Page 36 of Makai

“Oh, you giving this nigga the blunt because he’s yo’ brother? What about my brother?” Lawe asked, turning in my direction.

“Nigga, you got a chip on your shoulder or some shit? He’s closest to me. That’s why I’m handing him the fucking blunt. Damn. You so worried about your brother hitting the blunt, then give him yours.”

“Fuck you.”

“I’m good on that. I like pussy. Sorry.”

“We see. I was worried for a minute.”

“You ain’t never worried if I like pussy. I done had my fair share, nigga. My shit exhausted.”

“Is that why you brought that nice woman on this trip with you?” Ledge spoke up, clearing his throat.

I nodded, confirming his suspicions.

“What’s her story?” Milo asked.

“Same as ours,” I revealed.

Silence coated the space we shared. Malachi was the first to speak.

“Trauma bonding or are you—”

“Nah. I didn’t know that until today. But maybe it explains my instant connection to her. Only motherfuckers like us know how that feels. Maybe I did know before I truly knew. I don’t know and neither do I give a fuck, for real. I like her. That’s really all that matters to me.”

“You like somebody? Nigga, hell must be freezing over.” Lawe sniggered.

“Must be,” I agreed, accepting my blunt from Malachi. “I’m just trying to figure out what the hell I’m doing. I don’t want to string either of us along. I stayed away as long as I could. In my line of work—shit, y’all already know. No weaknesses. Niggas prey on those.”

“She doesn’t have to be a weakness, Makai,” Malachi explained. “Aeir, she’s strength. My strength.”

“And then there’s that, man. I stay away from anything serious, man. Dodging that shit. I’m fearful of the reality you once fa—”

“What happened to Anna will not happen to her,” Malachi assured me. “Anna was an angel, Makai. We all knew it. God needed her up there more than I needed her down here. He wanted her back. That’s all there is to that situation. Keep Glacier far, far away from your world and you’ll be aight.”

“Agreed,” Ledge added.

I gazed in her direction. As if she felt me, she turned toward me. The same silly smile that was plastered on her face earlier was back. I felt my cheeks fluff as I shook my head.

“Look at this nigga. This nigga pussy whipped!” Lawe belted.

Whipping my head around, I corrected him. “I ain’t slid in that shit yet but I can tell by the way she walk, it’s thunder.”

If it’s anything like the top she gave me, it’s lethal.

“I hate it for any nigga that crosses her path after I do. Get my bail money ready.”

“Can someone find the screws this nigga missing?” Milo laughed.

“Nah, ’cause I’m with this nigga when he’s right,” Lawe cackled.

Malachi tilted his head, agreeing.

“My shit already in a separate account. Halo is precious to me. Anybody, nigga or female, try her, I’m not letting up off ’em. I’m cool on a lot of shit, but my wife isn’t one of ’em,” Ledge told us.

“I’ll burn this city to a crisp ’bout Kleu. Berkeley knows that, too.”

“Don’t act like you ain’t gon’ be ready to hand in your license if a nigga play with you ’bout Nocturnal.”

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