CHAPTER EIGHT
TOP OFF
“Psss. Look.” Roni stirred her iced tea with a straw and nodded out the window when Coast pulled up in a brand-new black Jeep and parked on the curb.
Mozzi’s security detail was right behind her, parking, but remaining in the car as she strolled to the door. She wasn’t dressed up or none of that, but there was still something euphoric about her. Her face was makeup free, and she glowed like ripe oranges on a dewy day, while her thick hair rested in a high curly ponytail. She looked like she was wearing one of Mozzi’s big shirts and a pair of little ass shorts with blush pink Chanel sneakers.
“Looks like she got her whip upgraded.” Lin glanced over her shoulder and studied Coast’s Jeep enviously.
It wasn’t even the car that had her pissed; it was the fact that Mozzi bought it for her. Granted, she was pretty much an heiress thanks to her father’s chain of grocery stores, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want a man to pay for things.
“What the fuck is it with this bitch?” Gill sucked her teeth, eyeing Coast as she stopped at the front counter to speak with the manager.
The two spoke for a few minutes before she placed an order to go and was handed a thin white envelope.
“And where did she even come from?” Gill added.
“Well, from what I know, she’s the niece of that Beverly woman who runs that orphanage where Mozzi and all them grew up. I don’t think they ever knew each other though. I heard she’s only been back here for like a year,” Lin leaned in and whispered. “And, when Nickel looked into her, he found out she was fucking with some nigga from his crew named Sipes. She just ended things with that nigga.”
“And I’m pretty sure she’s pregnant, too.” Roni brought her cup near her mouth and gripped her straw between her fingers for a sip.
“Girl, what!” Gill shook her head. “See, hell no.”
“Gill, it’s not Mozzi’s baby,” Roni declared, watching her lunge out of her seat anyway.
“I don’t give a fuck if it was Jesus’s baby! This is some bullshit!”
“Umph. There her spoiled ass go.” Lin tittered, shaking her head and picking up a crinkle cut fry from the chicken tenders basket she’d ordered.
“And what about you?” Roni challenged.
“What about me?” Lin took a bite of her fry and her nose wrinkled.
“You and Nickel? You know how Mozzi feels about that fool, Lin, but you keep provoking him.”
“I’ve known Nickel as long as I’ve known, Mozzi, Roni. I’m supposed to cut him off, but Mozzi can have it his way any time, any place?”
Roni looked past her as Gill approached Coast at the counter. She didn’t have an answer for that. She herself couldn’t fathom entertaining another man. Her drive was different from both Lin and Gill. The two of them were out for self-preservation. Ronihad no qualms about letting them sabotage themselves so she could be the only opponent standing against this girl.
“Thank you for the food, Missy.” Coast grabbed her bag of wings, fries, and strawberry milkshake and turned.
“Don’t be a stranger around here, Coast. Take care of yourself.”
“Oh, you can count on that.” Coast’s smile wilted when she found Gill in front of her.
She hadn’t seen her up close before, but the girl was very pretty. The wavy bob and modest, but obviously designer attire gave her a more refined look than Lin and Roni. Coast took note of the Cartier, diamonds, and Dior as Gill’s oval shaped eyes roamed her casual ensemble. While she’d been raised to be a confident girl, she found her insecure like the next, especially in the presence of another pretty girl. Coast had a natural glow surrounding her, like she legit walked around with the sun following her. It wasn’t even her fault that people took notice. She wasn’t in anything fancy, there was no pile of foundation or concealer hiding her blemishes, and she was still gorgeous.
“Can I help you with something?”
“You can tell me exactly what it is you think you’re doing with Mozzi?” Gill demanded.
“I’m sorry, which one are you again?” Coast squinted.
She was being sarcastic as hell.
“I’m the one that he’s going to marry,” Gill divulged, nostrils flaring. “See, Roni and Lin can’t elevate a man like Mozzi, but I can. He knows it, and so do I. I’m sure whatever he’s doing with you is only temporary.”
“You think so?”
