Page 12 of Next Level
I guess Sunshine is playing outside. With all the soundproofing we have installed, you can’t really hear anything outside from inside the clubhouse. We didn’t want our parties to disrupt any neighbors or even our own homes.
“Let me go talk to Sam. I’ll let you know. Just go spend time with her now.”
“She’s a teen, for God’s sake. She doesn’t want to hang out with her Gma.”
I can’t say much because it’s true. Sam usually only wants to hang out with her friends or play video games.
“Okay, Ma. I will. Go have a drink with Bruce at the bar.”
She gives me a quick kiss and wanders over to Bruce, who’s talking to Tamara. I turn away from them and head outside.
Once I open the door, I hear Sunshine playing her tunes over on the picnic table. Several people are dancing around her, but my girl and her friends are right in front of her. “Drench” by AYYBO is playing.
I move toward them, bouncing my head to the sick beat. The bitch can play.
Dawg is dancing behind her and doing a little bit of footwork. I look around, realizing the older members are now inside. I should have known.
I take a seat next to Zip as he lights up a cigarette with his Zippo lighter.
“I see the old timers went inside.”
He takes a drag of his cigarette. “Yeah, when Sammie started requesting EDM stuff, they took a trip to the bar to let her get her groove on.”
Lazy and a few other older members like hearing country or soft rock, not this electric music.
Jay appears next to me with a fresh beer, and I thank him.
I love all music, so it doesn’t bother me. I spot Tink and Cracker across the way, sitting in the sun. I smile at her, seeing what kind of mood she’s in, and when she grins back, I relax.
Yep, she’s a good one. No drama.
Sunshine drops her next song, “Disconnected” by James Hype and Tita Lau, before turning around to Dawg, who hands her a drink.
I like this for him. He’s been chasing this girl for a while. She’s always on the go, DJing from place to place. I don’t know what will come of this, but he’s smitten with her.
Zip exhales and asks, “So, Tink good with Trouble being here?”
Yep, Trouble is her new nickname for sure.
I raise my beer and, before taking a drink, I say, “It looks like she’s okay. We’ll see when Tam and Tink are in the same room together.”
Zip doesn’t reply, taking another big drag of his cigarette.
“I’m not with either one of them. They both know it. It’s up to them to act right, or they’re gone. Out of anyone, Tink knows that. She’s been around all of us long enough to know we don’t put up with any bullshit.” I watch Tink converse with her friend.
Zip exhales, still not saying anything.
So I continue, “Plus, Tink and I are friends. Yes, we have fun, but we’re friends first and foremost. Tam is the one who’s on thin ice. She’s the one I would worry about having a problem.”
Zip huffs and finally speaks up. “Well, brother, for your dick’s sake, I hope they do, so it can keep getting laid regularly.”
I lift my beer to salute him. “Fuck yeah. Cheers to my dick getting laid regularly.”
We clink drinks, taking a swig.
“Pops!” Sam yells.
I look over to see my girl smiling big as she dances around.
