Prince: Love Always Wins

Prince

“I thought you said good bones.” I frowned, looking at the mess in front of me.

“That’s what the muthafucka said. He did this shit on purpose. I’m going to call his ass now.” Remy walked out the back door of the third house we visited in the Savannah Estates. The only thing the houses had correct was the square footage. Everything else was utterly fucked. There was no way to get it to my specs without some significant overhaul. They were adamant about us not walking the premises until the first day work started. We didn't bat an eye since it wasn’t a freelance opportunity, and the government guaranteed the payout. The opportunity I worked so hard to secure may have just set me up for a setback. There were some things I was still learning, but thankfully, I never put all my eggs in one basket.

Le stood silently by my side. In fact she was mostly quiet all day. We caught a flight and came to meet Remy for a walk through of the mansions we were due to renovate. She walked through each without a word to me. The only time her lips loosened was to talk to Remy, for whom I could tell she had instant affection.

“You not going to talk to me all day?” I asked her.

“What would you like to talk about?” she said lightly.

“How you feeling? You nervous around me now?”

“Why would I be nervous, ?”

“Maybe because your pussy made my hands messy last night.” I stepped forward to take it further, but Remy blasted back into the house, pissed as hell. I looked at him briefly, and my eyes were attached back to Le.

“They did this shit on purpose! These were not the houses he showed me when I looked into this job. You know I would never do you like this. It’s too much overhead. I say we walk away now.”

“Walk away? I can’t afford to walk away. I have too much riding on this opportunity.”

“You’ll be spending too much. You are rebuilding. You will sink your business before it starts again. They did this because they knew people just getting into the business would jump at the opportunity, not knowing what they would lose. I can’t allow this.”

“Remy, it’s fine. I’ll do what I have to do. I have to do it, and I have to be here.”

“Don’t give me that shit. That’s why you were in that position the first time. I’d never forgive myself.”

“It’s cool, Rem. I’m different now, and I never put all my eggs in one basket. I learned that from you.” Only then did my eyes migrate back to him. He shook his head and walked back outside.

“Why are you doing this if they are ripping you off? If this isn’t what you planned for, wouldn’t it be best to just walk away?” she asked, looking around the house—if you could even call it that. I was scared to take more than a few steps, fearing something would collapse.

“Oh my God! Look at this place. Looks like we have our work cut out for us.” My assistant, Kiara, walked in. I heard her before I saw her. When I did gather her, I knew that shit was going to be a problem. She had on a skin-tight leopard dress that stopped mid-thigh. From Le’s face, I could tell she didn’t like that shit one bit.

“Oh, I didn’t know your old assistant came?” Kiara’s eyes swept over to Le’s.

“This is my woman. Le—"

“Oh…OH!” Kiara used two different inflections for the words before she started talking again. “Well, maybe we can go over the details of this project over dinner tonight. Strictly, business, of course.”

“Bitch,” Le whistled from beside me.

“Excuse me?” Kiara popped her head back innocently.

“Look, Kiara, we will have a meeting tomorrow with the crew, but if you read your email communication, all of that is outlined. I was the only one reporting to the site today.”

“And I bet you thought that he would be all alone, too. You ain’t slick, hoe,” Le shot, and I hated that seeing her need to be possessive turned me on. This wasn’t the place, though. That shit with Kiara, I was cutting down quickly. My head was in many places, but Priest was right about one thing. I was asking for trouble with them both being here. I didn’t have the time, but I had to make some effort to look for a new assistant. Anything or anybody making Le feel uncomfortable was a problem for me.

“Who the hell are you talking to?”

“One thing that won’t happen is this.” I cut Le’s words off before they could leave her mouth. I gripped her hand because I didn’t know if they were on their way to point in Kiara’s face to prove a point or slap the shit out of her—neither one I could put out of the realm of possibility.

“None of this would have happened if you had paid attention to your communication from me. We need to discuss work-appropriate attire.”

“Hmm,” Le hummed from beside me, and I knew to separate them before shit got bad.

“We need to speak outside.” I pointed my hand, and Kiara left the house.

“We gone leave in a few minutes. Let me get this shit straight.”

