I set the phone down and got back to work. It was always business before bullshit with me. I filled the remaining bottles and stocked the fridge, letting my habits carry me as my thoughts stilled. I didn't want to jump to conclusions and accuse Navy of overstepping when it came to my sister, especially if Choyce was lying.
"I'm about to get on an important call. Only knock on my office door if it's something you can't handle," I told my assistant.
"I got you, Chosyn," she responded with a smile.
I nodded and headed toward the back of the store. Grabbing a bottle of Zenade, I stepped into my office and closed the door behind me. I settled into my chair, took a sip, then grabbed my phone to call Navy.
"Hey, Chosyn. I'm a little busy, can I call you back?" Navy answered, sounding out of breath.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Mekhi got into a fight with one of the other boys. It got a little rowdy, but everything's fine."
Fine didn't sound fine coming from Navy. Her soft tenor wasn't harsh, but it snagged between irritation and frustration.
"You need me to come over there and get them lil' niggas together?"
"No," Navy answered with a laugh, but there was no humor. "I got it."
"Mhm. You need to hire some men in there," I lightly suggested. "Let them handle all that adolescent testosterone."
"I know." She sighed. "I have a few interviews lined up today. We'll see what happens, but I really have to go," Navy stated, ending the call before I could respond.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, already weighing whether stopping by her job made more sense than trying to have this conversation over the phone. By the time my gaze dropped back to my phone, the decision had been made. I swiped to River's contact and hit call.
"Yes, Chosyn, how may I help you?" she answered, bubbly as hell.
"What are you and my babies doing?"
"Well, I'm eating, and they're in my stomach, so obviously they're not doing much." She laughed.
"Don't get smart with?—"
A text banner slid down the top of my screen, freezing the words in my throat.
"Chosyn, you better not be sucking dick while I'm on this phone! You and Wolfe are too freaked out for me," River snapped.
"I'm at work, not on my knees, hoe." I laughed, even though my eyes were still locked on the notification. "Honey texted me, and it caught me off guard."
"What does she want?" The smile was gone now. I could hear it in her voice.
"To talk," I answered, keeping it short as my fingers typed back, telling Honey to come to my store.
"About?" River snapped.
"I'm guessing whatever she and Navy did to Choyce yesterday."
"Wait, what the hell did they do?"
"Choyce claims Navy slit her throat, but I don't know." I shifted in my seat, uneasiness crawling up my spine.
"What did Navy say?"
"Nothing. When I called, she was busy handling something at work and rushed off the phone."
"Damn," River huffed, "do you think it's true?"
"Navy's been in her head a lot about her relationship. I don't wanna believe she'd do something like that without talking to me first, but shit, I don't know what to think."
