Page 52 of Search My Soul (Taylor Family Saga #3)

“Aye, what’s up with you? Your mama called me crying, saying you were in a fight. What was that about?” Pooh wasn’t in the streets like we were at his age. All he cared about was playing in the NBA, and he kept his head in his books when he wasn’t at practice.

“Man, I can’t believe she called you about this stupid shit. It wasn’t even that serious.” Pooh sucked his teeth, pissing me off because of his lack of concern. From what I heard, he got into it with one of those niggas on the west, and they were dangerous, especially in comparison to him.

“Well, why don’t you explain what happened so I can determine how serious this shit is. And don’t leave shit out.” We locked eyes, and he knew I meant business.

“It’s like this. I’ve been going with Jayla for a year now. You remember the girl who came with us to the Lakers game, right?” I nodded to confirm I remembered her. She seemed like a sweet girl. Nothing like the young girls I’m used to seeing.

“Anyways. She and this nigga named Lando used to be in a relationship, but she broke up with him because he couldn’t keep his hands to himself.

He recently got out of jail, and I guess he thought he was gonna come home and things would go back to the way they were.

When he first reached out to her, she let me know what was going on.

I could tell it made her uncomfortable, so as her man, I stepped in.

The next time he called, I made it clear that she was taken and he needed to move on.

He laughed the shit off and told me we would see about that.

“Jayla has a restraining order against him, so he wasn’t supposed to be anywhere near her, but I guess he was upset that she blocked him and all the numbers he was calling from.

I ended up buying her a new phone and changing her number last week.

The other day, he and a group of niggas pulled up to the park where we were playing and tried to punk us.

I told him that I wasn’t tryna fight, but he wouldn’t let the shit go.

Once he called Jay out of her name, I lost it and hit him in his shit. We got into a fight there on the court.

“I wasn’t looking for any trouble, but I’m also not about to stand around and let anyone punk me or disrespect my girl.

” I understood where he was coming from, but I was a street nigga.

I’ve seen my fair share of fights over women, and it never ended well.

My concern was his future, and I’d be damned if he fucked up his future over some childish ass beef.

“Look, I understand where you’re coming from.

I would have done the same thing. However, you’ve got to play it smart.

You’ve got too much on the line now and you can’t afford to fuck up your future.

When are you supposed to be headed back to your apartment?

” Pooh attended Douglasville University, which was about two hours from here.

“I leave next month.”

“Naw, that ain’t soon enough. I need you to leave in the next couple of days. Let Ma Dukes know that you’re going back this weekend.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a wad of money. It was about five thousand, which was more than enough for him to do what he needed to do.

“Why are you making this into a bigger deal than it needs to be? You know how these niggas are. All talk and no action.” His arrogance pissed me off, and I couldn’t even pretend to hold it together. I stood up and gripped him by his shirt.

“Listen to me and hear me good. Get your shit and get the fuck out of here. I don’t give a damn how pretty that girl is or how tight the pussy is, ain’t nobody worth your future.

We had this conversation already. This ain’t no negotiation, little nigga.

I’ve invested too much in your future to allow you to throw it away.

Bitches come a dime a dozen, but this opportunity you have doesn’t.

Your brother had plans to make it to the NBA and carry your whole family on his back and look where the fuck he’s at. In the fucking dirt.

“One thing you never do is underestimate a mothafucka with nothing to lose. I’m telling you this because I love you, and I won’t let you fuck up your life.

Get your shit and get your ass back on campus.

I’mma ask around and see what I can find out about this little nigga. However, you need to do your part.”

I never raised my voice at him, but when I looked at him all I saw was Semaj.

I made a promise to my best friend that I would look out for his family and that’s what I’d done all these years.

They had become my family, and I never played around when it came to family.

He may not understand it now, but he would one day.

Right now, I didn’t give a fuck how he felt as long as he did what I told him.

“I’ll let Mama know.”

