Page 99

“As good as can be. Wished shit was different but we’re going to get through it,” I alleged.
“Aite. Well, we got some shit to handle. I wanted to ride with this nigga to pull up on you just to make sure you were good. I know how you be getting all invested in other people shit. I gotta make sureyougood.”
“I’m always good, Preme.”
“Bet.” Standing from the couch, he walked up on me with his hand held out.
Pulling him into my chest, I hugged him and cupped the back of his head. “Preciate you for making sure I’m straight.”
“That’s what I’m for,” he avowed when he stepped back.
“Everything is in there,” Drix confirmed and tossed his head over to the duffle he’d placed on the couch. “Since you gon’ be out of commission for a lil’ minute, I’mma have Promise to come up here so I can be available if you need me.”
“Nawl, Drix.” I shook my head. “You ain’t gotta do that.”
“I know I don’t Dutch but ain’t much you can do right now cause your mind occupied with her. Until your head clear up, I’mma be around. Call me if you need me for anything.”
“I appreciate you, man.”
“Yeah. I might kick it down here for a while,” Preme said before adding. “I’ll prolly be at the condo.”
“Don’t fuck my shit up, Sincere.”
“Chill out.” He patted my chest. “I got this.”
The smug grin on his face let me know his ass was up to no good. Wasn’t shit I could really do about it because I had Talitha to worry about. “You got it Sincere.”
“We gon’ slide. Remember what I said,” Hendrix reiterated before heading to the front door.
“I got ya’.” Slapping hands with them again, I waited for them to leave before locking up. Grabbing the duffle bag off the couch, I tossed it over my shoulders and took the stairs two at a time to get back to my baby’s side.
When I made it back to the room, Talitha was sitting on the side of the bed cradling her cellphone in the palm of her hand. She must’ve sensed my presence because before I got the chance to say anything, she spoke up.
“They turned her phone off,” she whispered, voice hoarse from all the crying she’d been doing.
“I know. I’ve called her a few times.”
“I knew she was going to do it. I’m almost positive they’ve taken the phone from her.”
“Try calling your mother.”
“Umph,” she scoffed. “She blocked my number the minute they pulled out of my driveway.
“Want to ride down there?”
“If I felt like they wouldn’t call the police on me, I would say yeah. I know my Mama, Law.”
“You try reaching out to your uncle and aunts?”
Her head shook in defeat. “No. I’m sure they’re on her side by now.”
“Doesn’t hurt to give it a shot.”
“Who was that downstairs?”
“My brother and Hendrix.”
“Why didn’t you call me down? I want to meet your brother.”