Page 115 of Quasim: King Inferno

“Stevie is way too nice. I told her that friend of hers isn’t a friend.”

“She’s grown, Skyler.” Capri reminded her, leading me to believe this isn’t the first time that Skyler had complained about her cousin.

The sun was setting, and the kids were playing in the splash pad with Estella. “She’s so good with kids. The perfect big sister,” I said, as we watched Ryder help Estella step over one of the stairs on the splash pad.

Capri smiled as she watched her. “The best big sister… loves to change poop diapers, too. Talks about Rayce all the time. I know Brandi probably be sick of hearing about my child.”

“That sounds like aherproblem.”

“She had come over to pick Ry up when we first came home from the hospital.” Capri paused while trying to keep her composure. “I was nice and showed her Rayce, and she was talking over her… why Meer told her to back up because he didn’t want her blowing the souls of other children in his baby’s face.”

Skyler heaved as she tried to catch her breath. “Bitch!”

“I almost dropped my new baby because I couldn’t stop laughing… didn’t even mean to.” She swiped away the tears in her eyes.

I screamed into the pillow while falling back onto Skyler. “That man hates her, and it will never end… I know she hate to see him coming.”

After removing the pillow from my face, I saw Quasim walking into the living room. I couldn’t help the smile that came across my face whenever I saw him. “I gotta go handle something real quick.” He grabbed me around the neck, pulling my head back as he dropped a few kisses on my lips.

Skyler licked her wine glass as she watched us. “Damn, think my glasses are fogging up.” She muttered.

Quasim playfully pulled her hair. “Go talk to your man and you wouldn’t be licking the wine glass.”

As if on cue, we heard Estella squeal. “Core-Core!”

She took off running into the house, slipping onto the wooden floors. Skyler jumped up, but not before Core scooped her up as she cried.

“You good mini-Geeky… let me see.”

She pointed to an imaginary boo-boo, and he kissed her knee. “All better, right?”

Skyler walked over and stood there. He looked down at Skyler, and took her in. He missed her, you could tell from the look in his eyes. “Down now… can I go in the water, mama?”

“Only for a little bit before bath and bedtime.” She called behind Estella, who was already outside and not paying any attention to her mother.

“How you been, Geeky?”

“I’m good, Core… stop looking at me like you’re worried about me.”

“Cause I am worried about you. Not understanding why, you wanna get it out the mud when I can handle every and anything for you.”

“I don’t want to get into this ri?—”

He rubbed the side of her face. “Can I at least get one of your hugs?”

She debated on it before she roped her arms around his neck and melted into his arms. Just as much he missed her, she missed him, too.”

I turned my attention back to Capri who had finished her cookie. “Bitch, we’re out… he’s on the move.”

As I was about to explain what I meant, Meer came around the corner. “Be back, Suga.”

She puckered her lips, and he dropped a few kisses as she rubbed his burn on his face. “Be safe, and I love you.”

“Love you more.”

She waited until he rounded the corner before she turned around clapping her hands. “Alright, we on it… always wanted to go on a stakeout.”

I stared at her. “I’m driving.”

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