Page 117 of The Mob: Shio Cuppacio

Find a wife that isn’t Solana.

Chapter 22

Tunan “Tune” Payne

The sun burned the back of my neck as I stood on the doorstep of the neatly manicured lawn that the townhome sat on. Jagoda Bay heat was no fucking joke. The sun was setting, yet it was still blazing like it had just risen. Pulling my sweats up on my waist, I raised my fist to knock as I approached the front door.

Loud voices could be heard, causing me to sigh as I waited for my presence to be acknowledged. Beating on the door a second time, I heard the voices quiet down and the flapping of shoes. It had been a week and a day since she became my wife, a week since everyone found out we were married at the hospital, and six days since I’d seen her. After the hospital fiasco, I checked in on her on Mother’s Day, meeting for breakfast. I was headed to Memphis to celebrate my mama, handle some business with my brothers, and see my nephew. I wanted to make sure Glow was aware I’d be in the M and that she had calmed down from the night before. She’d hardly said shit at breakfast, so I knew she was still fucked up about Glee. I was hoping today would show progression, but from the raised voices I’d heard when I first knocked, shit was anything but good.

I hadn’t heard from Shio during the week besides him asking if I was in the Bay a couple of days ago. When I told him I wasn’t, he told me to hit him when I touched back down. That was the plan, but I needed to visit my wife first.

The door flew open, and I was met with a mad, pretty, and fiery Glow. I didn’t know what I expected when she opened the door, but a red face, tear-stained cheeks, and a puffed-up chest were the last things I expected.

“Now is NOT a good time!”

I towered over Glow, so I was able to see inside of her townhouse. It was neat, smelled good from the door, but that wasn’t what had my attention. Seeing her little sister on the couch with her face in her hands while her shoulders vibrated had my chest tight.

“Glow, you gonna invite me in or do I gotta stand on this hot-ass porch all day?”

Sucking her teeth, she ran her hand through her hair that had been pulled back into a ponytail. She didn’t have an ounce of makeup on and was in leggings and a tank, but she still looked beautiful as hell, even with her pissed off expression.

“How do you know where I live anyway?” she screamed.

Ignoring her yelling, I backed her into the house, closing the door behind me.

“Tunan!”

“Glow…” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a knot of money. “I brought the mortgage payment.”

I meant to leave this with her before I went to the M, but I forgot to grab the bands, rushing to make sure I didn’t miss my flight. Tulsaire was home, and there was no telling when his popular ass would disappear again.

Her brow rose as she looked at the bands of money I was holding out to her. “That looks like more than two thousand dollars.”

“It’s twelve. Pay it up for six months.”

I hadn’t set up a bank account, nor did I have any credit cards, thanks to Stella fucking up my credit. I was a cash nigga for now, so anytime I had to break Glow off, it wouldn’t be no Zelle or ApplePay.

“He… Hello.” The voice behind us stuttered.

Glow turned on her heels, and when she realized her sister was on the phone, she damn near flew across the room and snatched it out of her hands. Glee jumped back and winced—probably still sore from childbirth.

“You think this shit is a fucking joke, Glee? Why are you answering the phone when I’m talking to you? Since you won’t tell me who the fuck the father is, I should get this shit turned off!”

“I… I’m sorry, Glow! I didn’t mean to get pregnant! If I would have known, I would have gotten rid of it!”

“You damn right, you would have! You don’t need no fuckin’ baby! If you were gonna have sex, you should have at least protected yourself! You are on a full scholarship! Mama is pissed, so she don’t want y’all there! What the fuck are you going to do? Stop walking around like shit is all gravy!”

“I didn’t know!” Glee covered her mouth and cried into her hands. “I’m sorrrryyyyy! Please stop being mad at me!”

“Fuck that! I’m beyond mad! I’m pissed! A motherfucker who can’t tell a nigga to use a condom or at least get on birth control shouldn’t be fuckin’ nobody!” Glow screamed so loud her voice cracked.

Looking around the living room, the only signs of the baby were a pink carrier, a diaper bag, and a blanket. But I knew the baby had to have been here. Yet, they were in this bitch screaming' like they didn’t have no sense.

“Aye, Glow.”

“Nigga, what?” She snapped her head at me.

Licking my lips, I jutted my chin to the hallway. “Come holla at me in the back.”