Page 38 of Cove City, Volume II

“I’m telling you, Bop, I’m not letting it slide. The nigga came to the crib to pick her up, and she just went off with him like I ain’t do nothing for her? That’s fucked up. I’m about to go over there.”

Keith was hyped up. This girl had his nose open and almost made me believe he ain’t never had any pussy before.

“Keith, calm your ass down. You’re not about that life, so don’t start no shit you can’t finish.”

Bishop came out of the kitchen wearing black slacks and a black button-up shirt, finishing the look with an expensive belt. The nigga looked like he was going to a formal event. He walked over to his shelf, popped it open, grabbed his forty caliber, and tucked it behind him.

“When Anthony gets here, we’re out.”

His facial expression said he was on one, and I knew what that meant. Keith nodded his head like he was some gangster. As Bishop put on his cufflinks, he turned to Keith.

“You’re staying here. I don’t need you to be in any of this shit. Girls come and go. Find you a new shorty.”

“Ah, Bishop let—”

Bishop’s head snapped up from his wrist.

“Nigga I said no!.

“he barked.

“Ay Bop ease up. Where is Indigo?” I asked.

I knew if she were here, Bishop would have been calmer. However, London wasn’t around, so I knew Indigo wasn’t. Bishop looked at me before he flicked his nose.

“I sent her out shopping. She’s good.”

The war of the blue and orange was about to commence. I was down for whatever, but I needed to make sure the decision Bishop was making was the best one. Just as Chevy had fucked up by shooting up Seven to Da Cove and couldn’t turn back, if Bishop didn’t play his cards right, the same would apply for him. Keith’s agitation led him back upstairs.

“What’s the plan?.

“I asked Bishop now that Keith was out of earshot.

“I don’t have one.”

The sound of the horn outside alerted me that Tavaris had shown up. Fuck! I wanted to go home to my shorty at the end of this shit, and the way Bishop was moving, I didn’t know what to expect. The only thing I could do was pray that shit sorted itself out.

SASHA

It was so hard to keep my eyes off Zeus. The way he was walking around without a shirt, he knew what he was doing. As many times as I’ve seen him this way, the fact that we weren’t talking made him look more enticing. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction, though.

My attention was directed to Navi, who stood at the sliding door that led to the backyard. She stared out watching Preach. Did I miss something? I turned to Yana and Zaria, who were putting the rest of the food into the pans.

“What’s wrong with Navi?” I asked.

Yana didn’t even bother to look up.

“Same shit with you and Zu.”

“Wait, they broke up?”

“No, he broke up with me,.

“Navi chimed in as she walked into the kitchen, grabbed the liquor bottle, and poured herself a drink.

I could hear a flustered Zaria.

“Less drinking and more helping, damn.”

Navi slammed the bottle on the counter before she snatched the pan out of Zaria’s hand. “Fine!”

“Navanna, bitch you better calm down.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,.

“she mumbled as she walked outside with the guys.

Yana, Samara, and I grabbed the rest of the pans and followed behind Zaria.

“Dinner is ready!.

“Zaria yelled.

I was confused because I thought Beans and the guys were supposed to be here. I scooted my feet fast to catch up with Zaria, but by the time I reached the table, everyone was sitting down, leaving me the seat that sat right across from Zeus. He didn’t even look at me. He looked at everyone, but me, and it bothered me.

Chevy stood on one end of the table while Zaria stood on the other end.

“Before the remainder of the crew shows up, I wanted us to break bread together. We are a family even by relationships. My wife wanted to throw this beautiful Zoo-Cue to bring us all together. Please respect my house. I figured dinner outside would be best just in case you all decide to get loud around my plants..

“He finished.

Zaria glanced at all of us.

“I love all of you. I want happiness for all of you. This is the Zoo, and before you guys encompass new people, we need to resolve whatever is going on in this circle first.”

“Ain’t nothing to resolve when your man doesn’t want you,.

“Navi mumbled.

Preach held up his drink.

“Amen to that.”

Navi cut her eyes at him. I swear if looks could kill, Preach’s ass would have been dead. I pulled my eyes away from them to look at Zeus, whose eyes were still focused elsewhere. I was tired and fed the fuck up. I slammed my hand on the table.

Diamond jumped.

“Girl, fuck wrong with you. Scared the shit out of me.”

