Capri Martin
It didn't take me and Q long to make it back to my place. After eating, we walked the food off for a good 15 minutes. Next thing you know, we were back at my house and ready to K.O. School was stressful and based on his demeanor, his day had him stressed as fuck too.
He still has yet to tell me what went on but I was gonna let him settle in before he vented. I knew it was coming.
"You so quiet today. You was feenin to see me but ain't say not one word since we ate." He spoke up.
"I could say the same about you."
"But this ain't about me. I'm askin bout you. Then we could worry bout me."
"I'm tired." I shrugged.
He pursed his lips to the side, not buying anything I had to say. "What else?"
"You know. Same shit. This situation with my parents and Miss Brenda over there. And...Sam."
"Sam? What beef you got with ha?!"
"No beef. We're just not speaking right now. We got into an argument about what happened at the party, why she wasn't there for me until it was too late. You know? And then she started bringing up you and how you weren't safe for me. And how she didn't like your attitude." I vented.
"Well ion know if you want my opinion. Cause I'm bout sick a Samaria and the rest of ya luh crew."
"At this point, you might as well tell me."
"They seem genuine and like they want the best fa you but...they show it in a weird ass way. They don't like me, I get it. No one likes me at first. But it's been too long and they just gone have to accept me and you roll together. If they don't, fuck em."
I loved Sam and Z but maybe Q was right. If they couldn't accept who I was dating then...maybe we needed a break. And if it weren't for the Micah situation, I would try to see eye to eye with them. But that just gave me more reason to not wanna speak to them. Period.
"It's just a lot going on Q. And I don't know what to do anymore. I need a nap."
"I feel you ma."
Entering my house through the front, I prayed my dad wasn't home. I wasn't able to face him after what happened. I was doing everything in my power to avoid him. Shit was just so awkward right now. Keeping secrets and knowing what he does when no one was around...it's just too much to handle right now.
"You ever be feeling unsafe?" Q questioned out of the blue. "Like when I ain't around?"
"No...I mean...I feel lonely. But when you're not around, I feel pretty secure."
"Hmm."
"Why?" I questioned, putting my keys in the door.
"I just feel like I ain't doing all I can. I could be doing more to protect you from my lifestyle." He explained.
I couldn't help but laugh to myself. "I feel pretty protected from your lifestyle. Trust me. You don't tell me enough anyways."
"I- I do tell you shit."
"So what happened today?" I questioned, hoping he would open up to me.
Making our way into the house, Q followed me into my living room. Then like that, we plopped down on the couch with weariness.
"Come on. Tell me what you got on your mind." I sighed, laying my head on his chest.
Laying his head back on the top of the couch, he stared into space and really thought about his answer.
"You really wanna know?" He questioned.
I nodded my head, waiting to hear about his day.
"Promise not to trip."
"I promise." I nodded, grabbing his big ass index finger with my entire hand.
Hesitating before speaking, Q looked around then leaned in closer to me. "I killed a nigga today. A very, very important nigga."
"You what?" I gasped, not expecting that at all.
"I told you not to trip!"
"I'm not! I'm not! I'm just...taken back. What happened? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine...for now. But he was gone kill me and Eli anyways. Over drug money, and the fact that he knew about the first nigga we killed. Remember he was fuckin with him and his people."
"I don't know how you do this shit Q." I sighed.
I really didn't like the fact that he had to go through this. I didn't want anything to happen to him. He didn't deserve that. He deserved a normal life. But him killing this dude could possibly cause something bigger to happen. A bunch of people could be after him and shit. It was scary.
I didn't even know the seriousness of the situation because he downplayed everything. But I was sure enough to know, this might be one where I would be exposed to the ugly side of his life. Which kind of scared me a lil bit. But I swore I would stick beside him.
"I don't know how I do it either. Usually I wouldn't...but I just snapped. I blacked out. And you seen me black out before. I kinda lose control and let my anger take over." He explained. "I wouldn't stop shootin him. Nigga been dead but...I couldn't stop. It was lowkey scary."
"Did he say anything that triggered you?"
He took a deep breath before answering. "He threatened to hurt you."
"HURT ME?! FUCK I DO?!" I exclaimed, before he covered my mouth with his hand.
"Shut up! Loud mouth ass! He threatened to hurt you because he knew you was fuckin with me." He explained, keeping his hand over my mouth.
Taking his hand off of me, I continued to speak in a calm tone. "That's actually kind of scary...how did he even-"
"Look. Don't even worry bout it Pri. He's taken care of. And I bought me and Eli some time before his people even get the chance to do anything. You're good and I'm good."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm 1000% sure. Yeen gotta worry bout shit. I gotchu. And I know you got me."
Taking his hand, I squeezed it and held on to him tightly. "I could help you get away from all this."
"Get away from what?"
"You know...all this. We could- we could take a trip somewhere. I don't know. Get you away from this life style. Money isn't a problem. I could use some of my college savings and we could figure it-"
"Hell nah! How many times I got to tell you...I can't leave this shit even if I tried. And you right Pri. Money ain't no problem. It's the shit I'm leaving behind that is the problem. There would be too many loose ends to tie up."
I looked down at my feet and bit my lip. I knew I shouldn't have even mentioned anything about us picking up and leaving. I already knew that was going to be his response.
Lifting my head up with his finger by my chin, he forced me to look into his eyes. And when I did, he gave me the most reassuring face he'd ever given me.
"Look. Ima be aight. You gone be aight. We gone be aight. Okay? Stop stressin. I always find a way."
