Reece
The conversation I had with Troy was pretty rough. I’d never talked about Paul to anyone, not even with Vanessa. I never wanted anyone to know the hell that man has put me through, mainly because everyone knows me as this cold-hearted bad ass who doesn’t take any shit off of people. To a certain extent, I felt that was the reason why I always had a chip on my shoulder. I tried not to let it consume me and make me this bitter person, but I just can’t let it go. I can’t get attached to someone because I think that person is going to hurt me like Paul did. I’m even having some doubts about Troy, but for some reason, I’m slowly letting my guard down with him. I guess because he’s just as messed up as I am. I just wish I could tell him the truth about Suds Dallas.
What he told me today really made me feel some type of way. I’d even mentioned to Vanessa that Troy might want to invest in the company, so my thoughts were true that he actually did. Once he does find out, I don’t know how he’ll take the news. I just hope he doesn’t hate me.
Since Troy wanted to go out, I decided to take him to one of my favorite hangouts, Finn’s. It was a lounge that has a laid back vibe, which I loved. I don’t care too much for crowded clubs, but the night everyone wanted to go out, I decided to go since it was with co-workers, but I prefer a more intimate atmosphere.
Once I freshened up and changed into a blue off the shoulder top and pair of dark jeans, I went back to Troy’s room so we could go. Dressed in blue and white striped shirt and jeans, he looked pretty good.
As we headed to the lounge, all I could think about was the places that I took various pictures at. From the Nasher Sculpture Center to Turtle Creek Park, the majority of the places that we passed by were significant to me and to my photography. I just wished I was able to share my vision with other people without anyone judging me. Now that Troy knows, I know he’ll be supportive of me, which was something that I appreciated.
Well there was one other person that I told about my vision, and that was my best friend since college, Nuicka. She has been through a lot with me, which I will always appreciate her for . She’s now a bartender at Finn’s, and she actually helped me submit some of my photos to a local magazine I never told anyone, so hopefully she doesn’t either when we see her at Finn’s.
As I pulled into a parking spot, I smiled, realizing this was the only thing I missed in Dallas. This was sort of my second home since I was there practically every night. That was how I became friends with Nuicka.
“I can see this place is bringing back memories.” Troy said.
“Why do you say that?”
“I don’t know, that huge grin that you have on your face.”
My smile became wider. “Maybe so,”
We got out and Troy came to me. He gently took my hand which made me smile even wider. I didn’t think that could be possible.
“I love seeing you smile,”
I blushed as he leaned me against the rental car. “There are a lot of things I love to see, especially earlier at Vanessa and Mark’s.”
“I’m sure,”
“You weren’t complaining,”
“Of course not. I was enjoying it too much.”
“I’m glad you did.”
I smiled when Troy leaned over to give me a kiss. Troy shook his head. “I agreed that we weren’t going to go there tonight, so let’s just enjoy each other’s company, okay.”
“Of course,”
He kissed me again, making my heart flutter a bit. Once we pulled away, I surprised Troy by gently reaching for his hand.
“Is that okay?”
He smiled. “It’s fine, mija.”
My heart fluttered again once he called me mija. I love the way he says that.
We walked into the lounge hand in hand and I immediately saw Nuicka behind the bar. She had her head down, making a drink so I yelled out her name. She was a bit startled by this and she almost dropped a glass.
“What the h…?!”
Nuicka looked up, spotted me and started yelling my name. She came from behind the bar with her arms outstretched. We hugged each other, which made me so happy. Nuicka is like a sister to me, so seeing her now made me realized I’d missed Dallas. Well, she was the only thing that I’d missed.
“What are you doing here? Why you didn’t tell me you were coming back?”
“I wanted to surprise you. But it’s for business. Vanessa wanted me and the store manager to come out to see the new Dallas store.”
“Wow, so Vanessa really is living up to her word, huh? You really are getting…”
I shook my head, telling her to stop talking. She glanced at me, not sure what was going on as she stared at Troy. She mouthed, “is that him?” I nodded and she smiled.
I was able to bring Nuicka up to speed on how things were going at Suds and about Troy. She gave me an approving smile, I playfully rolled my eyes in response.
“So, you must be Troy. Very nice to meet you,” Nuicka said as she extended her hand out to him. He smiled as he accepted her handshake.
“I might add, you are one fine specimen of a man. Hmmm,” she said while letting her eyes roam down his body.
“Really, Nuicka? Don’t boost this man’s ego any further.” I teased. I already knew Nuicka was joking with him, so I didn’t take what she was doing to heart.
“Nice to meet you, Nuicka. But I have to ask, are you flirting with me in front of Reece?”
Nuicka looked at me and we both starting laughing. “Relax, lover boy; I was just joking with you. I wouldn’t do that to my bestie. Besides, I’m happily married, so it’s all in fun. I normally do that to test the man out and see if he’s right for RiRi. If the man doesn’t even blink an eye at me, that means he only has eyes for Reece. You didn’t even flinch, so you’re good.”
Troy looked at me and I shrugged. “That’s her test,”
“How many men have you brought here?” He asked.
Nuicka shook her head. “Stop, she hasn’t brought a lot here. I just know how Reece is, so I just don’t want her to get hurt. But I know about your history, so if you do hurt her, I will hunt you down.”
Troy looked at me and smirked. “I see where you got some of your spunk from.”
I laughed. “Okay, you two. But how has things been here?”