“This is what we’re doing now? You can’t even look at me!.

“I shouted at Zeus.

He slowly turned his head my way.

“Fuck I need to look at you for? Huh Sasha. You want a nigga to look at you, ok? I’m looking now, what’s up?.

“he gritted.

My eyes grew because he was showing his ass.

“Nigga you sitting there like you got gold shoved up your ass. Zeus, you're no better than the next nigga. You're bitter, you're mad because you fucked up, and you can’t admit it!.

“I shouted.

Navi laughed.

“Now, Amen to that.”

“Ayo Sash, ease up off my brother,.

“Dio said to me.

I turned his way and pointed.

“Dio, stay out of this!”

“Don’t fucking talk to him you talk to me. What you got to say, Sasha, since it’s so important that we have a shouting battle out this muhfucka!”

I was breaking and breaking bad. I was letting my emotions get the best of me, and Zeus wasn’t making it better. He was adding fuel to the fire.

“Damn, is this really happening?.

“I heard Foe ask.

“Foe shut the fuck up. You know all you niggas are tired. Y’all are quick to defend each other, but what do we women get? Nothing but dick to shut us up!.

“Navi shouted.

Preach started laughing.

“Navanna yo ass batch shit crazy. I swear I prayed real good today. I prayed you didn’t even show up because I knew you were going to do this. So let me tell you why I don’t want to be with you.”

She threw her hand up.

“Preach, please!”

“Nah, there is no please, see because you came in here with a shitty ass attitude. You wanted this attention, so let a brother bless you with some, cause that’s what you wanted, right?”

Preach stood and leaned forward.

“I’m done because I said I’m done. I’m done because we don’t respect each other’s wishes. I’m done because you don’t understand me. I’m done because you add no value to my life. Isn’t that what you told me before you went on your hate men campaign? I’m done because you said it’s fuck me. So, yes, I’m done. Psalm One forty-two verse seven; Release my soul from prison—”

“So, you’re saying you felt like you were in prison with me?”

Preach held up his arms, crossed them over, smiled, and shook his head.

“Now a nigga free!”

Navi’s eyes widened, she couldn’t believe he said that, and neither could I. I turned to glance at Zeus, and fear immediately struck me because that was not what I wanted.

ZEUS

“Zeus!.

“Sasha screamed.

“What!.

“I shouted back.

The fact that she even started screaming at me pissed me off. I’ve been trying to keep cool this entire time. I would have much rather done this shit the other night.

“Fix it! I want you to fucking fight for us!”

I shot up from the seat and banged my fist on the table so hard I could see shit flying off.

“I fucking tried. Sasha, a nigga tried. Tell me this. How would you feel if you had walked up and seen me standing with a woman, one I had told you not to worry about, but I was caressing her face and embracing her with love, huh? How would you fucking feel?”

Her eyes became watery. She was breaking, and so was I.

“It wasn’t that Zeus, it wasn’t, and had you talked to me instead of changing your fucking locks and blocking me, you would have known that. I was getting fucking closure because I was broken!”

“And so was I! I have been trying so hard to be a good nigga for you,.

“I paused as I slapped the back of my hand in my palm.

“How do you think I feel to know a nigga got you knocked up, and y’all bonding and shit huh? It makes me insecure, Sasha, that’s what the fuck it did, and it's something you wouldn’t understand.”

“Understand? I can’t fucking have kids!.

“she shouted so loud.

My head flew back. Chevy jumped in.

“Aye, I need y’all too—”

“June, please, don’t,.

“Zaria said calmly.

“Ain’t no June please they—”

Zaria shot up.

“June, I said fucking no!.

“she shouted.

“Their battles do not call for you. You have your own shit you need to figure out. I said no goddamnit!”

I could see Dio standing, catering to Zaria.

“Chill, Z, please.”

I directed my attention back to Sasha.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

I could feel myself getting choked up because that part of her was hurting. “Zeus,.

“she paused.

“Quinton raped me, and I lost my baby. Now I cannot have kids. What you saw with me and Pierre was closure. I know you needed me that night, and I’m sorry, but it was nothing, I swear. I needed you too,.

“she cried.

I almost broke my neck to get to the other side of the table. I hurried around and hugged her. As soon as I did, Sasha’s body collapsed in my arms.

