CHAPTER ELEVEN
Zurie
I stood at the bar in the VIP section overlooking the whole club, clipboard in hand, watching everything like a hawk. The bass from the DJ booth was hitting so hard I could feel it in my chest, and the whole spot was packed wall to wall with niggas from GMB celebrating Mook coming home from his bid. Welcome home parties always brought out the energy and the drama, so I had to make sure shit stayed tight around this muthafucka.
Ever since that shooting at the grand opening with that bitch ass nigga Zach, I wasn't taking no chances. My little brother Sosa was tryna build something when it came to this club shit, and I'd be damned if I let anybody fuck it up on my watch. Security was doubled, cameras watching every corner, and I had my best bartenders working tonight.
I scanned the crowd again, making mental notes. Bottle service was running smooth. No fights breaking out yet. The energy was high but controlled. And for me that meant this shit was gon be a good night.
My mind drifted for a second, to Jamie, and that one brutal night that I had been trying not to think about. Jamie's drunk ass putting his hands on me, me running to McDonald's bruised and busted up.
And the man who became my savior that night.
Yatta.
That man knew he was fine as hell with his caramel skin, strong jawline, tapered curly fade, and them black-rimmed glasses that made him look like some sexy ass professor or some shit. He saw me fucked up and didn't ask a million questions, didn't make me explain, he just helped me without thinking.
Jamie had been on his best behavior since that night, walking on eggshells, trying to make up for what he did. But I knew it wasn't real. He was still drinking too much, still grieving his brother. I was just biding my time, figuring out my exit strategy. JJ was my priority. Everything else could wait.
But I thought about Yatta almost every day since then. I wondered who he was, what he did, and if I would ever see him again.
"Zurie!" one of the bartenders called out, snapping me back to reality. "We need more Patrón at the main bar!"
"Aight, I got it!" I called back, making a note on my clipboard.
I started heading down from VIP when I saw him.
It was none other than Yatta, he was walking through the entrance with a girl next to him. She was Caramel-skinned, pretty as hell, thick with long knotless braids down her back. My stomach dropped, and some weird ass jealousy flared up even though I had no right to feel that way. I was still technically with Jamie, still trying to figure my shit out. But seeing him with her hit different.
I watched them move through the crowd. He wasn't touching her like that though. no hand on her waist, no protective arm around her. Just walking beside her casual, his usual stone-faced expression locked in place.
They headed toward VIP and I made my way over, needing to check credentials anyway. When I got closer, I heard her talking.
"I really didn’t need you here with me Yatta. You do know I’m grown right," she said, laughing.
"Yeah, well, you wasn't about to come by yourself meeting up with that nigga Rah, he should’ve came and got you since he wanted you here.” His voice was the same, it was deep, calm, and controlled.
"I wanted to drive my own car Big brother, if you must know, that’s why he aint come and get me.”
I stepped into their line of sight and Yatta's eyes locked on mine immediately. Something flashed across his face, and I didn’t know
"Zurie," he said, nodding at me. Hearing him say my name made my heart skip.
"Yatta," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "How you been?” I asked him.
"I’m good, this my lil’ sister Mya." He gestured to the girl beside him. "Mya, this is Zurie." When he said sister relief flooded through me so fast I almost smiled. “ Hey!" She said brightly, extending her hand.
"How you doing beautiful." I shook her hand, then looked back at Yatta. Those eyes behind his glasses was doing something to me.
"Y'all here for Mook's party?" I asked.
"Nah, I’m not but she is tho. I'm just making sure she straight." His eyes was on me.
"Oh, you here to see Rah? I heard y’all say his name." I asked Mya, connecting the dots.
"Yea," She grinned.
"He in VIP. I can take you up." I gestured toward the stairs, then looked at Yatta.