Page 86 of Love me Like XO

Within seconds the phone hung up and I could feel Zero’s eyes on me. I didn’t immediately look his way. Instead I glanced around the suite like room. It was nice, shit too nice. It was like something you saw in a TV show instead of a Chicago hospital.

“This is ni?—”

“The maternity suite. My auntie cursed their asses out this morning.”

I laughed. “Did she?”

He nodded, standing from his seat to go over, and cut the light off.

“This pregnancy is beating my ass.” I really wanted to cry, because that much was true. I’ve never really been the crying type, but lately I’ve found tears escaping my eyes a lot. These damn hormones.

Zero

She looked so fucking miserable, and it wasn’t shit I could do about it. No way I could make it any better, so I took my hoodie off and climbed into the bed with her. Once I had her frame pulled against mine, I began to speak. “I know this hasn’t been easy. One issue after another, but baby you got this. You strong as fuck, and resilient and we got this. No more hospital visits until it’s time for them to be here.”

She cried for a little while longer, but when she stopped we were good. When Malik and Ree got here with the food, a nigga was ecstatic on the inside because she was smiling. She needed that, because all this other shit had been stressing her out.

Malik and I stepped out of the hospital for a minute so he could roll and we could face one. Grateful as fuck he had something on him because I needed something.

“I had them dump Celia at one of those black spots,” he reminded me.

“Don’t know why.”

“Because after the video Gram just sent her brother, he’ll want his sister back.”

I chuckled.

“Fuck catching them lacking, we just get him where it hurts.”

I nodded. “I’m down with whatever gets this over with.”

“Good and I had Rikov looked into. The man ain’t shit but a bitch for the pigs. Low pay grade ass police at that.”

I laughed. “Bet.”

We talked and smoked for a while longer, before I was on my way back upstairs to baby girl. With Ree in her face she had nothing but smiles, which was good. She needed shit like that.

“So, you’re telling me I can’t throw you a baby shower?” Ree was sending a serious ass mug in her sister’s direction. It was obvious she wasn’t feeling that.

“Isn’t it up to me? I don’t want a baby shower, Taree.”

“Shit, I want one,” I interrupted the intense moment on purpose, because when Em wasn’t in her feelings she could be a grouch. Those were surly her words and not mine.

“Well aren’t we both glad you’re not carrying them.” Em’s eyes were burning a hole through my fucking skull.

“Well you’ve been outnumbered. Zero wants a baby shower, too, so you’re gonna suck it up.”

Empress refused to say another word, instead she crossed her arms across her chest, but before she did that she was sure to flip me and Taree off.

“Y’all bet not be in here fucking with my sister.” Malik entered the room a few seconds later reeking of the shit we’d just smoked.

“Ain’t nobody messing with her mean ass.” Taree stood, allowing Malik to sit before she sat on his lap.

I couldn’t quiet the thoughts that loomed my mental. We just needed to put more action behind some shit with less distraction. Georgio needed to be gone like yesterday, and Rikov as well. Though Malik didn’t think we should worry about him, I didn’t need the underestimate anybody in this game.

We all chilled for a while before Malik, and I found ourselves headed out to get food. Em had me on crave runs twenty-four seven at home, so this was nothing different. Shorty claims she wanted a brownie in some fucking ice-cream.

“Did old girl ever tell you where Georgio hung?” I asked.

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