TAKEN

Feelings...

August

Squatting to the ground, I balled my right hand into a fist and blew into it. I gave it a shake before releasing the set of dice within the circle that me and the rest of the niggas present had formed. I may have been the dude people in the streets talked about having so much money and being on such a high pedestal, but I was still a hood nigga, nonetheless. I may have made my way past serving on the streets, but that didn't keep me off 'em. I was always down to fuck with a crap game on the block with some of my niggas from around the way.

Plus, after the incident the night before with Kody, I was sure to make a quick exit when morning came. I even skipped out on breakfast at the crib to avoid talking about the shit, 'cause I was more than positive that Kody was gonna come questioning me, wondering what it was all about. I wasn't up for it. It was bad enough that I was allowing shit to go down with her that I wouldn't dare let happen had it been some other braud. And honestly, I didn't know why. I just needed a minute away, to get my head back - and I planned on going by my momma to see about her and my nieces anyway.

It went silent as the dice hit the pavement - up until they stopped spinning, showing that they'd landed on the equivalent of seven. An array of different reactions were exclaimed amongst the group of men.

"Seven, nigga! I told ya' I was gon' get it up out'cha." I grinned, looking up to one of my workers, Ghost, who was brave enough to go against me. His dreadlocks swung as he let his head drop in disappointment.

"Damn!" He grunted before letting out a chuckle. After grabbing the crisp bills from the cement, he reached them to me. "You a lucky bastard, man."

I laughed, pushing it away. "You good, bruh. I'ma let'chu keep ya' money. This time. But, next time I'm leavin' wit'cha whole fuckin' pant pocket in my hand. Buh'lee that."

Laughter erupted within the group as I rose from my squatting position to my full 6 feet and one inch after grabbing my money from the pavement. "Psh, we'll see." He responded, giving me dap. I moved aside, allowing some of the other dudes to get a game going. Adjusting my snapback on my head, I observed the busy street from its beginning to its end. In my line of work, it's mandatory to watch your back and your front. But, since I'd had a couple run-ins with niggas who wanted my head, I made sure I was the most cautious I'd ever been. You never know who's plotting.

Sully came to my side, looking around as well. He decided to roll through with me, since he was still trying to get word on the street about his sister and her whereabouts. I still hadn't found it in me to tell him that I'd seen her. We didn't come with any security, so we were both strapped - as always. I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and pulled it out to see I had a new text from Kat.

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Kat 💦👅👄

You been MIA, babe. Imy. My place tonight? 😏
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I decided on not replying and slipped it back in my pocket. I hardly ever passed up nights with Kat when I was available, but shit was changing. I wasn't feeling it like I was before, for some reason.

I leaned against my car - I was pushing the Audi that day - folding my arms over my chest.

"What's the move today?" Sully asked taking a blunt from behind his ear and pulling a lighter from his pocket. He lit it and took a pull.

"Shid... I can't call it, man." I replied.

He extended his arm, reaching the blunt to me. I shook my head, "Nah, I'm straight. Goin' by my momma house when her and the girls get outta' church. Don't want the smell on me." I looked down at my gold Rolex, checking the time.