Yeah, I might love the girl.
“I’m not a relationship guru or nothing like that, but I think that you might want to stop holding the girl against her will,” my father chimed in. “How in the hell do you expect that girl to be with you when you got her held up in the damn house? She has a job, and her father is the governor. Don’t make the girl hate you before she even realizes she loves you too.”
“I didn’t bring her over here to talk about my relationship or how I need to do shit.” I set my bottle down as I mugged them. “I came over here to see what we’re going to do about these niggas. It’s time to kill them and go on about my day. TJ is dying for the shit he’s done, and that’s final.” I leaned forward in my seat as all eyes were on me. “I got Jamir looking for this nigga, and once I find him, it’s lights out. It’s not like he can move around the city freely anymore.”
The recording that Blossom saw of him at her home was from days prior, the same day of the shooting. When we got the call that someone had shot up Karlie’s clinic, I thought the worst. I just knew one of the patients had gone feral and decided to act a damn fool. Finding out that TJ had been behind it put the final nail in his coffin. Karlie’s injuries were minimal compared to what could have happened, and for that, I was thankful. Had it been worse, no one would have been able to stop me from the damage I would have done in this city.
“What’s up, big brother? You’re looking angrier than usual.” Jamari popped a grape in his mouth, walking into the room, kicking my feet. “Your girl still ain’t fuckin’ with you?”
“The girls you fuckin’ still wipe back to front?” I shot back, causing my father to choke on his beer. “Don’t come in here fuckin’ with me, nigga. I ain’t in the mood.”
“Slash, back to what I was saying,” my dad said as he reclined back in his seat. “I need this nigga gone yesterday. It’s not even about the work and money anymore. He hurt my daughter.” His eyes darkened as he glared at me. “Officer of the law or not, he has to go.”
“You don’t think I know that?” I snapped. “You don’t think I feel fucked up about it? That nigga could have hurt my sister, and for what? Because you offed his daddy? Because I took his girl? That nigga got me looking like a simp, and I don’t like that shit.” I folded my arms and mugged him. “Let’s not forget I have a real job,Jaseon. Sixty autopsies on burnt bodies, niggas in Grove Heights acting like wild animals, and your nephew transforming into a homicidal terror. My bad for choosing sleep and a second to myself in my spare time instead of being your do boy.”
Eyeing me like I had two heads, he kicked the bottom of his recliner, popping it back in place before setting his drink inside the chair’s armrest.
“Alright! Come on.” He pulled up his pants as he waved for me to follow him out of the room. “Come on and let’s go outside so I can put you down, son. You dun’ lost your muthafuckin’ mind!”
“What’s going on over there?” Mama hollered as she walked our way from the kitchen. “Jay, why do you look like you’re about to be on your bullshit?”
“Your disrespectful-ass son is feeling himself and wants to squabble.” He pushed past her and stepped into the hallway. “Come on, nigga, and let me beat your ass right quick.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I said fuck it. If Jaseon thought shit was sweet with me, I was going to put him on his ass and let him know what was up. Jamari was hyping us up as he followed us outside, while my mother fussed and told us we better not leavefrom inside the house. I had so much pent-up aggression, and while I didn’t want to hurt my dad, I wasn’t opposed to it.
Stepping onto the front porch, the night air hit us both in the face, but we were too wound up to care. Here it was, close to the holidays, and I was about to run a fade with my father.
“Now, son, when I beat your ass, know I still love you.” He scowled as he circled me. “Know that?—”
Whap!
Sending a quick jab to his chest, he stumbled back slightly. I would never go all out and put my hands on my father, but I also wanted him to know that I knew how to beat his ass if I ever truly needed to.
“You gon’ do all that talking, or are you gonna throw hands, old man?” I smirked as he bent over and wheezed. “This is grown man business, and I’m not going to say too much else.”
“This nigga put his hands on me!” He crouched, holding his chest as he stumbled back up the porch steps into my mother’s awaiting arms. “Somebody! Anybody! Call the muthafuckin’ police!”
By now, the entire family was on the porch laughing at my dad and his foolishness. Looking around, I found Blossom standing off to the side. Nodding for her to come to me, she smirked before bringing her pretty ass my way.
“My bad for bombarding you with these crazy folks today.” I pulled her into me, relishing in the warmth from her soft skin. “You okay?”
“Surprisingly, I’m enjoying myself.” She gave me a bright smile as she wrapped her arms around me. “Your family is really nice.”
“Hmm.” I nuzzled her neck, ignoring the eyes I felt on us. “Can you see yourself being a part of the crew?”
Stiffening in my arms, she looked up at me with questioning eyes. Kissing her nose, I pulled my vibrating phone from my pocket, groaning once I saw it was Massey.
“Dr. McKnight,” he greeted me before I could even say hello. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“As if you care.” I chuckled, hugging Blossom tighter. This girl was addicting, and I didn’t want to let her go in any sense of the word. “What can I do for you? You need me to come into the office?”
“Please.” He sighed heavily. “I’m swamped, and I know you have your family to tend to?—”
“Give me an hour or so, and I’ll be there.” Disconnecting the call, I closed my eyes tightly, groaning in frustration. I knew what my job demanded of me when I applied, but damn.
“JJ, I can’t believe that you didn’t tell us you were still seeing the girl you met on vacation?” Jaycee’s annoying ass walked over, looping her arm in Blossom’s. “She’s so much nicer than that Sheena girl.” She frowned for a minute before bringing her eyes back to me. “Are you sad your Dodo bird is dead?”
“Jaycee McKnight!” Auntie Mo shrieked, causing me to simper. “God bless the dead.”
