Reece
I couldn’t believe how great the event was going! From the kids’ activities, to the car washes, and food, I can say that the entire day has been a success.
Although I loved how everything turned out, the best part was taking pictures of the event. The customers were having a wonderful time, and I was able to capture that in various photos.
As I snapped a picture of the employees wiping down a car, I saw Nuicka and Cedric near the food table. I went over to them and I surprised the two since their backs were turned.
“So, you decided to eat the food and not greet the host?”
Nuicka turned around and smiled. “Hey, girl! We didn’t want to disturb you while you were in your element.”
“I know. I was just kidding. Hey, Ced.” I said as I gave him a hug.
“We talked to Troy earlier. He was singing your praises about this event.” Nuicka said.
“I know. I’m really happy that he trusted me to pull this event off.”
“You are the best, and he sees it too.”
I was wearing a huge grin as I looked around. The event exceed our expectations. Vanessa even told me that over two hundred vehicles cars has either purchased supreme washes or details even after the first fifty received their free washes, so the event did bring in money, which was something Troy was concerned about.
“Well, let me get back to work. I’ll check up on you two later.” I said as I gave Nuicka another hug. I couldn’t believe they were even in town, but I’m glad they were.
I was heading inside to check on Nena and Crystal when I heard feedback coming from the stage. I looked over to see Troy on stage, which was a little surprising because he didn’t mentioned that he was making an announcement.
“Is everyone having a great time?!”
A crowd gathered by the stage as several people cheered.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m Troy, the manager at Suds- Richmond, and I wanted to thank you all for coming out and enjoying this wonderful event with us.
Although I am the manager, I can’t take all of the credit for this event. The true mastermind of this event is our office manager, Reece Palmer, who has gone above and beyond to make this day possible. So, Reece, come on up here.”
I really didn’t want to be put on the spot with everyone staring at me. I slowly went to the stage as several people, mainly employees, were cheering my name.
I glanced at Troy as he gave a bright smile. “What are you doing?” I whispered.
“I just wanted to acknowledge what a great job you’ve done, that’s all.”
“In front of everyone?”
“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my girl, and I’m proud of you.”
I looked out at the crowd, completely caught off guard to what was happening.
“To show my appreciation, I want to be able to present you with this,” he said as I noticed him taking a dozen red roses from Patrick. Several awes were expressed as he handed them to me.
“Thank you, Troy.” I said as accepted the roses from him.
“You’re welcome, baby.”
Several customers were surprised to what Troy just said as he leaned over to give me a kiss on the cheek. I definitely didn’t want customers to know that Troy and I were together, but I guess he decided to take upon himself to announce it.
“Although Reece has done a great job with keeping this store in top form during the time that she was here, she will be going on to bigger and better things by becoming the owner of the new Suds store in Dallas, which is Reece’s hometown, right Reece?”
I looked at him, wondering what he was talking about as he me gave a cocky smile. As everyone was either shocked or speechless, Troy leaned over to whisper in my ear.
“I hope all of this was worth it, Reece. Now, you got your store.”
I looked over to see Jamarcus giving me a surprised look as I quickly looked away. How in the hell did Troy find out?
Kari! I’m going to kill that bitch!
Instead of me showing any type of anger, I smiled as Troy congratulated me. This public display needed to end now so I could explain myself to Troy. I know he was pissed over what he’d found out. I need to explain to him why I was offered the store.
Once Troy walked off the stage, I followed him inside the store. Since customers were in the lobby, I tried to stop him by jerking his arm.
“Leave me alone, Reece.”
“Troy, you have to let me explain.”
“Explain what?! That you have been lying to me since the day you stepped foot here?! That you were using me to get what you what?!”
I looked around to see everyone staring at us. Nena and Crystal stopped talking to stare at us as Jamarcus and Pamela walked inside to see the mess that was about to unfold.
“Can we please talk about this in private?”
“Like I give a shit about anyone standing here?! You hurt me, Reece.”
“It wasn’t intentional!”
Troy pulled out his phone and started to play the conversation that I’d had with Vanessa a few days ago. I didn’t know what to do as I heard how guilty I was about not telling Troy.
“Was Kari the one who sent you that?”
“Doesn’t matter who sent it; it’s the idea that you had a deal with your cousin to obtain something that you don’t know anything about! That’s why you wanted to know everything about the business, and my dumb ass was showing everything to you. Hell, we went to Dallas, thinking I was helping out Mark and Vanessa, yet you were going there to see how your store was coming along! Wow, don’t I feel stupid.”
