Page 7

Cruz

When I pulled up to his crib a short time later, my eyes were already low from the blunt I’d smoked on the way.

Trying to be respectful, I cut the volume down, knowing that Avery was probably still up watching that nigga get ready to leave, and shot him a text that I was outside.

The way his security was set up, he already knew I was out there, but instead of bringing his ass out, he messaged and told me to come inside.

I cursed under my breath and took my sweet ass time shutting my car down, climbing out, and walking up to the door, hoping he’d be finished by the time I made it.

Luck wasn’t on my side though, because I didn’t even get a chance to knock before Avery swung the door open.

“Heyyy. What’s up, sis?” I smiled, reaching for a hug, but she easily dodged that shit and crossed her arms as she eyed me.

“Mmhmm.” She sized me up like I didn’t have a whole foot on her, and what was even more crazy was how nervous I felt under her gaze.

“So y’all just goin’ out for drinks?” The way she asked, it sounded more like an accusation than a question, and I was damn sure feeling the heat.

A nigga had been interrogated by twelve a few times and was able to lie with ease, but Avery had me stuttering like a rookie.

“Y-yeah, just the regular. Maybe catch a few highlights or some shit.” She seemed unconvinced, folding her arms tighter and raising an eyebrow.

“Riiiiight, highlights.” Nodding, she took a step closer to me.

“I’ma be honest, that sounds like some bullshit, but since I really don’t have any proof besides you lookin’ all shifty, I’ll give you the benefit of doubt.

” She shrugged with a smile that had me inwardly sighing in relief, but just as quick as it came, it disappeared, and she pressed her finger into my chest. “But if I find out you had my husband doing anything other than what you just said, you’re gonna have to see me.

” This was the second time in one night I’d been sonned by a woman, and I couldn’t even do shit but throw my hands up in surrender.

Still, I was grateful when Maasai’s slow-moving ass came jogging down the stairs

“You got it, A. I don’t want no smoke with you.”

“Aye baby, don’t be standing all close to that nigga like that.

He might fuck around and rub off on you,” Maasai joked, when I really should’ve been more worried about his homicidal ass rubbing off on her.

As if she hadn’t just threatened me just a second before, she giggled when he reached her, instantly transforming from a thug to a delicate flower.

“Naw, Cruz is really a sweetheart. That’s the only reason why I trust you hanging out with him.” Avery gave me a look that let me know she didn’t believe that shit for a second as my boy wrapped his arms around her with mock confusion on his face.

“Sweetheart?” Maasai snorted. “Yeah, ayite.”

“Oh, so I shouldn’t trust him to take you out tonight?” Her tone turned from sugary sweet to aggressive in seconds, but I was still stuck on them talking shit about me in my face.

My face balled up, watching them going back and forth. “Y’all just gone say I ain’t shit like I ain’t standing right here?” My question fell on deaf ears as Avery waved him off and sauntered toward the living room with his puppy dog ass following right behind her.

“Bro, wait for me in the car, I’ll be right there!

” he tossed over his shoulder before ducking through the doorway.

He didn’t have to tell me twice. Shit, I was about ready to leave his ass all together and just hit up Raya instead.

Cursing, I headed back to my car, making sure to close the door behind me.

As soon as I slid behind the wheel, I pulled out my stash and a blunt so I could roll up again.

I went through my texts while I smoked, seeing multiple messages from a couple of hoes, with Raven having sent the most. I wasn’t in the mood for old pussy though, so I was keeping my options open and not promising anybody I’d come through.

It didn’t matter, because any one of them would answer if I hit them up on the off chance that I didn’t find something to get into.

By the time I finished smoking, Maasai was pulling the passenger door open with a big ass grin on his face. “Ayite, we’re good, let’s go,” he said, tapping the dash while I eyed him.

“Nigga, your sprung ass look like you been in there sucking toes and shit.” I only half joked, and he didn’t even try to deny it, flashing his teeth all proud like he didn’t give a fuck about me knowing some shit like that.

