NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
BRADLEY HUGHES,
Jayla Darden's fulfilling voice overflowed with passion as it captured the room. Bradley had dragged herself out of bed, early 7 AM. She was disciplining herself and reprogramming her sleep schedule.
Spending one wild spring break with Posh, Cinney, Rome, and Georgia had her going to sleep at 4 AM only to wake up 4 PM the next day. She noticed that her body had grown sluggish so she was doing everything in her power to recharge it to how it use to be.
"If it wasn't meant for me—when I was tryna find my swing—you ain't really on my team—keep em far away from me," Bradley sung along as she smeared a thin layer of peanut butter on her toast.
Along with waking up and going to bed earlier, Bradley was testing out a new diet. Anyone who took a glance at her would say she was crazy for even considering a diet, however she felt a difference within herself.
This was day one of course and all she could think of was how good Posh's breakfast sandwich looked, yesterday at the shop.
Sinking her teeth into the whole grain bread, the creamy peanut butter filled her mouth causing her to screw her face up in a revolting manner. Dropping the limp piece of bread into the porcelain plate, Bradley shook her head. "This is what Georgia survives off?" She asked herself after chugging down half of her bottle of water.
Concluding what Georgia would call breakfast, Bradley started getting dressed. She had been roaming her house in her matching bra and panties set. Once it hit 8:30, she knew it was time to start getting ready so she could get to the shop by ten. She prayed that she would have enough time to swing by the restaurant, across the street from the shop and get some real breakfast
Since she already taken care of her hygiene earlier that morning and put on some undergarments, all she was left to do was put some clothes on, do her hair, and make up.
Roaming her closet, she skimmed her hands over a rack of clothes. Bradley is what her family would call, shopping attic. She caught a thrill on making herself look good, it was both a good and bad habit.
Halting her hands on a mid-thigh solid black skirt, she sided with it. She took a white v-neck off one of her many hangers. The shirt had "AHS" (Allure Hair Studios) stitched on the right breast of it in black serif font. Slipping on the skirt, she then put on the shirt. The top had a crop to it causing her belly button to peak through a bit. Shoes, she slipped on a pair of Tory Burch flip flops.
Just like that, her outfit was complete. She made a mental note to grab her denim jacket off of her coat hanger when she was on the way out so she could have an extra layer.
Her music still playing throughout the home, she sung her heart out to Beyoncé's song "I Care" sounding absolutely nothing like Bey. She started on her make up— just like yesterday and any other day at work, she kept it simple. This time around, she strayed away from the lipgloss and colored her lips one Kylie's lip kits, Brown Sugar. The lip matched the warmth of her make up that was blended with hues of brown and bronze
After her face was done, she did her hair. It took little to no time at all.
Officially ready to go, Bradley grabbed her keys, phone, bags, and the jean jacket. Heading out the door of her condo, she locked up and headed to her car.
Just like her morning, the car ride consisted of songs being belched from her lungs. Today was the first time Bradley got through morning traffic and arrived to the shop with time to spare.
Proud that she managed her time precisely, she got out of her car with a beaming smile. She carried her bags inside and was immediately greeted by Astel, and her early morning client.
"Good morning ladies," Bradley responded back as she set her things down. "Astel, I'm headed across the street for breakfast, you want anything?" Bradley offered.
Parting her clients hair with a thin tailed comb, Astel nodded. "Yeah could you get me the spinach omelette, there's cash in my top drawer,"
"It's okay, I got it,"Bradley assured her before heading out of the shop without grabbing the cash
Bradley sided against taking her car and opted on walking. Unlike Alta who was in the gym constantly, Bradley couldn't even imagine herself exercising. The last time she did any physical activity was back in high school, but she still managed to look snatched.
The short walk instantly made Bradley regret not taking her car. It wasn't even midday yet and the sun was already scorching down at the New Orleans residents.
Arriving to the fairly small restaurant called, Southern Hospitality, Bradley was met by the cool air conditioning the place offered.
As always, the place was filled with others. The restaurant served a little bit of everything and always was something the people were craving. Bradley knee to stay clear of the restaurant on Saturday's since they usually ran a $4 plate deal on anything on the menu. The lines usually wrap around the building then.
