LOVE, MONEY AND BAD DECISIONS

Chapter 1: Everybody Knows Somebody PAGE 1 Saturday evening in Atlanta had a way of making everybody feel like they had somewhere important to be. The streets were busy, restaurants were packed, and every other car seemed to be something expensive. Dave sat behind his desk at his second car dealership, looking through the glass windows at the showroom floor. He leaned back in his chair and smiled. Two dealerships. He still couldn't believe it sometimes. There was a time when Dave had to borrow money just to keep his first small lot running. Now, he had employees coming to him with problems he could solve with a phone call. He picked up his phone and checked the time. 7:14 p.m. Damn. He had promised Terry he'd be home by seven. His phone immediately started ringing. He looked at the screen. Terry. Dave smiled. Here we go. He answered. What's up, beautiful? You know exactly what's up. Dave laughed. I know that voice. What voice? The Dave, you done messed up again voice. Terry paused. You said you'd be home at seven. I know. It's 7:14. I know. So where are you? Dave looked around his office. At the dealership. Terry sighed. Of course you are. Baby, I'm finishing up. You've been finishing up for two hours. That's because business doesn't stop. Neither does your mouth. Dave laughed. You love my mouth. I loved it more when it was telling me you were five minutes away. Dave grinned. Give me fifteen. You said that fifteen minutes ago. Okay. Ten. Dave. Five. She laughed despite herself. Just come home. I will. And don't forget we're going to Roman's restaurant tonight. Dave's smile disappeared for half a second. Roman's? Yes. Roman's. Why we gotta go there? Because I want to. Dave leaned back. Okay. Terry immediately noticed the change in his voice. What's wrong with Roman's restaurant? Nothing. Then why you sound like that? Like what? Like somebody just told you they were taking your favorite car. Dave laughed. I just don't feel like seeing Roman tonight. Why? Because that man talks too much. You're literally a comedian. I'm not a comedian. You act like one. That's different. How? Dave smiled. You married me. You should know. Terry laughed. I know enough. Dave looked at his watch. Let me get out of here. You better. I love you. I love you too. The call ended. Dave stood up, grabbed his keys and looked around his office one last time. Then he whispered to himself. Roman better not start nothing tonight. He had no idea Roman wasn't the person he needed to worry about. PAGE 2 Roman was already inside his restaurant. And he was already getting on somebody's nerves. Why is table seven waiting? The waiter looked at him. They're waiting on their food. Roman stared at him. I know they're waiting on their food. The waiter blinked. Okay. Roman pointed toward the kitchen. So why are they waiting? Because the chef hasn't finished it. Roman looked toward the kitchen. Tell him to finish it. The waiter nodded. Yes, sir. Roman walked away. The waiter watched him leave. Then whispered, This man is crazy. Roman heard him. He turned around. What'd you say? Nothing, sir. That's what I thought. Roman smiled and continued walking. His restaurant was one of the most successful businesses he'd ever built. Five-star food. Five-star service. Five-star prices. And a five-star headache. Roman owned the place, but he didn't behave like a serious businessman for more than ten minutes at a time. He was also a comedian, which meant almost everything became a joke to him. He walked toward the bar and saw Natasha organizing receipts. Natasha. She didn't look up. What? You mad at me? No. You sure? Yes. Why you answering so fast? Because I'm busy. Roman leaned against the counter. Busy doing what? Working. That's crazy. What? Working at work. Natasha finally looked at him. Roman, please. He laughed. Okay, okay. She shook her head. You need something? Yeah. What? Where's Lesa? Natasha looked at him. You don't know where your girlfriend is? Roman checked his phone. She said she was coming. So? So I assumed she'd come. Natasha smiled. Women don't like being assumed. Roman frowned. What does that even mean? It means you better call her. Roman pulled out his phone. Before he could dial, the restaurant doors opened. Lesa walked in. Roman smiled. There she is. Lesa looked at him. Roman opened his arms. Come here. Lesa kept walking. Roman lowered his arms. Okay. Natasha tried not to laugh. Lesa reached them. Hey. Roman looked at her. Hey? Yes. That's all I get? What do you want? A hug. Lesa smiled. You'll survive. Roman looked at Natasha. See? Natasha laughed. I told you. Roman shook his