“You should be thanking Dupree. And don’t forget, we have a deal. The minute you break it, our arrangement is done. Got it?”
“Got it.” Suave nodded his head quickly. “Thanks, Dupree. You are really an amazing woman.”
Suave’s dimples were flashing like the siren on an ambulance. He stood and watched as Dupree reversed out of the parking spot, honked the horn, and drove away. “Yes! Yes!” Suave pumped his fists excitedly into the air. “I got Alwayne Clark.”
“And I’ve got you too, my son. Right here in the palm of my hand.”
“No no no.” Suave shook his head. “I’m not doing this with you right now.” He put his hands over his ears, shaking his head and walking around in circles. “This was all Dupree, not you.”
“I assume things went well with Mr. Clark?” Daddy Lizard’s face was filled with concern. “I saw you smiling. I thought...” he tapered off when he noticed the smug look on Suave’s face. Gone was Crazy Suave, replaced by Smooth Suave.
“I’ll be meeting with Mr. Clark at nine o’clock on Monday morning.” Suave tugged on the collar of his blazer, straightening it up, his head held upright as if he were the man.
“What? You actually pulled it off?” Daddy Lizard laughed loudly and gave Suave a man hug. “You are one lucky devil.”
Chapter Forty-one
“I-I-I didn’t expect to see you,” Pat stuttered after opening his front door to find Suave standing there. “Why didn’t you call?” He peeped over Suave’s shoulder into the yard. His eyes were wandering all over the place, avoiding contact with Suave’s.
“I just left the gym and had to take care of something in the area,” Suave responded casually, patting the gym bag he had over his shoulder. “I’m not staying. But it has been awhile since I’ve seen you, so I’m just touching base.”
Pat laughed uneasily. “Okay, come on in. I’m running out myself in a minute.” He moved aside so Suave could enter the house.
Suave strolled into the living room, sat on the couch, his bag at his feet, and crossed his legs. “How’s my girl, Queen Bee?” he asked when Pat joined him, perching on the edge of the other couch like a pigeon.
“She’s good.” Pat’s high-pitched voice sounded like a Chihuahua with a cold.
“I haven’t checked in with her in a while because I had to take care of some personal issues.” Suave smiled at Pat. “You know how it is.”
Pat nodded his head. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“No, I’ll help myself.” Suave quickly stood up and walked over to the wine rack in the corner of the room. He selected a quart of Appleton Jamaica Rum and headed to the kitchen before Pat could say a word.
Suave noticed a deep freezer beside the refrigerator. He opened the freezer, looked inside, and saw that it was packed with cold cuts of meat. That little sissy surely loves to cook. He closed the freezer and took out the orange juice from the bottom of the refrigerator.
Suave grabbed two glasses, practically filling one with rum and just a little touch of orange juice. The other glass was almost filled with orange juice and a tiny drop of rum.
“Here you go.” Suave handed Pat his glass before he took a seat.
Pat took a big gulp of his drink, his eyes watering as the rum burned his throat. “Whoa, this is strong.”
Suave took a sip of his orange juice, making a face and smacking his lips. “Yes, I did let the rum get away from me.” He laughed out loud, and Pat joined in.
“Listen,” Suave leaned forward on the couch, “I realized I hadn’t been the nicest person to you over the years,” sympathy filled Suave’s eyes, “but I’ve been fighting some demons most of my life... and . . . and...” Suave choked up, lowering his head to the floor as if consumed by grief and shame. Where was the Oscar Award for this performance?
“It’s all good, Suave,” Pat responded. “You haven’t done anything that I wasn’t used to.”
Suave felt sick to his stomach. While he was trying to exorcise his demons, Pat was fulfilling a sick fantasy. However, Suave had to keep the performance going. “Let me make us another round.”
Pat finished off what was left in his glass, burping loudly. “Excuse me.” He giggled, slouching on the couch.
Suave took the glass to the kitchen. Again, he prepared their drinks, dousing Pat’s with the strong rum. This time, he added nothing but orange juice to his glass.
Pat almost emptied his glass in one gulp.
“So, how is business going with you and Queen Bee?” Suave asked as he relaxed back on the couch.
“Oh, we’re balling.” Pat was now practically lying on the couch. “In eight weeks, we’re getting the biggest shipment of our lives. Hello!” He gave Suave a lopsided grin. “I call it OMG Thursday!” By now, his glassy eyes were glazed over.
“You guys aren’t joking.” Suave sat up straight. “I may as well just get out of the business. I can’t compete with you shot callers.”
Pat drunkenly laughed. “I know that’s right. This deal has been in the works for a loooong time, and this is going to put us at the top!” He began to sing, “Higher level, oh, higher level.” He had his hands in the air, waving them as high as he dared.
“Let me get us another drink,” Suave remarked excitedly. This was going really well. Queen Bee is getting a big shipment in a few weeks.
After the fourth drink, Suave had all the information he needed from Pat, who was now passed out on the couch. His bladder full of all the orange juice he consumed, Suave threw his gym bag over his shoulder and went to use
