Velvet (Stand-Alone-Human)

Stale Beginnings

Chapter

9

"Stale Beginnings"

*HOSEA*

Verman's Coach, George was more than happy with the product to perfection I had created in his guys. Carey had built over half of the expectation of the coach and that was something I knew would bring in more funding...not to mention a great reputation.

We decided to meet for lunch at one of the nicest restaurants in town, Bartelio's Italiona, known for their elegant dishes and honestly, I don't know where Bart came up with the name.

Bart was just a normal neighborhood dude that always ran behind the ball players just to get in the spotlight. The last year of college he made a bet to half of the frat house that he would be the one to own over ten million Italian restaurants by the time he reached the age of forty but turn out, he started and own about ten so he was short the million. My boy knew how to throw down on the grill though, which is why he earned the spot in front of the grill at all the super bowl parties and catering.

"Now tell me how you are going to spend that fat check I wrote to your establishment, Hosea?" George leaned closely and took his glass of brown liquor. I watched the old sap take it down just like I had taken in too much shit the other night which landed me on my ass.

"I'm going to make it better, the business, I mean." I smirked and my eyes roamed to the door.

"You seem preoccupied. I'm sure that you are excited not to deal with my hard-headed team anymore." He laughed.

I nodded once showing it wasn't even that bad but I didn't lie because they were just that---a bunch of hard-headed ass kids.

"Everyone is different. I'm fine, just tired myself." I took a sip of my water. The drops of dew sliding down the glass were making a puddle around the bottom of it. Once I picked it up, it dripped all on my pants making me hate the fact I asked for ice in it.

"Would you excuse me?" I moved my chair back without his reply and retreated to the men's room.

After relieving myself, I washed my hands and walked outside the bathroom, taking my phone out. No calls from Velvet. She promised that she'd call and I know her father was a pastor but did she forget me already?

Once I got close enough, I saw George speaking to a waitress. Either he was about to gift her with a large tip and she knew it or he was trying to get some young-tail. That old fuck didn't care if they were fresh out of high school or grade school from the last incident I heard on the street. I shook my head. The girl looked to be about seventeen or younger.

Walking over to save his ass from a trip to the jail house, I cleared my throat. He jumped...just as I thought.

"George, I'm going to cut this short." I told him digging in my pocket for my wallet.

The girl glanced at me and pushed a fallen curl behind her ear. She was light on the eyes...not much to look at.

"I'm Amber. I was just checking to see if you all enjoyed your meal. I'm um...Bart's daughter." She held her hand out and I shook it.

"Wow...so your mom is Hazel?" I stared in awe at the girl. Bart was my boy that always had a thing for exotic women. Hazel was from the Dominican Republic and was a fuckin' knock out. The only thing about Hazel though---she wore the pants in the family and Bart would tend to be her bitch at times.

"Amber heh?" George stood and took her hand from me, kissing her knuckles.

"She's young George." I informed but he ignored.

"I'm sure she doesn't mind...ripened age mean's broken in ways and maturity you don't get in dumb ass young boys."

"It's nice to meet you Amber, give your mother my love and your dad a punch in the shoulder."

She giggled and blushed. "Yes, Sir...your name is Hosea Miliano...and I'm a big fan of your dads. He was the coach of the Idaho Ravens." She gushed.

I nearly wanted to scream and I was a fuckin dude. I heard it constantly. The good looking coach with the good looking son, word got around.

"Yes, now if you excuse me. I have an engagement." I lied, excusing myself.

I hated to leave George with the girl but I had a feeling she was more into me than him but like I said...she was young and I wasn't about to become jail house rock.

Once I got to my car I felt a wave of frustration hit me. I dialed my voicemail to check and it was only clients and Mikal. Fuck....more messages from her about clients wanting me to train them.

I was behind on my work with working with George and his team but it was worth the money. The fact that I was trying to train people, that meant money because they only had a few weeks upon signing the contract with me. Rain or shine, snow or ice, they knew what they had to do and I was serious about it as well.

None of the calls, although I was happy about clients, were from Velvet. I tossed my phone to the passenger seat and sped up down the highway.

"Why the fuck is she ignoring me!"

Damn...I needed to get a grip. A solid one.

*VELVET*

The shower felt so good after my personal work out. I had a few more spots that I was trying to perfect although I knew no one was perfect.

My ass was too flat though. Carter use to always say big booty women had it all but a woman with tits don't have to have an ass at all...that was because I had some tits and no ass either.

It was frustrating when growing up, for years I looked like a straight up boy. My sisters would tease me, yes, even Naomi. My dad would tell me that God created all creatures special but when I turned my back he had a worried expression which usually made him and mom stay up passed mid-night on the 'I'm worried about Velvet' talks.

I honestly had no idea why they really named me Velvet but Nala said it was because when daddy lived in the world he owned a rug store where everyone was crazy about his Velveteen cloth. One particular, my grandmother and that's when he met momma...long story short, I was born and so were my sisters.

After my shower I put on a thick robe to cover my nakedness. All the while, I felt it soaking up the heated beads of water on my body.

"Sweetheart," Mom called out loud scaring the living crap out of me. I wasn't there with her...she would come in the house having a key.

I honestly didn't feel like going to work but as long as I have a baby sitter, I had no choice.

"Velvet!" Mom opened the door, mouth sprung open and in shock.

"What?" I shrugged.

"You know these girls in here watching something on that bad BET?!" She argued.

"Mom, it's just a television show." I groaned.

"Well, if you think so! One second they gonna be reciting scriptures and the next minute they gonna be swinging on a stripper pole! I know you like that kind of stuff too Velvet and you need to let it go. I don't understand these young girls these days.

You love to throw up the friend card and say this is how it is but you don't count on the hardship truth, the things that will change you from the inside out."

"Mom!" I groaned dramatically while dropping the towel to get dressed.

Mom turned around and walked out the room. I know she was upset with me.

At least I had one other person on my side....I think.