I glanced up when I noticed movement and saw Conrad come out of the building. I jumped off the bed and pushed it back up.
“I don’t mind helping you, but you have to do me a solid first.”
“Niggas always want something in return,” I heard her mutter, causing me to chortle.
“Like what, Eriss? I don’t want any pussy if that’s what you’re saying? I just want to take you and my lil’ homeboy to the fair tonight,” I replied. “Think about it, and I’ll call you later. The lawyer just came out, so I gotta go.”
Without waiting for a response or a rejection, I ended the call and met Conrad, sliding my phone back into my pocket. I met him halfway across the lot. His tie was now loose, with his jacket slung over his arm.
My chest was tight. “Well?”
He let out a breath through his nose. “Leek is a damn fool, Zyro,” he started, telling me something I already knew. Conrad had better be lucky he was damn near family to even be talking sideways about Zyleek like that. “They wanted to slap him with those fresh charges, but I argued excessive provocation and self-defense. I also made the judge aware that Zyleek was profiled Saturday night. The judge agreed to grant bail instead of holding him.”
“Let me get this straight, Conrad. My brother was profiled, and we still gotta give these bitches some money?” I argued.
I was relieved my brother could come home today, but he should be walking out of there free, no damn bond needed.
“I know. I know. It’s fucked up, but we just need to get Leek out of there and then figure out what we gon do about it. I don’t want them getting away with that shit. If they’ll do it to Leek, they’ll do it to another Black boy or man,” Conrad snarled. “That shit makes me sick to my stomach.”
Conrad clapped my shoulder. “You always come through for him, Zyro. Make sure he doesn’t land right back in there. We don’t know what the fuck them people on.”
I gritted my teeth. “I’ll handle Leek, just get him processed out, and I’ll send the bread.”
Three hours later, Leek walked out. The second I saw him, my blood heated. This nigga grinned, slapping one fist into a palm.
“You should see the other nigga.” Zyleek pointed to his eye. “This ain’t shit.”
He pulled his falling pants up and slapped hands with me. His eye was swollen damn near shut, the skin purpled and split. Zyleek was lighter than I was, taking after our Pops. His lip wasbusted too, dried blood crusted at the corner. They ain’t let him get cleaned up for court. Wild shit.
“Man…” I muttered, clenching my fists until my knuckles cracked. “I wanna go fuck those niggas up.”
“I’m straight, bruh. I fucked that bitch ass nigga up. They thought he was gon come in there and handle me.”
I shook my head and motioned with my head toward my truck.
“C’mon, man. You need a couple of showers. Yo’ baby mothers been callin’ Mama.”
I opened my car door and slid behind the wheel.
“They put money on my bail?” he asked.
“Nah, nigga. You know it was all me,” I snorted.
“Well fuck ‘em!” he shouted. “All three of ‘em.”
I sucked my teeth. “Them yo’ kid’s mamas, man.” I shook my head. “They need to make sure yo’ kids straight. Fuck puttin’ money on yo’ books.”
Leek side-eyed me, and I returned the look. As ratchet as his baby mamas were, they still took care of their kids. They didn’t get along with one another, pissed that Leek lied down and procreated with the other, but my two nieces and nephew knew their ABCs and 123s. They were always dressed nicely, clean, and their hair was always done or had a haircut.
“You never on my side,” he smacked.
“Nigga, I’m here, ain’t I?” I rebutted, finna smack the fuck out of this nigga.
Leek sighed and reclined my seat all the way back. “I need a nap. Let’s hit the booty club tonight? I know you’re tired of Leesa’s pussy.”
I cackled. “Nah nigga. I have other plans tonight.”
“Maaaan like what?” Leek asked with his mouth twisted.