“I’m sorry. I know I could have been more understanding, but I was mad as fuck. I moved off emotions, ignoring you, baby, I’m sorry,.

“I told her.

I held her tightly as I planted sweet kisses on her head.

“Don’t turn your back on me, please,.

“I whispered in her ear.

“Woo shit! This is intense!.

“Diamond said.

“I’m moving back to California,.

“Navi shouted.

Everyone turned to look at her.

“There is no need for me to be here. Everyone around me is finding happiness, and mine isn’t in Toussaint. I need a little time, and I’m gone.”

Before anyone could say another word, the sound of Monfua’s voice boomed in the backyard. “Talofa!”

Foe leaned in and whispered.

“Fuck did he just say?”

The guys came closer, smiling, not knowing they had walked in on a fucking disaster. Harvey hopped up nervously.

“Myles, I have a surprise for you,.

“she smiled.

Chevy tossed his hands in the air.

“Fuck type shit is this. Harvey, who the fuck did you invite to my house?”

Harvey pecked at her phone, then looked toward the gate.

“What’s up, brother!”

Foe got up like he saw a ghost. “Lakia?”

Harvey fucked around and invited Foe’s sister to Toussaint. It was so much shit happening at once that nobody had time to react. Lakia swayed over toward us.

“Damn, she’s fine,.

“Monfua said.

Foe wasted no time as he snatched his gun and ran up on Monfua.

“Nigga that’s my sister, you better watch your fucking mouth!”

“Myles!.

“Harvey shouted.

Bloaw! Bloaw! Bloaw!

Chevy hopped up from the table.

“The fuck!.

“We had all rushed toward the front of the house. When I saw who was outside, I already knew this shit was about to turn into a fucking bloodbath.

When we pulled up to Chevy’s, I didn’t realize that the nigga only lived a few houses up from Grace’s house. Bishop had just let off three shots, alerting Chevy that he was outside. Tavaris and I stood alongside him. It took no time for Chevy and his crew to come to where we were. Chevy held his gun in his hand and cocked it back as soon as he reached Bishop. They both drew on each other.

“Bitch nigga is you stupid or is you dumb?.

“Chevy gritted.

“Just as dumb as a muhfucka shooting up my shit. So, what’s really good nigga?.

“Bishop gritted.

Chevy laughed.

“You came to my house with my pregnant wife and fuckin daughter.”

Bishop flicked his nose.

“Oh, nigga now you care about your family. See, you came to my business, didn’t give a fuck who was in that muhfucka. Yo, sister could have been in there, and you gave no fucks. Now I don’t!.

“Bishop roared.

“I should have smoked yo ass then.”

Bishop nodded.

“But you didn’t,.

“Bishop spat as he quickly drew his gun back, hitting Chevy on the side of his head.

The two began fighting in the middle of the street. My eyes watched the other niggas because as soon as one of them made a move, I was rocking their shit wide open. My eyes landed on Sasha. She stood by Zeus’s side because she knew what type of time I was on.

Left, right. Right, right, left. Chevy hit Bishop.

Right left. Right, left, right. Bishop hit Chevy.

They were getting it in when a car pulled up on the opposite side. Keith hopped out and ran over toward Chevy. Suddenly, some young nigga ran up hitting the fuck out of Keith.

“Nigga I’ve been waiting on yo ass!.

“He said as he threw his fists up and swung at Keith.

Whap! Whap! Whap!

“Dio!.

“the little shorty Keith saved shouted.

Fuck! I ran up to try to pull Keith off. This wasn’t his fight. As soon as I reached out, my body flew back. When I caught wind of who pulled my ass, I noticed it was Zeus.

“Sup nigga, huh?.

“I shouted.

“You want this smoke muhfucka?”

“Let’s rumble bitch nigga.”

“Bet!”

I rushed forward and hit that nigga right in his shit. Pound after pound.

“I let my hands talk nigga better ask Sasha,.

“I gritted.

Pound after pound.

“And nigga I don’t talk!”

Whap! Whap! Whap!

Zeus hit me back-to-back in my ribs.

Whap! Whap! Whap!

That’s when one of those niggas ran up to me, aiming a gun at the side of my head.

“Nigga fuck the fighting; I shoot!”

“And so do I,.

“I heard Tavaris slur.

