Does He Do It Like I Do It

Chapter Eleven

"Hi, welcome to JC Penny," I greeted a customer walking in, then continued to refold the clothes on the shelf. I wanted to do something with all the spare time I have this Christmas break so I decided to just go and apply for some jobs hiring for seasonal positions. This retail store was the first to get in contact with me so I took it immediately, not taking into consideration that I'd have to stand on my damn feet all day. It was only minimum wage and my mother continued to tell me every day when I was scheduled that I was wasting my time and didn't need to be working. It felt good to have my own money for a change though. Not having to ask either of my parents for extra on one of my cards and being able to do it myself. I wish I could treat Jodeci to a spa day again but I hadn't heard from her since she came to my house and that whole Tizzy situation went down. Hell, I hadn't heard or seen much of Tizzy either. He must've told Aunt Alana that he was upset and wanted to leave because they didn't stay past the following day. It's been weeks so you'd think Jodeci would've come to her senses. I still stood by what I said to her. I feel like she could've deaded everything before it got too far but she, being overly flirtatious, wanted the attention. Naheim would've splattered Tizzy's brains out with no hesitation or remorse all because she couldn't tell a nigga to get out of her face. I rolled my eyes and pulled my phone out of my pocket. It was time for my lunch and the last thing I wanted to do was spend my relaxing time stressing over her ass.

The thought of Naheim saddened me. More than anything I wanted to talk to him and be around him. But how am I supposed to approach him after everything went down the way it did? I can't even imagine being around somebody who just pulls guns on my family members whenever he sees fit. At that moment it wasn't about me and what I mean to him. It was about him defending his friend. I don't believe he considered or even cared to consider how it would make me feel to lose a family member, especially Tizzy. He's the closest thing to a brother that I will ever get. I guess as strongly as I feel about my family, that's how strongly he feels about his best friend. Maybe had he not been an asshole about it when I called him I'd be more moved to forgive his sudden insanity.

I thanked the cashier at the Subway in the food court and grabbed my six-inch cold-cut sandwich and chips. I went to sit down at the closest table and pulled out my phone to scroll through my social media while I stuffed my face quickly before my thirty-minute lunch was up. I clicked on my celebrity crush's Instagram page and drooled over his pictures like I typically did.

"Roxanne?" I heard a voice say in front of me. I looked up but couldn't really make out their face due to the sun shining brightly through the glass ceiling of the mall. I knew it had to be a guy based on the baritone in his voice but then again who am I to assume?

"Yeah, I'm Roxanne. Do I know you?"

The guy cleared his throat and then slid down into the seat in front of me. He smiled then looked to be focused on something on my face.

"What?" I asked urgently.

He pointed to the corner of his mouth. "You got a little mayo there."

I quickly grabbed a napkin and wiped my mouth. I was completely embarrassed and I wanted to just throw away my sandwich and go back to work early. I heard his muffled laugh. I narrowed my eyes at him and balled up the napkin.

"And to answer your question, no you don't know me," he said.

"Then how do you know my name?"

"Uh ... it's on your name tag."

I looked down at my shirt and rolled my eyes. "Today just isn't my day," I said more to myself than to him.

"And why is that?"

I looked across the table once more. Who the hell is this dude and why is he so interested in talking to me? I mean, I wasn't complaining because he definitely is a sight for sore eyes. Short cut with waves and an almond complexion. Not too much of a strong build. Honestly, he looked pretty scrawny from over here but it was sort of cute on him and not lanky like how it is on other guys. He smelled damned good and I was almost tempted to ask what cologne he used so I could spray it on a shirt and smell it all the time. He had on that hideous referee uniform they wear at Footlocker letting me know he worked at the mall. Maybe we had crossed paths once or twice. He licked his lips then confidently smiled at me. I realized then I had been caught checking him out. My cheeks flushed. I quickly tried to find something to talk about. I looked at his name tag and read the name out loud.