“Yeah, you better because it’s clear she came out here with one thing in mind.” She folded her arms across her chest, nostrils flaring.

“You know you ain’t got shit to worry about, right? I would never disrespect you that way.”

“Now, why the hell would I be worried about her?”

“Then why are you? I like yo’ pretty ass, but one thing I’m gone always do is make sure you present yourself in the best light. You going back and forth with any female over a nigga is some shit that is beneath you. If you think I’m willing to fuck or look at anything walking, you are willing to give that pussy up to the wrong nigga.” The mention of that pretty muthafucka between her legs made her look down. There was so much damn tension between us, and even though I wanted to take a different route, it was time. I may have had a long day, but I was ending it inside of her. The scent of her arousal drove me crazy all fucking night. I lay awake just savoring her smell and the way the silkiness of her pussy caressed my hand.

“I’m just not about to let her ass try me like that. She know what she doing. You better get your fan club, .”

“For you to think she holds a candle to you is crazy. She can’t move me the way you do. Look at you fucking killing it without trying. This is a different level of living baby. They’ll always be other men looking at you. They're supposed to, but as long as they don’t get too close, I don’t give a fuck. As a matter of fact, I like that. You getting territorial and shit.”

“Don’t ruin the moment, .” She rolled her eyes through a smile.

“No, for real. Don’t let nobody take you out of yourself. I don’t care who it is. I would never embarrass you. Your feelings and emotions are safe with me, and I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what we are building. Know that.” I looked into her eyes, and she nodded.

“I get it. You are working on something big here, and believe it or not, I do want you to succeed.”

“We are working on something big. Bigger than this.”

Her eyes swept around the building.

“Come here.” She responded to my call. She could talk all that shit, but we were easy together. She melted into my arms when I pulled her close. I kissed her lips, and her reception tilted me. She spread her lips apart to allow me access, and I got lost. Her lips were so soft. When we pushed apart, there was a pink blush on her face. I looped her hand in mine and walked out of the house. Kiara was waiting in the driveway. I walked Le to the car, and she slipped into the passenger side.

“Kiara, we need to talk about your dress code.”

“I was just in the area. I was shopping, so I thought I would stop by.”

“I understand that, but when you come to one of my buildings, you need to be work-appropriate.”

“I get it. I’m sorry.”

“That’s your final warning about anything. See you tomorrow.” She grinned flirtatiously. I knew then it wouldn’t work. The small doubts I had about the working relationship were full force. If she stayed around too much longer I knew my woman would beat her ass without a second thought. I had her amicable for now, but I would have to find a replacement a lot sooner than I thought. I had to have one because I couldn’t think about that and working this crazy ass job I signed up for.

“Aww, she sad,” Le teased when I got back in the car.

“Will you stop?” I laughed.

“She was trying so hard, though. Maybe one of your workers will help her out with her thirsty ass.” She smiled and grabbed my phone. I didn’t flinch while she found music for our drive.

“Speaking of, let me make a call. I need to tell my main guy I need him on point for this project. Find Cairo’s number for me.”

She scrolled through my call log and dialed his number. He came through my Bluetooth speakers.

“Boss man! What’s up?”

“No partying and shit tonight. We gotta work in the morning, and we cannot be behind schedule for this project. I know I talk a lot of shit, but I’m counting on you, bruh. You my strongest guy here.”

“I got you, big bruh. I should have known something was up when Remy called my ass cursing me out about not making it today. I told him you didn’t tell me to come or I would’ve been there.”

“Rem just a little high-strung right now.”

“Is the shit that bad for real?”

He asked the question, but I couldn’t say shit because it was. I looked at Le, trying to act like she wasn’t indulged in the conversation, and she looked down at her shoes.

“Damn must be. But if anyone can do it you can, right, Patch.”

“Nigga gone head with that Patch shit. Call your sister, too. Didn’t you say that she got her MBA?”

“Fuck is an MBA? I said she graduated from college.”

Le squealed and threw her hand over her mouth to cover her laughter.

“Who is that?” Cairo asked.

“Now you in my business. Call your sister, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Six a.m.”

I disconnected the phone.

“He called you Patch? What kind of name is that.”

