on a delivery for his mom. That, I didn't mind since I wanted to hang out with him more.
We ordered some food to go for later then headed to his condo. While in route, he got a call from Jason, asking him about an account he was working on. Once everything was straight, he hung up from his Bluetooth and continued driving. He still never told me if Jason was actually cool with me working there, but he probably was, considering that Drake Motors wanted The Gibson Group to be their go-to company for their promotional needs. They'd called Bryon an hour after the meeting to give him the great news, and he was ecstatic.
Now, we were walking up to his condo, and I was feeling kind of nervous. The last time we were here, we'd had an intimate moment. I was sure it wouldn't happen again, but I'd try and keep some distance between us. But if I felt I needed to do that, why did I agree to come to his place?
I looked down and saw the majority of the sour cream from the potato skins I'd ordered was on my dress.
Bryon looked at me with a smile. "I'm assuming you don't have a change of clothes?"
"Not this time."
"I can help you out," he said and opened the door. We set the food down, and he went into his bedroom. He returned with a gray T-shirt. I looked at him like he had lost his mind.
"You think I'm going to wear this around you?"
"I would think so if you want your dress cleaned. I can do it for you if it doesn't need to be dry cleaned."
"It doesn't."
"Cool. I'll put it in the washer on hand wash," he informed me. He handed the shirt back to me, and I accepted. Then, he showed me where the bathroom was, and I went inside. Once I closed the door, I looked in the mirror, wondering what I was doing. I was about to wear another man's clothes. I'd only done that with Dwight when we first started dating.
I pulled off the dress and put on the long shirt, covering my black boy-shorts. I looked at myself once more then grabbed a rubber band on the counter and put my hair in a high ponytail.
When I walked out of the bathroom, I saw Bryon dressed in a pair of blue shorts and a white T-shirt. He couldn't keep his eyes off of me as I handed him my dress.
"You even make my T-shirts look sexy."
I blushed then went over to the wet bar to grab my food bag. He headed to the laundry room near the back of the condo then came back a few minutes later, grabbed his laptop from the table, and sat on the couch. I followed with my computer and sat on the floor.
"You know you can sit on the couch, too right?"
"I prefer the floor."
"If you insist, but I'm sure you'll want to sit on the couch eventually."
"I'll prove you wrong."
He smiled and began working. I did the same, starting on a new scene of my story. I didn't know why one day, I could write freely with multiple scenes, but other days, I couldn't think of a thing to write. Luckily, today I had a lot on my mind.
An hour into writing, I was getting uncomfortable on the floor. I shifted my weight several times, but the pain didn't let up. I looked up and saw Bryon laughing.
"I told you," he teased.
I smirked and got up to sit on the couch. I was starting to type again when Bryon began talking.
"How did your writing career start?"
I looked at my computer with a smile. "It all started when I was 10. I was an avid reader, and I used to read all sorts of books, from Judy Blume to The Baby Sitters Club, and even Sweet Valley High. When I read those books, I would imagine myself being one of the characters and wonder if I could maybe create my own stories using myself as the main character. So I grabbed a pen and paper and started to write a story about myself and my friends, and my first story was born. I still have that story, by the way."
"You probably won't let me read that one either."
I laughed. "That, you probably can read, but I'll be a little embarrassed."
"Does your family support your writing?"
I sighed. "Not really. Some of them think I need to find a real job and stop trying to live a pipe dream, while others think that I'm better than everyone because I have a little notoriety. I never got why people felt that way though. Instead of supporting me, everyone looks at me like I'm doing something wrong when really, I'm just trying to pursue my dream. That's why I kind of stay to myself, because no one really understands my dream of being a writer."
"What about your husband?"
"He thinks that what I'm doing is just a hobby that will probably phase out. There are times when I want to talk to him about a scene I've written or a talk I've had with my publisher, but I usually don't talk to him because he doesn't really pay attention. Half of the time, he just says he doesn't want to hear about it and goes back to whatever he was doing. It kind of hurts sometimes, but I got over it. Now, I just keep things to myself and write."
"Well, just remember that I said that I'll support you. Everyone needs that in their lives to motivate them, so just consider me your cheerleader, if you want me to be."
