Taking a second to let my words sink in, I paused and then continued.

“Lot 17 will belong to the community, to the children of New Orleans, to those in need of second chances. I plan on making a park with ball fields, soccer fields, walking paths, and a community center, where we will offer free classes ranging from exercise to art for members of the center. Membership will be free to the citizens of New Orleans; all we ask is that you keep the parks clean, you encourage each other, and stay positive. We want to encourage kids and adults to explore different avenues of recreation, whether it be cooking, painting, or even joining a team. It’s time to give back to the community, the same community who raised me from a baby to the man I am today. I want every family in this city, no matter their social standing or race, to have a chance to grow and experience life in a way they might not have without the community center. I am announcing the plans for Lot 17 because I want to engage the community, ask for volunteers, and help spread the word about the new opportunities we will be offering to the city of New Orleans. Thank you for listening to me today; are there any questions?”

The room erupted as press raised their hands and shouted out their questions. The moderator of the conference called on individuals to ask questions.

The first question came from a brown haired man with glasses. “How will this community center be funded?”

“Funding won’t be an issue…that is for me to worry about, and me alone.”

“Does that mean you will be funding it yourself?”

Annoyed with his question, I answered curtly. “Yes, next question.”

“Mr. Colby, when do you foresee the community center opening?”

“By the end of the year, hopefully by fall. I’ve been in communication with multiple contractors in the city, making sure they know what kind of priority Lot 17 will be. They are well aware of my time line. I have full confidence we will be seeing a community center soon.”

The moderator called on an elderly gentleman in the front, who had been chewing on his pen for the whole conference.

“Mr. Colby, can you release a statement on the investigation your father is going through?”

That was quick, I thought to myself, as I geared up for the question.

“My father and I have been estranged for years now. He’s conducted business in a way I didn’t want to emulate, so when I was eighteen, I separated myself from him. I believe in the judicial system and know that if the findings in the way my father has conducted business are correct, then I expect for him to be punished appropriately.”

“Did you know about his embezzling and Ponzi scheme?”

“Like I said, my father and I have been estranged since I turned eighteen. I was unaware of his financial status and the inner workings of his business. Next question.”

“Mr. Colby, you are known to have a strangled relationship with a Mr. Rex Titan. Are you happy to see the recent findings of the way he conducted business?”

“I find it improper to talk negatively about relationships I have with other individuals in a public setting.”

A blonde raised her hand and asked, “Is it true you and Miss Keylee Zinc are engaged?” The local gossip magazine. I refrained from rolling my eyes.

“Miss Zinc is a wonderful woman, but we are just friends. Any rumors about Miss Zinc being connected with me romantically are just that, rumors. Our relationship is a strictly platonic one.”

“Are you in a relationship with someone else?” she asked, pressing her luck.

“I don’t believe that is the media’s business. I am a private man and would like to stay that way. If there aren’t any other questions about Lot 17, then I believe I will end this press conference.”

Before I ended, I answered a few more questions about Lot 17, and then thanked the press one more time before taking off. Kace stood on the side of the stage, waiting for me, with his hands in his suit pockets and a smirk on his face.

“Community center?” he asked with a questioning brow. “I thought you were just going to make a park.”

“Plans changed,” I said, while I thanked the assistant who handed me a bottle of water. Both Kace and I walked toward the waiting town car, said our goodbyes to George, and took off.

“When did your plans change?” he asked, once we were settled in the car.

“The moment I lost Goldie. I knew I had to make some changes in the way I conducted business. The Lafayette Club isn’t the same without her, and I need to give the girls other opportunities.”

“What do you mean?” Kace asked, concerned.

“I’m closing the club.”

“What about the girls?”

“They will work at the center, teaching the children and families, while they still pursue their education. I don’t want to expose them any longer. With this new business venture, I can have the members of the Lafayette Club become donors to the center. We will still allow meetings to be conducted in the Toulouse Room, but the girls won’t be performing anymore. Those days are over.”

“I see,” Kace said, while looking out the window. His silence said it all; he was worried about his place in the club.

“Don’t worry, if you accept, I would love for you to manage the center and offer exercise classes to the community, including boxing.”

Kace’s head whipped around and his jaw was slack as he stared at me for a second.

“Are you serious?”

“Very much so. Your talent and services are better used in that capacity. You have so much to offer young teenage boys who might be lost. I have the utmost confidence in the fact that you can make an impact on these boys.”

“Wow,” Kace responded, while rubbing his chin. “I didn’t see that coming. I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll take the job.”

“How the hell can I say no to that?” he smiled. Silence fell between us as Kace looked at me seriously. “I have to say, Jett, I couldn’t be more appreciative of your friendship. You’ve been there with me through everything and never once judged me. I would be lost without you.”

“I feel the same,” I admitted. Kace nodded and smirked. I jabbed his shoulder and said, “I can’t believe you were going to cry back there.”

“I wasn’t going to cry,” Kace replied, offended.

“Oh, please, I saw the tears in your eyes.”

“Fuck you,” he laughed. “God, you’re a dick.”

Laughing, I nodded, as I looked out the window. This was my city, the place I was born and raised, the place where I grew into a man, the place I met the love of my life, and now that I’d settled my business affairs, it was time I settled my personal ones, because to hell if I was going to let go of the best thing that ever happened to me.

20

“Uptown Funk”

Goldie

“No, you’re getting it all wrong. You have to bend first, stick your ass out, and then snap up,” I instructed both Diego and Blane, who were standing in front of me with giddy looks on their faces.

“I don’t get it,” Diego said. “Can you show us one more time?”

“It’s not like you’re making a penis out of a can of worm meat and dental floss,” I said, while getting in position.

“Worm meat? Is that even something?” Blane asked, his voice thick with his Australian accent.

“Possibly,” I giggled. “Would you eat it?”

“What would I get if I ate it?” Blane asked, eyeing me up and down.

“What do you want?” I said, losing my balance; damn alcohol was going to my head.

“I think you know what I want,” Blane replied, while licking his lips.

Oh, fuck, did I know. The man had been relentless ever since he found out Jett and I were no longer together. He made his feelings for me quite clear and wasn’t shy about them. He said when he knew I was still attached to someone, he respected my space, but apparently to him, I was fair game now.