Nuicka shrugged. “It’s been good. You haven’t been gone that long though.”
“I know, but it feels like I have. What about my place? Were you able to get anything else from it?”
After the conversation I had with Troy about my place, I’d decided to call Nuicka to see if she could get my remaining items. I never mentioned to anyone that she co-signed for me to get that place since my credit was so jacked up. Now, since I have an eviction, I hate that it messed up Nuicka’s credit as well, which I’m sure didn’t go well with her husband, Cedric.
Nuicka smiled. “I did. I was going to call you to tell you.”
“You seriously got all of my stuff?”
“I did,”
“You’re a lifesaver,” I said as I gave her a tight hug. She laughed as she pulled away.
“Like I’ve always been, but you have been there for me as well.”
I completely forgot about Troy as he was sitting at the bar scrolling on his phone. He looked up and smiled before going back to his phone.
“I have to admit, he is sexy,” Nuicka said. “Have you two…?”
I shook my head. “No. You know I haven’t really been with anyone since Kenny. I wouldn’t know what to do with him.”
“I’m sure you can find some things, RiRi.”
“Shouldn’t you be working instead of talking to me?”
“Kim is back there, so I can take a break.”
I smirked as she smiled. “Let’s go take a seat and talk.”
I nodded as I glanced over at Troy. He smiled, letting me know it’s fine and we went to a table near the back.
“But seriously, how are you really doing?” Nuicka said as she sat down.
I shrugged. “I’m fine. Things are slowly falling into place with the job.”
“And with Troy?”
I just kinda let her question hang there. “I don’t want to talk about the store,”
“I know, but you do remember the agreement you made with Vanessa.”
“Which I kind of regret now.”
“Because you fell for him,”
I sighed. “That wasn’t part of the plan, but I did. At first, I saw him as an egotistical jerk; but now, once you look underneath the surface, he’s just a guy who’s trying to find his way in life.”
“Just like you. Have you told him about your photography?”
I smiled. “I should have told you what he did.”
“You can tell me now,”
I gave Nuicka the details on our date, which made her smile. “Wow, he really does like you.”
“I feel guilty because he does. I have to tell him about this store, especially since he’s wants to invest in it.”
“Wait, what? He wants to own one?”
I nodded. “He told me on our way here.”
“Wow; so what are you going to do?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. I don’t want him to think I’ve been using him to get the Dallas store. He’s probably going to feel some type of way anyway because I’m the owner’s cousin and he will think that I was handed the store.”
“That’s sort of what’s going on, isn’t it?”
I gave her the evil eye and she didn’t flinch. “No matter how you twist the story, that’s the truth, RiRi.”
“It was at first, but I really like him, Nuicka. I could see myself possiblely having a future with him. That’s something that I haven’t felt about anyone in a long time.”
“So, what are you going to do, then?”
I looked at the bar as I watched Troy. He stared at me, making my heart swell. Could I be falling in love with him?
Shit!
“What’s wrong?” Nuicka asked.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I just need to go to the restroom. I’ll be back.”
Nuicka nodded as I got up. I went to Troy to let him know where I was going and headed straight to the hallway to the restrooms. I went to the wall and leaned against it, taking deep breaths as I tried to gather my thoughts. I couldn’t be falling in love with him. I barely know him! I know people always talk about love at first sight and falling in love within a month or two, but Troy and I have only known each other for a couple of weeks. It could be lust. That’s what it is. I probably just want to fuck him and I’ve mistaken it for love.
Just as I was about to enter the restroom, I suddenly looked down the hall. My heart started to rapidly beat against my chest as my palms became sweaty. I felt as if I couldn’t breath soI put my hand on the door to steady myself.
Please don’t let me fall out right here? I thought as I had to leaned my entire body on the door. Maybe if I go inside the restroom, he wouldn’t see me, but I felt as if my feet couldn’t move.
“Reece?”
I began to hyperventilate, which was something I didn’t want to happen at the moment. I did not want to be around this man, so to me, this was a sign of weakness, and I didn’t want him to see me that way.
“Reece, talk to me.”
I lowered my head to catch my breath and I noticed his shoes. They were black wing-tips, which was standard for him, since he was always trying to impress people. He covered up the real man he was by wearing expensive clothing and saying things that people wanted to hear.
As soon as he tried to touch me, a memory of him throwing me against the wall came into my mind and I quickly moved away. I bumped into the wall, probably bruising my shoulder, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want him anywhere near me.
“Stay away from me,” I muttered.
“Reece, I didn’t know you were back in town. Do your parents know?”
I continued to lean against the wall, not sure if I wanted to answer him. I knew there was a possibility I’d run into Paul while I was in Dallas, but I hadn’t expected it to be this soon.
“Reece, I…”
“Please, just stay away from me. There’s nothing for us to talk about.”
“I think there is, but you’ve been avoiding me since we ended things.”
“Because of what you’ve done to me. I tried my hardest to stay away from you, but it’s hard to do when you’re around my parents.”
“To talk to you. I figured that was the only way. Reece, I know what I did to you was wrong, but I’ve changed. I’m not the person that I was before. I wised up.”
“If you did, then I’m glad, but that doesn’t erase the pain that you have caused me. It doesn’t change how you treated me, Paul. Now, please, just leave me alone.”
I tried to walk away, but before I knew it, Paul grabbed my arm, causing me to panic. I suddenly felt as if I were eighteen again and I couldn’t defend myself against Paul. Maybe now, it was time that I did.