“I know she did. She doesn’t play about you, but she really doesn’t play about Nick.” Joi laughed at the thought, shaking her head at the same time. “But it was that bad?”
“It wasthatbad. Reese really tried it. I’m like, you have a baby with another woman, sir, please exit stage left.”
“What about Vega?”
“I’m not upset with him. Not like I am with Reese. I hate that Nick saw either of them with guns, but I have to expect that from the type of men they are. I’m really not trying to be in the middle of that life again, but I really like Vega.”
“Then figure out a way to make it work. I don’t think he’s the kind to disrespect Nick by having that life around him. Hell, Ihate to admit it, but Reese isn’t either, that just means they were both in their feelings about that,” Joi pointed at her girl’s waist. Nyelle frowned then rolled her eyes, making Joi shrug.
“One is crying about losing it while the other is trying to get it, sis.”
“You’re so damn silly.”
“But where’s the lie though?”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Nyelle grinned and shrugged before she widened her hips a little.
“So, I guess you dropped a wannabe baller and picked up a real one.”
Joi shut her eyes, really considering the thought. She knew Nyelle was referencing East’s connection to Cabo.
“I knew it was who he used to be but apparently he’s still in it.”
“You good with that? From what you said, Cabo is like the shit, right? He’s not fucking with corner boys.”
“No, he’s not. I don’t really care one way or another, but I know what comes with that. East is already…” Joi paused, thinking, and only one thing came to mind, “East.So, I know if people in that world know him it’s a million times worse than I can even process. I probably just need to date a basic man like an accountant or something.”
“So he can do what? Your damn taxes?” Nyelle and Joi both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
“I’ve seen some thug ass accountants before. It might work.”
“You’re so damn slow. You better stop playing and sit on East’s face tonight so he’ll forgive you for making him do a bid.”
“Fuck you. It was a few hours.”
“Girl, time is time for a Black man. A few seconds feels like years. Don’t play.”
“True.”
Joi was grateful for her girl. She didn’t have many people in her life she could trust with her truth, but sometimes all you needed was a real one, and she had that in Nyelle. Something Joi would never take for granted.
20
“Damn, you had me standing out here forever. The fuck?” Vega based as soon as Dix opened his door to let him in.
“You shouldn’t be pulling up on me unwanted. I was busy,” he delivered calmly, not bothered by his boy being annoyed. They had been cool for years and were known for speaking their minds without hesitation.
“I’m the reason you have that nice ass shit to pull up to. Next time bring your ass to the door faster,” Vega rattled off as he passed Dix to enter his house. The first thing Vega noticed was the body moving down the hall. She was dressed in a big ass T-shirt and sweats he knew didn’t belong to her. Vega smiled and lifted his chin to Ria who smiled and waved before she hit the corner Vega knew led to the kitchen.
“So, she’s the reason you have me out here sweating and shit?” He shot Dix a mug over his shoulder just before they entered his living room.
“Why the fuck are you here?” Dix groaned, not wanting to discuss Ria. They were new but he was feeling her. He wasn’t sure what they were so he wasn’t trying to discuss his situationwith Vega or anyone else because he didn’t know what the hell he would say. For now, she was just something fun that kept his bed warm from time to time.
“You know somebody named Reese?” It wasn’t the reason Vega pulled up, but it had been heavy on his mind. He needed to know who the fuck Reese was so he would know how to deal with him. Either that or he was gonna just say fuck it and let his Desert Eagle give him a permanent solution.
Dix took a moment to run through his mental then shook his head. “Nah. Why? I need to know him?”
“Maybe. It’s my girl’s ex dude. I almost shot him and would have had his shorty not walked in the room.”
