Free Hot Boyz by Marissa Monteilh Page B

night, huh?”
    “You could say that,” Mason said, rubbing his eyes.
    “I’m glad you had a minute to enjoy yourself because you need to leave again on Monday morning. One of the new investors wants to get together with us in Atlanta to discuss the new club.”
    “Sorry, but you’re on your own. I’m out of here tomorrow night.”
    Cicely asked, “Where are you going?”
    “To the tournament in Orlando. I’ll be back next week.”
    Cicely seemed irritated. “Well, how am I supposed to know what to say to them? I’ll just call and reschedule.”
    “No, don’t do that. I’ve been trying to get him to book a date for a month now. You go ahead and handle this meeting. I’ll try to be available via conference call by then. You can do it.”
    “Mason, I do not want to blow it.”
    Mason assured her. “I have full trust in you. Go on to the meeting and handle it yourself, Cicely.”
    “Yes, but I don’t know anything about the business plan or the site itself.”
    “I’ll show you all of that stuff before I leave. Are you going to be around today?” Mason asked.
    “I’ll be here until late afternoon. Heidi and I are going to a party this evening and I don’t think I’ll be around tomorrow. I have to go over to the club and go over some receipts.”
    “I’ll come by later. Just sit tight,” he said, slumping back down into the comfort of the old mattress.
    “I’ll be here. And I want you to know that if I still feel insecure about this meeting, I’m not going to do it. I do not want to be the reason why if this deal falls through.”
    “See you in a little while,” Mason said. He reached over to hang up the phone.

    Mercedes reentered the bedroom wearing her long robe, tied at the waist. Her hair was brushed back, tied in a bun again. She proceeded to the bedroom door and prepared to exit.
    “Hey, why don’t you get back in bed for a little while?”
    “Not when you obviously have things to do soon. I don’t want to get too comfortable.”
    “Cedes, I won’t be long.”
    “Well, good. I’ll just get started on some breakfast then. You’d better get going. Maybe you can spare a little time with Rashaad or Star today. After all, it is Saturday, and I can’t remember the last time you were home on a Saturday.” Mercedes exited the room and shut the door behind her with a slight bit of force.
    Mason stared at the closed door for a second and then turned to his side and began to doze, breathing deeper and deeper into a snore within seconds as though he had no need to get up for the rest of the day.

Chapter 6
    “Where’s Daddy going?” Star asked, peeking through the plantation shutters in the kitchen. “Isn’t he going to eat breakfast?”
    “He has a meeting this morning, baby. He’ll be back.” Mercedes looked in the direction of Mattie near the stove. “Mamma,” she yelled in a panic as Mattie walked toward the pan of frying bacon, prepared to place her hand along the side.
    Mattie jumped and started stuttering. “I—I—I’m just going to add a little water to these grits.”
    “Mamma, it’s okay. This is a hot skillet full of frying, hot bacon. You’ll burn yourself,” Mercedes said, using her body to shield Mat-tie’s vision from the stove.
    Mattie began to walk to the table, taking short, choppy steps in her bare feet. “Oh, there you go again, never letting me help you. Always trying to keep me from doing what I like to do, like driving.”
    “Mamma, sit down. You know they revoked your license when that cop saw you run that stop sign last year. Besides, isn’t it better now that I take you places? I’m like your very own personal driver,” Mercedes said, trying to make things seem brighter.
    “Yippee,” Mattie replied sarcastically.
    Star jumped in. “I feel you, Grammy. I don’t want Mom taking me everywhere I need to go either.”
    Mercedes reacted, “Thanks a lot, Star. Then you don’t need a ride to that birthday party today?”
    Star was nonchalant.