Page 51 of Kisses Behind The Spotlight 2: Finale

“I’m Xain, that’s Stepp, my girl Khaleesi, and his girl Amill. They will also be part owners, and the place is named after Amill, so give them the same respect you give us. At the end of next month, we will close for remodeling. We currently estimate two weeks for the simple changes we want to make. It will be paid time off. As long as everybody is on their shit, like Calvin said you always have been, we won’t have any problems.”

Heads nodded as they took the cards and looked over them.

“If nobody has anything else to add, y’all are free to get back to your tasks before we open up this afternoon,” Calvin added.

The employees dispersed, and a few came over to introduce themselves. Everyone was pleasant enough. After exchanging pleasantries, Calvin led us to the back, toward his office, to show us around and exchange keys.

A double knock sounded at the back door, and Calvin looked up at the security screens. I noted a few extra security measures I’d add during the remodel.

“Oh, that’s the DJ you wanted to speak with. I’ll be right back.”

“This is so exciting,” Khaleesi bubbled. “How long have you wanted to own a lounge?”

“For a few weeks now.”

“A few weeks now?” Khaleesi looked up at me.

“Yeah, I only went in on this to show you something.”

“Show me something?”

“Yeah,” I nodded as Calvin returned with Montell.

Amill looked between Montell, me, and Khaleesi, then grabbed Stepp’s shoulder. “Get Xain,” she whispered.

“Huh?” Stepp whispered back.

Khaleesi turned around to face me; annoyance quickly spread across her face.

“What the fuck is going on here?” Montell questioned.

“Well, uhhh—” Calvin faltered, scratching his scalp.

“Don’t worry. I got it,” I interrupted Calvin, stepping in front of him so I was face to face with Montell. “I own this bar and just made Khaleesi a co-owner. And you are the help, or, my bad, an independent contractor. We won’t need your services anymore. Don’t ever let me find out you’re speaking on anybody in my circle. Q, Khaleesi, or anybody in between. If you focused on what you have going on instead of spending your time speaking ill of Q and Khaleesi, maybe something good will happen in your life.”

Montell’s jaw flexed, and he turned with his bookbag clasped tightly in his hand. Weak ass nigga had so much to say on the internet but couldn’t even look me in my eyes.

“That went well.” I smiled in the tense room as I watched Montell exit through the back on the monitors. “We gotta slide. Maurice and Noah will be home soon.”

“Yeah, and we need to speak in private,” Khaleesi snipped.

I dapped Calvin up, and we all said our goodbyes. The moment I pulled out of the parking lot, Khaleesi started her shit.

“Xain!” Khaleesi swatted my arm.

“Be lucky I didn’t throw him over a bridge. I’m trying to change. Besides, I shouldn’t have to hear about your problems because Vincent overheard you venting to Anila. Maybe if you had told me, I could’ve consulted you on my plans.”

“Vincent talks too much. Gossip just as much as me,” Khaleesi snickered.

“For real, bae. What did I ask you after your panic attack in Morocco? Don’t force smiles with me; I want to know your real feelings all of the time.”

“I didn’t want you to do anything crazy.”

“I feel like I handled Montell magnificently,” I bragged. “I used my words when there were at least three quick options that came to mind. I could’ve used my gun, my fists, or a Rottweiler.”

“A Rottweiler?” Khaleesi queried, then her mouth slipped into a wide O. “That’s very specific, Xain!” She groaned. “You were the one who had Noah’s mom’s boyfriend attacked? I don’t know why my mind didn’t immediately go to you having something to do with it.”

“That nigga bit, Noah,” I explained.