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I didn’t feel like talking.

“Aye, bruh, who was that?”

“Man, nobody important.” I slid my phone back into my pocket.

“Uh-huh.” Kendric laughed. “Probably that lil’ bitch I was talking about.”

“Nah. It was my pops.”

“What the fuck he want?”

“I don't know, nigga. You just watched me send his ass to voicemail.”

Whenever my pops called, he ain't never really want shit. Most of the time, he was checking up on me or asking how the business was doing like he had investments in this shit or something.

He didn't.

My folks didn't help me build Jefferson Security & Risk Management. I did that shit on my own. I saved my money, put it toward what I wanted, and built my shit from the ground up. That was something I took pride in.

I didn't like depending on anybody for shit. In my experience, whenever motherfuckers helped you, sooner or later they came back wanting something in return.

“So, you gone call him back and see what he wanted?” Kendric asked.

“Probably not.”

“Man.” He shook his head. “I think you should. You know yo' pops getting older. Nigga probably just tryna spend some time with you and shit.”

I looked at him for a second before shrugging. “I'll think about it.”

“That's all I'm saying.”

We chopped it up for a little while longer before I finally called it a night. Kendric and I dapped each other up, then I walked him out and locked everything down behind us.

I wasn't thinking about fucking with my pops right now. I'd hit him up later, once I had a chance to relax and clear my head.

By the time I made it home, I was ready to do exactly that.

I went straight upstairs, turned the shower on, and stepped underneath the hot water. I stayed in that bitch long enough to wash away the sweat from training and most of today's bullshit before getting out and throwing on something comfortable.

Once I made my way downstairs, I poured myself a glass of wine and grabbed one of the blunts I already had rolled. I sparked that shit, took a couple pulls, then settled back and finally let myself relax.

For the first time all day, nobody needed shit from me.

And that was exactly how I liked it.

My phone started ringing again before I could take another pull from my blunt.

I glanced down at the screen.

Pops.

“This nigga,” I muttered.

I let it ring twice before finally answering. “What?”

“Good to hear your voice too, son.”

“You called me twice. What's up?”