Once we were outside, I said something. “Fuck was that? You fuck with her daughter or some shit?”
He stopped and spun my way. “Don’t bring her up. Get in.”
We hopped in his car, and he took off. I threw my hands up. “I was just asking. I saw how you looked at that picture. I mean, shit, if you like her, then you do. I’m no one’s judge. To me, I think you should keep it a bean,” I paused.
He hit the brakes, sending me forward. “I told you not to bring her up, and for some reason, you’re still going. I said keep her out of your mouth before I take your ass back,” he gritted.
I didn’t understand why he was so cold. I ain’t never seen a nigga being weird over a female. “Yo, why the fuck are you so angry? I have more reasons to be out here firing shit up than you.”
He ignored what I said as he changed the subject. “Where have you been? I’ve been calling you.”
My head dropped back on the headrest. I knew I could trust Bop, but I still wasn’t sure about Beans. “My phone died.”
He cut his eyes at me. “Did you get what I sent you?”
I nodded. “Yeah, thank you. It’ll keep me cool for now, but I just need a place to lay my head. I need a favor,” I said as my head rolled his way.
“Nn,” he paused. “What is it?” he gritted.
“I need you to take me to TSU. My brother is there, and that’s the only place I feel safe right now.”
What I really wanted to do was check on Morgan, but after Naheem pulled that stunt with Clark's help, going back to her crib was the last thing I needed to do. It fucked me up because for a moment I felt like Shorty was what I needed, but the troubles I had hanging over me were something she didn’t need. I glanced over at Beans, who still had yet to answer my question. “Earth to the nigga driving. What’s up? You gone look out or what?”
He gave me a glance, “I need to make a stop first.”
PAIGE
“Your final paper is due this week. Normally, I wouldn’t remind you because you all are grown, consider this my Christmas gift,” the professor said as everyone began to exit the class.
Finals were the last thing on my mind. I couldn’t stop thinking about the night Braylen and I had. I figured he would have at least texted me to talk about it, but I had heard nothing from him since. I left the class to head home. When I reached my car, a guy was standing next to it. “Paige, or shall I say Piggy?”
Wrinkles formed in my forehead because, although Piggy was my on-air name, no one called me that, but Braylen. The guy leaned on my car with his arms crossed over his chest. He was handsome, tall, pretty, with brown skin, low-sitting eyes, and a low haircut. “Can you get off my car?” I mumbled.
He lifted, throwing his hands out, “No harm, little mama. I wanted to holla at you, is all. Let’s say I know your brother.”
“So.”
“So, I figured, why not get to know his sister. Leek is ill on the mic. I know he locked up, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if I talked to you. When I found out his sister was the queen of the Hood To Da Mic podcast, I had to meet her for myself,” he winked.
I rolled my eyes. “Ok, you met me now, bye,” I said as I tried to get in my car.
He held my door open. “You should let a nigga get to know you, the name is Papi,” he said as he smiled.
His smile was everything, but my interest wasn’t in anyone but Braylen right now. “No, thank you,” I told him.
“Look, I know that nigga Beans is probably trying to hog you up because y’all do the little podcast together. I can promise you he ain’t who you think he is. He slicker than a muhfucka though.”
I didn’t know what he meant by that. I pulled at my door and closed it with him standing there smiling. I couldn’t lie, his bringing up my brother Leek caught my attention. I rolled my window down, “Give me your number.”
He ran me his number, I quickly stored it, and took off. I was going to call him, but I needed to figure out what was going on between Braylen and me right now.
***
“Hey, thanks for stopping by. Come in. Dio isn’t here. He’s been super busy with school,” Samara said as she smiled.
When I stepped inside her apartment, it was just as I imagined. Luxurious. “Your place is nice.”
“Thank you. If you had seen my place in New York, you wouldn’t be saying that. You can sit anywhere,” she offered.
