Page 79 of Next Level
“That’s fine. One hour. Thank you for doing this,” I say genuinely.
The officer says, “Yeah,” and hangs up.
Nut is the first one to speak. “What the fuck.”
“It’s been a crazy couple of days, brother. Welcome back.”
He shakes his head. “Sounds like just in time.”
We all laugh.
Zoom chimes in, “This Officer Wilkerson seems like a legit dude. I’ve done my research, and he’s busted some pretty big deals up there.”
“As long as he’s on our side, I don’t give a fuck,” I explain. “We’ve got an hour and then everyone back in here.”
Zip throws open the door. “We’ve got Trouble.”
Everyone is up on their feet. “What?”
Zip says over his shoulder, “Your ma and Trouble just came through the gate, and they’re driving up to your house.”
Fuck!
Everyone’s out the door. Some head for the front door, and I proceed to the back. I’ll sprint to my house.
Sammie is hugging my mom, and Tamara is moving toward Cherry, coming out of the house.
Christ. I move my legs faster.
I can see they’re having words. Ma has Sammie in her arms, holding her back.
That fucking bitch did this on purpose.
I scream, “Cherry.”
Cherry turns her attention to me, and I realize my mistake the instant Tamara moves to attack.
Tamara takes a step toward Cherry, but out of nowhere, Tink’s behind Tamara, pulling her hair and yanking her back from reaching Cherry.
“You fucking cunt,” Tink yells, and Tamara screams, grabbing Tink’s hands.
Cherry jumps back as Tink throws Tamara to the ground.
Tamara is screaming for help as Tink scrambles on top of her, hitting her. “You’re a fucktard.”
Zip and Lip are hopping off their bikes as I arrive, coming through the treeline. Cherry runs toward me.
I embrace her for a second before putting her behind me as I charge toward Tamara and Tink, but I stop when I see Zip and Lip have them apart.
Tink’s yelling, “You fucking twat. You fucked with the wrong bitch.”
Tamara is fighting back. “He ain’t yours or that fucking bitches. He’s mine.”
Rage. Pure. Rage runs through me.
I don’t even acknowledge either of them. Instead, I head straight for my ma, who started this bullshit. When she notices my rage is directed at her, she lets Sam go, who runs into Cherry’s arms behind me.
“Now, son,” she says, lifting her hands and smiling. “I didn’t know:
