IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES Book 2

Chapter 46

“Hey.” I smiled. “I hadn’t seen you all day.”

“Board meeting.”

“For?”

“UPenn.”

“Wow, you’re on the board at U-Penn I didn’t know that.” I was contemplating telling him August went there, but I decided against it. I didn’t need him judging me for dating someone younger. I’d keep my personal life private.

“How do you find time to do all this stuff and run the org?” I asked him.

He sat in one of the chairs across from desk. “I don’t know I just do it. But I’ve been hearing great things about you.”

“Really?” I said skeptical.

“Yup. The group members seem to really take to you. Not many people have that sense of compassion.”

“Well I’m glad. If I’m helping people, then I’m doing my job.”

“I still think you should go back to practicing law though.”

“Maybe one day.”

“We’ll until then, we’re lucky to have you here.”

“I appreciate it Dan. Here are some of the files.” I handed him a stack of files.

“I’ll look over these.” He took them. “Umm Amb I been meaning to ask you something?”

“Sure, what?” I looked through my desk for a paper-clip.

“I don’t know if this is really work appropriate but would you have dinner with me tonight?”  

I froze. I had been noticing what I thought was flirtation from him, but I ignored it. He wasn’t like those overly disrespectful flirtatious guys. He just complemented me a lot.

“Umm Dan… I.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, it’s just, seeing you with the group members. And hearing a little bit of your story, I just want to get to know you better.”

“I’m sorry, I have a boyfriend Daniel.”

He stood up. “Well I totally apologize about that. Forget I even said that.” He said with an awkward laugh. “I’ll just take these files.”

“It’s fine. You didn’t know.”

He got the files and stood at the door. “He’s a really lucky guy.” He gave me a smile, then walked away.

I’m just going to be real. Daniel was absolutely, 100% fine to me. He was accomplished and for him to start this organization was amazing. But, I loved August. And nothing could change that. On top of that, we all know August is crazy. I do not want him going NOLA on him or me.

I’m glad I nipped that in the bud, real quick.

AUGUST P.O.V. -  

Every day since I had this job, I went into the employee washroom and changed out of my uniform into my regular clothes. Carefully making sure there was no trail I kept my uniform in my trunk. And since Amb washed all of our laundry, I would sneak and wash it either late at night or early in the morning.

I went to the parking lot, but realized my car wasn’t where I left it. I looked around practically the whole parking lot, until I realized some mutha-fucka stole my shit.

I couldn’t call Amb because then it would blow my whole cover. Stacy hasn’t stop giving me shit. She knows something is up, but I know if I told her, she would tell Amb. And because Travis uses her car, she might ask him a million questions. I swear the devil stay fucking with me.

 There was nobody else I could call. I sat on the curb of where my car used to be and for the first time, I literally broke down about this whole situation. I had been holding it in for so long, trying to appear strong. Trying to appear as if I had it all together. Amb would ask me a million questions, she felt something was bothering me, but I would play it off.

But at this moment, I couldn’t play this shit off anymore. I was hurting bad. And I felt hopeless. All over some shit, that wasn’t my fault.

It was then I saw flashing lights pulling into the parking space. It was my car. The person cut the car off and got out. She stood with her hands on her hips.

“Why you didn’t tell me?” Stacy asked me.

I wiped my eyes and nose. Trying to erase any remnant of me crying.

“I asked you why you hadn’t been showing up to class, you told me you changed your schedule. I asked you about your “new job,” you told me to stay the fuck out your face. Did you forget that I know you August? We ain’t been real close lately, but you still my best-friend. I know when you’re lying. I know when something is wrong. When have you never been not able to come to me and at least be honest? Even if I give you hell, you have always been honest with me.”

“How you find out?”

“Your stories weren’t adding up. And I thought it was cheating at first, but I was like nah, I know Ant. He love Amb too much for that. So I skipped classes and shit just to follow you, because I cared that much.  That’s how I found out about the job. On top of that, I asked your counselor and she told me about you getting expelled. Why didn’t you tell somebody?”

“I’m sick of being a burden on niggas man. I’m always coming to you. I’m always coming to Amb.”

“So you gon risk your whole future on over some ego shit? What did you do to get expelled?”

“Nothing that’s the thing. The dentist I worked for lied on me and said I gave her the laughing gas.”

“And they still expelled you?” She said shocked.

 “Ain’t shit we can do now.” I said defeated.

“Yes it is. Because you’re going to tell Amb.”

I shook my head.

“August, I know you don’t want to. But you got too. The more time you waste, the longer its going to take you to graduate. “

“She can’t help me.”

“Have you asked her?”

“She not licensed here.”

“So. Amb knows hella people.”

I shook my head.

“If you don’t, I’m going to do it.”

I sighed deeply. I did not know how she was going to react and I wasn’t prepared for it.

“Fine. But how the hell did you get in my car?”

“Hot wired it.”

I laughed. “Trav better watch out for your ass.”

“Once false move, he’s done.” She smirked.

I stood up and hugged her. “Thank you.”

“Yeah. Yeah.” She blew it off. “You just make sure you tell Amb.” She poked me in my chest.

“I am. Love you.” I kissed her forehead.

“Love you too.” She pushed me off of her. “You better watch out too. Cause if you ever cheat on Amb, I’m teaching her my tricks of the trade.” She said walking away towards her car.

“I got you.” I chuckled. I got in my car and sat there for a while.

I whispered my prayer. “God please don’t make Amb be angry.”

Started my car and drove off.