“Nah, nigga, wifey is probably up waiting for me.”
“Say less, my nigga, hit me up.”
I nodded and walked out, damn near had a smile on my face. Not only did I turn down a room full of fine-ass bitches, but the re-up went smooth. No setup, no weird shit.
I hopped in my car and called Islah as I pulled off.
“Hey,” she said low, sounding like she was half asleep.
“Wake up for me, baby, I’ma bring home some food, but I’ma need your help.”
There was a pause on the line, then I heard her take a deep breath.
“Okay, baby.”
I stopped and got us some chicken wings and fries and went straight home. I can’t say that feeling I had was gone, but it had eased up. I pulled up to the crib, grabbed the duffel bag and the food, and walked up the steps. Once I got inside, I didn’t even have to yell for her; my baby was already coming down the hallway.
“What do you need help with?” she asked.
I pulled the food out of the bag and set it on the table as she sat down.
“You know, I just met with OG.”
She smirked. “And did my baby get back on top?”
I tilted my head. “Back? Baby, I never left, just refocused. The sky’s the limit for us, baby. I told you I got you!”
Islah stood up and wrapped her arms around me. “Thank you, baby, I love you,” she said as she kissed me.
I shook my head as we separated. “No need to thank me. Thank you, baby, for riding with a nigga. I know it ain’t been easy, but I’ma make it up to you.”
We sat down, ate our food, and then I busted out the bricks. We broke them down together and bagged them up. Islah had a smile on her face the whole time, and I did too.
Not because our lives were about to change for the better, but because Islah was happy, and because my mind was just playin’ tricks on me.
Chapter 5
Progress
After baggin’ up coke for half the night, I watched Gio move around the house, getting ready to head out at four in the morning.
“You don’t want to take a nap, baby?” I asked low.
He shook his head. “Nah, baby, they already hittin’ my line. I’ma get myself some coffee, and I’ma hit these licks.”
I sighed and walked behind him in the kitchen as he poured his coffee. I wrapped my arms around his chest and laid my head on his back.
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, baby girl, I want you to get your rest while your man goes out here and grinds for you.”
I laughed, and he turned around and wrapped his arms around me.
“I just want to be there for you. You are doing a lot for us. I don’t want you to feel like I take you for granted.”
Gio lifted my chin and kissed me.
“What you are asking for, baby, I should have been did it. What I do want you to do today is send me some more places and ideas of how you’re trying to decorate.”