“June!.

“a pregnant woman shouted.

“Bishop!.

“I heard Indigo.

Zeus wiped his mouth as I held my side. When I turned, I saw Tuesday and Indigo standing there. All of us had ceased fighting except Bishop and Chevy. Both Indigo and the other girl ran up to the side of them, screaming. Chevy lifted stepping back.

“Fuck you! This shit is far from over, hoe nigga!”

“Fuck you, too! It’s up. Better sleep with one eye open, muhfucka!.

“Bishop shouted back.

“This Zoo, bitch!.

“the young nigga laughed.

Bishop turned to Indigo as those Zoo niggas walked off.

“Bishop, what the fuck was that!.

“she shouted.

“Indigo, please.”

I walked toward Tuesday, but she wouldn’t look at me. “Tuesday!.

“I called out.

She continued to walk, ignoring me. I didn’t even know how the fuck she got over here. I knew she was mad, but shit, I wasn’t about to let that big nigga work me. It just wasn’t going to happen. She might as well be prepared because what she saw was light work. I was with all of the shits, and before I let a nigga run up on me, these hands or my gun was moving first. A nigga was in pain, but I knew I was going to eat a little pussy to make up with my girl.

SASHA

I sat at the edge of Zeus’s bed.

“What are we going to do?”

Zeus stood in front of me, then kneeled.

“Whatever we’ve got to do. Sasha, I wanted you to know that just because you can’t have kids doesn’t mean I love you any less. I’m in it for the long haul.”

Hearing him say that gave me a sense of relief because Zeus expressed that he wanted to give me a family, and knowing I wouldn’t be able to do that hurt. It had been weighing heavily on me.

“Quinton is dead, and that part of me is free, Zeus. I had been holding on to that for a while, and now he’s gone. I can move forward and heal from it.”

Zeus laid his head in my lap and began to cry. I was confused.

“Zeus, what’s wrong?” I asked.

He wouldn’t say anything. Instead, he just cried. I lifted his head. Had my truth been too much for him? He slowly lifted his eyes to meet mine.

“Between this shit with you and me and Dionysus, I’m tired. I’m so fucking tired. I have had the weight of the world on my shoulders and my weight carried over to you. I know I’m not perfect, Sasha, and a nigga fucked up, but I swear I’m trying,.

“he sobbed.

That was one of the things he didn’t understand. I wasn’t expecting him to be perfect. I loved Zeus for who he was. It was his very personality and ego that I fell in love with. I just wanted him to be more understanding. I held his head in my hands and kissed him.

“Baby, I don’t want you to be perfect. I love you as you are. I just want us to communicate more. Can we do that? Huh, Zeus?”

“Yes, yes, we can. Don’t leave me, baby, please don’t,.

“he begged.

“Zeus, I’m here and here to stay if you’ll have me.”

He looked at me, surprised.

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, well, if Dio will have me too?”

“We’ll talk to him about it..

“Zeus smiled.

When he smiled, even with tears coming down his face, I melted inside. I loved Zeus, there was no changing that. I refused to be a Navi and Preach. Zeus and I had the potential to grow into something strong, and all it takes is a little compromise. For some, compromising is not an option, but for me and my man, it was. We were healing each other’s scars our way.

Zeus pecked my lips. Another than another.

“I don’t want to have sex tonight, Sasha. All I want to do is hold you. Can I do that?”

This was the first time an argument didn’t lead to sex. I smiled then nodded. “Yes.”

Before we could crawl into the bed, Dio came banging on the door.

“Zeus! It’s Diamond. Yana is about to have the baby, come on nigga!”

We rushed out the door and down the steps. This was the part I truly loved about the Zoo, it didn’t matter the situation, they always stood by each other. Once we were outside Chevy, Foe, Preach, and Diamond were waiting.

“Diamond! Let’s go!.

“Yana shouted.

Chevy and Zaria hopped in the Caprice. Preach hopped on his bike, and the next thing I saw shocked me. Foe hopped on his bike, and Harvey was on a bike. They both took off. Dio and Samara hopped in his truck, while Zeus and I hopped in the car. Zeus hit the steering wheel as his body leaned back, and he started howling.

I tilted my head back and matched his energy. I loved Zeus and the fucking Zoo. It was the Orange Gang forever.