Page 74 of Memphis

“Nah, I know I ain’t shit. I deserve whatever I got coming to me. Memphis, though? She’s good at this shit. The best, actually, but she shouldn’t be in this business, and you know it.”

I nodded. “You’re right, she never deserved this life, and hell, I don’t deserveher. Think what you want, but I love her, and that’s real.”

“I can see that, but don’t hurt her again. I amnotplaying with you.”

“I ain’t tryna lose her. Last thing I’ma do is hurt her.”

He stood to leave. “Good.”

“And Ray?”

“Yeah?”

“I might be down right now, but I ain’t no punk. Don’t forget that.”

Hegavemea smirk and left.

Fucking hot head.

“Hey!”Umber shrieked, pulling me into a hug. She was passing the unit’s restroom as I exited it.

I jumped. “You scared the shit out of me. Hey, though.”

She laughed. “Crazy timing, right?”

“Yeah. What’s that?” I asked as I led her to Bo’s room.

Holding up the bag she held, she said, “Some vegan soul food. I know you’re trying to eat healthy now, and no, I didn’t cook it.”

“Thank God,” I mumbled.

“I heard that,” she uttered.

“You heard what?”

She rolled her eyes at me as we entered Bo’s room.

“Look who’s here,” I said to Bo.

He looked up and smiled. “Hey, Umber. Here to see if my old ass is still kicking?”

Umber laughed. “That, and I wanted to feed your wife.”

Bo’s eyes softened. “I appreciate that. I’ve been worried about her.”

I frowned. “Uh, you’re the nigga who got shot. You have no business worrying about me.”

“Worrying about youismy business. Always has been,” Bo said.

We locked eyes for a moment, and I swear I’d all but forgotten Umber was in the room with us until she sang, “Awwwww!”

Glaring at her, I fussed, “Girl, shut up.”

“Why you tryna walk so fast?You should’ve let me get a wheelchair. They got a couple in the lobby. So fucking stubborn,” I hissed as we rode the elevator to my apartment.

“I been out the hospital for less than an hour and you ain’t stopped talking crazy to me yet,” he said, wearing a stupid grin on his face.

“Because you keep saying and doing dumb shit. First, you tried to drive. Then, you wanted to carry your ass back to the scene of the crime and let the damn Italian protect you all on his own instead of staying in my apartment.”

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