Page 36 of Beacon Grove Chronicles 1: Hassan & Sylvia

“I let him know. Thank you again, baby.”

I was cheesing at the phone now because she’d called me baby.

“Whatever it is you need I got it. Remember that.”

She only hesitated a second before she gave me a response that damn near gave me wings. “I’m starting to see that.”

“’Bout fucking time. Let me scoop him and I’ll see you later.”

We hung up but I kept the phone in my hand the smile lingering on my face.

“Gone head and tell her you love her. It’s all over your face.”

I looked up and saw Cass looking at me with a goofy smile on his face. I shook my head and tried to laugh it off, despite that being exactly what was on my mind. I’d come damn close to telling her I loved her before I hung up the phone but I was still scared to scare her off. “It’s too soon.”

“Not according to your heart, nigga. One-eyed bastard came through town like a wrecking ball and got his girl. I ain’t mad at ya’, cousin.” He held his hand out and we moved toward one another to hug. I patted him on the back happy that he was behind the moves I wanted to make with Sylvia. I didn’t need approval but my family fucking with her that much meant a lot to me.

‘Preciate it. But I gotta get my boy and prayerfully not commit a murder.”

Cass smirked hearing me call Dorian my boy but shit he was. Sylvia was my lady so her babies were automatically mine.

“Aye. Plenty of unincorporated land that can’t be sold or developed on that the family still owns. Say the word.” He gave me a nod like he was down to be an accomplice for whatever I wanted to do.

“My nigga, I might have to take you up on that depending on what I see when I get to this school.”

I peeled out of Cass’s spot and headed west to the school. I was trying to keep my temper under control but hearing how frustrated Sisi sounded had me pissed off. That nigga kept playing with my girl and I was gonna play with his heart. Cut that shit out his chest and me, Cass and Smoke would play Hacky Sack.

The campus of the high school came into view and I slowed down, knowing I had to keep my personal feelings in check. I might know Dave was a bitch ass nigga but Dorian was his son. I didn’t want him to embody any of the bullshit of his father. Hearing me talk down on his daddy might have him thinking I was speaking about him and I couldn’t have that.

He wasn’t hard to spot being the only kid left. It pissed me off even more that whoever was running this shit hadn’t stayed behind to ensure that all the kids were picked up. I knew Dave had something to do with that shit especially since he was a part of the staff. I wasn’t sure how he weaseled his way into working on staff but I could only guess he did it unpaid so that he could save face and still be a part of the team despite his fucking up.

My truck pulled up and I could tell Dorian wasn’t expecting me. He glanced up and did a double take from where he was sitting beneath the shade.

I rolled down the window and the relief on his face had me ready to fuck up his daddy yet again.

“You coming or you like hanging out in this heat, young buck?”

Dorian stood up grabbing his water container and his duffle bag. He had clearly showered because he wasn’t wearing the camp uniform that he’d shown me last night. He was excited as hell about this camp but now he looked upset. “You here for me?”

“Is that okay with you?”

He tried to keep it player but his smile still broke through the usual teenage demeanor. “Yes, sir.”

He walked up on the car and I hit the locks so he could climb inside. “You good?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I appreciate the respect but you can loosen up some if you need to. I’m about to swing by Pizza House so we can get some food on your stomach. I remember how much hell summer conditioning was when I was a kid so I know you gotta be hungry.”

He nodded but then stopped abruptly, and his face changed. “You don’t have to.”

“I know I don’t. I want to. Put your seatbelt on.”

Dorian did as I requested before sitting back with an intense stare out the front window. It was the type of look where I felt he needed to sort something out in his head. I wanted to press but I was sure he’d clam up so I kept the music going and headed toward the restaurant. I vibed to the music glancing at him a few times before he finally spoke up.

“Mr. Hassan?”

Another glance and I saw he was now looking my way. “What’s good, youngin’?”