“I tell you my secrets if you tell me yours,” I tried to tease, but it shifted the energy in the car.

“You hungry?” I asked.

“No, just ready to rest,” she answered.

“I have one more meeting. It shouldn’t be more than an hour. I have to change, and we can get to what will be home for the next six weeks.”

“Another house?”

“No, something bigger.”

“Oh,” she replied and the conversation died down. I wanted to tell her more about it. Honestly, I didn’t want to jinx it. Up until this point, I hadn’t told a soul about it. My potential client moved the meeting up, and I thought I could drive home to change, but I had to default to Remy’s house since it was on the way. This way, I would kill two birds with one stone. Remy’s wife would have my ass if I didn’t stop by and say hello. Getting out of the house would be a totally different story, though. At least today I had an excuse so she couldn’t hold me too long.

When I turned down Remy’s street, I saw Mrs. Juanita in front of her yard, tending to her flowers. That was one thing my second mother didn’t play about. Her eyes lit up as soon as she saw my car enter the driveway.

“Oh my God! Son, look at you!” She almost pulled me out of the car. She had me by twenty-five years but she was just as spry as can be. She pulled me in for a hug, and her head met my chest. Something so simple damn near had me emotional. It was so many reasons I didn’t want to come back to this house, but nothing would trump the number one reason for coming. No matter the circumstance Remy and Mrs. Juanita had a special place in my heart and saw me through the darkest of times. Dark times we shared.

“Oh, and who might this beautiful lady be?”

“I’m Lesha,” Le spoke softly from beside me and extended her hand. Mrs. Juanita wasn’t having that. She pulled her in for a hug.

“Boy, you did good. Let me get a good look at you.” She smiled warmly. I saw Le blush that beautiful smile I was addicted to.

“I know I did.” I pulled Le close, and she warmed next to me.

“I can’t stay long, Ma. I have a meeting for another project.”

“Remy told me you were stopping by. Don’t leave before you eat. I have plenty.” She ushered us into the house. It was easier for me to go along with it because I knew she would get her way. My stomach had a mind of its own anyway because as soon as I smelled the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen, it told on me with a grumble.

“So where are you kids headed after your meeting? You guys can come back over for dinner. Remy should be back by then. He had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.”

“Everything okay?” I asked as I pulled out Le’s chair so she could sit down, and I took the seat next to her.

“Oh yeah, just a yearly checkup. Trust me, I make sure ain’t nothing wrong with him. He gets on my nerves, but I don’t know what I would do without him. Let me get y’all a plate.” Mrs. Juanita turned around to the pots on the stove and I leaned over to Le.

“You okay, Pretty?”

“Yes, that food smells good,” she said, dead serious. Apparently her stomach was on the same time as mine was. I don’t know if it was truly just getting her in another element or how I played in that pussy last night, but she was chill. I was seeing her personality come out more and I loved it.

Mrs. Juanita placed gumbo on the table, and Le lit up. Before I knew it, the ladies took off talking about the South. Mrs. Juanita was talking her ear off, and she seemed to get lost in the conversation. I took the opportunity to slip to one of the backrooms and change into a pair of dark blue slacks and a dark blue shirt. I wasn’t going to go full suit, but presentation was everything.

I stepped out the back, and it was Ma first.

“Ooh wee! Now shut yo’ mouth and keep on talkin'!” I cracked a smile, and when my eyes migrated to Le’s, her eyes flashed with lust before she tucked it away.

“You ready, baby?” I asked Le.

“Yes. May I use your restroom?”

“Of course, sweetheart. Down the hall and to the right,” Ma answered.

Le took off, and I watched her frame until it disappeared into the opened door.

“Is she the one?” Ma said as she settled down next to me. I took a moment to really look at her. Three years since she and I consumed the same space and her love for me was still just as evident as it had always been. The house hadn’t changed much either as I looked around. It has the same earthy colors on the walls and Ma’s accents here and there. Most of all, family on her walls. For that reason, I deliberately kept my head forward as I walked down her halls.

“I believe she is.”

“I can tell she likes you. She’s a gentle soul, but she has been through a lot.”

