“Aight, Aight,” I muttered between breaths. Slowly, I stood to my feet, peering around. It was quiet. Nobody was out, but they could have been looking out their window. I shrugged. These people ‘round here knew not to even approach me with the bullshit. All I had to do was pull out my Glock, and they’d faint.
I dusted off the wet snow, picked up my stuff, and took slow steps toward apartment 553. My fingers were numb as fuck, causing me to fumble putting the key in the lock. I pushed open the door, entered with a breath of relief that I’d left the heat on. I shut the door and locked it. Leaving my boots at the entranceway.
It was a little after 5 P.M., but I was still about to fix myself a bowl of cereal, kick back in the living room, and hop on the game. My usual routine if I wasn’t out making plays.
I dropped the cereal box and cookies onto the kitchen counter, then turned and headed to my bedroom, stripping out of my clothes as I walked. Pushing down my joggers, I removed one leg at a time, followed by my socks. Once I made it to the room, I took my money clip and iPhone out of the pockets of the joggers and chunked them onto the bed.
“Alexa, play trap music!” I hollered.
Playing trap music.
I bobbed my head as I took off toward the bathroom to shower. I turned the water on, ready to get under the hot spray and wash off. Steam started creeping around me as I removed my shirt and boxer-briefs, then stepped into the tub.
The hot water caused me to exhale while it pounded my shoulders. I needed that shit. The way I fell outside on the concrete, my whole body did. My muscles finally started to relax, the tension fading as I lathered up.
Shirtless and with ball shorts on, I snatched my phone off the bed and trudged to the kitchen. Cocoa Puffs were calling my name. Kasim had sent me a message while I was in the shower.
Get on the game scary ass nigga.
I tossed my head back and chuckled.
“Yeah, aight,” I said aloud. “That nigga betta put some money up too shiiid.”
With my cereal and the whole pack of chocolate chip cookies, I made myself comfortable on my bean bag in front of the TV and my game system. I stuffed my mouth with a spoonful of cereal and tugged my headset on my head. I nodded whilesmirking. Kasim was logged on. I was surprised he wasn’t up Sneaux’s ass.
Sneaux wanted all of us to get together for Christmas. For the last few years, I’d go over to my parents’ to eat, then back home. I ain’t care too much for the holidays unless food is involved. Everything about the carolers and bright ass lights on houses worked my nerves. Sneaux called me a Grinch. I’ll take that. Kasim was a simp, letting that girl put a damn pink Christmas tree up in their house.
Me, Kasim, and our sister Kasina didn’t grow up around each other. We didn’t start fucking with each other until two years ago—in our damn twenties. It wasn’t our fault Pops was a ho. We’d see each other on the streets, both serving fiends, speak, and keep it pushin’. I stopped selling and got a job with UPS. Me and Kasina were really tight. She called me every other day.
I chewed another spoonful of cereal, crunch echoing in my headset. I wiped a crumb from my lip as Kasim’s voice blasted through.
“’Bout time uglass nigga. I got a hunnid on the game,” he said.
“Aight, simp,” I snickered, knowing damn well that pisses him off when I call him that. “Go plug that damn pink tree up.”
“It’s already lit, bitch.”
We both cackled.
Even with the headset on, I could hear the wind picking up outside. It would have been nice if I had a bitch to slide in tonight, but these hoes be getting too attached to a nigga. I ain’t want that. I didn’t want that commitment shit.
“Ohhhh y’all are wrong!”
“Kasina, get yo’ ass off,” I laughed.
“No, y’all weren’t goin’ to invite me?” she shot back. “I have money to put up too! Where my sister, Kasim?”
“Making cookies with Syn and Jr.,” Kasim choked out. I was ‘bout to pull out my own stash and smoke.
“Let me tell y’all how I busted my ass outside.”
It was quiet for a second, then Kasim and Kasina roared with laughter. I could laugh about that shit now, and I knew when I woke in the morning, my shit would be sore.
“Fuck y’all.”
It was ten, and after smoking, I wanted some damn pancakes. After getting off the game with them, I glanced outside. Snow was finally coming down, but I was still gon’ press my luck ordering food.
Stacks, a restaurant that served pancakes, was open 24/7. In the app, it still showed they were serving, so I ordered. It said my order was received, then ten minutes later, it showed a deliverer named Daee was on the way to pick it up. I was higher than a giraffe’s pussy and couldn’t wait to eat and then take my ass to sleep.
