Page 4 of Sugar Baby
“He mention him having my money?” I continued.
Rhakeem shook his head. “He didn’t say either way.”
My teeth gritted and I released a long sigh. I was irritated enough having to chase down this small debt. It was about the principle though. If I let this youngin get away with not paying me, others who owed more would think the same too.
I heard loud music blasting before the sound of tires on gravel. I looked back and saw Dre’s truck. He and Michael hopped out with empty hands, and all I could do was chuckle to try and release some of my frustration, because I knew these motherfuckas weren’t about to come and tell me theystilldidn’t have my money.
“Boss man,” Dre greeted, pulling his dreads up into a bun. He immediately got to work helping while Michael stepped in front of me and spoke for them both.
“Before you get mad, you gotta hear this shit.” My head bobbed once for him to continue as I crossed my arms and tilted my head. “So we finally track lil homie down at this party a few blocks down. We’re about to put belt to ass, literally, since he’s so fucking young. Before I can take my shit off, I hear a rack being slid back.”
Now . . . my interest was piqued. Holding my hand up, I kept him from continuing. “Someone pulled a gun on you?”
Michael chuckled. “Yeah, but this is the funny part. When I look up, it’s a yellow tiny ass pistol. Apparently the girl was his cousin, but she came out to save him. She also offered to pay his debt, but she was working or some shit and didn’t have the money on her, so I told her she had to pay tomorrow.”
Squeezing the bridge of my nose, I exhaled what I needed to be a calming breath. Seeing as Tyreek had been dodging my team for the past month, it was time for me to handle this shit personally. He nor his cousin would be leaving tomorrow without paying me my fucking money.
“Send me his number,” I said. “I’ma set up the meeting myself.”
“Aight, cool. And after you see his cousin, I’m curious to know what you think. She’s pretty as fuck and?—”
“You talking ’bout the lil chick that pulled on us?” Dre confirmed.
“Somebody pulled on y’all?” Rhakeem questioned.
“I wouldn’t have let her get away with it but she pretty as hell,” Michael said. “She got the prettiest eyes and lips. Damn.” He licked his lips and rubbed his stomach, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Ain’t no woman fine enough to risk losing your life. You let a woman distract you with her looks long enough to put a bullet in you. You better be glad she didn’t,” I scolded after my laughter died down.
“I felt like she wasn’t going to pull that trigger,” was what Michael said, but Dre shook his head and said . . .
“Nah, I got the opposite vibe. I feel like she really would’ve pulled that shit. Maybe not to try and kill us but to keep us from hurting Tyreek. She was pretty as fuck butshe got a little roughness to her. Plus, as loud as her slap to the back of his head was, I know them hands got a little power in ’em.”
We continued to talk and break down the last table before closing the truck and heading out. I hated ending the day without my money, but otherwise, today had been a successful day. Now, I was ready to check in on Mama before going home to chill for the rest of the day.
Chapter
Three
SUGAR BABY
It was Sunday, which meant family dinner day. Unlike usual, when I left here, I’d have to meet with someone to pay Tyreek’s debt. He thought I was playing about giving me the weed, but I took it expeditiously. The only difference between it and what I got from the dispensary was the taste and it was slightly stronger. Usually I’d get a pre-roll with a gram and be good, but with this shit, I didn’t even need to smoke a whole blunt to feel the effects.
I didn’t smoke often, mostly when I wanted to relax after a long day. The weed and a long, hot shower was enough to wash all my worries away. If I felt like leaving the house, I could get the same effect by going to the beach.
As Uncle Tony and Aunt Terry made small talk, Tyreek’s eyes were on me. I tried to figure out what was on his mind without him having to actually say the words. His fork tapped against the plate that held his peach cobbler. With ahuff, he sat up in his seat and blurted, “I’on wanna go to college.”
Oh.
Okay.
I guess we’re having this conversation today.
Aunt Terry’s mouth snapped shut and Uncle Tony’s eyes widened. Clearing my throat, I took a sip of my sweet tea. I’d have his back if needed and would also try and talk him into getting a degree of some sort. That was always my place in the family—being the balance and standing in the gap.
“You plan on opening your own business?” Uncle Tony asked.
“I’m not sure what I want to do. I just know I don’t want to do that.”
