Life After a Balla Read Free Page A

interrupted.
    Even though Cruze had promised to stay out the streets, he lied. Skye assumed the little bit of money he had coming in was from his job as a car salesman at some mom and pop car lot. Instead, Cruze was back in the streets selling drugs again. Even though he knew it was wrong, and wanted to abide by Skye’s rules, in his mind he had to make some real money in order to provide Skye with the lifestyle she was accustomed to. He knew Skye didn’t want anything from him, but he wanted to spoil her by giving her nice things. Plus, what she didn’t know was that Cruze just wasn’t a nine to five type of guy. He was married to the streets.
    As they laughed and talked all the way to the restaurant, Skye thought this was the perfect opportunity to finally tell Cruze her good news. She reached inside her purse and pulled out some paperwork and handed it to him.
    “I did this a few weeks after the incident,” she advised.
    After looking at the paper, it only took a few seconds before a huge smile appeared across his face. It was Skye’s divorce papers.
    “Since I’m going to see Sandino’s lawyer, I might as well hand him the papers so they can deliver them to his crazy ass.”
    Cruze was so excited, he was glad she was finally closing that chapter of her life. He clapped his hands together and looked up towards the sky like he was saying a prayer. “Damn, you had a nigga speechless for a minute. I almost stuck my head out the window and yelled to the top of my lungs with that news. All this time I’ve been preaching to you about moving on with your life and you’d already filed for divorce. Now that’s what I’m talking bout baby,” he said, leaning over and kissing her cheek.
    “Yeah, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a while.”
    “Shit, me, too,” he co-signed.
    “Maybe when the divorce is final I can finally get some damn alimony or even some child support.”
    Cruze looked at her sideways. “Is that one of the reasons why you finally filed? We don’t need his money.”
    The last thing Skye wanted was to make him upset. “No, that’s not one of the reasons why I filed. I filed because I need to finally be rid of him. But don’t you think I deserve to still live a good life after all he put me and my kids through? Plus, you wouldn’t have to work as hard.”
    “Well, that’s what I’m here for, to take care of you guys.”
    Cruze’s overprotective ways was one of the main reasons why Skye had fallen for him.
    “You always know just what to say,” Skye beamed.
    Twenty minutes later, they pulled up in front of the restaurant. As Skye looked up at the sign, memories of how her family use to frequent the establishment before Sandino lost his mind flooded her thoughts. She also remembered that a lot of the Miami Dolphin players and their families used to eat there as well.
    I hope I don’t run into any of them, I’m not in the mood for no fake conversation , she thought.
    After making their way inside, several men almost broke their necks looking at Skye. Although she’d picked up a little weight and was wearing a conservative black suit, she still seemed to mesmerize men with her beauty as they waited to be seated.
    Cruze glared back at the staring men. He then walked behind Skye and began massaging her shoulders.
    “Ahhh, that feels good,” she moaned.
    “I want you to relax and enjoy lunch before the meeting. No stressing,” he advised.
    “Okay, no stressing.”
    A few minutes later the hostess came and led them to a table. Once they were seated, Skye began to look over the menu.
    “I sure don’t wanna meet the lawyer smelling like seafood, but I’m about to get my grub on,” she informed. “It’s been so long since I’ve had Joe’s.”
    “Do your thing, baby. That’s what we’re here for,” Cruze said with a slight grin.
    At that moment, the waitress walked over to the table. “Hello, welcome to Joe’s Stone Crab. My name is Natalie and I’ll be your server. Can