Hot Boyz (5 page)

He resumed disrobing. “They are quite a pair. Mom seemed fine earlier today.”

“Yes, because she was happy that you were back. Whoever you are.”

“Now come on, she knows I’m her son.”

“I’m not so sure,” Mercedes said, turning to answer the cordless phone. “Hello? Hey, girl. How was your evening out?” She whispered to Mason. “It’s Sequoia. She went to Foreplay.” She returned her focus to her call. “You had fun, huh?”

Sequoia talked loud from her mobile as usual. “No love connections but I shook my ass all right. And that bartender makes a mean apple martini. When did your man get home?”

“This afternoon.”

“Is Cicely back?”

Mercedes placed her electronic calendar on the nightstand and leaned back on the pillow to talk. “Back from where?”

“I heard she was out of town.”

“So.”

“So, I heard she was in Hawaii.”

“Oh, she was … yes, she’s back. We saw her tonight. Now I know why you’re calling so late.”

“I am not trying to start any mess, so you didn’t hear it from me. But wasn’t Mason in Hawaii?” Sequoia asked as if she already knew.

“Yes, he was in Honolulu.”

“Well, you need to find out where she was. That’s all I have to say. Fill in the blanks for yourself.”

Mason yelled from the bathroom. “What about Honolulu?”

“Oh, Sequoia just asked about which part of Hawaii you went to. She’s going on a cruise later this year—a cruise to Hawaii. Aren’t you Sequoia?”

“Yes I am. You know that’s a shame that you never lie to that man. Or maybe that’s good just as long as all of that honesty is mutual.”

Mercedes stood up, resting her feet on the off-white carpet, speaking close to the receiver. “You know something. Why is it always the ones with no man trying to ruin the good thing of the ones who have one?”

“If it were ever to be ruined it would not be my fault. I was not the one in Hawaii with my business partner, ex, okay? Ooh, girl. This is the new Whitney cut.” Sequoia increased the radio volume.

“Good night, girl. I’ve got to go and hop in the shower with my husband. A born again virgin I am not,” she said, removing her dress.

Sequoia sounded worried. “Don’t you dare say that too loud. I’ll bet you tell him all of my business.”

“Why not? You’re all up in his. Besides, husbands don’t count anyway. He’s my other half so I can tell him anything.”

“You didn’t tell him I’m holding out, did you?”

“No, I didn’t.” Mercedes removed her brassiere and thong underwear.

“Oh yeah, right. You’ve been lying to me since middle school. You can’t keep anything from that man. Especially the bit of news I just broke about him and
her”

“I call it a bit of non-verifiable gossip. I’m standing here naked, girl. Gotta go. Bye.”

“Poof, be gone.” Sequoia hung up singing.

Early the next morning, Mercedes stepped out onto the dew-misted lawn to get the morning paper. Kailua, their chocolate lab of five years, ran toward the door but dared not run outside as he barked at his master, waiting for a command. Mercedes hushed him so he would not wake Mattie. She turned back toward the door and noticed a black, convertible Ford Mustang parked in the driveway of the second garage. Once again someone spent the night at Torino’s place. Torino had lived in the back house ever since he lost money from an investment gone bad. He lost his home, new Yukon Denali and had to sell most of his belongings. But Mason had mercy on him, allowing him time to downsize. Mason gave him two years to get himself together. It had been three. Usually, it was Colette’s mint green Nissan Altima in the driveway. Mercedes walked back toward the door and noticed that Kailua looked at her like she was doing his job. Mercedes had forgotten that Star taught Kailua how to fetch the paper. “I’m sorry Kay-Kay. You can get it next time.”

Mason pulled up into the cul-de-sac to his brother Claude’s house on Senford Avenue just as Claude closed the front door to his Spanish-style home behind him.

“Hey, Claude,” Mason said as he stepped out of his Mercedes SUV. The license plate simply read, CEDES.

Claude opened the door to his Ferrari, tossing his briefcase into
the passenger seat. “Yo, brother. Why did you copy me and get your wife’s name on your license plate?” he asked Mason, pointing to the vanity plate of his own Lexus parked in the driveway that still read TIMA.

Mason walked up and gave Claude a brotha’ handshake. “Mercedes did that. This is her second car.” Mason looked toward the Lexus. “Man, you still have that car. Between that, the C-class and this one, isn’t that three just for you?”

