by K. C. Mills
Logic leaned back in his chair, propping his elbows up on the arms, while studying Soloman face. He returned the favor as if trying to read Logic, while Gotti’s eyes moved back and forth between the two men. Gotti understood his role in this meeting, so he kept quiet and waited.
“So, I understand you want to increase your supplies?”
“Things are good right now so why not?” Logic released casually. He didn't offer up any indication as to what his mood was, making him hard for Soloman to read.
“How much of an increase?”
“Depends on what you’re offering. The deal that Donte had set up with you is bullshit. You know it and I know it. I want good shit, but I’m not going to break the bank to get it. You give me your best offer and I’ll let you know whether or not I’m going to find a new supplier. I don’t give a shit about relationships. If you’re not willing to give me what I need then I’m sure I can find someone who is.”
Gotti was a little taken aback by the cocky way that Logic addressed Soloman. Logic had always been that way, so Gotti wasn't surprised, but seeing him in action, having a front row seat to him taking charge and making demands, gave him a rush.
Soloman chuckled. “This is why I like you. You say what you want and you don't accept anything less than that. Donte was a pussy, a joke. He didn't know shit about business. You, on the other hand, handle yourself like a man in charge. I like that.”
“All due respect Soloman, your opinion of me don't make my dick hard. I’m here to talk numbers.”
“Understood.” Soloman nodded and laid out what he was willing to offer, and Logic returned what he was willing to accept. An hour later, the two men had reached an agreement and had a date set up for their next drop. Gotti was to pick up and deliver the money a week from today.
“You know he don't like your ass for handling him like that?” Gotti said with a grin as Logic made his way back across town.
Logic chuckled. “I don't give a fuck. Business is business. You either want my money or you don't, but fuck all that bowing down, song and dance shit. I don't need it. He don't have to like me to do business with me.” Logic found himself falling back into his role easily. He had always been confident. There was always a way to get what you needed, so he would never kiss ass, no matter how important someone thought they were.
“I feel you, but that shit was still funny as hell yo. He wanted to check you but he knew better.”
Logic shook his head and pulled out his ringing phone. The thought of Soloman trying to check him made him laugh. He always had one in the chamber for anyone who thought they were man enough to challenge him.
“What’s up Nah Nah?”
“I need a huge favor. I have a test and Trent’s school just called. He’s sick and needs someone to come get him now. I can't find Mommy, she won’t answer my calls, and Nova’s at work. Will you get him for me? I should be done with my test in an hour and then I can meet you at Mommy’s house.”
Logic looked across at Gotti. He was near his nephew’s school and didn't want to drive all the way to the block to drop Gotti off, and they still had a few things to discuss.
“Yeah, I got you. Just hurry up Najah, I have shit to do.”
“I will, I’m sorry, but this is a midterm and I can't miss it. Thanks Auggie. I’ll be there as soon as I can, and I already called the school so they know you’re coming.”
“How the fuck you already called them but you didn't know if I was going to agree?” Logic snapped playfully.
“‘Cause, I know you always got me. Love you Auggie. I gotta go.”
Najah hung up so that Logic wouldn't have a chance to respond. Again, he shook his head and placed his phone into his cup holder. Gotti now had his eyes on him trying to figure out what was going on.
“Yo, I need to go pick up my nephew and take him to my mom’s crib to wait for my sister. You want me to take you back or can you chill for a minute? We need to map out how to divide up this increase that we’re getting next week.”
“Shit, I’m good. I’ll check in with Lil Chris to make sure he don't need me though.”
Logic nodded and changed directions so that he could head to Trent’s school. Once they arrived, Gotti stayed in the car and called Lil Chris while Logic got out to get his nephew.
After the office buzzed him in, he made his way to it and was hit with lustful eyes and grins from the two women that worked in the office. He could tell from the way they were eye fucking him, that they wanted to offer up more than his nephew. This was the norm every time he showed up to pick Trent up.
“Can I help you?” one of them asked leaning across the counter, putting her double D’s on display. Logic laughed under his breath at how inappropriately she was dressed to be working at an elementary school. He wished Joy would pull some shit like that.
“I need to get my nephew, Trent Ford.”
“And you are?” the other woman asked, offering up a big ass seductive grin that made her home girl roll her eyes.
“Logic Ford,” Logic answered, knowing good and damn well that she knew who he was. He had been there to get Trent plenty of times before.
“You sure he’s your nephew and not your son? He looks just like you, with his adorable self,” she added.
Logic chuckled because he knew that she was just talking. Trent was a duplicate of his bitch ass father. “I don't have any kids, ma. That, I’m sure of.”
“That’s hard to believe, with your fine ass,” she mumbled as she began typing something into her computer.
“Do you have ID?” she asked.
Logic pulled out his wallet and held up his license, making sure to cover his address with his fingers. She reached for it, but he held it out so that she could see it without having to actually hold it. She was a little too aggressive and the last thing he wanted was a surprise visit at his apartment. The other woman laughed.
“Thank you Augustus,” she snapped, annoyed by the fact that she knew he didn't want her to get his information.
“Cynthia, can you get Trent please?”
