Page 112 of 4 Corinthians

“You brought slingshots instead?” she asked. “Are you trying to get in trouble at school? You know the rules. I thought we were past this.”

“No, ma’am,” he said, then cut his eyes at Krude. “I’m sorry.”

“We will talk about this tonight when I get home,” she said, then kissed his forehead. “Go on to school, have a good day, and do not get in trouble.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded, then got in the car.

“I’m telling Madea on you,” Corinthians said, playfully pushing at Krude.

“You snitching now?” he asked her. This fool had the nerve to look surprised. “I can’t believe you. Just snitching and shit.” He shook his head. “That’s cool though because I’ma tell you kissing on that nigga over there and shit. Just being fast.” Krude got in his car, rolled down the window, and leaned out of it. “So, snitch if you want to. See who gets in trouble first.”

“Bye, Krude,” she said, waving him off. She picked up the slingshots then approached me. Krude honked twice then pulled out of the driveway.

My reminder alarm went off, notifying me that I had twenty minutes until my appointment. I dug into my pocket, took out my phone, and turned off the notification.

“I’ll drop you off at home on my way to work,” Corinthians offered, and I nodded. We walked back into the house; she grabbed her bag and the rest of her things, then we left.

***

I drove down the highway, my right hand on Cori’s thigh as we listened to music. I was at her house to pick her up before seven. I was excited as fuck to see her, and I wasn’t disappointed. The fitted high-waisted skirt that she paired with a long-sleeve burgundy fitted shirt and matching ankle boots looked good as fuck. Around her neck was a platinum necklace with the initials C and J. I was already planning to add a 4 to it and was going to put in a call to Yale to make that happen by the end of the week. She wrapped her fingers around my index finger, and I looked over at her once I exited the highway and stopped at the light.

“Y-y-y-y-you good?” I lifted my brow.

“Yes,” she answered.

I brought her hand to my lips, kissed it, then turned back to the road. A white Charger stopped next to us, revived its engine but didn’t move. I adjusted in my seat, not liking that the light was taking so long. The passenger window cracked, smoke blew from the opening, and the engine revived again. I moved my hand from Cori’s thigh, reached under her seat and pulled my gun from under it, set it on my lap and turned to the car. The light turned green, and they sat there, waiting. I knew they were waiting for me to move, but I wasn’t. My car was bulletproof; I knew how Robert got down. He’d send someone to shoot my shit up, and I could never take that risk, especially with Cori and Judah.

“Uri?” Cori said and tapped my thigh. I covered her hand with mine and gave it a gentle squeeze. My eyes were still locked on the car. More smoke came from the passenger window. “Uri?”

The light turned red, and that’s when they decided to move. Their tires screeched as they sped away. I watched them until their taillights disappeared. “VMS-803,” I read the license plate out loud.

“Hey,” she said, moving her hand. I looked over at Cori. Her eyes were filled with questions, and she lifted her brow. “What was that?”

“I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head. I checked for oncoming traffic, then turned right. I wasn’t about to let some nigga who had a death wish fuck up our first official date.

I got to the restaurant and parked, and we went inside. My gun sat securely tucked in the waist of my pants in case someone wanted to be dumb again tonight. After we were escorted to our table at the back of the restaurant, I helped Cori into her seat and then took mine.

“This o-o-o-o-okay?” I asked.

“It’s nice,” she said, nodding as she looked around. She rested her elbows on the table and put her chin in the palm of her hand. “Why? You wanna dine and dash?”

“Man what?” I laughed. She wiggled her eyebrows and smiled. “You’d dine and dash?”

“I’ve never done it before.” She shrugged, and I knew I was about to let her commit a damn crime. “I think it will be fun.”

“Order up then,” I told her. “But don’t get too full, and you better be able to run in those shoes.” I looked down at her boots then up at her and smiled.

“Bet,” she replied, then sat up and looked over the menu.

I picked up my phone and texted Nine.

Me: Ay, hack into this restaurant's system and pay our bill. Let them know to bring the bill and act like it hasn’t been paid. When we get up from the table and walk away, have them call out for me.

Nine: Do I need to know why?

Me: Cori wants the thrill of dining and dashing. I’m about to let her have it.

Nine: Lol nigga what? She wants to dine and dash?