head. Y'all are against me. PAGE 3 Across town, Tier was sitting in the back of a black SUV heading toward the restaurant. His NBA season had finally ended. He'd been away for months. Cities. Hotels. Airports. Games. Interviews. Training. More airports. He had money now. A lot of it. But no matter how much money he made, Atlanta still felt like home. His phone buzzed. He looked at it. Natasha: You coming tonight? Tier smiled. He typed. Tier: Depends. You want me there? Three dots appeared. Then disappeared. Then appeared again. Natasha: Don't make me ask twice. Tier laughed. He put the phone down. Pull up at Roman's. The driver nodded. Tier looked out the window. He had known Natasha for years. She was one of the few people who had known him before the money. Before the NBA. Before the expensive cars. Before people started treating him differently. Natasha had always been Natasha. She'd call him out. Make fun of him. Tell him when he was acting stupid. And somehow, that made him want to be around her even more. Tier's phone buzzed again. This time it was his mother. He answered. What's up? You home? Just landed. You coming by tomorrow? Yeah. Don't forget. I won't. Good. They talked for another minute before hanging up. Tier leaned back. He looked at his watch. He was going to see Natasha. That was all he cared about. At least, that's what he told himself. PAGE 4 Dave finally arrived home. Terry was standing near the front door with her arms crossed. Dave stepped inside. Hey, baby. Terry looked at him. You're late. By twelve minutes. Fourteen. Dave smiled. You counted? I always count. He walked toward her. Come here. She stepped back. No. Dave laughed. Why? Because you smell like the dealership. What does the dealership smell like? Money and stress. Dave looked at himself. That's a good smell. Not tonight. He followed her into the bedroom. Terry opened the closet. You wearing that? Dave looked down at his shirt. What's wrong with it? It's what you wore to work. It's clean. You have money. I know. Then dress like it. Dave laughed. Yes, ma'am. Terry pulled out a black shirt. Put this on. Dave took it. Yes, ma'am. She looked at him. Don't start. I didn't say anything. You were about to. Dave smiled. Terry walked away. Dave changed quickly. A few minutes later, they were heading toward Roman's restaurant. Terry sat in the passenger seat while Dave drove. You've been quiet, Dave said. I'm thinking. About? Nothing. Dave glanced at her. That's never good. Terry smiled. You worry too much. You married me. That's part of the package. Terry laughed. Sometimes I wonder what I signed up for. Dave reached over and held her hand. You signed up for a man who loves you. She looked at him. I know. And? And nothing. Dave smiled. He squeezed her hand. But there was something Terry wasn't saying. And there was something Dave didn't know. Because Roman wasn't just a businessman who happened to own a restaurant. Roman was part of Terry's past. A past Dave knew about. But not the whole story. PAGE 5 The restaurant was packed when Dave and Terry arrived. Roman spotted them immediately. He walked over with a huge smile. There they go! Dave stepped out of the car. What's up? Roman hugged him. Look at you. Dave looked at himself. What? You finally dressed like somebody with money. Dave laughed. Don't hate. I'm not hating. Roman looked at Terry. Hey, beautiful. Terry smiled. Hey, Roman. Roman hugged her. Dave watched. It was an innocent hug. At least, that's what it looked like. But for half a second, Terry's expression changed. Roman noticed. Dave didn't. Roman stepped back. Y'all ready? Dave nodded. Let's go. They entered the restaurant. Natasha was standing near the entrance. She saw Terry first. Terry! They hugged. Then Natasha looked at Dave. Hey, Dave. What's up? How's business? Good. Second location doing well? Very well. Natasha smiled. I'm happy for you. Thank you. Then the restaurant doors opened again. Everyone turned. Tier walked inside. Natasha froze. Tier looked around. Then his eyes landed on her. He smiled. Natasha smiled back. Shayla, who had been standing behind the bar, noticed immediately. She leaned toward Lesa. Oh, this is interesting. Lesa looked at her. What? Look at Natasha. Lesa glanced over. Tier walked toward Natasha. Natasha ran into his arms. Tier hugged her tightly. Dave looked at Roman. Roman looked at Dave. Shayla folded her arms. Lesa raised an eyebrow. Terry smiled. And Roman whispered, Man... Dave looked at him. What? Roman shook his head. Nothing. But everybody knew something. And by the end of the night, everybody was going to know a little more. TO BE CONTINUED...