Page 18 of He Thugged Me First

“Drop the bitches and let her know how you feel, fam.”

“Damn, that’s?—”

“Nigga, get off my phone.” I didn’t even feel like having this conversation anymore. Anything I said went in one ear and out of the other with him.

“So what’s up with Gayze?” I could hear his toothy smile through the phone.

“I’on know. Too soon to tell.” I shrugged, just thinking about her beautiful ass.

“Awh shit. Nigga all in love and shit.” He started to laugh. “Remember she still engaged, nigga. Don’t go fucking up a happy home.”

“Fuck outta here. Fuck that unhappy ass apartment.” I mugged the air.

MECCA

“So you’re going to Vegas tomorrow, and you’re inviting me to come last minute?” I asked Justice. I hated when people expected me to uproot my life to fit their needs.

“I mean, yeah. I was tryna?—”

“I can’t go, Justice. I have my sister,” I lied. Truth of the matter is I didn’t want to go.

“I get you. I mean, there’ll be plenty of other trips.” He damn sure didn’t sound too messed up about it.

“What are you—” I didn’t even let him finish the sentence. I was no longer feeling it. Once I tossed my phone onto the sofa next to me, I laughed. Lately I wasn’t me. I felt more isolated andless like I wanted to be bothered. I just couldn’t deal with people and expectations. Every time I thought I wanted to take things serious with Justice, he gave me a reason not to. Then Kasair was just Kasair. I felt like I was in a transitioning stage, like I was evolving. I just didn’t know who or what I was becoming. The sound of keys jingling at my door caused me to look toward the clock. It was almost five thirty, which meant Mazzier was here to get Mel.

“For once you’re on time.” I called out when I heard the door opening.

“I’on even wanna hear it, Mec.” He walked around and took a seat on the sofa across from me.

I glanced at him, and he looked like he was damn near glowing. Then he had an undertone of a smile on his face. “Why are you smiling so hard?” I narrowed my eyes staring at him.

“My business,” he responded just as my phone started to ring.

I glanced down and it was Justice. I ignored it and focused back on my brother.

“Trouble in paradise?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I shrugged. “Hardly paradise. I just wanna be left the fuck alone, and niggas don’t get that.”

He busted up laughing. “Who the fuck raised ya moody ass?”

I laughed. “You, nigga. Anyways, back into your business. Who the fuck put a smile on your face?”

I shook my head. “You?—”

“Mazzi!” Mel screamed, running into the living room and hopping into his arms. At six years old, my sister resembled my brother more than anything. He was indeed her twin. Sometimes it was so odd that we were both so much older, and we had a six-year-old sister. I watched her hop into his arms and hug him before kissing him on the cheek. “Where have you been?”

“I was handling business, baby. You missed me?” He smiled, holding her. I could tell he still felt pain from where he was shot, but he wouldn’t let her see it. He’d successfully shielded Mel from his life.

“Well, I guess. Are we going home tonight?” She was too damn excited.

“Yup. Go get your stuff, baby girl.”

She nodded and trotted off down the hall to her bedroom.

“You saw Gayze, huh?” I asked out of nowhere.

He didn’t respond. He just smiled like a fat kid in a candy store.

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