Page 19

I climbed into Crew’s car, and he pulled off toward Linden’s Fried Chicken, one of our favorite spots growing up because it sat on the route from school to home. Back then, Mama used to give Crew enough allowance to make sure both of us ate before we got home, and almost every time we’d stop there for popcorn chicken and fries before walking the rest of the way home together.

The ride with Crew to get food this morning was quiet, too quiet, and he and I barely said anything at all, just letting the music play low in the background while he drove through traffic with one hand resting on the wheel.

I don’t think I had ever heard my brother this quiet a day in my life, and I could tell something was still wrong between us. Yeah he felt bad for me, but I was sure he was also upset about everything else that happened too.

“Crew.”

He glanced over at me briefly.

“Jas, don’t say you're not hungry because I know you are. We are about to both get something to eat, so don’t start that shit. I’ll shove a piece of chicken down your throat at this point. I’m tired of playing with your ass.”

“That’s not what I was going to say, Crew. I was about to say that I know how you feel about the Hov and me situation, and I’m sorry.”

“Sorry about what, Jas? It's over with.”

“I’m sorry about the way everything came out. I promise you, we never meant to hurt you.”

I could see the jaw muscles in his cheeks start to retract.

“Jas, it happened, but it’s over with now. I don’t want to talk about that shit anymore,” he muttered calmly, though I could tell by his expression it still bothered him deep down. I was scared to say something else, even though my mind was still running a million miles per hour. Crew seemed like he also had something on his mind. I could tell by the way he kept adjusting himself in his seat while driving until he finally looked over towards me.

“When are y’all going to find out if Rj is his son? I know the kind of man Hov is, and though we haven’t discussed it since the hospital, I’m sure he wants to know. I’m sure Ciara wants to know, too.”

“I don’t know Crewshon. I guess I've just been so worried about whether RJ is going to make it or not that finding out who his father is hasn’t crossed my mind.”

“Well, I’m sure it matters to them regardless. Actually, fuck Reggie, but Hov needs to know if his son is laying in a hospital on a ventilator.”

This conversation was making me feel uncomfortable because I knew that everything Crew was saying was true.

“And oh yeah, since we're on the subject of the first homeless looking ass nigga with a house,” Crew continued.

“Who did you send to burn down his mama spot? I know I didn’t do it, and I didn’t give orders for it to be done. So who pulling strings for you.”

By the way Crew was staring at me, I could tell that he already had an answer in his head. He just wanted me to confirm it.

“I’m sure it was Amir who did it,” I finally muttered.

“Figured that much. So, you still fuckin with that nigga too?”

“Don’t say ‘too’ like I am fucking with him and Hov at the same time.”

“Oh, I know you're not fucking with Hov no more. You can’t pry that nigga away from his wife,” he laughed.

“Well, for your information, I wouldn’t fuck with Hov anymore if he wanted to because I actually respect his marriage. Ciara, you, or anyone else does not have to worry about that.” I rolled my eyes.

“I’m not fucking Amir anymore either. At least not in the way we were seeing each other before. Just because he burned Reggie’s spot down doesn’t mean anything. I’m sure he did it because he wanted to, and not because he and I are together. I’ve seen over time that he may be crazier than you.”

“Yeah, well that sounds about right for that nigga.”

He thought for a second.

“You know, too bad that ship sailed with you too, because he's a good nigga. I trust him with my life these days. He’s proved time and time again that I can.”

“Yeah, he is a good dude, but I don’t understand why the ship has technically sailed. It’s not like I cheated on him with Hov or anything.”

I crossed my arms and shook my head slowly.

“I’m not saying it’s because of that situation. I just know that he has been with a female a lot lately, and I’m thinking maybe they are trying to build something.”