“From my understanding, she was sweet as pie and really pretty. I’ve seen maybe one or two photos of her. You look nothing like her by the way.” I already knew how she was coming. She was just stating the obvious that prolly had everybody else in skepticism as well.
“Yeah, I’ve heard I took my pops face a hunnid percent. It’s cool though. I got her name so that’s good enough for me. Can you tell me why everybody names are luxury cars? That’ssome cringy sh… mess,” I corrected myself finally standing from helping lil’ man.
She released a soft laugh before nodding. She stretched her hand out for her son, and he intertwined his with hers. We followed behind the rest of the crew talking at a low tone. She knew how to keep things private. I picked up on that instantly.
“Well, Mama Rose did that all on her own. Her immediate children have names with the letter R while the grands and great grand carry the car tradition. They take it serious too.”
“So, whose kid, are you? Seniors?” I’d been curious since day one.
“I am of no relation to the Atkins blood wise. I am Royce’s best friend and everyone just kind of fell in line with me. Klarity, the kids, me, and so forth is his chain of priorities. He really does love his family Bentley. It might take you longer to get in because of you guys’ history but he’ll come around,” she answered trying to give reassurance.
“I doubt it. Could’ve kept my behind in Miami for all this. Yonnis could’ve come to me, and we could’ve handled it in my territory. I ain’t feeling this and that’s real. I see why my mama ain’t want no parts of this dysfunctional ish.”
“Aye, get the fuck up here. Don’t piss me off,” Royce snapped pulling Heidi by her hand.
“I’m grown Royce and can speak to whomever I please. Stop being so mean,” Heidi chimed removing the grip he had on her.
“Yeah, anybody but him. Let’s go Lincoln,” he snapped his fingers at Heidi’s son directly after.
Iris nodded in my direction as we all filed through the doors. Royce was gon’ do him and everybody was gon’ fall in line. I realized that early on. He was the head so why not manage shit. I wasn’t one of them though. He wasn’t ‘bout to talk to me any kind of way or handle me.
“Squash whatever beef after this game. He’s not going to stop until the air is clear,” she said leaving me behind. She caught up to Senior and joined hands.
I had no intentions on doing a bitch ass thing. Royce had every right to judge me and stay on that side of the fence. The second he let his guard down, I was gon’ whack his ass again. I wasn’t stopping until I had the inheritance and another round of his white.
Everybody made it to the assigned section with seats being randomly chosen. I copped a squat beside Heidi and Lincoln with Iris and Senior on the other side. I knew how to move. I had the women on my side, now all I had to do was manipulate them to handle their men. I was too close to touching them funds.
Yonnis needed what he needed, and I had all that shit in motion. My connects were all in Florida so it was taking time to get it done. Hell, I even had a fake ass blood report coming through. Being an undercover with a stack full of favors, it wasn’t shit to cash in. The Atkins weren’t the only ones with bread either. Mine wasn’t as long but it damn sure made muthafuckas jump.
Leaning over into Heidi’s space, I asked, “Do you and lil’ man travel? Y’all should come down to Florida.”
“I travel, but me and my son aren’t leaving Sage Springs anytime soon. Sorry to decline.”
“Nah, it’s cool. I wouldn’t let nothing happen to you or him by the way. You’re way too beautiful to be confined to Sage Springs though. I can show you a heck of an experience down there.”
“I’m well aware of the experience Florida provides. Trust me. I just don’t want to carry my son anywhere right now. Are you flirting with me because you’re bored or to make Royce upset? A woman, baby mama, family… which one is it attached to you? I’m far from stupid, you know.”
Smiling, I nodded at her blunt response. She called me out on my bullshit, but I wasn’t gon’ give her that benefit. I was in her face to make Royce mad and yes, I had all three she mentioned with Angel and Amada. However, that wasn’t her fuckin’ business.
“I’m not stunting Royce. Couldn’t give a f-u-c-k less ‘bout him actually. Your vibe can’t be ignored though. He chaotic and I ain’t in the mood for all that. You got a calmness ‘bout yo’self. Plus, you speak with softness and not aggressiveness. I like it,” I said laying it on thick.
She blushed and nodded. “I appreciate it. Royce is a firecracker indeed. Well, enjoy the game and just vibe. He won’t bother you until it’s over.”
“Thanks for the heads up,” I jested.
Royce wasn’t scaring nobody for real but hey, if that thought floated his boat then so be it. All I knew was once them documents came in, I was taking from the Atkins yet again, and it wasn’t a damn thing they could do about it.
13
HEIDI
Actively taking control of my life was mentally draining but also satisfying. I was just starting to get into a comfortable routine with Lincoln as well as speaking with Dr. Wright again. After getting her caught up the last time, it had been easier to navigate such a stressful time. She was still as supportive as she’d always been.
Boxing was a suggestion she just randomly threw out there, but it became a part of my life that I cherished. Mercedees had no idea how shooting in the gym with her was building my confidence in strides. I loved her for the motivation she provided.
“Look who decided to show up. Where you been?” Cedees shouted entering through the main doors with her gym bag on her shoulder.
I was climbing out of the ring from spotting with another chick that came a few weeks after me. She was just as timid as she wanted to be. She too dealt with domestic abuse and was looking for an outlet or just a beginning step. Mercedees’s gym was tailored to women specifically. Everything a woman needed to get their confidence, self-esteem, or even a stronger mind, her self-defense classes helped with that.
