“What the fuck?” Zyleek screeched, fist to mouth. “Who the fuck you pissed off nigga?”
The blue and red lights from the last police cruiser rolled off. The neighbors had been nosy as hell, peeking from their porches and windows when they heard the shots, and I couldn’t say I blamed them. The police took the shells, but they weren’t taking my truck like they thought they would. They had the video too. Since Eriss had ADT, she couldn’t give the video up. When they asked if she knew who would have done this, the baby did as I told her and told themno. I wanted to handle that nigga myself, and I made it clear to Eriss there were consequences for what he did, and I hope she understood what I really meant. That nigga dug his own grave.
Marco joined Zyleek, looking over my truck. “What you gon do?” he asked.
“Shiiid, ain’t like I can’t walk in a dealership and get a new truck today.” I ran my hands down my face.
“Aww, that nigga gotta pay,” Zyleek exhaled. “Who did this shit?”
“Eriss’ salty ass baby daddy. I punched his ass down when he tried keeping her son from her, so he had no business here. I’ma handle that, though.”
“We,” Zyleek expressed, frowning. “You ain’t finna leave me off bad and bougie.”
Marco’s jaw dropped as he just stared at Zyleek in awe. I was so used to that niggas antics.
“You still fighting a fucking case your damn self, nigga. Worry ‘bout that and those kids. Don’t need you drawing any more attention to yourself than you already do,” I grumbled, eyeing him. I couldn’t take Leek getting into any more bullshit right now. He was a damn wildcard, but I needed him to heed my warning. I got this.
Zyleek grinned with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Aight.”
I shook my head, not feeding into his bullshit. Marco, who had been listening quietly ‘cause that’s what he does, spoke up. “You don’t need any problems either, boss man.”
“You right, but I’m touchin’ that nigga, though.” Pointing to my truck, I said, “Gon ‘head and load my baby up. Let me go let Eriss know I’m headed back to Love Grove wit’ y’all so I can see ‘bout another truck or some.”
Marco’s head bobbed, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Aight, I got you, Zyro. Be careful, nigga.”
“Always am. I’m not that reckless ass nigga,” I chortled, chucking my chin Leek’s way. He was sparking a blunt. “Nigga, what I told you ‘bout riding wit’ anything on you. You give these muhfuckas a reason every time. Then you gon drag Marco down wit’ you.”
“Maaan, fuck them,” he said with a flick of his wrist. “Is she yo’ girl now? Left eye?”
Before I could stop myself, I popped that nigga in the jaw with a mean right, the impact sending a sharp pain up my arm. He stumbled back, his now low eyes as wide as they could getwith surprise. before a smirk spread across his face.Ol’ crazy ass nigga.
“You need to go lie on someone’s damn couch,” I told him, pointing a finger in his face. “Don’t say that shit no mo’. Don’t disrespect Eriss at all, Leek,” I warned.
“I just be fuckin’ playin’, damn. I bet she has a sense of humor ‘cause yo’ ass don’t,” he huffed before pulling on the blunt. “Aight. Aight.”
With that, I turned and walked back to the house before dipping off. Eriss was in the kitchen, and Ermias was at the table eating his jelly and buttered toast. When Eriss saw me, she rushed to me.
“Zyro, I am so sorry,’ she apologized.
Gently, I grabbed her chin, pushing her against the counter with my body. “I don’t ever want to hear you apologizing to another nigga, Eriss. This ain’t yo’ doing, feel me?”
She nodded quickly before a moan escaped from her beautiful mouth.
“Are you leaving with them?” she asked.
“Yeah, I need a new truck,” I said low enough so Ermias wouldn’t hear. His feelings might be crushed ‘bout that one out there.
“You got it like that?” she asked, brow raised.
I simpered. “Do I?” I pecked her lips and let her go. “Make sure the alarm is always set when y’all are here and not here. This weekend y’all comin’ back up there wit’ me, and yes, I’m telling you.”
Eriss offered a smile. “Okay. I feel safer wit’ you anyway. That kind of shook me up. Ermias has no idea what even happened while he was sleeping. Imagine…”
I stopped her. “Don’t imagine that, baby. He good. You good. You won’t have to worry ‘bout that shit after today.”
“Are you…”
Again, I stopped her, but with another peck to the lips. “Don’t ask me anything you know you don’t want the answer to, love. I gotta go, but do as I asked. Text me on yo’ lunch break or some.”
