Page 89 of A Kingpin's Weakness
RJ sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Shit happens, but don’t beat yourself up. Just be smart now. Go get tested.”
“Okay, Nurse RJ,” I said with a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’m serious.”
“I know,” I said, quieter this time, eyes stinging. “I know.”
“To Jo’s house?” RJ asked, raising an eyebrow.“Yeah, I wanna see Noah. I’m leaving tomorrow.”
I tried to keep my tone even, but it cracked on the edges. I didn’t want to go. Not really.
“Damn, Seth piss you off and now we all gotta lose you?” RJ muttered, shaking his head.
“Hush. I gotta get back to work,” I said, brushing it off, even though my chest was tight. “I’ll come back once summer starts.”
“Bet. Sounds like we turnin’ up this summer then.”
We pulled up to Jo’s spot which was surprisingly quiet. No bass bumpin', no half-dressed dudes posted up on the porch. Just the low hum of her TV bleeding through the windows. A rare peace. Inside, Jo was laid up on her worn couch like a queen on her throne. Remote in one hand, wine glass in the other. She didn’t even look up before throwing shade.
“Stormi, look who remembered she got a mama. Been laid up somewhere with that man, huh?”
“Jo, don’t start.”
I dropped onto the couch beside her, RJ flopping down on my other side.
“I ain’t startin’ nothin’. I know what good dick does to a woman.” She smirked, eyes twinkling with mischief.
I rolled my eyes and looked away, refusing to give her the satisfaction.
“Where’s Noah?”
“He should be here soon. I sent him to grab me some cigarettes.”
My jaw clenched. “He’s seventeen, Jo.”
She waved me off. “Girl, you the only one still worried about that boy's age. Where’s my son-in-law?”
“Who?” I blinked, caught off guard.
Jo raised a brow like I was slow. “Obviously not the dude you walked in here with. The rich one.”
I exhaled, tired already. “That’s all you care about? Money?”
Before she could answer, the door opened and in walked Noah with a friend taller, older, with that street-smooth swagger that made you instantly suspicious and just a little curious.
“Stormi.”
His voice pulled my eyes to his face and softened everything inside me.
“Hey baby.” I got up and wrapped him in a hug, kissing his cheek. “I missed you.”
He shrugged like it didn’t matter, but I felt the weight in his voice. “Yeah, you out the country with that nigga Seth.”
“Don’t start. I needed a break. Too much was goin’ on.”
“It’s cool. You deserve it. Just take me next time.”
“I got you.”