Including Bradley, there were about ten others in there. She wanted to leave, but decided to wait it out for her food since she did have to walk that not so long-but long way for it.
She split her attention between her phone and the line making sure no one who was just coming in tried to cut her. She stood as person number ten and it seemed that she wouldn't be moving for a while.
The line moved at a steady pace and Bradley was getting closer to ordering her and Astel's food.
The door squealed open to the lack of oil. Bradley's eyes averted to the person who was coming in. To her surprise it was Uncle Shad who was typing away on his phone not looking up from it for a second.
Bradley couldn't help but to fawn over him just like she had when he was at the shop yesterday morning. He was handsome, and lacked that tough exterior front men tried to portray. He seemed, chill.
Bradley eyed him. She wasn't giving him an intense scare, due to her being afraid that he might notice. Her heart beat escalated as he stood next to her instead of behind her to continue the single file line the restaurant had going for themselves.
Looking up from his phone, he seemed to just realized how lengthy the line was and how he wasn't even standing in it. He let out a huff of air, before trekking up to the counter causing the people who where standing in line patiently to groan and complain. He said nothing in response, instead he flashed a polite smile and returned his attention to the teenage boy behind the counter. "Tyson, where mama Sonya at?" He asked the boy as he continued to take the order of a older man who seemed to be on his way to work.
"Uh—" Tyson stretches out as he tapped a few keys on the register before having the drawer pop open. "She's in the back," He responded to Uncle Shad right after he gave the man the precise amount of change.
Uncle Shad nodded. It caught Bradley by surprise once she watched Uncle Shad walk around the counter and stand behind the second register that wasn't getting operated by anyone. "Who next?" He called out immediately causing half of the line to migrate towards him.
Bradley made sure to get into Uncle Shad's line. Maybe she could get a close up of him. With the help of Uncle Shad, the restaurant seemed to pick up in speed. Tyson got his line down to the last person just as Uncle Shad did.
Bradley stood face to face with Uncle Shad. A welcoming smile was plastered on his face. As hard as he tried, he couldn't fight the urge to not on gawk at her, but examine her entirely. He hadn't noticed she was even inside, but then again he couldn't remember where he knew her from.
"What you tryna get?" He continued to smile at her.
Acting as normal as possible, Bradley looked up at the menu as if she hadn't already rehearsed her order on the walk there. "I'm can I get a spinach omelette with hash, and the sunrise breakfast meal," She order before returning her optics into him.
"And what drink you want for your meal?" He eyed her.
"2 mimosas," She raised both her index finger and her middle finger.
He trailed his eyes up from the register. "This early?"
Bradley chuckled with a nod of her head. "I got a long day at my shop ahead of me," She enlightened him with a light smile.
He nodded in understanding before it finally clicked. "Now I know where I know you from," He pointed his finger at her.
Bradley was a bit offended that the entire time he hadn't even remembered who she was. Shaking it off, she remembered that she didn't even speak two word to him yesterday, Posh had done all the talking since his niece was her client.
"You one of them, welcome to Allure, girls," He mocked.
Bradley laughed a bit. "If you mean that by owner, then yes," She clarified and confirmed with him.
"Oh shit, that's you?" He asked in a state of shock referring to her actually owning the salon.
Bradley nodded. "Yup,"
"That's whass' up," His native New Orleans accent rolled off the tongue causing Bradley to gush on the inside. No matter how long she had been staying down in New Orleans she still would get swooned by a rich accent like his. With her being from Houston, her accent differed from theirs. "Yo' girl hooked my niece up for her lil' prom yesterday," He added.
"She definitely did,"
Realizing that he was coming short on anything else to talk about while he was behind the register, he went ahead and swiped her debit card to send off the order. The receipt printed resulting in him giving her both the card and the receipt. "You didn't even I.D. me for the mimosas," She playfully shamed him with a shake of her head.
His smile fell once he realized his mistake. "Damn, my bad. Let me see it now though,"
Bradley chuckled as she opened up her wallet and extracted her driver's license.
