LEMONADE|| Keith Powers

Chapter 56: U with me?

"Craig" he called. "Man what do you want" he rolled his eyes opening the door. "Wassup Craig," he said. "Wassup Ricky," he said welcoming himself in. Ricky was on his way out but not anymore. He closed the door watching him look around. "Nice place; I can tell a woman put her touch on this," he said. "Yeah, my ex-wife did all the designing and shit. I never changed it cuz I liked the look" he said. "What brings you here? He asked

"Just checking on you all, wanna make sure you're doing good," he said. Ricky chuckled "As in doing good do you mean like my ABC's and shit," he said. Craig laughed "You're funny kid" he said. Ricky grabbed a cigarette lighting. "Life is funny," he said. "Want to smoke? He offered Craig. "No thank you" he said 

"I wanna help you; I know you in your crew are in some shit even though y'all act like y'all got it under control," he said.

"I got it; I already got a plan trust me. I'm just waiting for the right time to do it. Where almost finished" Ricky said getting in his thoughts.

"Ahh a hard head makes a soft behind," he said. Ricky scrunched his face up at that statement. Craig was a cool guy but he came off too strong with certain shit and it was irritating

"I'm not a child Craig; you don't know the half of what's going on and you expect me to put everything in your damn hands. No disrespect but I don't know you like that "he said

"None taken I understand, just seeing as though I have a little more experience than you. I figured I could help you" he said

"But why? Why are you so nice to me? Out of all of my siblings? You just always gravitate towards with me with some random ass motivational speeches?

"Why not? He asked. Ricky didn't say anything. "Your mother is special to me; I always adored her. Now that we both have to space to love each other. I gotta make space for her children as well. I know you don't have a relationship with Grant. I know how hard it is being 31 and confused people make it seem like when you're 30 you have altogether. I damn sure didn't, I was angry, confused, and mad at the world. I say that to say I'm not your father but if you ever need an old man to talk to from time to time you got me" he said. Ricky wasn't expecting that at all. "Thanks, Craig, I appreciate that," he said dapping him up. "No problem man, Imma get out of here. I'm taking your old lady on a date" he said. Ricky followed him to the door exiting with him. "Word, where y'all going? He asked

"A date, ever taken a lady out on one? He laughed. Ricky sucked his teeth "Of course, but uh don't have her out all night" he said. Craig smirked "I don't think I can promise you that," he said placing on his shades unlocking his white Escalade. Ricky shook his head getting in his Benz

Josie

"SUPRISEEEE"

Josie walked in surprised at the secret surprise party Erica threw for her. Celeste and a few of their mutual friends were there to celebrate with her. There was balloons, cake, pizza, and snacks. "Aww I'm about to cry," Josie said overwhelmed. "I brought my firestick and I got the liquor," Keke said. "Morgan you're just going to have to hang out with the big dogs tonight. You and Jace" Celeste said. Josie put him down letting him go free around their hotel room. "I wanna watch something good," she said sitting on the edge of her bed.

Ricky

He sat on the couch along with Dreux and Rudy in Haram's spot. He definitely was living differently compared to them all. He had women cooking and bagging coke for centimeters from the damn living room. Ricky hasn't been in a trap house in a minute. Its been a minute since he's been back in the hood but you couldn't take that out of him he got real comfortable. "Man, I'm sorry about what went down with your little cousin. Shit is wild out here my condolences for real" he said before being fed by one of his hoes sitting on his lap. Ricky kept in the back of his mind that it's possible that Haram may be up to something but he has to make sure before they make a move. Ricky leaned over grabbing his beer. "Yeah, we already handled who killed them but if somebody else got shit to do with it then it's over for them too," Ricky said looking at him. Haram nodded his head "I understand; shit we with it" he said. "Y'all make numbers? Rudy asked rolling his blunt. "Hell yeah, Britt and Taleah my best girls," he said. Both of them had on booty shorts whipping and chopping it up. One of the girls kept looking over at Ricky but would turn the other way before he saw but Ricky already caught her. He liked being the center of attention for women. "They single? Ricky asked. "Hell yeah," he said