“I got bail money! Just in case!” Remi called after them as they all made their way to the porch, meeting up with Prischa and the others on the sidewalk.
“What’s up, Heavy?” Pierre rushed up to greet him with a dap.
“What’s good, Lil P?”
“How come you haven’t been spending the night with us at the house?” Pierre questioned, immediately causing tension in the air as Prischa and Heavy eyed each other briefly.
She hated that he looked so good. Regular fit denim jeans hung off his waist, paired with a green t-shirt under a plaid green, white, and yellow shirt jacket and his green Steve Madden sneakers. It was casual, but he made it so fly, adding his diamond tennis chain and matching watch and bracelet to the look. Coincidentally his attire coordinated with both the twins and Giselle.
“Just been busy, kid. How you doing? How’s school?”
“It’s good. Mom told me to ask you myself about going with me to the Donuts with Dad. I know you’re not my dad, but?—”
“When is it?” Heavy asked.
“Monday.”
“Count me in then. I’ll take you to school myself, if that’s cool.” Heavy looked up at Prischa.
She nodded but barely wore any type of expression beyond that.
“Yeah, that’s fine. As long as it’s not going to inconvenience you,” she muttered, making sure to sweep her eyes over Giselle and the twins.
“Come on! It’s time to go to Victoria Park, and I want funnel cake!” Harlee grabbed Heavy’s hand and pulled him down the sidewalk like the little bossy lady she was.
“Yo, I’m with cuz, let’s go. I want some of those nacho fries.” Viggo rubbed his stomach.
“Nacho fries? I want some too!” Harlee squealed. “Mama, let’s go!”
“My goodness, Harlee, so demanding!” Giselle shook her head as they arrived on the sidewalk beside Heavy’s car.
“I wonder where she gets that from,” Heavy mumbled, picking Harlee up so he could place her in her seat while Giselle did the same with Heir.
“Oop!” Lou giggled. “It might be a Knox trait. Don’t do us!”
Maisie, Lou, and Gem had sparked a blunt before getting in the car, and Crew had already started his playlist with the bass thumping and shaking the whole damn block.
“Have fun!” Remi waved to everyone from the porch.
Soon, they were all in their cars and trailing each other down the block. Prischa obviously wasn’t happy that Heavy and Giselle were already moving like a family with the twins and riding in his car. Wasn’t much she could do about it, though. There was no doubt in her mind those were his kids. She just had to figure out a way to get Giselle out of the picture, and she might stand a chance.
ELEVEN
NEVER TOO MUCH
“Are we there yet!” Harlee screamed from the back seat while trying to sit up and view their surroundings.
“Harlee, you asked me that when we backed out of the driveway, mamas,” Heavy responded.
“Well, you drive slow, Heavy.”
Giselle hid a snicker and looked across the seat at him. Amusement and a playful smile tugged the corners of his mouth when he shook his head. Harlee may have looked like him, but she was her mother’s child.
“It’s called driving safe, little girl. Precious cargo in here, so I can’t be reckless.” He winked at her through the rearview mirror.
The park gleamed ahead, roller coasters twisting in the air, and the screams from the people on them echoing around them.
“The park is right there.” Giselle leaned forward and pointed.
