Reece
Coming to work with Troy was a little awkward since Jamarcus immediately realized what was going on. I felt a bit nervous about how people would look at the two of us; that’s why I told Troy to keep things quiet. I just don’t feel comfortable with people knowing that we are together. I should be happy, but a part of me is still guilty over Suds Dallas. I need to tell him the truth before he hears about it from someone else.
As he and Jamarcus went into the office to talk, I was meeting with Crystal, who is the new cashier that I’d spoke with before going to Dallas. The interview she had with Vanessa went very well and she hired her on the spot. She didn’t even wait for either Troy or me to interview her, but she is the owner, so she can do whatever she wants.
While I was talking to her about the various procedures at the store, I noticed Vanessa walking in. She was giving me a stern look as I gave her a look, that asked “what’s wrong,”.
Her expression changed as she approached us. She gave a warm smile to Crystal as she began to speak.
“Welcome, Crystal. I see Reece is already giving you details about the policies and procedures here.”
“Yes, she is. I’m really going to like working here.”
“Oh, we’re so glad to have you aboard. You’ll be meeting Troy as well today. Where is he, by the way?” Vanessa asked looking directly at me.
“He’s with Jamarcus right now.”
“Okay. Nena will be here in a second, so why don’t we get Crystal set up so once she comes in they can start training.” Vanessa said.
“I thought I was going to train Crystal?” I asked while giving Vanessa a questioning look. I don’t know what was going on, but Vanessa and I had discussed Crystal’s training schedule over the phone last night.
“Change of plans at the last moment. I need to speak with you privately once Nena gets here.”
I glanced at her, becoming nervous because she wouldn’t even look at me. After she went into the office, I set everything up for Crystal so she would be in uniform and be ready to go with her sign-on once Nena came in.
Once Nena came in, I greeted her with a hug before Vanessa urged me to come with her outside. As she was rushing to head to the exit, I was trying to catch up with her, she was already to the door.
“What the hell is going on? Why were you acting like a bitch earlier?”
Vanessa glanced back me before continuing to walk towards the back. When I caught up with her, she stood there and took several deep breaths but not saying a word. My anxiety was getting the best of me as I waited for her to speak.
“Okay, the suspense is killing me. What the hell is going on?”
“Did you sleep with Troy?”
I glanced at her, wondering if this was why she was upset. “It’s none of your business if I did, but yes. More than once.”
“That was not a part of the plan, Reece! You were supposed to watch over him as you prepare for the new store in Dallas! Instead, you’re fucking him!”
“No, it wasn’t apart of the plan, but it happened. I really like him, Vanessa.”
“So what are you going to do about the Dallas store? You gave me your word, Reece.”
“I know that, but…”
“But you’re having second thoughts.”
I saw down on the rock centerpiece as a tear fell down my cheek. I really didn’t want to cry right now, but I’ve been feeling so guilty about everything that maybe it was finally time for me to let it all out.
“I know I wasn’t suppose to like him, and I gave you my word, but I’ve spent a lot of time with him and he’s not the guy that everyone thought he was. He’s just as screwed up as I am, that’s why I could relate to him.”
“I know you had a lot of set-backs in your life, but what else has been going on?”
I looked down to the ground as the tears really started flowing. I could feel Vanessa’s arms around me as I tried to speak, but the only thing that could come out were sobs.
“Whatever it is, Reece, it’s okay.” Vanessa cooed.
As I explained to Vanessa everything that has been going on, from Paul to my parents, Vanessa was holding me tight, I could feel her tears going onto my shirt sleeve.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me? I’m your cousin.”
“I just couldn’t.”
“But you told Nuicka? I’m glad she was there for you, but I would had been too.”
“I know, but you had your own stuff going on, especially when you got involved with Hamilton, and I didn’t want to be a burden.”
Vanessa looked into my eyes as she wiped the tears that were on my cheeks. “You could never be a burden to me, Reece. We’re family. Families stick together, no matter the circumstances. You know that.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be, sweetie. Don’t be.” Vanessa whispered.
We continued to hug each other as I told her about my photography. She didn’t know what to say about that, she pulled away from and gave me a genuine smile.
“Wow, you really have been holding out on me. I know you may have mentioned it a time or two, but I didn’t think you wanted to make it into a career.”
I nodded. “I do. I guess I never felt I was confident enough to do it.”
“Because of that jerk Paul?”