"Bradley Farrah Hughes," Her name rolled off his tongue causing her breath to be bottled up in her throat for a second.
Taking longer than anyone else, it was evident that he wasn't simply just checking her date of birth. "You 5'8 for real?" He departed his eyes from her license and put them onto her.
"You're checking for the wrong thing," She reminded him while holding her hand out for her license.
Uncle Shad chuckled before giving it back to her. "Man I knew you were legal, Bradley," He said her name again this time with a smirk.
The two had spent so much time interacting, Tyson was able to deliver majority of the food to the awaiting guest.
Bradley reflected his smirk and said nothing before walking away. She took a seat at one of the tables that scattered around the restaurant. She knew the wait for her food wouldn't be that long so she started to kill time once again on her phone.
That was until she heard the chair across from her be pulled out and then filled. Looking up from her device, she was met with Uncle Shad once more. "Aren't you supposed to be behind the register?" She raised a brow while locking her phone.
Uncle Shad let a smooth laugh ease out of him. "Nah, I just wanted to help out, my work here is done," He looked around the restaurant.
"Okay since you're done, why are you still here?" Bradley was hoping that she didn't come off rude. It was a genuine question.
Uncle Shad licked his lips. "My work here is done,"He motioned his hands around the restaurant. "My work with you ain't even start yet,"
Bradley could have melted by how warm her face got. She was so glad that she was a rich hue of umber brown making it impossible to see the redness in her cheeks. "With me?"
He nodded his head. "Am I coming off to strong?"
Bradley felt a blushing smile take over her face. "Nah, not at all,"
"Rashad, your order!" Tyson called from behind them. Uncle Shad looked over Bradley and nodded to Tyson.
"Preciate it,"He thanked Tyson as he stood up from the chair.
Bradley furrowed his brows. "How your order come out before mine?" All the blushing she had just done had now diminished itself and she was now focused on her food.
Holding his hand out, he assisted her in standing. Eve though Bradley was considered a fairly tall female, she still stood underneath his stature. "Just chill, Bradley," He assured her as he led the way to the front.
Bradley was glad that he left go if her hand because she didn't want him feeling the perspiration coming out of them which were evoked by her nerves. "Rashad," She mouthed trying to see how it felt coming from her mouth
Sure enough, Tyson had three bags wrapped up with food inside of them. The third bag rested beside the other two and had Bradley's mimosas. "This is for you," He handed one bag over to Rashad, "And these are for you," he handed the two other bags to Bradley.
"Thank you," She thanked him.
"Yeah good looks Ty, tell mama Sonya I'mma swing by later," Rashad also thanked Tyson.
"Got it,"
Bradley who didn't really have anything else to stay in the restaurant for started her way out and mentally prepared herself for the walk she had to endure to get back to the shop.
"Whoa, you walking, with all that?" Bradley looked over her shoulder and noticed Rashad had a questioning look on his face. He honestly though he was gonna follow her to her car so he could pry some digits out of her. Once he realized that she was walking past all of the vehicles in the parking lot, he grew confused.
Bradley turned to face him. She nodded her head. "Yeah, my shop is right over there," She pointed across the street to the building that hade Allure, in gold cursive font at the top of it.
Rashad shook his head. "Nah let me give you a ride," He offered while using his keyless remote to unlock the doors of his charcoal black 2019 GMC Sierra 3500 HD. The pick up truck stood tall on huge durable wheels. Bradley could tell that he had done a ton of work to the car to get it to that state, even the axels of the car was raised to make it appear taller.
"How am I sure you won't drive off with me?" Bradley inquired. Rashad laughed finding her amusing not realizing that she was dead serious.
"Man c'mon, do I look like that type of dude?"
Bradley surveyed her eyes over him before she slowly made her way over. "Exactly," He smiles as he opened the passenger door for her. Bradley got in. Her eyes roamed the cleanliness of the vehicles. The interior of the truck matched the exterior with the black, polished wood detailed the dashboard.
Rashad shut her door before walking around and hopping in it on his side. Bradley nervously sat the bag of food on her lap while placing the mimosas in the cupholder.
