Page 34 of Rhodes to Love

“It ain’t a number. You work for Watchful Eyes on the side, like Philly,” Ali said.

I gave him a one-sided smile and nodded. “Bet.”

CHAPTER13

KARIMA

“Iknew your ass was riding a horse!”

I rolled my eyes. The twins had FaceTimed Maui, and I was over their asses already. I’d been at home for nearly a week, and I felt like I was dying. The baby was kicking my ass, like she missed her daddy or something. I missed his ass too. Everyone and their mamas had been checking on me, but the one person I wanted in my space had been on a temporary hiatus. I hadn’t been answering his calls, because fuck talking to him. I wanted to see him, touch him, kiss him, hold him, fuck him…

Milana was on the couch with me, flipping through channels and slightly leaning on me. It seemed I wasn’t the only one in a funk, and I could only hope my mood wasn’t rubbing off on her. She’d been here every day, skipping practice, and enduring Aunt Tiff’s scolding. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. She turned to me and smiled slightly.

“What was that for?”

“It looks like you need it.”

She leaned over and kissed my forehead. “In that case, you needed it too.” She huffed. “I’ve been trying to keep my business to myself, but you are the one I talk to that helps give me clarity. Ashanni roots on my foolishness. Then when I engage in the ratchetry, I feel bad afterwards.”

I grabbed her hand, thankful for the distraction from my own issues. “You can always talk to me. What’s going on?”

“I found out Julius was cheating on me some months back. In retaliation, I slept with his brother.”

I frowned slightly, and she said, “I know, I know. I fucked up. They can’t stand each other. They don’t have the same mother, so they didn’t grow up in the same household, but what I did made things worse between them. They keep pulling me in the middle of whatever argument they have, and I just want to be done with both of them. How do I get out of this? I just want peace. I’m tired.”

I put my arm around her, and she placed her hand on my belly. Everyone in the family did that. “You need to get them together and apologize. Be honest about where the breakdown happened that caused you to snap and do something crazy like that. Let them know you no longer want to be a part of what they have going on. I love you, and I hate you’re in this turmoil. Just make sure you don’t go alone. Who knows about this?”

“Ashanni, Jacob, and Jess. Jess knows because Jacob told her.”

“Oh, Lawd. I already know she was hype about it. She strung poor lil Nate along for a while. He was so in love with Jess. I have to admit, I had a slight crush on him. I was too young though. He never even saw me.”

I chuckled then said, “But anyway. Take Jacob and Ashanni with you. Jacob to keep Julius and his brother in pocket and Ashanni to keep Jacob in pocket.”

“Okay.”

She lifted her head and asked me, “What are you gonna do about your dilemma with Rhodes?”

“He’s making all the decisions. There’s nothing I can do about it. If he thinks it’s best that I stay away from him, what am I supposed to do?” I huffed. “I miss him so much. I hate this. When my brothers see me upset, then they’re on go. King said no one talked to him that night at the meeting except Uncle Jasper and Uncle Philly. Daddy and Ali went to his house, though, to discuss some things. Daddy tried to tell me everything, but I don’t want to know. He pushed me away, so let me stay out of the loop.”

She gently rubbed my hand as Angel came and sat next to me. She had a worried expression on her face, and I knew it was because of our facial expressions. I smiled at her. “Hey, Angel. How are you?”

“I’m okay. I’m glad we all could come over and keep you company. You still don’t look happy though. What can we do to make you happy?”

“Happiness is within. I’m happy… I’m just a little down about being away from Rhodes. Apparently, Roselynn is too, because she’s been moving nonstop.”

Angel giggled and placed her hand on my belly just as the baby kicked. Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh my goodness! That’s gonna hurt when she gets bigger!”

“Right!”

I giggled. Angel was good for my soul. Her innocent, childlike demeanor was just what I needed. It was probably what Milana needed, too, because she was giggling right along with me. This was most likely the reason the girls stuck to her like glue. Well, I said girls, but they were in their early twenties now. The twins were probably twenty-four or twenty-five now. They were almost done with medical school and would be interning by the end of the year, since they got their bachelor’s degrees early.

“Milana! That nigga outside!” Ashanni said as she ran to us.

I closed my eyes for a second then said, “Nobody go out there. Call Uncle Ryder and Ryder J.” Turning to Milana, I said, “You are going to have to tell them what’s going on so they can protect you. You did that shit, now own it.”

She turned away. “Karima, I can’t. Ashanni, call SS, Ace, and PJ.”

I frowned. This was going to get worse before it got better. “PJ? You know that nigga is just like Uncle Philly used to be. Why you wanna get him involved in that shit?”

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