Chuckling, he let his seat back while I pulled off, shaking my damn head.

“Aye, don’t worry about what the fuck I do to my wife!

Shit, I started to stay in the crib fuckin’ around with her, but Keyani already on the way over.

” His ass tried to play like he was bullshitting, but I could hear it in his voice he really would’ve stayed had it not been for Keyani.

Simp ass nigga! I was really in the same boat though, because just him mentioning Keyani’s fine ass had her on my mind.

Low key, I wished he’d taken more time at the crib so I could have seen her, but I pushed that thought to the back of my mind and tried to replace it with what I knew was going to be a fun night.

Maasai had his head buried in his phone, no doubt texting Avery already, and we hadn’t even been gone a whole twenty minutes.

I let him slide though because the more distracted he was, the better, and thankfully she kept his soft ass grinning at his screen the whole time.

He only looked up when I tossed three knots of one-dollar bills in his lap.

He hadn’t even noticed the car had stopped, he’d been so engrossed in what they were talking about, and when he looked from the money to the building we were parked in front of, he let out a heavy sigh.

“Nigga—”

“Don’t even start, we already here and you got a pocket full of money.

On my mama, I ain’t gone let no wild shit happen.

I’m just tryna send you off the right way,” I told him with my hand on the door handle, and when he didn’t object, I climbed out.

It took him a few seconds to follow suit,, and when he reached the spot where I was standing on the sidewalk, Aw’sum’s weird ass appeared out of nowhere.

“Yoooo, you got this nigga to come out here!” Maasai’s face split into a grin as he slapped hands with his cousin and pulled him into a hug.

“Don’t get used to this shit either.” Aw’sum’s lips curved into a rare smile. “I only let his ass talk me into this shit ’cause you getting married and that’s a once in a lifetime event—” I snorted, cutting him off.

“Fuck you talkin’ ’bout, this gone be this nigga second wedding.”

They both looked my way like his ass hadn’t already got married and wasn’t just having this second one so Avery could get the wedding of her dreams with their families included.

“And if my wife wants another one, I’m gone give it to her and you gone be there with your suit on, nigga.” Maasai smirked.

“Pussy whipped ass,” I grumbled, shaking my head.

“Hatin’ ass,” he shot back.

“Man, y’all gone keep talking shit or we going in?” Aw’sum’s signature scowl was back as the music in the club seemed to get louder, almost calling out to us.

“Shiiiit, let's go!” I was more than ready to see some big booty ass strippers, despite how hesitant they both seemed. I pulled Maasai along with me as I made my way to the entrance with Aw’sum dragging behind with his antisocial ass.

As soon as we hit the door, the DJ shouted us out and had all eyes on us as we followed the club manager, Nasha, to our VIP section.

It was already set up with a table that held Hennessey, D’usse, and every other drink I could think of that those niggas might want.

“I have you guys all set up. You can call any of the ladies over of your choosing, and if you need anything else, just hit the alarm icon on your tablet, and I’ll be right over.

” Nasha gave a dimpled smile and switched off.

There was already a line of strippers standing outside our section before she’d even finished her speech, all ready for the chance to hit up our pockets, but as much as I fucked with the strip club, I never just gave my money to anybody.

A bitch had to impress me, and I already knew which ones were going to make the cut before the main event arrived.

While Maasai poured up a couple of drinks, I went to the front of the section and quickly pulled six of the finest ones, sending the rest of them on their way with an attitude.

Once inside, they were already swaying as they split up, with two following me back to my corner of the couch while the other four migrated to Aw’sum and Massai.

I tried to keep an eye on my nigga to make sure he was enjoying himself, but the sight of the two strippers in front of me kissing and grinding against each other stole my attention.

In no time, ass and bills were flying, and even Aw’sum was looking mesmerized by the woman gyrating in his face.