“How much did y’all talk while I was back there?” I tried to lighten the conversation with a chuckle. She responded with nothing but seriousness in her voice.

“I knew you’d always find your way. It was days I couldn’t see my way out either, but through the grace of God, we are still standing.”

“Yeah,” I stood up.

“I can feel this one, is it. I know you will treat her just as good as you treated my baby. This time, the outcome will be different.”

I heard the bathroom door open, and I had no intention of responding to that now that I saw Le coming down the hall. Her frown was stated, and her whole demeanor changed. She couldn't have gotten much from our conversation. Even though that was something I planned to tell her about, it wasn't anything I planned for her to find out this way

“You good?”

“Fine,” she said through tight lips.

“I think we are about to get out of here, Ma,” I turned to Ma Juanita. She gave me an apologetic look. I pulled her in for a hug and I quickly ushered Le out. We walked to the car and she didn't say a word.

“Did you overhear our conversation?” I asked, not moving the car in reverse.

“I didn’t have to hear anything. I saw the picture. Who is that woman to you? The one I saw on the picture on the wall?”

“My ex. I was married to Remy and Mrs. Juanita's daughter,” I said honestly.

“And you thought it would be a good idea to bring me into a bitch’s parents' house that you used to be married to?” I was surprised by how evenly she was reacting. Don’t get me wrong, she was so pissed I could see the steam coming off her, but Le was the type to swing and ask questions later. I saw the wrath of her and her sister firsthand.

“She’s dead. She’s been dead for four years.”

“Oh. Um.”

“I promise I’ll tell you the story, but I have about twenty minutes left to get to this meeting. I need my head to be straight.”

She nodded, and I hit the highway. I tried not to let the thoughts of that day my life changed to get to me, but even with the radio trying to drown out my thoughts, they still crept in. I had exercised those demons, but the memories were something no matter how hard you fought, you could never get used to. It took so much away from me. No, I couldn’t think about that. Not right now.

It changed who I was as a person, as a man. The depths I drowned in, I thought I could never pull myself out of. I did the work. Two years ago, I never could have imagined stepping foot in that house, even with as much love as I had for Rem. I did it all without breaking down. That alone was growth for yo’ ass. It was time for something new. Old things had passed away. My eyes were open now, and I didn’t want anything I’d been through to ruin the possibilities that were to come. I would tell her. Just not right now.

When we arrived outside of the hotel, Le’s pretty ass was looking out the window, desperately trying to avoid interacting. For the first time since we’d been together, I found my own nerves slightly rattled. I didn’t want her to believe it was any bullshit going on.

My eyes sliding down her body brought a comfort I didn’t expect. Not just because of how good she looked. I mean, damn did she? Her flower dress wasn’t precisely fitted, but her shape couldn’t be hidden no matter what she wore. The dress stopped above her knee, and my eyes rode down to her toned calves and down to her open-toed sandals. Her perfectly manicured toes begged to be kissed just like every other piece of exposed skin. It wasn’t that, either. It was that she could be flexible. Her ability to understand and, at the moment, decide to avoid something that was so natural to her, like exploding when I didn’t answer her question. I knew all I had to do was get her to herself. It was the environment that hardened her. All I had to do was get her out of that and into my hands. If I could love the wrong one, it would be no limit to what I would do for the right one.

“Come on. Let’s go inside.”

Her eyes widened when she looked at me. “You want me to go into the business meeting?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t you?”

“I mean because it’s business. I thought you would want me to wait in the car.”

I looked at her crazy. “Why the hell would I make you wait in the car? That would be rude as fuck. I planned for you to come with me because I want you to know what I’m doing. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize my business, and your presence would never be that anyway.”

“I’m not dressed.” She reached for the last excuse.

“Trust me, you look better than anyone we will encounter.” I walked around to her side and opened the door.

“Okay, I’ll go,” she spoke cautiously as she stood to her full height.

“You acting like you have a choice.”

As soon as she was getting ready to roll her eyes and snap her neck, I smacked her on the ass, making sure she felt it. Her ears reddened, and her breath ran from her.

“,” she breathed out.

“Later.” I looped her hand in mine, and we walked toward the building to get my last order of business before we went home.