He nodded once. “As long as you’re good, I’m good, man.”
“You think this lil truce is going to stick?”
“There’s too much money going around to let war get in the middle of shit, especially since we just watched him kill his second. He’s going to spiral a little bit and have to clean house. He’ll be too busy building ranks to worry about us right now and if he comes back later, we’ll take care of it again.”
“Always.” I yawned. “But for real, y’all not go be able to make moves in my shit anymore.”
He nodded. “That’s real. Give us a month or two to figure some shit out and I’ll start moving shit out slowly.”
“Cool.” I tapped my fingers on the door. “I’m going to board that fucking door up too.”
“Forever?”
“Until I sell or die.”
“I feel that.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
He freed one into his mouth.
“You upset about it?” I asked.
“Nah. It’s a little inconvenient but I’m never going to be mad at you for doing what you need to do for you and sister-in-law and I’d never put this shit before the relationship, respect and love I’ve got for you. Nigga, you my blood. You can’t do shit that’ll make me turn my back on you.”
“Alright,” I exhaled. Well if you need me, call me.”
“If you need me, call me,” he repeated. “I love you, bro.”
“I love you, man. Be careful out here.”
“Will do.”
I dapped my brother up and hopped out. I went upstairs, took a shower in the dark then collapsed in bed beside Novi. She rolled into me and I wrapped an arm around her. I kissed along her hair line and she grumbled awake.
Her hand trailed up my arm and to my neck.
“You okay?” she asked quietly.
“Yeah, shawty. I’m cool.”
“Okay. Good.” She yawned.
I let my head trail up to the back of her head and started to massage her scalp.
“I love you, November.”
“What?” She shifted and looked up at me.
“I love you, November,” I repeated.
“I love you too, baby.” She snuggled back into me and kissed the side of my chest.
“I’d do anything for you,” I mumbled.
She nodded against my skin and I smiled to myself as her breathing started to even out and she fell back to sleep against me.
The sun was rising before I let myself fall asleep too.
10NOVI
