Page 67 of Another Constant

“Yeah.”

“What you on, fool?” he greeted.

“Shit, just made it in. Finna probably fall into step with this TV until Harlem gets here.”

He laughed. “The words of an old ass man.”

I chortled. “You damn right. I was under three cars today. The fuck you been doing? Staring at ass, right?”

“Probably.” I could hear the smile in his tone. “Not the ass I wanna see though.”

“Not even about to ask.”

“Don’t, instead invite me to dinner, bitch.”

“For what, Ren? What are you on?” I asked with more laughter in my tone because I had a feeling I knew what he was getting at. A few days after his grand opening, he asked me about Caya. Thing was, I didn’t know much about her besides her being Harlem’s girl. So I couldn’t tell him anything I didn’t know.

“Invite me over and make sure you invite Caya. I’m tryna see what was to that but she said I’m a ho. What type of work is that? I ain’t saying I’m not but where the fuck is her competitive spirit?”

I couldn’t hold back the laughter. “And that’s why I ain't hearing anything you are asking. You think I’m trying to beef with my girl on the back end because you tryna slut out her friend? Hell nah.”

“Slut out in the best fucking way. It’ll be the best week she ever had. Tell sis to put that through for me.” He laughed at his own stupidity.

I was about to respond and tell his ass hell nah but I got a notification forcing me to pull my phone from my ear. It was a text from Jay.

BigJay:7 o’clock news.

Me:bet.

I checked the time and it was almost seven, so I turned the news channel on early while Rennix continued with whatever he was damning about. Then, before I knew it, he was telling me he’d call me back. I was right on time because the reporter listed Twan’s death soon after.

“Antwan Davis, twenty-seven, was brutally murdered in the parking lot of a local westside grocery store. No witnesses or suspects at this time. This comes after the discovery of Kyro Johnson found hanging from a light pole in Night territory.”

Like a nut I smiled, because it was time I reached out and handled the rest of this mess, the snake's head that started it all.

My thoughts broke when the front door opened. I looked up and Harlem was walking through the door carrying that plastic crate with three dogs following her. I was impressed how she’d trained Bleu’s ass so quickly.

I jumped up and moved toward her, taking the crate from her hands.

“I think it’s time I go home. Not right now, but probably in the morning.” She set her purse on the counter and moved toward the fridge.

I stopped and turned around, glaring at her. “The fuck you tryna do that for?”

She looked confused. “Aren’t I intruding on your space? I don’t wanna feel like I’m taking up sp?—”

“You overthinking about the wrong shit. Ain’t no need for you to be going back over there unless you pack some shit to bring back here.” I walked the dogs into the under-stair area I elected to put them in when I realized the basement was too cold at night.

“Overthinking the wrong shit. What does that mean?”

I turned around and she was facing the sink, getting water. “Means we have other things to be talking about and you think you about to go back to that fucking house. You ain’t. Now, what’s for dinner? Am I ordering pizza or are you cooking?” Just that fast my mood had gone to shit and I was irritated. The thought of her not being next to me or in my arms at night pissed me off.

She turned around and looked directly at me to respond but Aja’s voice filled the kitchen. “Harlem, you home!” she squealed, running over and hugging Harlem around the waist.

I stood off to the side, watching their interaction. Harlem was so into what Aja said, listening to her little babbling ass. It was cute and made me smile, even though Harlem had just gotten on my fucking nerves with that home shit.

“What are we eating, Harlem?” Aja’s hungry ass asked.

“I don’t know, baby girl, let me talk to your uncle and we’ll figure it out. Can you take Bleu to your room?”

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