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“Move, McKinley boy’s mama. Let me talk,” that fool suddenly spoke up. “You need to go check on them greens, anyway. I’on smell no smoked meat, no peppers, nothing. You making collard greens? Put you a jalapeño in there. Change yo’ life.”
“Julien…”
Targen shook his head at me. “I tell you let that nigga stick to driving. You keep having bigger visions for his crazy ass, though,” he muttered.
“Ay, I heard that. Make me tell him how you tryna force me into one of them Alamo Community Colleges. Y’all got goals for a young king. Warms my heart. I?—"
“Julien!” I snapped.
“Sorry, OG. What’s up? You want me to take care of this situation permanently? I’m feeling pretty murderous already about how clear this water for these greens is. Lady, did you season?”
The disgust in Juvie’s voice made it almost impossible to keep a straight face, especially the way Lee Earnest was cackling, Mrs. McKinley was wailing, and the McKinley boy was swaying like he was ready to faint.
“You little delinquent. Quit harassing that woman,” Love hissed.
“Don’t be mad at me, Thickums. Her and the mister. was okay with me and Markel visiting. It’s this big ass white boy who staring at them and not saying shit that’s got them shook,” he whispered the last line.
I looked at Targen. He shrugged.
“Reinforcements. My annoying ass Pops paying him to be here. He might as well do something,” he said.
“Y-y-you ain’t gotta bring my family into this,” McKinley stammered.
“Oh, but I-I-I think I do. Some of yo’ senses seem like they ain’t working. You act like you didn’tsee meorhear me. So, I had to make youfeel me. And you keep on, I’ma use that sense andtouch them,” I said, pointing at the phone.
Juvie cleared his throat.
“Ay, OG, I don’t like the way this conversation going. All that’s left is smell and taste, and I know you ain’t —"
“Julien!” I growled.
“I swear he don’t value his life at all,” Markel piped up.
I looked at McKinley. “Even though I should off them for naming yo’ black ass ‘Heath,’ I’ma make you this offer. You stay away, and so will I.”
He swallowed audibly before nodding like a bobblehead.
“I accept. I accept,” he gobbled.
Love made a disgusted sound as I patted his shoulder. “Good job.”
“Ay, Granny! Save me some cake to go with my Sunny D,” Juvie hollered.
“I ain’t forgot that you called her ‘Thickums.’ You ain’t gon’ have no teeth to eat it,” I promised.
“Man, I swear y’all be trippin’ about these pet n—' he started to protest before I reached over and disconnected the call.
* * *
I strolled into the house, whistling softly as Love slammed her bedroom door. Just dramatic. It was clear in Texas that she was a little fiery, but Louisiana had her attitude on inferno. Shit was sexy as hell, but I also wasn’t going to let it blaze out of control.
I knocked on her door before opening it and walking in. She looked up from untying her shoes and grilled me.
“Get out, Montréal. I have had too much of you for a lifetime!” she spat.
“Nah, shorty. You haven’t had enough,” I challenged.
Quick reflexes meant that I caught the shoe aimed at me before grinning at her.