A second or two later, Exodus handed me my purse and my food, despite telling me to grab it a minute ago.
I looked over at him, snatched the purse and draped it over my head, over my shoulder before grabbing the bag of food.
“Get in the truck,” said Exodus. “Now.”
I drew back, ready to curse him out but before I could, he walked away. A couple of feet away, I noticed Vellz pull up. He stopped and wildly blew his horn, trying to get my attention. I looked at him, sucked my teeth and slid onto the soft leather backseat of Exodus’s truck.
Once I was inside, Kiss closed the door and got into the front. Zeke sat next to me right after, and Exodus kicked the truck into reverse, then into drive and sped out of the parking lot.
“What was that about?” Zeke asked.
I shrugged, fishing around my purse for my ringing phone. “She’s mad about mayo.”
Kiss snorted.
Exodus’s eyes caught mine in the rearview mirror.
“You walk home?” he asked.
I ignored Lake’s call and texted her, telling her I’d call her when I made it to The Woods. Told her I was straight and sent the cross emoji to symbolize the Christ brothers.
“Sometimes.”
“You tweakin,” Zeke said, shaking his head, his long locs moving effortlessly with him. Reminded me of my brother. I looked away.
The ride to The Woods was short. The minute we got to the ‘Welcome to Ironwood Estates’ sign, I noticed Lakeland, Alani, and Kiera walking, getting ready to leave the complex. Upon noticing the truck, they stopped.
“You can let me out right here,” I said to Exodus.
He didn’t stop or say anything. Kept driving until we got to my building. When we made it to the front of the building, he shifted the truck in park, unbuckled his seatbelt and got out. Before I could open my door, he did.
“Ay sis,” Zeke said. “You gotta be careful out here, my baby.”
I showed him my pocket knife. “I’m careful.”
“Not enough,” Kiss said, before a thick cloud of smoke filled the air around him.
I looked down at the pocket knife, and back up at the both of them. I knew it wasn’t enough. When I first got it, Meech laughed, saying I needed to put that little shit up because if a nigga wanted me bad enough he would get at me, leaking and all. I kept it on me regardless because I was going to have something on me. I couldn’t just be out here naked.
I grabbed my sandwich, and got out of the truck, closing the door behind me.
“Let me holla at you for a minute,” Exodus said, standing on the sidewalk, a couple of feet away from the building's entrance.
I stopped in front of him, resting my arms in the front of me, my hands wrapped around the dusty brown paper bag. Looking up at him, our eyes met and because his look was a little intimidating, I glanced away, noticing my cousins heading in our direction. I took a deep breath and looked back at him.
“Wassup?” I breathed out.
He looked off, stroked his chin and then looked back down at me with this look of confusion on his face. “I got a job for you.”
“A job? For me?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Be ready to get picked up tomorrow around nine. I’ll text you fifteen minutes before.”
I drew back. “I’m not moving no drugs or?—
“Man what?” He frowned. “Just be ready at nine.” He eyed me up and down. “Dress comfortable too. Leggings, crocs… shit like that.”
With that, he walked away and I stood there looking dumbfounded. I scratched the back of my head and took a deep breath. A job? I rolled my eyes, automatically thinking he wanted me down at the church for something since clearly it had nothing to do with drugs. I didn’t want to work at the church. He probably wanted me to do some type of volunteer work. That type of stuff wasn’t for me. I wasn’t religious. Believed in God, for sure but I wasn’t a Christian. Wasn’t a Baptist either. I didn't adhere to any religion; I just believed and had faith. If he wanted me to do something like mentor young girls or something, I wasn’t the girl for the job. I’d get in that church and challenge every part of the bible.
