“He said his Mama raised him better than that.”
“She probably did! You met her at the reunion. Aunt Zena. She was the one who dipped it too low and couldn’t get back up.” We laughed in unison.
“Yeah, I remember,” I replied, tickled.
“She did raise her sons right. They’re still hotheaded, but Leek is more than Zyro. Zyro has calmed down, but the beast is still in there somewhere when poked.”
I nibbled on my bottom lip, staring at the muted TV flickering across the room on the wall. Zyro’s handsome face flashed through my mind. It was the way he didn’t look away from my eye, but still didn’t make me feel as if it was ugly. The way he asked if I was okay during one of my headaches. Hell, the way Ermias took to him. Ermias was skeptical about any nigga who approached me. He didn’t like that at all and was very observant. Very territorial. Very protective.
But still… I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I don’t know if Delion traumatized me or what, but I was good and happy single. It was peaceful not having to wonder if you’re getting cheated on. It was a great day in the neighborhood, not to have people secretly laughing at you because you didn’t know you were being cheated on.
Mahlia yawned, “I’ll be there bright and early for you and nephew. Night, bookie,”
“Thanks, Mahlia. Good night, girl.”
I ended the call and debated on whether or not to stay on the couch or drag my ass to my bed. Pressing the power button on the remote, I turned the TV off. I turned over and fell asleep, but not before hoping Zyro would call with good news.
4
ZYRO COLEMAN
“Yo’ boss, who piece of shit car is this?” Tatum, one of my employees, called out when I came into view.
Tatum’s voice carried across the shop, half-laughing, half-disgusted, as he stood over the Camry.
“Chill out, Tatum. It’s one of Mahlia’s homegirls,” I said, wiping my hands on a microfiber cloth as I sauntered over.
“Shiii, what fine ass Mahlia doin’ these days? I miss her poppin’ up at the shop,” Tatum joked, wiggling his bushy brows.
“Oh, you must want to be standing in the unemployment line today, nigga,” I shot back, causing Marco to snicker.
“I’m just sayin’, she’s lucky this thing didn’t die on the freeway.”
Tatum wasn’t lyin’. The car looked even worse under the shop’s bright LED lights. Paint faded in spots, tires were fuckin’ balding. I was gon get on Eriss’ ass about that shit. Just like a damn woman, running the wheels down to the thread. The most important thing was the diagnosis.
I had to leave in a few minutes to head over to the county jail. I’d opened the shop for the fellas, and while I was gone, Marco was in charge of operations. We had one car that was getting a full paint job, and that was Tatum’s specialty.
“Boss man, the alternator is fried, the belts look like they’re from back in the day, and the battery is done for.” Marco sighed.
“The whole car needs a come-to-Jesus,” Tatum cracked, and I couldn’t lie, I agreed.
“She ain’t gon like that phone call,” I muttered, checking the time on my watch.
“Aye, is this just Mahlia’s friend or is there more to it?” Tatum questioned with one eye squinting.
“What I say? She’s her homegirl wit’ a kid, nigga. Customer pulling up. Take care of my damn shop while I’m gone!” I hollered out, cutting that conversation short.
I greeted the customer waiting near the bay door and let them know Marco would take care of them. I slid into my truck and peeled out of the lot, heading toward the county. Conrad had texted, letting me know that he was en route. If the traffic were light, we’d pull up about the same time.
On the way home from dropping Eriss and her son off at home yesterday, Mama had called me, livid about Leek being in jail. She was even more livid when she found out the reason he missed the family reunion. I could still hear her voice ringing in my ears now as I pulled onto the highway. Mama wasn’t wrong for being upset. She’d buried enough of our people to know the system wasn’t built for men like Leek. Like me. Men with tempers when pushed, and it was hard coming down from it.
My jaw clenched as my hands tightened around the wheel. Just thinking about Leek’s situation pissed me off even more. At least helping Eriss took my mind off him on Sunday. Now it was one thing after another ‘cause I still needed to call her about her car. That would have to wait. I needed to put eyes on Zyleek first.
I spotted Conrad as soon as I pulled up and parked. He was on the phone, pacing back and forth near his vehicle. His face was screwed up as if the person on the other end was saying some bullshit he ain’t like. I hope it didn’t have shit to do withLeek. I killed the engine and locked my shit up after hopping out. When Conrad noticed me, he held up a finger, telling me he’d be with me in a moment, but fuck that shit, I walked up on him ‘cause something was telling me it had everything to do with my brother.
“This is fucked up,” Conrad growled and ended the call.
“What’s up?” I asked.
