“And I expect nothing less. I expected you to have your brother’s back, regardless of anything. I just don't like the idea of you stepping back into the st?—”
“I'm not. Anything I do is to resolve things if necessary. You met me and I wasn't in the streets, and that's how it'll be. Plus we got a family to tend to. I’m done with that life, so you never have to worry about me choosing to go back to it. ” I meant what I said to her, and I wasn't in the business of breaking any promises that I made to her.
“Are you done here or ca?—”
“How did you get this way?” It dawned on me that I had dropped her and Ssiah off at the shop after we dropped Niema off at school this morning.
“Uber. I needed to get here.”
I mugged her hard as fuck before I spoke. She knew I hated those ridesharing apps. Nothing about them was secure. “What do I tell you about that?”
“I clutched my blade. The whole right here.” She had a small smile on her face. “I'm sorry, daddy. It won't happen again.” Now she was trying to be funny.
Seconds later, I yoked her up and pulled her comedic ass into my space. Of course, another big ass smile covered her lips as she batted her eyes.
“What's funny?”
“Mhmmm.” She leaned forward licking my lips before trying to pull back. It was way too late for that. Way too late because my mind was already low and trying to control the situation here once again.
“Nope, we can't. I need to get home and be ready to take Niema homecoming dress shopping.”
“I don't know why it ain't like she's going.” I forced Ommy into my lap and rested my hands on her sides.
“And why not?”
“Because homecoming is just a codeword for afterparty dick. She ain't ready for that.”
“North!” Ommy’s voice nearly screeched.
“What?” I asked.
“You let her go to the others, didn't you?”
“Yeah, that was before she had that lil’ nigga sniffing up behind her.” I shrugged.
She laughed. “North, that doesn't mean anything.”
“Tuh, hell. The only reason that little nigga was able to talk to her was because of you. Talking about studying over the phone. Studying what? What the fuck is he behind on when they’re only two weeks into school?”
Her ass kept laughing like I wasn't right. How in the hell could anybody get behind in the first two weeks of school? I knew the game and that lil’ nigga was trying to cozy up to some pussy from my baby sister.
“But baby.”
“Don't ‘but baby’ me. I was that age and so were you. You know what they want.” I was done talking about it.
“You’re right. We’re this age now and I know what you want too.” She winked.
“Avery.”
She leaned forward and smashed her lips against mine then pulled back. “Please.”
“Avery.”
“North.”
Naima knew what she was doing. Having Ommy on her side meant she fought her battles and all that shit. I was outnumbered like a motherfucker in my own house.
Knoxx
