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"Yeah, yeah, I know." He chuckled, but then his tone shifted slightly. "Real talk, though, none of this would’ve happened if it wasn’t for you and Serenity. I don’t even know how to thank y’all for this."

I leaned back against the cushions, shaking my head. "You ain’t gotta thank me for shit, Nas. I just wanted you outta that life."

"I know, but still," he said, his voice quieter. "I owe you, bro."

"You don’t owe me nothing," I said firmly. "Just keep your head down and stay focused. That’s all I ask."

He exhaled, like he was processing that. "Nate ain’t happy about it, though."

I sat up a little. "What you mean?"

"I mean, he don’t like the fact that I left. He think I’m acting brand new, like I forgot where I came from or some shit."

I sighed, already knowing how Nate operated. He wanted Nas to stay in that cycle, to follow the same dead-end path. But Nas was better than that and Nate and I both knew that.

"You can’t worry about Nate, man," I told him. "This your life. You do what’s best for you. He ain’t gotta live with the consequences of your choices—you do."

"I hear you," Nas said, though I could tell it was still weighing on him.

"Nah, don’t just hear me, understand me," I said, my tone serious. "You on a new path now. You can’t be worried about how Nate feel. He made his choices—you gotta make yours."

Nas let out a slow breath. "Yeah… you right."

"I know I am," I said, smirking slightly. "Now stop overthinking and get your ass back in the gym."

He chuckled. "Bet. But aye, before I get off this phone I gotta ask about how this shit with Gi going?”

I rubbed my hand down my face.

“Shit, I don’t know. I ain’t really been talking to her since she dropped that bomb on me. We overdue for a conversation tho.”

“Yeah, y’all are. I think that conversation needs to happen sooner rather than later though C.”

“I know. I just—I’m already knowing she ain’t about to take this shit well. Gi still think I’m about to come back and fuck with her, but me and SB, we locked in tough.”

“Tough?”

“I’mma marry that girl Nas.” I smiled thinking about it.

“How you know that already?”

“Can’t explain it, I just do.” I shrugged. “She said I was her endgame and honestly, she’s mine too. Even if we end up not together for whatever reason, I know ain’t shit gon keep me from making her my wife at the end of the day.”

“That’s wild bruh.” Nas chuckled. “But I love that for you bro. Between the both of us, you was always Mr. Loverboy. I’ll live vicariously through you. But aye, if shorty don’t get a prenup on yo ass she crazy.”

“Fuck you.” I laughed.

You know I’m right.” He said. “But look, I’ll hit you later, man."

"Aight. Love you bro."

“Love you back, soft ass nigga.”

I hung up, staring at the ceiling for a moment. Nas was on his way. And no matter what Nate or anybody else had to say about it, he was making the right moves. I just hoped he stayed the course.

I satat the kitchen counter, phone in hand, taking a slow breath before I dialed Gianna’s number. I wasn’t ready to have this conversation but after talking to Pops, Serenity and now Nasseem, I knew it was past due time to have it. Still, I knew this call wasn’t gonna be easy. But it was necessary.

She answered on the second ring, and to my surprise, her voice was light, hopeful.