• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 •

• 27 •

eneaj

"You got me singin' love songs," I sung along softly, turning the radio up a bit as I drove through greater Dallas, heading towards Downtown.

I checked a text Val sent, and a millisecond of a frown crossed my face as I read it. "Nahh, I can't be overprotective like that," I told myself. Yenvy and Val laughed and shit all the time back at the mansion, them hanging out wasn't nothing. I squinted and picked back up my phone. But why was Eneaj on DND now? What the fuck was up with that?

I could feel my nerves starting to get bad, so I focused back on the song and the road, both hands on the wheel now as I drove towards me and Yenvy's venue.

I made it there an hour later, taking that into mind as far as the whole move back to Dallas or Zinnias discussion. It didn't even take me this long to get to my own club. But...I also wouldn't be coming out here everyday, Yenvy would be, because it was a shared responsibility in a lot of ways, although it was basically a branch out of Strapped.

She was like the manager and I was the owner.

I pulled into the lot, right away noticing that not much work had been completed. If we were gonna have this bitch open by the new year, something more would need to start happening. I hadn't even gotten to promo and hiring yet, because the place was hardly even built. Me and Yenvy really needed to put our all into this or we wouldn't meet the deadline we set for ourselves. All this while I juggle the club and she juggles her work.

I didn't see any worker vehicles out, so I grabbed the key to the place, unlocked it myself, and cautiously stepped inside.

"What...the...fuck?" I said slowly.

"Hey, I'm sorry man. I'll leave right now," she said quickly.

Much more than 5'5 feet of chocolateness, broad shoulders that evened out her wider build, pretty lips, a star tat by her eye, fuzzy deep burgundy locs, and light brown eyes stood up before me from a jumble of blanket.

"I-Wha-No. No, it's good."

Eneaj what the fuck man?

"I mean, yeah, you gotta leave out, but, um, what are you doing in here?" I pointed down at the floor where she had been.

I looked around the small space of what would eventually be where people could talk to someone behind a desk at. She had her things laid out, as if she had been sleeping here awhile.

"I needed a place to stay, so I broke in through one of the windows in the back. It was just really hot outside on the bench at the park and the cops kept botherin' me and-

"It's cool man," I stopped her, "I'm Eneaj."

"Jacinth, but everybody calls me Fifth," she offered her name up.

She hesitantly held a hand out and I firmly shook it.

"I'm sorry I gotta take away somewhere safe for you to stay at, but I gotta ask you to leave Jacinth. This place is gonna be something one day. Very soon," I added.

She held her hands together, her long hair to her waist, her eyes crinkling at the sides as she pleaded.

"I wanna be something one day soon too. I just need a week. Please."

"Have you tried out a shelter?" I asked tentatively.

"Man," she shook her head, "People don't know half the time those places are more unsafe than the streets be. Please...Eneaj. One week."

The way she said my name had a little lilt of an accent to it.

"One week, but don't have the place a mess," I sighed, "And what do you have planned after this week is up? I mean, what are you gonna do?"

"I go out with my bag," she pointed down at a old book bag, "and I ask around for jobs or go to the Work Source."

An idea glimmered in the back corner of my mind.

Hm, but does this count as a decision I should include Valerie in too? I waved the thought off. Nah, Miss DND didn't want to hear shit from anybody no way, right?

"What are you good at, Fifth?" I asked curiously.

She crossed her arms across her chest, seriously thinking. "Well, I'm a singer. Trying to get my music out there."

"How did you get in this circumstance?" I asked, studying her.

"Staying with a bunch of other artists and we got evicted because not everybody was payin' they share."

"So, no drugs, no alcohol? Just hard times?" I clarified.

She nodded quickly, "True."

"I own a club in Zinnias-

"Ay, really? I'm from there. Moved away when I left high school. Too many bad memories."

"It's called Strapped," I continued, "How would you feel if I gave you a job working there. Maybe singing here and there some requested songs when the DJ's switch out or need a break?"

"Man, I'd say I'd appreciate it but there's no way for me to get to Dallas to there at the moment. I don't even have enough to get a ride."

"How about I pay you now for your first night? I guarantee by the end of the week, shit, by the end of the weekend, you'll have enough to afford at least a hotel room," I stated.

"You really want me to come work for you, eh? I've heard about your club, pretty girl, and I know people always have a good time," she told me smoothly, "I accept your offer. A deal?" We shook hands again.

"A deal," I agreed.

"Anything special I have to wear? Any rules I should know?"

"Come out," I gestured to the door, "We can grab sumin to eat and I can tell you everything bout my club."