The engine purred to life after he pressed the button to start it. He checked behind him before reversing out of the space. Bradley was positive that if they were to get into a collision then the other car would have gotten crushed. "My bad ain't no music, I kinda forgot my phone and I don't vibe to the radio," He apologized for the silence that filled the car.
"It's alright, it won't be long," Bradley assured him.
Sure enough they sat in silence until Rashad drove across the street. Bradley realized that he had went around the parking lot just to drop her off directly at the door of Allure. "This yo' stop Miss Bradley," He turned to her.
"Thank you, I appreciate it,"
Rashad got out the car which alarmed Bradley a bit. She relaxed once she realized that he was only opening up the door for her. He assisted her out allowing her to grab her bags. "I would say goodbye but I have a feeling that we gone see each other again," He licked his full lips once more.
"Tell your girlfriend to book at Allure," Bradley smirked, she began walking away from him.
She heard Rashad chuckle. "If I had one, I would,"
"Bye Rashad," Bradley called over her shoulder as she entered her shop.
Not realizing she was gone for so long, the shop was filled with all of the girls. They all eyed her in a suspicious manner. Rashad hadn't moved yet. He remained propped against his truck with a light smirk on his face. The tall windows of the shop allowed him to see all the girls giving Bradley the same look.
He got into his tuck and drove off. He had no doubts he would be seeing her again. He didn't even get her number, but he was confident.
"Bitch now I know that ain't Uncle Shad," Posh grilles once Rashad's truck pulled off.
Bradley laughed. "He was at Southern and have me a ride back since I walked, nothing more nothing less," Bradley explained as she took her plate off the top and walked the bag with Astro's food and mimosa over to her.
"See if it was me it would have been something way more! That man too fucking fine!" Rome exaggerated while using her hand to fan herself.
"We know," Every one of the ladies said in unison.
Time stale faced them. "Well excuse me,"
Bradley went back to her booth and opened up her plate so she could begin eating. Everyone had girls in their chairs except for Brad because he first appointment wasn't until 12:30.
"Honestly, get the dick for the culture sis, you need it!" Posh exclaimed with a laugh before parting her client's hair for a braid.
Bradley almost choked on the food she was chewing on. "That man just gave me a ride from across the street, get y'all head out of the gutter," Bradley rained on their parade.
Astel who didn't participate in the teasing of Bradley finally finished up with her client from earlier that morning. The girl thanked her for the medium sized long box braids before handing her the cash. Astel thanked the girl for coming before walking her out.
Astel cleaned her hands before hurrying off to start eating before he next client came in.
As she opened up the bag, she noticed Bradley had forgotten her phone inside of it. "Brad you left you phone,"She walked it over to her.
Looking up from her plate, Bradley furrowed her brows. She took ahold of the phone confused. The phone didn't belong to her, but it ended up in her bag. "This is not mine," Bradley shook her head.
"See Uncle Shad got her ass so far gone, she don't even know her phone when she see it," Cinney joked causing the ladies to laugh.
Bradley ignored the jokes and pressed the home button on the phone causing the screen to light up. The lock screen gave no clue as to who the phone could belong to. Instead it was a note in bold which read: The password 4389. Lock yourself in. Hopefully I get my phone back. — Uncle Shad
"This man is slick as hell," Bradley let out.
Cinney turned to face her. "Wait, so that ain't your phone sis?"
Bradley shook her head. "No. It's Rashad's," It was Bradley's first time saying the name out loud. She had to admit it sounded better than it felt rolling off her tongue.
"Who's Rashad?" Alta asked the same question the rest of the ladies wanted to ask.
"Uncle Shad," Bradley stale faces them all not believing that they couldn't put two and two together.
"Wait so he left you phone with you? Is it unlocked?" Georgia piped in with questions of her own.
Bradley looked down at the phone again before rereading the not, this time out loud. "That phone either new as hell or he really don't know how to use it because ain't no fucking way a man just gone leave a girl with his phone," Rome protested with a shake of her head. None of the ladies could believe that Rashad was just so willing to give his entire phone up to Bradley. In this day and age everyone's secrets and doings were secured in their phones.
"Well sis crack that bitch open," Posh laughed while waving the comb she had in her hand in the air.