“I’m saving the Lex for Cameron. And why are you worried anyway? What are you up to?”

“I just thought I’d stop by to congratulate you on your new buyer.”

Claude crossed his arms and leaned back against his ride. “Yeah, Mercedes’s contact made an offer on Springpark so that’s a go. And I’m about to close on a few other properties this week. I can’t complain. How’s Mom?”

“You should come by sometime and see for yourself. I mean it’s not like you have to travel very far. Why do I have to be the one to come down the hill all the time to see you anyway?”

Claude paused. “Oh yeah, like you’re ever around anyway. Don’t worry. I’ll be by tonight for Sunday dinner.”

“And how are Venus and Cameron?”

“They’re cool. Venus is in there. I think she’s on the computer researching some project. I would go back in with you but I’ve got an early meeting at the office. Go ahead on in and see Venus if you want,” Claude removed his key ring from his pocket and put one foot into his car.

Mason walked toward his ride. “Naw, I’m going to head on over to the Bucks for a cup of Java.”

“Java? You’re getting whitewashed more and more everyday, brotha’. Hey, I’ve gotta go, man. How long you gonna be in town?” Claude asked, taking a seat, closing the door and turning the ignition.

Mason got in and started the engine, too. “For a week or so. I’ll see you tonight.”

“Later,” Claude yelled as he backed out.

Both brothers pulled off in their luxury cars with spinning wheels, revving their engines as they reached the stop sign at Slauson. Claude took off to the west doing about seventy. Mason leisurely turned in the other direction, headed to Starbucks.

Back at Mason’s home, Torino walked up to the front house to visit his mother. She was sitting on her bed, brushing her hair.

“Hey there, Mom. Good morning.” Torino leaned down to hug her.

“Good morning, son. How are you?”

“I’m fine.” Torino sat in her rocking chair.

“Have you made breakfast yet? If not, I can do it.”

“No, Mom. I’m about to get going for the day. I’ll stop somewhere.”

“I sure could use some of your award-winning apple pancakes.”

“I haven’t made those since I was in high school, Mom.”

“I know.” Mattie began picking the tiny strands of hair from the brush. She tossed them into her trash can beside the bed.

Torino reflected back. “They were good, huh? I wonder who taught me how to cook in the first place.”

“You were the only one of the three who spent time with me in the kitchen.”

“And I’m glad I did. I’ll get back in that kitchen for you soon enough.”

“That would be nice.” She resumed brushing her hair.

Torino stood up. “Well, I have to get going. I’m just checking on you.”

“I’m just here waiting on your dad. He’s supposed to pick me up in his classic car today. You know, the car we named you after.”

“The blue Torino.”

“Yes. I love your name.”

“Me, too. As long as the Tito comment doesn’t come up.”

“Oh no. You just tell people your name is Torino, not Tito.”

“Okay, Mom.” He put his hand on her back and then headed for the door.

“If you see him as you leave, tell him to just honk and I’ll come out so we can get going.”

“I will. See you later.”

“See you later sweetheart. I love my baby.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

Even though he was Ladera’s most well-known VIP, some mornings when Mason was in town he’d stop by for his favorite cup of Caramel Macchiatto. Today he was lucky enough to find a parking spot in the very front. All eyes were on him as he walked in.

“What up, dude? We don’t see you nearly enough,” said Greg, one of the young managers at Starbucks in the Ladera Center. The nutty smell of coffee beans and the sweet smell of cinnamon greeted Mason’s every step.

“Hey, I’ve been on a series of tours lately. Just seems like I don’t have time for the things I really love. You know I’ve got to keep up my routine though.”

Suddenly, Mason’s baby brother Torino walked in and they patted each other on the back.

“Hey, I saw the car out there. I thought Mercedes was in here. How goes it?”

“Hey dude, it’s cool. What you been up to lately?” asked Mason.

“Nothing much, bro. I’m glad you’re back.”

“How have things been over at the club? You did keep everybody in line while Cicely was gone, right?” Mason asked as they slowly moved up in line.

“Yeah, I’ve got it all covered. We just need to pass our inspection next week but we’ll be cool. Hey, did you go to Hawaii, too?” Torino asked, noticing the many stares directed at his brother.

“Yeah, man, I went. And?” Mason raised his eyebrows.

“And Cicely went?”