Now she was rolling her eyes, because she didn't want to leave Logic alone with her home girl, like it was going to somehow make her miss out on the chance to get with him, but he wasn't interested in either one of them.
A few minutes later, Trent came walking around the corner from the back of the office. Old girl was rubbing his shoulders and Trent looked irritated. He pulled away from her and walked right up to Logic and leaned against him. Logic reached for Trent’s book bag, tossed it over his shoulder and then looked at the two women.
“We good or you need anything else?”
“No, you’re good. Trent, I hope you feel better baby. We’re going to miss you for the rest of the day.”
Trent scrunched up his face, but didn't say anything, and Logic laughed at his nephew. Even at six years old, he didn't really give a fuck about much, a trait that he likely picked up from him. Once they got in the car, Trent climbed in the backseat and leaned against the door.
Logic watched him from the rearview mirror as they pulled off.
“Trent, you know those women like that?” Logic asked knowing that they were only pining over his nephew because they wanted to get at him.
Trent looked up with a smirk. “Nope, but they want to know you. I heard them talking about it after Mommy called. They both said you could get it. They want the D.” Logic had been to Trent’s school multiple times before, so all the women in the office were familiar with him. He had never entertained any of their advances, but it was clear that he could have either one of them if he wanted.
Logic chuckled, not even bothering to check his nephew and Gotti turned to glance at Trent, who now had his eyes closed. “Damn it's like that, lil dude don't have no filters does he?” Logic laughed thinking about his nephew. Trent was a lot like him when it came to certain things.
Three hours later, Najah came busting through the door carrying a stack of books, which she dropped on the floor
and started explaining why it took her so long.
“Before you even say anything, I tried to get here. My psych test was all essay questions and that shit took forever. I owe you Auggie. I already know.” Najah was so caught up in explaining and removing her purse and jacket, that she hadn't realized that Gotti was in the room with them. He was on the sofa next to Trent in the middle of a game.
“Your ass always owes me Nah Nah,” Logic said as he neared his sister to kiss her on the cheek.
“Yo, let's roll,” Logic said addressing Gotti, which directed Najah’s attention to him and she smiled, because he instantly caught her eye. Gotti was only about 5’9” but still taller than Najah, who was barely 5’2”, being short like her mother. His mocha complexion was accented with dark round eyes, thick eyebrows and a low neatly trimmed beard, that he rubbed with his hand before it went across his short spiked dreads.
His eyes met Najah’s and he offered up a partial smile.
“Aight yo, I’ll catch you next time Trent.” Gotti coarsely ran his head across Trent’s head, before he held up a closed fist to give him dap and then stood. He moved past Najah, who couldn't help but take in his cologne as it swept her nose when he passed.
“Your shorty is a little beast on that 2K, but he still can't rock with me though,” Gotti said to Najah and then turned to face Trent.
“I got you next time,” Trent said not looking back because he was caught up in the game.
“Yeah, we'll see about that,” Gotti said.
“Aight Nah Nah, we’re out.” Logic didn't bother introducing his sister to Gotti because he didn't want her getting any ideas about fucking around with anybody on his team. Gotti was good people but business needed to stay business.
“It was nice to meet you,” Najah said not knowing what else to do to get his attention. She knew Logic, so him not introducing her to his homeboy was his way of saying that Gotti was off limits, but she was hard headed and intrigued by Gotti.
“Same here ma,” was all he said before he offered a wink, and followed Logic to the door. He was also feeling Najah, but planned on feeling Logic out about her before he took it there, so he left it at that and without another word, the two men left.
-9-
“Where’s Lan?” Joy asked as she got comfy on the sofa while Karma was in the kitchen getting them drinks and snacks. Since Joy and Logic had gotten together, the two had barely spent anytime together and they were overdue for some much needed girl time.
“In Chicago.”
“Chicago, for work?”
Karma rolled her eyes. “Let him tell it, yeah. I really don't know what he does half the time, but it's cool though.”
“Don't do that. You know Lan isn't checking for anybody but you, so just stop.”
“I used to believe that, but lately he’s been acting weird. I know he travels a lot but it's like every other week now and when I ask to go he’s like, ‘nah K, all you’re gonna do is complain’.”
Joy laughed. “And he’s right. You hate being in the studio, you hate Lexus because you swear they’re fucking, even though he has proven to you more times than I can even remember that they’re not, and you know you can’t just leave work like that. He's trying to make a name for himself, K. He loves music, so he has to get out there to push his beats or it will never happen for him.”
Joy shook her head thinking about Karma and Landon. He was nice with his beats, it was like breathing to him, but he still hadn’t quite found that one yet. Lexus was an artist that he was producing for, but she was still new and had just gotten her deal, so he was hoping that she would be his big break. They spent a lot of time together and Lexus clearly had a thing for him, but the first time she let it be known, Lan shut it down. He and Karma had been through so much, mostly because of his cheating but after one big fall out, a four-month separation and Lan seeing Karma with another guy, he realized that he needed to get his shit together. They had been tight ever since and as far as either of them knew, he was faithful. Aside from the fact that they argued all the time, things were good, and even with the arguing they were good. That was just their thing. It drove Joy crazy to be around them sometimes, but she knew they loved each other.
