Free Learning to Forgive (The Learning Series) by R.D. Cole

drink from my tray that doesn’t belong to him.
    “Excuse me, you little shit,” I yell before snatching it back.
    “Come on, Blaire. Since you won’t take me out, the least you can do is give me a beer.” He pouts in a cute, but annoying way. I quirk an eyebrow before I get ready to leave, but the idiot does the unthinkable. He drops to his knees and grabs my waist. “Please, baby. Don’t leave me.” He yells loud enough for everyone in the bar to hear. “I promise she was nothing. I promise you, baby, I’ll marry you now that your preg– Ouch… Shit.” He yells when my fingers brutally twist his ear as I yank him to his feet.
    “Has anyone ever told you that you’re a pain in the ass?”
    “All the time. But my grandmother’s favorite name for me was dumbass. She really loved me. Get to know me and you will, too.” He winks before grabbing the beer off my tray again. This guy is pure arrogance, and I can see why girls flock to him after every performance. He reminds me of Benji, and I can’t help the smile I give.
    “See, my effects are already workin’ on ya.”
    “Oh no! Don’t think so highly of your charm on me. I was just thinking that you remind me of someone.”
    “Oh yeah, who? Wait… let me guess. Your fantasy guy… Magic Mike… that Edward guy who sparkles but young and hung?” He wags his eyebrows playfully, and a laugh escapes me.
    “No, you dope. My brother.”
    His smile falls. “Wait… You have a brother? Should I be scared?”
    My smile slips as Benji’s playful banter with every female crosses my mind. “No. He’s dead.” I stop him before he can do the “I’m sorry” bullshit. Why apologize when you didn’t do anything? I’ve heard it enough this past year, and I’m tired of it. “Um, excuse me, but my tables are waiting.” I push past him and get back to my job.
    My mind focuses on Benji and why I’m here. Why I’m doing what I’m doing and could cost me my job, plus Janet. His sobbing words enter my brain and why he was so miserable and I know I’m not backing down.
    Turning around, I head to the bar and see her smiling and talking to the guy that I’ve been waiting for all night. A nervous excitement builds in my gut. I’ve never felt this type of rush. Maybe because this is for my brother. When Jax turns and walks toward the table in the corner, I take a deep breath and push up my boobs. Then I make my move.
     

“Trouble’s here and she’s in heels.”
    ~Lyric
     
    Lyric
    “This everything?” I ask Lou while he counts the crates that were just unloaded off the barge. Each one should hold a few kilos of superior Brazilian cocaine and heroin. This shit’s not cheap and costs me close to fifteen grand a kilo because it comes from one of the finest coca plants with an extremely high level of alkaloid.
    Lou opens one with a large crowbar and sees the large TVs. After he busts the back out, the bags of white powder are made visible. There should be five kilos in each TV, so with fifty crates, you’re looking at a great amount of money. But I run this business right, and I’m not greedy. People think dealers or the cartel are like Scarface and Antonio Montana. But I’m just an everyday guy who’s twenty-six, hates wearing anything but jeans and boots, and loves getting new ink. I have about fifty workers helping, and I pay them a sizeable amount after every shipment we get.
    At first, they didn’t want to take a twenty one year old seriously. But when I was released and stationed in NOLA, I took up fighting. Before long I was approached by Theo Dell who ran the local drug trade. He wanted me to be his guard, and after a while, I became his right hand man. For a year, I had his back and gained his trust. Then I had to take him out, and since then, I’ve run the business. Eventually, I was ordered to move here and run both New Orleans and Mobile’s drug industry. Not by choice. Nothing is ever my choice.
    When Lou takes a hit and tastes the supply,