“Wait, but I thought we were preparing for your regular reelection in Congress. How will this work?”
“That was the original plan when I flew to the Capitol, but when word started spreading about Rogers losing his position in the Senate, I knew it was now or never. Once they make the official announcement, we’ll switch gears. I can’t submitmy application for the seat until then, but that means, behind the scenes, more dinners, and kissing ass, all stuff needed to advance my name once it’s on the ballot come November.”
“So it’ll be a regular election, just for a new…higher position? Elections will still be held later, like toward the end of my pageant season?”
“Maybe. It depends on how they decide to move with this one. It could be a special election or someone could be appointed. But yes, if it moves how I assume it will, toward the end of your season. Meaning, I’ll need you a lot more these upcoming months for parties, fundraisers, and events. You might have to pull back on pageants if they get in the way of when you need to be by my side.” I chuckled humorlessly, just as the server returned with our bottle of wine, opening it while I hadn’t stopped laughing. Quincey’s glare sat on me, letting me know he wasn’t happy with my behavior in front of company, but I didn’t care. The server poured and left in record time.
“Pull back? Yeah, no. Q, we agreed that my pageants would come first this year, since this was a regular re-election year for you. Just because you’ve made the decision to switch things when it’s already set in motion doesn't mean it changes for me. I want my crown this year.”
“Josie, seriously, I don’t give a damn about a pageant nor a crown. You’re worried about your pageants as if being here wasn’t in preparation for this moment—my gotdamn moment. And whatever changes I see fit to make will be made. Now, like I said, if a competition—no, let me fix my words so we’re clear—or practice, because I know how that mind of yours works, honey. If anything is on your schedule when we have an event I want you at, you will pull out. Between you and Mama, all this pageant bullshit has gotten far too out of hand. At some point y’all gon’ have to hang this shit up. If you haven’t gotten the crown by now, obviously it ain’t happening.” Quincey’s harsh tone rushedhis statement out, cutting me deep inside. I gasped hard at his words.
“Well shit, tell me how you really feel about my job, Q.” I chuckled humorlessly as I shook my head.
When Quincey snorted, clearly amused, I should’ve prepared myself for his nasty comeback, but the sting came fast as hell, further killing my spirit.
“C’mon now, Josie. The word job is way off for what you and Mama do. Your pageants are an expensive hobby. Your job is being my gotdamn wife. It seems you keep forgetting that part ofyourjob description though.” I shot up quickly, not even waiting for him to excuse me.
“Fuck you, Q.” My voice was low but cold as hell.
Quincey could be rough at times with his words but never had they hurt so bad. I rushed to the restroom, going into the first available stall and letting my tears flow as I reminded myself that this was the life I’d chosen. I made the vow till death did us part. Even when it meant never being completely happy.
FOUR
Tunk
The sound of my phone vibrating in the middle console had my eyes glancing down to see a number I hated that I was familiar with. It was the strip club, Roulette. Since I wasn’t a frequent visitor, I knew the call was about one person.
Boss.
I peered in the rearview mirror to see Oakley was still on the phone. So against my better judgment, I took the call. I huffed as I hit my earbud to accept the call. As soon as I did, I was hit with bullshit.
“Hey Tunk. We got a situation. Boss is here and this shit is bad. I tried calling BK and Tino, but I got no answer. If you can’t come, I’ma have to call CFPD. He can’t stay.” I groaned as I listened to the manager of the strip club. It was close to opening time for the night shift, so I knew I had to hustle across town.
“Shit. No, don’t call them. I’m on my way. Please keep him there.”
“Don’t worry. If he leaves, it’ll be on foot. I took his keys this time.” I ended the call then looked at Oakley in the back seat. That quickly I’d forgotten I even had her there. I was close to her house, but I couldn’t chance Boss dipping out of Roulette beforeI made it there. So now my fingers were moving fast, hitting BK’s number. I knew the manager said he’d called, but I was stressing right now, praying he was available.
Of course, he didn’t answer.
“Fuck,” I said lowly, not even paying attention that Oakley wasn’t on the phone anymore.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, I apologize. It was a personal call that I shouldn’t have taken on the job. It won’t happen again.”
“Tunk, you don’t have to apologize. Trust me, I understand. You can’t control everything nor everybody.”
I chuckled because she had no idea. That was exactly what I did and loved to do. But none of that was her business.
“No, you’re right. Still, while I’m on the job, I’m here to serve and protect you. My personal life has no place when I’m here.”
“As long as you can still shoot and kill when I need you to, an emergency call isn’t a problem for me. Besides, I won’t tell Boss, he knows how Wood and I are. We aren’t like the other clients. We’re no strangers to crazy ass, unexpected things going on.”
If only you knew it was about Boss’s ass.
I could only laugh again as we reached the gate of her neighborhood.
After I dropped Oakley off, I jetted back across town to pick up Boss. I tried calling Tino this time, who answered.