“He really made me feel so low. I knew it was a possibility that I would see him while I was there, but I wasn’t anticipating that it would be at Finn’s. I’m just glad that I didn’t see him again before we left.”
“I can’t believe your parents were still talking to him even after you two broke up.”
“Mainly because of his parents.”
“I’m sure they won’t be speaking to him again,”
“Which I’m glad for. But it wasn’t just him that made me feel a certain way. My parents also played a part in that. I felt I was never good enough for their standards.”
“I know I wasn’t any better, was I?”
“You never put me down like they did. You just did your best to encourage me to do better.”
“But I should had seen there was something more. I’m so sorry, Reece.”
“Stop apologizing. It was never your fault, Nessa.”
“I’m glad that you were able to repair your relationship with Uncle Drew and Aunt Nancy,”
“Me too. It’ll still take some work, but at least we’re on the right track. I guess they also saw the potential in me, but they tried to instill it in me with tough love.”
“Too much tough love,” Vanessa agreed. “What made you tell Troy, though?”
I sighed. “I just felt that I should. He sensed something was wrong other than what was happening with my parents.”
“Well, I’m so glad Troy beat the shit out of Paul.”
I looked at her as she shrugged. “Troy may be a lot of things, but I do know he would have your back when you need it. That’s why Mark never wanted to let go of him; his personal life may have been a mess, but he was always a business man first.”
I let out a frustrated breath “That’s why I feel guilty about acquiring Suds Dallas. He wants to own one of the stores, Vanessa.”
Vanessa groaned. “Damn it; I hate when Mark is right.”
“What?”
“Mark and I were talking one day, and he suspected that Troy may have wanted to invest in one of the franchise stores. I told him he was delusional because I couldn’t see Troy as an owner; but I guess he really wants to.”
I nodded. “He does. He told me while we were heading to Dallas.”
“That’s why you really don’t want the store?”
“Because I feel it’s a handout. I don’t deserve it because I’m your cousin. You should give it to someone that earns the spot.”
Vanessa’s shoulder’s slumped. “I really didn’t think things would be so complicated.”
“I didn’t either, that’s why I jumped at the chance to do it. Although I have learned a lot in such a short time, I don’t think I deserve to have my own store. Honestly, I don’t know if I even want to own a car wash.”
“Because you want to pursue a career in photography. Which I think I can arrange for now.”
“As a social media specialist? I’m sure Troy told Mark about it.”
Vanessa shook her head. “No, he hasn’t; I just thought since you don’t want a store, I could still offer something for you to do. That’s until you decide to go off and start taking photos for models and magazine covers.”
I smiled. “That’s not the route I would want to pursue. Mainly do photography that has a social impact on the world; something meaningful and not on the latest fashion trends.”
“I hear you, cuz. If I never said it before, just know that I’m proud of you. I always have been, but I guess I never said it. I should have though.”
“Well, I’m proud of you too, cuz, for everything that you have accomplished.”
She smiled. “Thanks.”
“So, about the Dallas store…?”
“Please offer it to Troy. Give him a chance to shine, because I know he’ll do great things with it.”
“Wow, I still can’t believe you and Troy.”
I smiled. “I know you thought I wouldn’t fall for him, but I did.”
“I just hope that he doesn’t hurt you.”
I nodded. “I hope not either, but that’s a risk that I’m willing to take. I just hope that I don’t hurt him first.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because sometimes, your lies and deceit can come back on you.”
Vanessa put my head on her shoulder. A huge weight had been lifted off of me by telling Vanessa that I didn’t want the Dallas store, but I still felt I should tell Troy the real reason why I was at Suds. If we’re going to be in a committed relationship, we shouldn’t have any secrets going in. But as I looked at Vanessa, she already knew what I was thinking.
“I will run the plans by Mark and if he agrees, then we’ll run it by Troy. But whatever you do, do not tell Troy anything about why you were really here. There’s no point in dredging up that if it’s not necessary.”
“But I don’t want to keep any secrets from him.”
“Some things you should keep a secret. You two are together, so just keep it at that.”
“You not upset are you?”
“About…?”
“Me being with Troy?”
“You’re a grown woman, Reecee; just be careful, okay.”
I nodded. “Is this meeting over now?”
Vanessa nodded. “Yep. I’ll stick around for a bit since Mark is coming too so we can talk to both you and Troy about Dallas.”
I nodded as we both got up. I suddenly had a strange feeling as I looked around, sensing something wasn’t right. I quickly brushed it off, and went back inside to start my workday.