Mason turned to face his brother. “What are you saying? That she travels on vacation with me while I work? Man, she just happened to be on vacation in the same state. Not the same city, okay?”

Torino put his hand up. “I heard that. I was just asking.”

Mason turned back around. “Plus, it seems like she deserved a break considering all the business you two have been bringing in lately.”

Torino made a point of changing his tone. “Man, just about the entire Lakers team was in last Friday night. The DJ was announcing names left and right. Even Iverson was in town and stopped by.”

Mason bobbed his head. “That’s what I’m talking about. Comp those boys and their guests because they can surely buy the bar.” They gave each other fisted taps.

Torino agreed. “Every time.”

“Hey, what’s up with you and Colette, man? How’s she doing?”

Torino took a deep breath. “My girl wants to move on in back there with me. I don’t know, though.”

“What you need to do is get out on your own in a bigger place and settle down with your busy self. How long have you been seeing her, for a year now?”

“No, more like two.”

“That’s a lifetime for you. I’d say it’s either about time for living together or time for a ring. You know what Mom would say.”

“Oh heck no. I’m not even ready for that.”

“You afraid that’ll cut off your action, dude?”

“I’m so busy with this club that I can’t even think straight, let alone make time for sideline action. Well, not much anyway.”

“Yeah, I saw some car parked back there last night. Who you foolin’?” asked Mason.

“That was Kyle’s new Mustang. I wouldn’t have a woman’s car parked up in there. Colette is the drive-by queen.”

“Hey, bro, I was thinking, we need to talk. Look, Cicely and I are thinking about opening a new club in Atlanta, man. You think you might want to relocate? I’d set you up and pay expenses.” Mason looked hopeful.

“Oh heck no. Man you could not pay me enough to leave L.A. Especially lovely Ladera. Just look around at the scenery. It’s only eight in the morning and these ladies look like they’re going in for stripper tryouts.”

“Hi, Mason. How have you been?” asked the girl behind the counter as she handed him his coffee. “Here’s your regular, with extra crème.” She blushed.

He took the already prepared brew in the sleeved cup and handed her his money. “Thanks, Vanessa. I’ve been good, and you?”

She continued, giving full-on attention. “I saw you on TV last week. Congratulations on winning the tournament. We’re real proud of you here in Ladera Heights. You’ve got a lot of kids looking up to you. You’re like our hometown hero.”

“Thanks.”

The manager cleared his throat and gave Vanessa the eye and she caught it. “Anyway, I’ll see you again real soon, okay?”

Mason gave a nod. “For sure.”

“And you’re having?” Vanessa asked Torino.

“Just pour a cup of the coffee of the day.”

“Sure,” she said, still eyeballing Mason.

Mason and Torino took their cups and sat at a tiny table near the window.

“So, you coming up to the house for dinner tonight, man?” Mason asked, taking his seat.

“Wouldn’t miss our regular, especially when you’re in town. I stopped on through to see Mom before I left and she looks real good.”

“Yeah, but I think we need to schedule a family meeting to talk about her condition, bro. Her dementia is getting worse. We need to get her on meds right away to help slow down the process. Mercedes has been doing some research so I think the next step is another appointment with the neurologist.”

“I’m cool with that. Do we need to meet at Claude’s house then so Mom won’t be around?” Torino took a cautious sip.

“No, it’s cool at my place. She’s pretty much holed up in her room all day and night anyway.”

“Let’s do that before you leave then.” Torino looked around.

“I’ll ask Mercedes to check with Claude and you and work it out.”

Vanessa came over to their table. “Here you go, Mason. Just thought I’d bring you a banana scone, hot from the oven, just the way you like it. All sticky with honey.”

“Thanks, my dear. You didn’t have to do that but I appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” she purred, moon-walking back behind the counter.

“Man, I never get that type of attention. You are one spoiled brotha, brother. Hell, my brother’s a pimp.”

“You’re the one who’s been pimping since pimpin’s been pimpin, as they say.”

“No, you’re the one,” Torino insisted.

Mason offered the scone to his brother but he declined. “It’s all a mirage, bro,” Mason explained. “Fake as an acrylic nail and temporary as a stick-on tattoo.”

Mercedes and Star headed off to church just as Mason returned home from his early morning routine. Mercedes waved her hand out of her white Benz convertible and sped away without looking at him. Star turned and waved to her daddy with the ends of her newly done cornrows blowing in the wind.