Page 36 of Heavy Is The Crown

“…Maintenance.”

Jay-1 choked mid-laugh, coughing. “Nigga, what? So, you out here fixing sinks and unclogging toilets now?”

Kenyatta sucked his teeth. “Laugh it up, nigga.”

Nub, who had been through his fair share of struggles, tilted his head. “You cool with that?”

Kenyatta exhaled. “It’s money. It’s legit. And it’s a start.”

Tez finally spoke up, voice smooth. “That’s some real shit, though.”

Jay-1 still wasn’t convinced. “Man, be for real. You really think that nine-to-five shit gon’ keep you straight? You touched real money before. Now you just gon’ be okay with scraps?”

That part stung. But he knew what came with it. Kenyatta exhaled. “I got a daughter, nigga.”

That shut Jay-1 up real quick. He nodded slowly. “A’ight. I get it. You tryna stay out the way. But let me ask you this; who running the spot?”

Kenyatta hesitated. “…Krys.”

Jay-1 and Nub both squinted. “Who?”

Tez questioned. “Gas station bae?”

Kenyatta affirmed. “Yeah.”

Nub frowned. “Wait—hold on. Gas station what?”

Jay-1 turned fully toward Kenyatta. “Nigga, what the fuck is Tez talking about?”

Tez chuckled, shaking his head. “Long story short…Kenyatta met some bad-ass shorty at the gas station the other night to duck the police. Now she ‘bout to be his boss…Ain’t that a bitch.”

Jay-1’s mouth fell open before he cackled loud as hell. “Wait, wait, wait. So, you working for her now? A bitch you just met? That’s crazy.”

Tez chuckled but then leaned in slightly, his tone more serious. “That remind me. I heard some shit about the little situation y’all got into the other night.”

Kenyatta’s smirk faded. “Yeah?”

Nub nodded; his voice lower. “Some K9 shit.”

Silence. The energy shifted.

Even Jay-1, who always had something slick to say, grew quiet. Because you didn’t throw that name around lightly.

Nub took another swig of Henny, rolling the bottle in his palm. “Heard a lil somethin’ ‘bout that. Word is, K9 had something to do with your seven-year bid too.”

Kenyatta’s jaw tensed.

Jay-1 shifted uncomfortably. “Damn, for real? You sure?”

Nub nodded. “I ain’t saying K9 personally did it. But if K9 gives the green light on something, it don’t get questioned.”

Kenyatta didn’t respond because deep down he knew Nub was probably right. Again, this was a rumor that had always been in the air, but now it seemed as if it was being confirmed.

Tez tried dismissing it. “That’s just what niggas saying in the streets. It might not even be true.”

Jay-1 sucked his teeth. “Man, fuck that nigga anyway.” But his voice lacked conviction.

Kenyatta exhaled sharply. “I don’t care about none of that. What I do care about is Jay-1 pulling me into some bullshit.”

---