I smiled. "That would be nice. Thanks."
"No problem."
"I just wish my mom was still here. She was my biggest su
pporter. When she found out I wanted to write, she encouraged me to pursue it. She told me to do something that I loved because life was too short to have what ifs. She was the only one I shared my work with, because she believed in me and I knew she was proud of me. I still want to make her proud."
I looked at Bryon, and he wiped a tear that I didn't realize was on my cheek. I sighed then leaned back on the couch. I didn't want to be emotional, but it usually happened when I talk about my mom.
"I think every child wants their parents to be proud of them. I felt that way about my dad. I wanted him to be proud of what I'd accomplished; that's why I went into business with Jason so he could look at me and say how proud he was of me, not just as a son, but as a man."
I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. "I'm sure you have a lot of people who are supportive of you though."
"I do, but I always thought about the ones who mattered most; as long as they were proud, that what was important. What about work? I know you mentioned you want to write full-time. Has that changed?"
I shook my head. "No. I know I have to work because I'm not anywhere near being financially stable, but I do want to be able to concentrate on my writing without being distracted by my day job. I also know it'll take a lot of patience to get to that point. There will be months where my sales are good, and then I'll have months when they're in the crapper. It's kind of hit and miss when you're in the writing industry."
"I think you'll have your chance to be a writer full-time."
"How do you know?"
"Because I do. You have the talent for it, so you'll do just fine."
I smiled. "Really?"
"Yes. I read your first book. It was really good."
I raised my eyebrow. "You're not just saying that, are you?"
"Asia, you need to stop doubting yourself. You are a really great writer. When you told me that you already had a book out, I went and downloaded it. I read it in one night. That's why I wanted to read what you had so far for the sequel, because I'm very curious about how everything ended with Shay and Parker."
I was shocked that Bryon had actually read my story. I hadn't really gotten a lot of support from people, so I was really flattered that he did.
I took a moment to get my thoughts together so I could answer Bryon. "Shay and Parker are a complicated couple. They kind of remind me of Dwight and me."
"Your husband?"
"Yeah. They met really young and thought the world was theirs for the taking. They didn't care what obstacle they faced or who was against them, they just wanted to be together."
"Is that how you feel now?"
I shrugged. "Honestly, I don't know. So much has changed between us. There're times when I feel as if I don't know him anymore. I feel like I don't even know myself sometimes."
"Don't you think you need to find a way to rediscover yourself and your purpose in this world?" "Yeah, I do," I answered.
He slowly rubbed my thigh, causing me to shiver. His brown eyes stared into mine; I knew he wanted to kiss me. But I wasn't going to let him. I didn't need my mind to become even more clouded than it was.
He let go of me with a sigh. "It'll take some time, but I think you'll figure everything out."
"I know I will."
Bryon went back to working, while I looked at him. Everything in my life was becoming confusing, especially my feelings for Dwight. Hopefully, I'd figure them out soon, because I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep trying to kid myself about my feelings for Bryon.
Bryon
As Asia and I continued working, I received a text from Jason, asking me to come to the office. When I asked if Asia needed to come, too, he told me no, so I knew what that meant. I glanced at her as she wrote; damn, she was sexy, especially when she was working. I didn't know how much longer I could do this. Each day I was around her, my feelings for her became stronger. I knew she felt the same way about me, but she didn't want to admit it since she's married. And if things did change between us, there was still the issue of me investigating her. Even though she wasn't the one Jason and I were after, she could still have a part in it; but judging from the talks we've had, she didn't have a clue about Dwight's wrongdoings.
After asking her to stay at my place to receive the package for my mom, I headed to the office to see Jason and Commissioner Franklin sitting at the conference table. I walked over, ready for the backlash I was about to receive.
"Commissioner Franklin, what brings you by the agency?" I asked.
"As if you don't know. What is the progress with the Alexander case?"
"It's going well. I still haven't received any information from Dwight's wife, though."
"That seems strange, considering all the time you have spent with her. Don't think I don't know about that and the fact that you hired her to work here."