“Troy, please!”
“What do you want me to say, Reece! You played my ass, just like I’ve been doing to women for years. I guess Vanessa thought this shit was funny, since she never liked my ass anyway.”
“This is not about Vanessa; this is about you and me. I love you, Troy, and I didn’t want to hurt you. I wanted to tell you, but…”
“But what? So was everything you said to me a lie? Was your relationship with Paul a lie too?”
I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me once he said that. Why would he throw that in my face, especially since he was the only person I really talked about that to?
“Why are you doing this, Troy? You know I wouldn’t lie about that.”
“I don’t know what the fuck you’ll lie about! If you lied about this, then you probably were lying about everything!”
“I’m not lying about my feelings for you. I’m in love with you, Troy.”
“I don’t know that; in fact I don’t know who I’m looking at right now.”
“Troy…”
“After everything that I have shared with you. You knew how my life was before and the feelings I had for you. They were real, Reece. I didn’t hide shit like you did. Now, I don’t even want to be around you. Get the fuck out of my store.”
“Troy, that’s enough! This is not your store. This is Mark and my store, so do not disrespect my cousin or us because your ego is bruised!” Vanessa said.
Troy nodded. “You know what then, that’s how you feel, then I’ll just leave.”
He turned around and headed to the door, almost pushing Jamarcus on the way out.
“What the hell?” Jamarcus asked as he tried to go after him, but Pamela held him back.
I headed to the door when Vanessa was calling out my name, but I didn’t listen. I needed to talk to Troy.
“Reece! What the hell happened?! We couldn’t even get inside to see what was going on. How did Troy know about Dallas?” Nuicka asked.
“I can’t talk right now. I have to talk to Troy.”
I went to his car as he gotinside. I went to the passenger side, glad that it was unlocked, and got in.
“Get out.”
“Listen to me! When Vanessa first offered me the position, she told me what was at stake. I didn’t think I would fall for you, but the minute I walked through those double doors and saw you, I knew that was going to be impossible. At first, it was attraction, but once I got to know you, I knew there was a genuine person underneath that hard exterior. We had so much in common, that it was scary. That’s what really drew me to you.
I know what I did was wrong, and I’m truly sorry for it, but I have never lied about what happened in my past and I damn sure didn’t lie to you about my feelings for you. I truly and deeply in love with you. You made me want to love again, and I know I have done that for you too. You wouldn’t be acting this way if you didn’t.”
Troy gave me the side eye before staring straight out the window. “Out of all of the women who I had some feelings towards, you are the worst. They may have lied and manipulated me, but you did it for a damn store. You never even wanted a business, but I did. You knew my dream, yet you took it from me.”
“That’s why I told Vanessa that I couldn’t do it and to offer you the store. You’re the better person to handle the store. You know this business inside and out. I can’t compete with that.”
“Oh, so I’m a charity case now? You don’t want it, so let’s give it to Troy? I don’t want your handout, Reece.”
“It’s not a handout!”
“Please leave me alone, Reece. I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
I nodded. “I’ll give you your space, but will you ever talk to me?”
Troy sighed. “I don’t know,”
I looked at the door as Troy started up the ignition. I couldn’t leave as Troy pushed the door open for me.
“Leave, Reece.”
“You don’t have to act like this.”
“Leave before I say something that I’ll regret.”
“You know what, be that way. I said I was sorry and that I didn’t want to go through with it. I was trying to spare your feelings. Vanessa and Mark didn’t even know that you wanted to invest in a store, that’s why you were never considered for it. But if you want to act like this, then whatever. I’m not going to kiss your ass to make you feel better.”
“Wow, you’re being so mature right now.”
“Just like you are.” I said as I got out of his car.
I slammed the door as Troy quickly backed out of the parking spot. He sped away to the end of the lot and headed down the street, almost hitting a car on the way out.
I watched him leave, not knowing what else to do. I definitely didn’t want to go back inside the store nor be at the event any longer. Right now, I just wanted to be alone.
I felt defeated as I leaned against my car. I couldn’t control the tears that were streaming down my face as I fell down on the asphalt.
Before I knew it, I felt someone arms around me, as I realized it was Jamarcus. He was telling me to let it out, and I did just that.
Just a few hours ago, I was happy and in love. How could all of that just be taken away from me in just a few seconds?
Now, I don’t know if I will ever talk to Troy again.