Page 63 of The Need to Know

We were supposed to get Pad Thai and finally feel things out, but life hit us like a motherfucker. After our lunch at Dellucci’s, shit got busy. Nastasia mentioned being in the local paper for Shéc and that bringing in a lot of new customers. I had to get on it about Ladies’ Night since we all wanted it sooner than later before summer ended. Outside of a few texts here and talking on the phone one night, I hadn’t seen Nas in over a week.

I wished she had come out tonight. It would’ve been nice to sneak up to the Spade Suite for a few.

Cesar let it go as he tossed me an apologetic frown. “Next time, then. Before I forget, Tip said he’d stop through this weekend.”

I pumped my fist. Yes. Any of Atlanta’s A-list stopping through would only bring out more bodies to be seen and heard. BLVCKJVCK was about to have another winning numbers weekend.

I pounded my fist against Cesar’s before shaking hands with Leslie and excusing myself from the room.

Down on the main floor Paisley was taking the mic again as a Saweetie song went off.

“Enough of that tough stuff, let’s get real for a moment,” Paisley said. “I’m strong as shit, but sometimes I get lonely. Feel me? Sometimes I just wanna be held and loved on. And if you feel the same, this next one for you.”

Summer Walker’s “Girls Need Love” came on through the speakers, seizing all the ladies’ hearts in the room.

That one may get some fellas laid tonight.

As Paisley began rocking side to side, I went on stage and got close.

“Let’s talk right quick,” I said into her ear.

Paisley reeled back, but once she recognized me, she nodded and went and said something to DJ Aux before coming over to me. I took her hand and led her through the crowd, stopping every once in a while to allow one of her supporters to rightfully gas her up.

When the path was clear, I took her up to the office where it was nice and quiet and out of the way.

I took the chair behind the desk as Paisley hung back, amazed as she observed our wall of monitors surveying the entire club.

Vibration in my pocket caused me to pull my phone out. My mood took a dive once I caught Tee texting me.

Tee Money

Heard you were throwing a night for the ladies. Creative. Hit me up when you’re free. Let’s work!

I really had fucked up by getting into contact with him. Just the idea of helping him build something to potentially put my father out of business made me sick.

Shit.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket, needing to face that situation head on, but not at the moment.

“You tryna smoke up?” I offered Paisley as I unlocked the bottom drawer on the right and found some of Remy’s weed.

“Yes, please,” Paisley accepted.

I rolled us an L as I slid her a white envelope I’d taken from my back pocket. “A bonus.”

Paisley took the envelope and leafed through the bills, an eyebrow raising. “For…?”

“Making tonight a success,” I told her. “Shit is packed out there. Folks outside still waitin’ to get in to see you.”

I lit up and took a pull before holding it out for Paisley. “Remy got that for me.”

“Oh, I heard his weed the best.” Paisley took a quick drag before passing it back. I watched as her face pinched up as she blew out a stream of smoke. “Shit.”

“Uh-huh,” I agreed. “This that Dymond strain.”

Paisley cracked up. “Hell yeah.”

I leaned back in my seat to get comfortable and down to business as I sized her up. “So, you know we gotta do this again, right?”