Page 34 of Where Is the Love
I rolled my eyes, and I noticed everybody else did the same. “Nigga, ain’t that the same thing?” Uncle WJ asked.
“Naw, ’cause you don’t necessarily like everybody in your family. At times, I don’t like none of y’all, especially Jasper’s ass.”
Uncle Storm finally chuckled. He always had to be difficult. I took a pull from the blunt and sat in the empty seat next to Uncle Storm. I closed my eyes then realized how quiet it had gotten. I opened them to see everybody was staring at me. After exhaling the smoke, I said, “Damn. What? I’m not gon’ stay the whole time. I just wanted to smoke.”
“Shit, you pulled on that shit like you was trying to inhale all of it at once though. You good?” Uncle Marcus asked.
“She probably been around Brix and just as stressed as he is,” Uncle Storm said.
I didn’t know how he always knew people’s business, but his ass did. If he didn’t know, he was good at bluffing until he found out. I cut my eyes at him as he put his arm around me. “It’ll get better after tomorrow evening. He gon’ be set.”
I took another pull as my cousin Mal said, “Shit, give me one. The way Jessica smoking that shit and rolling her eyes, itgotto be fire.”
I almost choked from laughing at his ass. When I caught my breath, Uncle Storm said, “You ain’t gotta leave. You know we got’chu, Ace. Shiiid, you and Tiff more like one of us anyway. You sure you good?”
“Yeah. He’s just having mood swings, and I know it’s because he’s stressed. It’s just making me feel the same way when I’m around him. I hate feeling like that.”
“I get it. I saw yo’ ex-nigga was in town. You good with that?”
“I hate that his ass is here. It’s like he’s using the fact that Lennox is his brother as an excuse. It feels like he’s lowkey stalking me. This is the second time he’s shown up while I was here. I plan to have a last heart to heart with him. After that, I’m gon’ go upside his fucking head if he keep popping up on me. Maybe we can do that one day this weekend.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let me know when, and I’ll be in the vicinity to make sure he don’t try nothing.”
“Well, I’ll probably be at Aunt Tiff’s riding. So he’ll have to come out and ride with me. I feel like that will help me express myself better. It’s so peaceful, and I’ve been neglecting that side of my personality lately. I miss the country.”
“Uh huh. Move yo’ ass back. I know you’ve made enough bread to get you a house. Hell, you can get one in the Henderson Ranch edition with Nesha, Jakari, and KJ. I think Christian, Rylan, and yo’ brother looking at building houses out there too. Even Decaurey been looking at moving.”
“Yeah, it’s a thought. I can work from anywhere, but Houston is more convenient. However, I won’t be able to do this my entire life, nor do I want to.”
He nodded repeatedly as I killed my blunt. I felt relaxed as hell too. When I stood from my seat, Uncle WJ asked, “You good, niece?”
“Yeah, Unc. I’m good now. Thanks… And thank you for what you did earlier.”
He gave me a one-cheeked smile and said, “We gon’ always do what we can do for our people. Always.”
I walked around and kissed everybody bye then walked to the gate to head to my car and saw Brix leaned against it.
CHAPTERTWELVE
BRIXTON
When she came through the gate and I saw how low her eyes were, I wished I would have gone back there and put one in the air too. The smell was strong, and when the wind blew just right, I could smell the shit at my house. I got that contact high at least once a week. As she got close, she asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I owe you an apology. I don’t have a problem expressing my feelings and desires when it concerns you. However, when things aren’t going so well, especially financially, in my life, I have an issue with telling anyone, not just you. I don’t want you to view me as a failure. I view myself that way, so I can’t fault you if you viewed me that way too. It’s embarrassing to say the least.”
I looked away for a moment as I took a couple of steps backward. She was watching me intently, waiting for me to continue. “While I was trying to get a room at the Marriott, my manager from the gym called, and I officially closed the doors. I sent emails out when I got home. I haven’t decided whether I will sell, revamp things by offering shit others aren’t offering, or turn it into something totally different. I’m stressed to the max, because that leaves no money coming in.”
“Brix…”
Ignoring her plea, I kept going. “I called movers to get on their schedule. I’ll be selling my house in Austin and moving here permanently. It’s just a lot, Jess. I’m not telling you this to ask for help. I just wanted you to know why I just seem all over the place. My mental is taking a hit, baby. I’m sorry.”
She stepped closer to me then slid her arms around my neck. “You’re not a failure. Things will come together. This is just a storm… a test. Keep your faith. Okay?”
I frowned at her slightly. What faith was there to have in this situation? I didn’t have the money, and I wasn’t looking for a handout. Instead of stating all that because I was in my pitiful feelings, I just said, “Okay.”
I kissed her forehead and as I was pulling away, she grabbed my shirt then suddenly released it. “What’s up?” I asked her.
“Nothing. I’m sorry.”