Page 33 of Another Constant

She didn’t respond at first. “Sometimes. He doesn’t indulge like they do. We don’t do nothi?—”

“He feels their sentiments?” I didn’t want any sort of explanation from her. Jewlz was for anybody looking to party. I knew that, which was why I only kept her around to get my dick wet from time to time.

She shrugged. “I don’t know. We don’t talk about you when we’re together.”

More laughter. “Bet.”

“And what is that supposed to mean, Kinga? Like for real. I told you I wanted to be with you and you laughed at me. I gotta explore my options.”

I shook my head because I wasn’t up for this discussion. “’Preciate the heads up, Jewlz.”

“So that’s it? You’re just dismissing me like I’m a basic bitch.”

“What else do you need, Jewlz?” I heard my phone ringing but my attention was on her.

“You know what, nothing. Let me know if you’re coming through later. I really miss you.” She was gone a few seconds later. I fetched my vibrating phone from my pocket and answered.

“Yo.”

“Fools told me to hit them when I’m in their city yet don’t even answer their line for real.”

I pulled my phone from my ear and looked at it. The name read Rennix, bringing a smirk to my face. Funny thing was we’d only met because we happened to be at the same vacation destination about five years ago when me, Sora, and Nine were taking some time away from the city. I said Rennix aloud, calling my cousin, and both him, his twin, and Nine looked at me. I thought that shit was odd as fuck because who just named their son Rennix? Apparently my auntie and their mom.

“The fuck you doing out this way?”

“Checking in with my family. Shitty ass city. What are you on?”

“Tonight nothing, I’m taking it in,” I responded, knowing he could party.

“Old ass. I’ma be out here for a while, so I’ll get up with you.”

“Bet.”

We hung up just as my brother walked in the door trailed by my niece.

“Damn shorty, these braids are tight,.” I complimented my lil baby who looked up at me and beamed.

“Thank you.”

“Where y’all headed?” Sora stopped a few feet from me.

“Home to grab some shit, then to Harlem’s spot.”

As soon as I said that he had a big, stupid ass smirk on his face. “Harlem, huh?”

“Get off that.”

“Get off what? I’m just saying. One minute she’s in here causing hell and the next she’s bringing you lunch and you all up in her grill. You got something you wanna tell me, brother?”

“Nah. Mind your business.”

“Hell nah. Wait till I tell Nine about this. You out here talking shit but done up and got tender over lil fine shit.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at his stupid ass. “I’on know what you talking about?”

“Yeah you do. It’s all in your smile. You like her.” He was taking too much joy in his assumption.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

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