Page 47 of June: When Gangstas Collide

Lexington Heights to Cove City was a few hours’ drive. When I had gotten to my destination, everything was closing down for the day, but I refused for the goddamn store to close before I had gotten inside. I hurried down the walkway until I reached the door. I didn’t hesitate before I stepped inside. The girl who was usually at the cashier stopped wiping tables when she saw me.

“Hi, are you here to pick up an order? We’re about to close.”

I cackled as I began putting my hair in a ponytail.

“You should clock out,”

I told her.

She seemed nervous as she should have been. “But I—”

I moved closer.

“I said clock the fuck out!”

I barked this time.

That’s when the door swung open from the back. She came around the counter and stepped over to her employee, “Apple, grab your things. I will clock you out,”

she told her as her eyes never wavered from me.

The girl moved fast as she rushed to the back, came back shortly, and hurried out the door. I backed up and locked the door before turning back to Nyomi, who had now crossed her arms over her chest. I didn’t want her to run. Yes, I had a belly, but if I needed to put my paws on this bitch I would.

A smirk eased on her face.

“He tells his pet, and she comes running.”

“No bitch, the stray came sniffing around, because it was miserable, so I came to put it out of its misery.”

She laughed as she rolled her eyes.

“What do you want?”

I placed my hand on my chest, “Oh, you thought that was a joke? What I’m trying to understand is why you insist on pushing up against my husband. Why is it that you believe he would ever fuck you? Why did you think naming a tea after my man was going to get you some brownie points?”

She sucked her teeth.

“I get what I want. I’m a very patient woman. See, once you drop that baby, things will change. Your body won’t look as appealing, your mood will be shitty, your energy will be gone because you, my dear, have sacrificed yourself with child while he’s still in his prime. What do you think will happen when he gets tired of your ass? He will come running, and when he does, I will be right here.”

My lips disappeared between my teeth.

“You think that was supposed to make me cry. Oh, wait, it’s supposed to make me insecure,”

I nodded.

“The man you said is going to come running to you won’t because that man’s soul is mine. You want exactly what I have and you will never and I mean never get it. This pussy got him in a chokehold, one that’s so tight around his neck the nigga begs for it so that he can breathe. The love we have is so deep that even God is trying to figure out how a love like ours exists. I’m Mrs. fucking Calloway, and you better remember that. Nyomi, our business with you is done. I’m smooth with my words, but even smoother with a gun, I will kill you over my husband.”

She knew that she could try, but death wasn’t worth it. Women like Nyomi were desperate. They craved a love like the one June and I shared. They craved it so much that they were willing to ruin marriages if it meant they could get a taste of that happiness. I backed away to leave.

“He said it would be hard to get to him, but I didn’t think it would be that hard.”

“Who is he?”

She began walking to the back.

“Clark Mercier.”

His grandad set this up? I didn’t want to see June yet, but I needed to tell him.