Page 57 of Into the Blue
Chapter 18
“You trippin’ for real.” I look at my friend across from the diner table. There aren’t many food spots for miles around the warehouse besides this one. Since we’re going in for a long day, it’s best we eat before. I haven’t been here in a while because I’ve been caked up with Racquelle at my spot for several weeks.
Something I’m not at all sorry about.
I know a lot of my people eat here, so it’s not uncommon for a couple of us to be here at a time. We might be the reason this place is in business since it’s so far on the edge of Clayton Terrace.
Like today, I recognize a lot of them in the booths having their own conversations. Vert, Marcell, and Geno are in the booth behind us eating, but still watching for any signs of trouble.
The cracked green leather of the booth squeaks as Redd fidgets, readjusting how tightly he has his arms crossed. I don’t care how tight he crosses them. I’m not getting involved with that.
“You have no issue with your brother going after Steph? What the fuck?” Redd’s skin is light enough that his flush of frustration is apparent under the multitude of freckles and to the tips of his ears. I know he hates it, but it is telling about just how much he does have a thing for my best friend.
It’s not my fault that he hasn’t made a move or something.
The waitress drops off my steak and eggs on one plate and his Southwest omelette with extra hash browns on the other. I start shakinghot sauce onto my eggs, ignoring Redd’s attitude. “About to be forty-one years old. I'm too old for that mess. Why would I?”
“Man, so am I.” I can see the smoke coming out of his ears. Too many thoughts abouthis womanwith another man. But, we both know that’s not his girl. “It’s not right,” he says, taking the bottle of hot sauce from me for his own eggs.
We both eat in silence while the noise from the diner continues around us. It’s not that I don’t care about my friend’s feelings. It’s just that I don’t actually know anything ‘bout that.I hate speculating.That shit is annoying. He’s been high-key stalking her, but I have zero clue to what end.
I just thought he was a cracked nut.
All of us are a little fucked up to be able to do what we do on a daily basis. His crazy is probably no better than mine.
Only different.
Ain’t no way my girl could be with some other dude. He’d be DOA if he tried to get close. That’s his fault for not locking shit down sooner.
“Guess I feel some type of way that they didn’t tell me, but it ain’t my business.” I put a hand on his shoulder, leaning over the table. “And really. I don’t give a fuck.” When Tony was at the house the other night I figured he had reached his wit's end, but I didn’t think he was gonna try to get with somebody that quick. Definitely didn’t think it’d be Steph of all people.
Kinda surprised she went for that.
“You ain’t shit.” Redd says. “What if your brother dogs her? He’s all tied up in Colton’s baby mama.”
I wipe a napkin over my mouth and set it on my empty plate. “Yea, not my problem. She’s grown, can make her own choices.” I shrug, prepared to leave the diner and get back to business. Then I realize, “Aye, I could go down there with her and check on this man to see if he is makin’ the moves he’s supposed to.” I scratch my chin. “Yea, it’s a good cover. And I can see what’s up with T.”
He glares at me, shoving the last bite of eggs into his mouth. My men wouldn’t dare give me shit. But Redd is crazy and often plays cavalier with his life.
“That doesn’t make you feel better?” He doesn’t respond and I drop a couple bills on the table. Standing from the booth I wait for the guards to do the same. To Redd, I shrug again. “Shiiit. It’s done now. I’m gonna talk to her on the ride there.”
“I’m comin’,” he asserts, standing from the booth, too.
“You’re not. Need you here to hold everythin’ down. We can’t both be gone right now.”
He crosses his arms again, shouldering out of the building. “Man, what the fuck?”
“Soo, you and lil’ bro?”
Steph looks like someone has struck her. “Are you really going to do this?”
“I am,” I say, watching her every now and again as she checks herself in the visor in the rental. The flight wasn’t long, but I spent that time working and she did the same. Now, she’s primping and shit to see Tony. “How long you been creepin?”
“It’s not like that. Your brother is very respectful,” she says, giving me a look that impliesI’m not.
“Oh. Unlike me?”
Her eye roll is a tangible thing though I have my eyes on the road.“ Unlike any of you and your people. Redd included.”
