Page 39 of A Toxic Redemption

"Bet." I pulled away from my mama. "Keep the old lady company for me." I grinned as a frown came across my mother's face. "Girl, don't look like that. I know you still like this nigga."

"What can I say? I got the juice, son." We chuckled as Ceaser popped the collar on his dress shirt. This nigga really thought he had it like that.

"You're definitely his son." Mama rolled her eyes. "You're both delusional."

"Come walk me out." I nodded toward him, and Ceaser followed me outside. It was nightfall, and the air was brisk as fuck. I almost turned my ass around and went back inside. "Watch out for my mama for me. Mia is going to keep KJ for a few days, and I need to handle some things. Keep her mind off the bullshit for me."

"You don't have to worry about her." Ceaser looked me in the eye, and I could see the seriousness. "I know I fucked up in the past, and despite what Kaine said, my intentions are pure. With both of you."

"Look, we ain't gone bond overnight, and I have to wrap my mind around all of this shit. Stuff is coming to me back-to-back, and it's time I dead all things in my way. This shit is the icing onthe cake. I gotta holla at my cousins about their mama, though. Your sister or not, I'll smoke that bitch."

I looked Ceaser in the eyes so he could know where I was coming from. It was hard for me to kill Kaine, because he was my brother so I know he felt a way about his sister. I've never been a man to let my problems fester, so now it was time for me to face them head-on. He could understand me, or he could lay down with them. The choice is his.

"Just be careful, son." He patted my shoulders. "If you need me for anything, just know I'm here. I don't plan on leaving unless you guys want me to."

"I'm not a dumb ass nigga, and I see the looks you and my mama share. Just do right by her."

"Say less." My father held his hand out for me, and for a moment, I just looked at it. Was I forgiving him for the past? No, but I was willing to move on to the future if we could, not for my sake, but for my mama's.

"I'm going to call and check in tomorrow." We embraced before I made it over to my truck. "Y'all be easy."

I watched Ceaser go inside and sat in my ride lost in my thoughts. Shit was about to get sticky for me, and I pray I make it out of these situations with my sanity. If it wasn't one thing, it was another, but I was ready to face all of this and get rid of anybody who didn't mean me or my life any good.

"Fuck," I hissed as I stumbled out of my car and up the stairs. I know I should have just taken my ass home, but here I am. Today has been one of the most chaotic and stressful days I've ever had, and sadly, I know it's just the beginning.

Knock. Knock.

"Who is it?" she yelled from the other side of the door. I remained silent because if she opened this muhfucka up, she would find out. "I swear to you, this twenty-two doesn't miss, and if you don't open your fuckin' mouth and answer—" She swung the door open and paused, "Khalil, what are you doing here?"

Gently pushing her to the side, I moved past Lucky and into her apartment. The faint smell of cooked food still drifted through the air, and my stomach began to growl. Although I was hungry, the alcohol flowing through me and seeing her in those tiny ass boy shorts made food the last thing on my mind.

"You act like you're not happy to see a nigga." I chuckled as I plopped down on her couch. "I told you I was coming through."

"And I told you I would think about it." Lucky closed the door and locked it behind me. Folding her arms across her chest, she made her titties sit up higher in her sports bra that I so badly wanted to take off. "Again, what are you doing here?"

Honestly, I don't know. I intended to go and confront Bino and Jake about their trifling ass mother, but I ended up at a nearby bar instead. One shot led to another, and I was blitzed. Instead of possibly going to start shit with my family or going home like I know I should have, I ended up at Lucky's apartment complex.

"I just wanted to see you." I eyed her as I bit into my bottom lip. "You know, kick it with you and see how your day has been."

"And what if my family was still here? What if I had male company?"

"Your stepmother likes me, so I know she would have gotten pops on board. It's cool. He'll love me soon, too." I winked as she frowned slightly. “As far as male company, I would have definitely beaten his ass and dragged him up out of here.”

"Speaking of fighting..." she arched her brow and took a seat beside me on the sofa. Well, she tried because I eased her rightinto my lap. "What happened to your knuckles? They appear to be bruised."

I simpered as she picked my hands up and eyed them before dragging her eyes back to me. Lucky would notice some shit I wanted too badly to forget about.

"My hands met my brother's face again today." I chuckled, although there wasn't a damn thing funny. The shit was bothering me so damn bad that it was driving me insane. "The nigga was disrespecting my mama and shit, and I couldn't have that. You would think he would have learned his lesson after my father knocked his ass out of his shoes."

"Wait a minute." She reared her head back and looked at me with wide eyes. "I know y'all weren't over there cutting up like that on Christmas." She swatted my arm and mugged me slightly. "Your mother told me about her plans, and she was really looking forward to having all of you over. What happened?"

For the next hour, I explained to Lucky what all went down at my mother's house. She chimed in when needed, but for the most part, she let me vent and get my frustrations off my chest. Once I was done, we sort of sat in silence and let the words I spoke float through the air.

"Uhm, wow." She broke the silence as she stroked my cheek. Gripping her waist, my dick was hard as a fuckin' brick. The thing is, though, I didn't want to fuck her. I mean, I would definitely take her down right now if she wanted me to, but I enjoyed the feeling of having her this close. "That's a lot of heavy shit, 'Lil."

"Tell me about it." I chuckled and pulled her closer to me. She didn't even resist as she laid her head across my chest. "What's bothering me the most is I know I'm going to end up killing my brother."

"Your mother will be crushed."

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