“So, you like her for real?”
“Yeah. I’m not going to lie to you. November is my baby. I fuck with her.”
“That’s cool.” Rob nodded. “You deserve to have somebody to love.”
“Nigga, when are you going to find somebody? Preferably somebody that don’t have a husband or a fucking boyfriend already?”
“Never,” Rob deadpanned.”I’m good on that love shit. I saw how it fucked our pops up and I ain’t going down like that.”
“Oh. But you’re telling me how happy you are for me to maybe deal with that shit?” I chuckled. “You ain’t shit.”
“Nah. We’re just real different. She fucked you up in the opposite way. You thrive in relationships and shit. I can’t even think about committing, That shit freaks me out, but whenever whatever woman you’re dating starts pouring into you, you start fucking healing in real time. It’s like it replaces all the love she never gave us and the next thing you know you’re obsessed”
“Obsessed?” I repeated.
“Hell yeah. You fall in love in fourty-eight hours then hold on to that shit tooth and nail.”
“You and JV been getting together and talking shit about me behind my back or what?” I joked.
“What?”
“That nigga said something real similiar.”
Rob laughed. “See what I’m saying!” He pointed at me. “I’m telling you. That shit’s real.”
“Whatever nigga.” I chortled.
Rob grinned and we sat in silence for a few moments before I adjusted how I was sitting.
“So, what happened last night when you went to the shop?”
“Nothing really.” Rob shrugged. “I looked at the cameras and saved the footage. I hung out in the spot with all the lights off all night to see if someone would come back or try to vandalize the spot, but nothing happened. I was there till JV came in this morning to open. I have two dudes sitting in the shop though just hanging out in case ome shit pops off but nothing’s changed so far.”
“Alright.” I locked eyes with Rob. “Aye. You know I don’t need you to babysit me or fight my battles right?”
“And you know I’m gon’ do it anyway, right?” He forced a small laugh. “Look the only reason you’re even getting the heat you’re getting is because of me and what the fuck I have going on anyway.”
“Yeah, alright. I looked out over his balcony. “Pops told me I should just sell and keep it pushing.”
“And? That’s how you feeling?”
“Fuck no.” I scoffed. “I’m not selling shit.” I looked back at Rob. “If they want the shop, they’re going to have to kill me for it.”
“I wish the fuck they would. I’d paint this motha’fucking city red.”
“I’m ready to paint it red regardless,” I admitted.
“I’m on whatever you’re on.”
Rob’s phone started to ring. He pulled it from his pocket and his eyes darted across the screen. He answered immediately.
“What’s up?” He paused. “Yeah. Nah. You’re good. I appreciate that. Text me the address. Alright. Thank you. I owe you one.” He hung up and looked over at me.
A smile slowly crossed his face. I lifted an eyebrow.
“What?”
“We got a hit on one of those dudes that was in the shop.”