I looked over at Jason who shrugged.
"Gibson, I didn't ask you to associate with her so you can make a love connection. I did it so you could get information out of her."
"Which I'm trying to do. It's going to take time. She has to be able to trust me to give out any information."
Commissioner Franklin shook his head. "If you don't get the information we need out of her soon, I'll find someone who will."
I ran a hand down my head as he turned around and left. I rushed over to Jason and shoved him.
"You called him!"
"I had to. You're way over your head with this case."
I laughed. "So you're saying that I'm not doing my job? I've been doing it my way since I became a detective four years ago. Do not tell me how I should do my job!"
"Someone should. You're too focused on trying to sleep with her instead of trying to get what we need to bring Tyrone, Warren, and Dwight down."
"But who's to say that she knows anything? Dwight could be living a double life, not telling her anything."
"That could be true, but she has to know something. Anyway, not only are you spending time with her, you hired her to work here."
"I knew that was coming."
"Don't get me wrong, she did help us land the Drake Motors account, but you should have run it by me first before offering her a job."
"I am part owner so I can pretty much do what I want."
"I'm the one who gave you that owner title. I can take it away, too."
I laughed. "With half of the accounts I gave you? Please."
Jason smirked. "Whatever."
He sat down and glanced at me. "Let me ask you this: Do you still enjoy working for the force? I felt like with the last case, you kind of want to switch careers. Now, it really does seem like you don't want to do this anymore."
I sat on the desk and took a deep breath. "I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing this for myself or if I'm doing it to continue Dad's legacy. We both joined because we wanted to make him proud, but maybe I do want to pursue other things."
"Like advertising? We both agreed that this company would be a front so people wouldn't know about our real jobs."
"I know that; but I wouldn't mind doing this full-time. It would be better than putting my life at risk every day."
Jason folded his arms and smirked. "It all make sense now. You want out because of Asia."
"That's not why."
"Please, just stop little bro. You're in love with her."
I shook my head. "Man, that's not even possible. I haven't really known her long enough to determine that."
"You've known her for six months now, so it's possible. Love can sneak up on you when you least expect it. And you haven't slept with her?"
"No, I haven't. Why are you even thinking that? I just don't think I want to do this anymore, and my decision doesn't have anything to do with Asia."
"Well, if you don't want to anymore, then you shouldn't. If we've learned anything from our dad, it's that life is too short to be doing something you don't want to do. You should be happy, so I support you."
I nodded. "Thanks, Jase."
"No p
roblem, but you do know that you have to resign after you're done with this case."
"I know. Once I'm done with everything, then I'll hand in my resignation."
"How is Asia? She seems like a nice woman."
I smiled. "She is. Not only is she nice but also sweet and honest; not to mention beautiful."
"It's hard to believe that you're in love," Jason replied with a grin.
I side eyed him. "I'm not in love."
"Really? You should have seen the way you were looking when you described her. You had this love-struck look in your eyes. You're in love, bro."
I looked ahead, wondering if Jason was right. I couldn't be in love, even though a part of me did want to hurry this conversation so I could go back to my place to see her.
"When did you know that Maxine was the one?"
Jason smiled. "I just knew. I always wanted to be around her, and when I wasn't, I felt as if a part of me was missing. I still feel like that. Bry, there's nothing wrong with being in love with her if you are; all I'm saying is be careful."
"Haven't I always been?"
"Well, there was the time you were with this girl and she was dating someone, but you didn't give a damn and ended up almost getting knocked the hell out at some bar, and the girl still ended up with the guy."
"Besides that time."
"Just be careful, bro," Jason reiterated and went to his desk. I got up, anxious to leave so I could go back to Asia.
Asia
After Bryon left, I completed four chapters, which I was proud of. I reread the finished product and smiled. The story was coming along so well, and I knew my publisher would be very impressed. With everything going on, I didn't think I'd have the mindframe to write anything, but I think my situation gave me a new perspective and helped me write from within.
Or maybe Bryon had motivated me to write better.
Regardless of what or who had helped me, I was writing an amazing story that I couldn't wait to share with the world.
Reclaiming What Is Mine Page 8