Bradley immediately shook her head no. "I am not going through that man's phone," She set it down on her booth.
"Well Brad give it here, I'll do it," Rome outstretched her hand for the phone.
Bradley shook her head no once more. "You aren't doing it either. After work I'm heading right back to Southern to give Tyson back Rashad's phone,"
"Who's Tyson?" The ladies all asked in unison.
"None of y'all business," Bradley told them.
Posh looked up at Bradley with a shocked expression. "Oop– sis keeping secrets for the D,"
All the ladies laughed. Bradley once again paid them no mind and continued eating her food. She knew Rashad for nothing but a day and the girls were already giving her hell.
The day continued like it always did, busy as hell.
After Bradley's second appointment she kept taking walk ins. She had about six girls in her chair already and she just wanted the day to come to an end.
"Bradley please answer that phone, it's been ringing all day," Alta groaned. Her feisty attitude was a lot hotter today and the fact that Rashad's phone had been going off all day sent her over the edge. Even turning off the ringer if the phone couldn't help.
After taking pictures and videos of her last client, Bradley checked Rashad's phone. Sure enough, it was the same contact blowing him up, Duke.
Whoever Duke was called an obscene amount of times which ran all of the ladies thin. "I am not answering that man's phone," Bradley declined the call mid ring.
"If it ring one more—" In the middle of Posh's threat the phone went off once more. This propelled Posh to match right over and snatch the phone out of Bradley's grip. Before Bradley could object, Posh already had the phone up to her ear.
"Hello," She spoke into the device.
Silence cane as a response for a moment causing Posh to furrow her brows. "Wazzam, this Bradley?" A voice rung into Posh's ear.
"This Uncle Shad, huh?"Posh smirked while eyeing Bradley.
Rome had already found herself close to Posh trying hard to eavesdrop. Posh heard a smooth chuckle, before the voice replied. "Yeah, this Uncle Shad, but answer this, where Bradley at?" Rashad asked.
"Oh Brad, she's right here acting unbothered," Posh laughed.
Bradley eyes bulged out. It wasn't to her surprise that it was Rashad on the phone, but for him to actually ask for her, shocked her.
"Unbothered huh? Ask her did she lock herself in?"
"Uncle Shad asked if you locked yourself in sis," Posh laughed.
The only reason they were all going so hard with the teasing is because it was never likely for Bradley to go through something as such. It's not like Bradley avoided a relationship, she just never found a guy worth entertaining after all she's gone through. "No," Bradley responded with a roll of her eyes.
"Damn she down bad," Rashad smooth chuckle rolled out of him again. "Tell her imma pull up to get my cell,"
Posh jokingly repeated what Rashad said to Bradley, which she rolled her eyes. "Tell him that we can meet at Southern tomorrow,"
"Uncle Shad, she said meet her at Southern tomorrow,"
"Same time?"
Bradley nodded her head. "Same time,"
"Tell her have you open the shop, we hangin' after Southern," Rashad smirked.
Posh relayed the message immediately causing Bradley to shake her head no. She was always in attendance at the shop and that's something that would never change. "Southern and that's it," She said loud enough for him to hear.
"Ight I'll let her think that. Thank you for relayin' the message to her— I ain't quite get your name love," Rashad had a smooth demeanor to him. He could say the simplest things and have a women head over heels.
Posh could help the wide smile on her face, Bradley noticed it. "Posh," She told him.
Taking the phone away from Posh, the smile on her face fell. "Posh has to get back to work, I'll see you tomorrow at Southern," Bradley spilled out before hanging up.
Rashad found her little sly and unbothered attitude amusing. He knew he had Bradley right where he wanted her. Just by the way she snatched the phone away from Posh when she noticed they weren't discussing anything about her anymore, told it all.
"My bad sis, he called me love," Posh apologized before returning to her booth.
Bradley waved her off. "Girl He is not that swooning,"
"Speak for yourself," Georgia let out a breath.
Bradley shook her head at how Rashad had all her girls acting like he was just heaven. She definitely could agree with the girls when they expressed how fine a smooth he was, but she was sure he had a flaw.
Everyone did.