Page 76 of Another Constant

“Won’t you, Harlem?” Aja asked, still hugging her.

“Yeah, baby girl, whatever you want.” She hugged her back with one hand and went to grab her purse.

“Yo, you sure you don’t want me to tell Blaze another time?” I asked, eyes locked on her holding the fawn-colored puppy Sora and Blaze wanted to buy. It was about that time for the puppies to be leaving and my baby was ecstatic because she knew she needed a break. Two litters back to back was enough to wear anybody out.

“No. We can go there, then I need to stop by my house. I look like a little boy because I’m running out of things to wear over here.”

“Then just like I told your ass last week and last month, move in.”

She kissed her teeth. “And I told you I don’t want to break my lease.”

I shook my head. “Then you’ll be packing a fucking bag every week until that motherfucker is up. That is, unless you want me to go see them for you.”

Her eyes bulged briefly, then she shook her head with a quickness. “Nope.”

“Good, then handle that shit before I do, baby.” I stood up from the arm of the couch and moved toward her to take the puppy. “I’ll meet y’all in the truck. We’re taking the Range.”

“Thank God,” I heard Harlem say behind me. She hated my Jeep because she said it was flashy and too fast. That was funny to me because though the electric blue was a bit flashy, it was possibly the slowest thing I owned.

Harlem and Aja met me in the car ten minutes later. Aja holding her bookbag for school and Harlem just holding her purse.

On the way to Sora and Blaze’s spot was lil mama’s school, so that would be a quick drop-off if I was lucky and not behind the bitch in the chocolate Odyssey with a kid for every fucking grade. I questioned if her ass even had cable. Being behind her made my drop-off an extra twenty minutes every time, because why the fuck did she have to kiss all her kids on the cheeks as they got out of the car? She had about eight kids, meaning by the fifth those lips were dry as fuck and scratching the fuck out of those kid’s faces. I honked at her ass every time.

For the duration of the drive, I couldn’t help but take Harlem in. Any time she was in the car with me, or near me, I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. She was my whole fucking heart and didn’t even know it.

“I see your best friend is behind us.” Harlem’s voice broke into my thoughts as I pulled into the drop-off line.

“Man, fuck that lady.” I pulled into the drop-off spot to get out and let Aja out.

Harlem laughed and I was about to get out when Aja’s door was opened for her. I looked out the back window, and of course it was Sabastian, smiling and grinning.

“Good morning, Aja.” He greeted her which had me about to get out of the car and grab his little ass by his head. “Good morning, Ms. Harlem. What’s up, old school?” See… the lil nigga was testing my gangster and didn’t even know me. The fuck type of shit was this? I was about to get out of the car when Harlem grabbed my arm.

“Bye, guys. I love you.”

“Leave them alone; he’s just helping her out of the car.” Harlem had the nerve to have a smirk.

I side eyed her then looked in the mirror and saw Sabastian throw his arm around Aja’s shoulder as they walked into the school.

“I’ma see his little ass.” I nodded, knowing I was gonna catch his little smooth ass during pickup.

Harlem laughed just as the lady with the chocolate Odyssey honked behind me. I had half a mind to flip her off but I didn’t feel like hearing Harlem’s mouth.

“What are you gonna do if we have a daughter, Kinga?” Harlem asked on the way to Sora and Blaze’s house.

“Fuck you mean? She’s going to an all-girls school. I don’t even have to worry about that.”

“And when she gets older?”

“What do you mean? She ain’t dating until she’s at least thirty-five. No earlier. Just like Aja isn’t either. That lil nigga Sabastian keeps trying me, but it’s cool, I’ma yoke his ass up.”

Harlem laughed. “Bye. They’re just kids.”

“Hell nah. That lil disrespectful motherfucker knows what he’s doing. Gonna call me old school. I’ma show him old school.”

Harlem’s hand found the back of my neck, fingertips easing between my locks. “I’m sure that’s not necessary, baby.”

“Yeah it is.”

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