“He might not me messing with that hoe now, but it doesn't mean she’s not trying. You know just like I know that she wants my man. I’ll cut that hoe though so she better stay in her lane.”
Joy burst out laughing which made Karma laugh, because she knew she sounded crazy but she didn't care. She wasn't letting go of Landon and especially not to Lexus.”
“You,” Joy pointed to Karma, “need to trust your man before you push him away, because your crazy ass got trust issues.”
“I do trust him… kind of, but any issues I have are his fault, so he’d better just deal with it.” Karma rolled her eyes.
“I’m not messing with you like that.” Joy grabbed a few of the tortilla chips that Karma set between them and dipped one in her queso that was on the table.
“So what’s up with you and your boy? Y’all good?”
Joy smiled at the mention of Logic. She couldn't help the feelings that surfaced because of him. “We’re good. Just trying to find our rhythm. It’s weird because everything I know about him is changing. He’s such a different person now.”
“Different how Joy?” Karma looked at Joy concerned. She had been through too much with Rah and Joy, and wasn’t about to take that route again if Logic was turning into Rah.
Karma used to be a stripper and she had no shame in that, but because of the lifestyle, she had dealt with enough dope boys in her past to know that not many of them were faithful. Rah was a habitual cheater and he liked to use his hands when Joy called him on it.
Joy could read exactly what Karma was thinking, so she quickly cleared up any misconceptions that she might be processing about Logic. “He’s not Rah, K. Nothing like him at all. He’s just so confident now, like his true self is coming through.” Joy was grinning as she thought about him. He had always seemed confident and cocky, but over the past few weeks, it had just gone to a whole other level.
Karma just stared at Joy for a moment as if trying to decide if she wanted to believe her best friend, before a grin started to creep through. “Somebody’s feeling their new boo a little bit I see.”
“Shut up.” Now Joy really couldn’t contain her smile.
“It’s all good boo. Good dick will do it to you every time,” Karma said with a smirk.
“See, why you always gotta take it there. This don’t have anything to do with that. I just like him.” Joy rolled her eyes, and what she was saying was partially true. She did genuinely like Logic, hell, how could she not. He was smart, sexy as hell, confident, arrogant and he handled her body like it was created just for him and him alone, but it wasn't just about the sex. He made her pulse race, her heart pound in her chest, and that feeling was addictive.
“Girl I’m just playing, but I’m glad you’re happy. I just need him to do right by you and keep you safe. You were my bae long before you ever laid eyes on his sexy ass. So make sure he doesn't get that twisted,” Karma said while meaning every word. Dope boys meant problems and she wasn't about to lose Joy to any nonsense, so if Logic couldn’t keep her safe, then he needed to fall off.
Joy blew Karma a kiss. “You’ll always be my bae, with or without him.”
“Good, then he won't mind if you stay with me tonight. I don't wanna be in this house by myself and Lan won't be back until tomorrow.”
Joy laughed. “Oh, so you’re only professing your love because your scary ass don't want to stay in this house by yourself. That’s foul K.”
“Girl bye, you know I love you whether you stay or not, but that's what best friends are for. If you can't use them, then what are they good for.” She picked up Joy's phone off the sofa and shoved it towards her. “Now call your man and tell him you're with me tonight.” She offered up a sneaky grin. Joy grabbed her phone and rolled her eyes. Logic mentioned that he ha
d things to do, so she hoped that he wouldn't mind her staying with Karma. Either way, it was a done deal so he would have to survive, but would she, was the real question.
*****
Logic was deep in his head, scribbling down his thoughts which were currently about Joy. He was sitting in his bedroom when he glanced at his dresser, noticing a cluster of her things. That led to thoughts about her and her smile, which eventually turned into visions of her naked body in his bed. The images were so vivid that he grabbed his journal and began jotting down what he was feeling. With everything going on, it had been a minute since his thoughts escaped the sanctuary of his mind and made it onto paper. Logic was so lost in what he was thinking, that he hadn't noticed his phone going off until its second notification, which caused him to look down at it. There was a text from Joy which flashed across the screen, forcing a smile to spread across his face face. That was until he read the message, that immediately caused him to call her instead of replying.
“Why you gotta stay all night? Just come home, even if it's late. I want you in my bed.”
“Home?” Logic could hear the smile in Joy’s voice as she teased him about his choice of words.
“You know what the fuck I mean, but yeah, home. Shit, I’m not gonna front, my bed is your bed and I want you in it.”
“It's just one night. Lan’s out of town and Karma wants me to stay.”
Logic was feeling selfish as hell because he damn sure didn't want to share Joy, not even with her best friend, so he said what he knew he should say, even though he didn't mean one word of it.
“You’re good, ma. I’ve had you wrapped up lately and I know you need that time with your girl. I’ve got some shit to do anyway.”
“You sure?”
“Hell yeah, he’s sure. Now hang up before he brings his ass over here to get you and I have to cut him too,” Karma yelled in the background causing Logic to laugh.
“Yo, she’s half right. Shoot me her address. I’m gonna swing by there in a little while, since you’re not bringing your ass home tonight.”