I released my hold on him and stepped back to give him some space.

“Don’t play with me, Pooh. I’mma have my people watching to make sure you leave. I already have your location, so if you try any funny shit, I’ll know.”

“You don’t have anything to worry about. I hear you loud and clear,” he replied. Pooh never lied to me, so I was inclined to believe him. Besides, I had no problem tossing him in a car and dragging him back to college myself.

“I better not. You only get to see the cool side of me. You don’t want to see the other side because it won’t be anything pretty.

” I turned to walk toward my car. My gut was unsettled, and I needed to be around my little sliver of peace.

As I turned to walk away, Pooh called out to me. I paused and turned back to face him.

“I love you, bro. I promise I won’t let you down.”

“Luh you, too, youngin. I know you won’t.

” I nodded toward him as I hopped into my ride.

I made a mental note to send a couple of my boys to keep an eye out on him and his mama’s house.

I wasn’t necessarily worried, but a lot of people paid the ultimate price for not being prepared.

I refused to take any chances when it came to someone I cared about.

As I pulled out of the driveway, I sent off a couple of messages, including one to my Juicy baby. I smirked when I saw the FaceTime request pop up. Since I was driving, I set my phone on the holder before answering.

“What’s up, wifey? Where your sexy ass at?” I peeked over to catch a glimpse of her pretty face. My girl was one of the finest women I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’ve been around my fair share bitches. There was something about her features that was innocent and seductive at the same time.

“I’m with Puma getting baby girl’s nursery together.”

I forgot she had mentioned that to me earlier. I was too busy staring at her ass in those tiny shorts she had on.

“That’s what’s up. You cooking tonight?”

“I can. What do you have a taste for, daddy?” My dick responded instantly, and I almost missed my damn turn.

“I want some pussy, but I could go for some stuffed catfish and some red beans and rice.” Baby girl threw down in the kitchen, and I was enjoying every bit of it. I’d gained fifteen pounds since we started dating, and if I didn’t get my ass in somebody’s gym I was gonna end up fat as fuck.

“I got you, baby. I’ll head to the store as soon as I leave here. Where are you coming from? Your spirit seems off.” I chuckled, knowing her ass would eventually say something. We were connected on a different level, and we could tell when the other wasn’t in the right headspace.

“Come on. You might as well spill it because if you don’t tell me now, you’re gonna tell me before we go to bed.” I shook my head because baby girl had no problem calling me out.

“You are something else. You know that?”

“And do. Now get to talking while I fold the rest of these onesies.” Her bossy ass propped up her phone while she sorted through a tiny pink laundry basket.

I went ahead and explained what was going on because she was right.

We always ended the day by telling each other what had happened throughout the day.

I kept the dangerous side of my street business hidden from her, but I would fill her in on the day-to-day drama I dealt with.

She listened intently as I explained what happened with Pooh.

I appreciated the fact that she allowed me to express myself, and she never brushed me off.

In my family, men weren’t supposed to vent or express their feelings.

It was our job to find a solution and move forward.

Being in this relationship showed me more than I ever expected.

While Duke was my best friend in male form, I appreciated the friendship Juicy and I had developed.

“Well, you were right to step in. I’ve heard way too many horror stories, and these young boys act like they can’t take no for an answer.

Nowadays, women are killed after they leave a relationship, and it’s so scary.

I hope she has a good support system because it sounds like he doesn’t care about a restraining order. ”

“Yeah, it’s wild out here. These men don’t have any shame at all.

I wish a bitch would reject me, I would forget all about her by the next business day.

That’s some weak shit,” I vented. I’ve never been in the business of chasing someone who made it clear they didn’t want me.

Granted, I’ve never gotten rejected before, but I still wouldn’t try to force myself to be with someone who didn’t want me.

“So if I break up with you, you’ll let me go with no pushback?” she asked. My brows dipped as I peeled my eyes away from traffic to look at her face on the screen.