“Y’all need anything?” I called out.
Each man held their cups up silently. “We’re good. Thanks for checking in.”
“No problem.”
“The crowd seems to be really chill today,” Apollo said, walking over from the other side of the fire truck.
“I didn’t know you were out here tonight.”
Apollo nodded with a smirk, then dapped me up.
“Yeah, being the chief at the station means you have to step up. Not to mention, shit is usually chill out here.”
“I hear you. You know I get it more than anybody when it comes to stepping up for your people.” I responded.
Apollo nodded, his attention drifting back to the crowd gathered around the fire pits, their laughter carrying through the night. We stood there for a beat, just passing time, until I finally walked away in search of a notepad and pen. I had some shit I needed to get off my chest… and into the fire.
One of the Thorn’s had a notepad and pen, so I grabbed a sheet from him and the pen to scribble down a few things. I peered around at the other thorns who I’d gotten to patrol the area as well. They seemed to be focused and handling everything just fine without me.
Once I finished, I handed him everything back and walked over to the large bonfire in the center of the gravel. A few others were standing alongside me, some kissing their notes then tossing it, and others holding on tightly like they were afraid to release whatever was on that paper.
I hated to admit I was closer to the latter. I wanted to release this hold my parents had on me. But at the same time, a secret part of me cherished the moments when they gave a fuck. It pissed me off sometimes and felt like a weakness.
I stuffed the note into my pocket and strolled over by the entrance, the closer I got, the more my eyes locked in on hersignature pink leather jacket. I could spot Solana anywhere, but it wasn’t lost on me that she seemed to be far away. I had noticed it earlier, when I came by to help her clean and lock up tonight.
Jessa and Aubree were on both sides of her with their arms intertwined with Solana’s. It was clear they had dragged her out here tonight, so I took that as my cue to make sure she was okay from a distance. I watched for a moment as they walked through the crowd with a few lawn chairs in hand until they found a pit that wasn’t surrounded by a ton of people.
Solana appeared to be going through the motions as they set up shop around the fire. It didn’t take long for a few other people to notice they were there. But they seemed to take the hint that Solana didn’t want to be bothered by the few head nods she had given them.
“Damn, you about to burn a hole through little mama’s head,” Juelz said, stepping up beside me with a chuckle.
I didn’t crack a smile or turn to look in his direction.
“You got something to share with me about ole’ boy?” I asked, blatantly ignoring his comment.
He cleared his throat. “Damn, aight. I haven’t heard or seen much. He has been moving smart these last few days. It’s almost like he knows he’s being watched. But I know he ain’t catching no vibes from me. I’ve been doing this shit too long, so it has to mean he into something deeper than we know. Somebody else must want that man too.”
I groaned inwardly and crossed my arms before glaring in his direction.
“Find out what the fuck he is into, and soon. We don’t need no surprises.”
“I hear you. I’ll get on that and leave you to finish stalking that damn woman,” he responded with a chuckle.
“Ain’t nobody stalking her. I’m doing my damn job like you should be.”
“If you say so, boss. Let me go head back over to my section so I can stalk. I mean, check for her friend over there.” Juelz joked, having eyes only for Aubree.
I shook my head and returned my attention back to Solana, who was now standing in front of the bonfire with a note in hand. Something about this moment felt intimate, so I turned around and walked closer to the river. I watched the boats in the distance with my hands in my pockets. The breeze coming off the water was the peace I was looking for.
I don’t know how much time went by, but for the moment I didn’t give a damn.
“I must have cooties or something. I thought you would have come over and spoke instead of staring all night. Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s rude to stare at people?”
I peered over my shoulder and glanced at Solana, who now had her hands clasped in front of her. She walked over until she was standing next to me. I returned my attention back to the water and the stars before replying.
“Nah, she wasn’t around long enough to instill none of that.”
Her eyes widened at my response. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”
