Page 144 of The Need to Know

Uriah was quick to reach toward me. “Oh, no, no, a rapper used to come here before he got on and he bought and built a better center to give back.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted to do was take away a place of refuge.

In a way, this felt right, though. This was a haven for people at some point, and that’s what I’d set out to do with BLVCKJVCK originally. Provide an escape for those who were looking for a place to just unwind and kick it with their people. The energy in the abandoned building we were standing in was good. Peaceful.

Our biggest competition in NYC from my research was also a franchise. They had a club in Los Angeles, Vegas, Dubai, and Toronto. While I wasn’t scheming to go international, I could respect their hustle.

I looked around the graffiti-splattered walls and took in the worn hardwood flooring beneath my feet. It would take some hard work to make this PVWN, but something in my gut told me this was the place.

We meandered through the building, seeing room after room before settling into the large rec room. A side door was off its hinges, evidence of a break-in. A lone basketball was on the ground.

I grabbed it and dribbled, needing to brainstorm. “Sloan, what you thinking?”

He glanced around the room, taking in the empty wooden stands, the netless hoops, and faded backboards. “A lot would need to be gutted.”

“Absolutely.” I took a shot toward the hoop, and missed.

Uriah chuckled. “Damn.”

Sloan gathered the rebound. “It’s the right size for a base. The area is great too.”

“I’m sold on the history,” I said. Turning to Pops, I was rewarded with a simple nod. I went to Uriah. “This is the place.”

Pops took in our surroundings and came back to me. “Before we discuss numbers, let me have a word with Ezekiel.”

Uriah hung back and gathered his phone and Sloan took the time to do the same.

I stood a ways from them with Pops, giving him my full attention.

“There’s still a few more places to see,” he pointed out.

I couldn’t explain it, but I just knew. “Nah, this is the place. The fact that it was originally a shelter and a rapper bought a better spot because he used to come here says enough.”

Pops studied the room once more, humming as he did so.

“There are some big clubs in this city. You sure you can compete?” Pops asked curiously.

I was a hustler’s hustler. I always took risks, and I always won. “What we offer they don’t provide. Black-owned, hip-hop and R&B environment—not no top 40 BS, with thematic nights. This is a place where people who look like us can just come and relax without any drama or discrimination. It worked in Atlanta, and it’ll work here too.”

Tupac’s “Thugz Mansion” came to mind and I lifted my head toward the ceiling, breathing in the atmosphere, and just believing in the idea of PVWN succeeding in New York. It was a busy market already, but I still trusted my gut.

Pops eyed Uriah. “I’ll front you the money to get this thing going.”

Immediately I drew my gaze to him. “Nah, I got some saved up.”

Pops smiled. “I believe in you, Eazy. Years ago, my club was dying and you came up with this majestic idea called ‘BLVCKJVCK’ and I wasn’t sure, but I took a chance and look where that got us. You know this world better than I do in this day and age. You’re smart, you’re creative, and you’re admired by the entertainers who frequent our clubs. You are the future of this world. You’re my only son and you never give me any problems or ask for anything, and I want to do this for you.”

“Pops, man…” I was at a loss for words. My heart beat heavily in my chest and I felt the urge to vomit.

Pops held up his hand and pointed a finger at me. “There is one condition.”

I was seconds away from fucking crying. “What?”

“You’re not moving to New York,” Pops said with a little smile. “Your momma’s in a funk at the thought of you being this far from us.”

I choked up and wiped at my eyes, managing to laugh a little.

Across the room, Sloan held out his phone as he began a FaceTime call. “Yo, what’s up? … Aw, don’t be like that … You know I’m going to get you something nice before I come home … See, look at you actin’ all tough because you on the phone, when I get back and touch down, you know what’s up … Yeah, you better smile.”