Comfortable Chaos

Chapter 30

Andre
Did you mess with her?

Lately, I've been hanging pretty tough in the streets. It's not the ideal but for right now, I gotta do what I gotta do. I'm not really fucking with that labor pool anymore. They've proven that they can't be trusted and I don't have time for them to play with my money. One thing is still bothering me though-Greg.

Never in my life has he ever turned his back on me. I need to know why he would put me and Brandi out because that's so unlike him. So, today I've decided to make a trip to his house and see what's up. I know this is his day off. It's a good day to clear the air.

"Hey, Man. How you been?" Greg said

"I'm hanging in there. What's up wit chu?" I asked.

"Working and dealing wit crazy women. C'mon in." He motioned.

I follow him to the living room, where we sit on his couch.

"What's going on wit chu now? Where you at?" Greg asked.

"Oh, me and Brandi found a place and we've been hanging tough there for a little while."

"Good. Glad to see things are working out."

"Well, it's not completely working out," I said.

Greg leans up. "What do you mean?"

"I think she's cheating on me."

"Really?" Greg raises his eyebrows.

"Yeah. She got this new job and it's good but she comes home late most nights and she dresses more provocatively now. I feel like something is up."

"Is she trickin?"

"Nah. The outfits aren't that bad. She's not wearing clear heels or anything."

We both laugh.

"But I feel like she's hiding something, like she might have some older dude that she's hooking up with and he's giving her money," I said.

"I understand. You've sacrificed a lot for that girl," Greg said.

"Exactly! I mean, I still do whatever...I've been there for her when she didn't have anybody."

"I know that's why it was kinda rough for me to have to let you guys go."

"Yeah. That threw me for a loop." I pause. This is the perfect opportunity to get a real answer. "I wanted to ask you about that."

"Man, I am real sorry. It hurt my heart to have to do it."

"Right but I couldn't help getting the feeling there was more to it. Was it really about money?"

Greg rubs his chin. "I really don't wanna say anything that causes problems."

"You can't cause problems that aren't already there. I need you to level wit me."

Greg sighs. "The first day you went out looking for a job, you left her here and I did what I could to make her comfortable."

"Right. I appreciated that."

"During the day, she warmed up to me and I fed her and shared some of my wisdom with her."

"Yeah?" I'm waiting for this to go somewhere.

"I guess she took it the wrong way because she ended up trying to get at me."

"Oh, really? In what way?"

"She tried to kiss me. I mean, make a move. I tried to tell her, 'hey we shouldn't be doing this' but she kept trying to seduce me."

"Did you mess with her?" I asked.

Greg pauses. Let me find out he sexed Brandi. I'll slap him right here.

"Nah. I finally got her to leave me alone but I knew that I was gonna have to get her out of here."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't get you alone and...I knew you were trying to help her out. So, I thought it would be easier if I kept quiet and put you guys out."

"If I had known that, I could have let her go then."

Greg reaches over and slaps me on the back. "You were just being a good guy. I'm glad I didn't say anything. Gave you a chance to help her. Now you know who she is."

"Yeah. I know." Sammy told me. All women play games. Yeah, I most certainly know.

"Now that we got that squared away," Greg nods to his kitchen, "when are you going to restock my cabinet?"

I laugh and Greg joins in.

"I'm serious, man. Yall cleared me out. I came home like, what the-"