"You sure?" I smirked, knowing this boy had me.
"I'm sure." He smiled, planting a kiss right on my forehead. "Nah let me eat it. Get ya mind off things."
"I- no!" I giggled, pushing him away.
"You the only girl that don't never wanna get ate. What is wrong with you?! Come here." He laughed, pulling me in closer to him by my waist.
I sucked my teeth. "At least not in here. Anyone could walk in!"
"Let's give em a show!"
"Give who a show?!" Someone spoke from the distance.
I never seen Q scoot away from me so fast. And when my dad walked in, that made more sense.
"Nobody!" I answered abruptly.
He squinted his eyes, putting his hands on his hips. He'd still been in his work uniform so I was almost certain he'd just gotten home. Only thing that wasn't on him was his gun and I could only assume why. He didn't wanna scare me or Q.
Q wouldn't flinch and me seeing what I've seen in the past month, I wouldn't either.
"What are you doing home so early?" I questioned.
"On break. Which explains why I'm still in uniform." He chuckled, staring back at both me and Q.
"You look cool as hell. Not gone lie. But I still don't fu- mess with 12." Q joked.
My dad laughed with him, pointing his finger and sitting opposite of us on the other couch.
I wanted this nigga to leave us now. Mostly because I wanted Q to split me in two but also because this was weird! Given the last couple of days, it was so odd being in the same room as him.
As much as I tried to get my mind used to the fact he had a whole other lady, I just couldn't.
"So how are you two?" He questioned.
"We good." Q answered with his happy ass.
"As hell." I added.
"So y'all good as hell?" He asked.
"Yeah." We spoke in unison.
For a few seconds my dad stared at us as if we were hiding something. But when he figured we weren't, he continued speaking.
"Well I'm glad the both of you are here. I have a little gift for you two." He smiled.
"Gift?" I asked, sitting up in my seat.
"Kind of a late birthday gift." He shrugged, reaching into his back pocket.
My dad pulled out two movie tickets and handed one to me and one to Q.
"They were originally me and your moms but I didn't realize I got em the week she was supposed to be on her business trip." He explained. "They're yours now. Movie of your choice."
"Damn mista Martin?! It's one of them 4D theaters too?! I can't take these." Q commented.
"I can't do nothin with em. They're yours." My dad chuckled, getting joy out of Q's reaction.
I looked down at the ticket in my hand and traced my finger over the logo. I thought about how fun this'd be. How my dad was actually giving me a chance to go on a real date with Q.
But another part of me felt guilty. That this was just blackmail to keep me quiet. Which in a way it was...but at the same time why would I care about my moms feelings? When she clearly didn't care for mine.
"Thank you." I smiled, looking up at him.
My dad instantly smiled back and winked at me. "No problem. Just let me know if you need anything."
"I will."
"Good."
"Good." I nodded.
"Good." Q smiled, taking my ticket and taking a picture of both of ours side to side.
He was loving the new privileges that came with my dad being nice to us. Didn't blame him. He never got to have any of this stuff. So despite the situation, I wasn't going to stop him from enjoying himself.
"You better have her back before 10." My dad spoke in a stern tone. "Q..."
"Hmm?! Oh that's no problem."
"I was just playin! But I like that you were willing to get her home so quick."
"Of course mista Martin. We wanna keep Pri-pri safe either way. And I ain't no regular boyfriend."
"He's right. He's the boyfriend from hell." I joked, nudging him in the arm.
"You gone do me like that?"
"Did I lie?"
"No you didn't. But you ain't have to say it in front of yo pops like that. I'm tryna maintain an image here." He chuckled, nudging me back.
My dad sat and watched us bicker, laughing with us and just enjoying this lil bit of company. For a second I almost forgot that everything was so awkward. But when he opened his mouth, it all came back to me.
"Q you should stay for dinner. I'm ordering out tonight."
"I could stay I guess. Play the game with Cole till you get back." He shrugged.
"Yeah he should be home soon. And maybe after dinner, I could drive you home. Cause I get home after dark."
"That's cool with me. Ain't nun like a free ride." He scoffed, shrugging and putting his hands together.
He was too much. Couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.
"You know what Q?"
"Hmm?" He responded.
"You remind me of me when I was ya age. I was just like you."
"Oh really?" He chuckled.
I couldn't help but snicker a lil bit too. Cause my dad did not kill niggas and sell drugs at Q's age. He may have acted like him sometimes but they were not alike.
"Yeah." He laughed, standing up from the couch.
"Where you going?" I questioned.
"I gotta start heading back to the station. Lunch is over in 15." He sighed, walking over to me.
"Oh okay." I sighed.
Before anything else could be said, he leaned in and kissed my forehead. Grabbing both sides of my face, causing my hair to pull down.
I scrunched my face up and waited until he pulled away.
"I love you. See you later. Okay?"
"Love you too." I smirked.
"Love you mista Martin." Q joked.
Rolling my eyes, I turned to hit him but he'd already had it blocked. Probably knew I was gonna do it.
"Ion love you Q but...be easy." My dad chuckled, leaving the room.
Once he was gone, both Q and I made sure the coast was clear before we moved back next to each other.
"Thought ya old man'd neva leave. Come here." He smiled, leaning in to kiss me.
Caressing my cheek, he kissed me slow and passionate. Like he'd been wanting to do it all day. I held him by his wrist and from there, we just got lost in each other's mouths.
***
Q Grey, 10:45pm
hours later
Not gone lie chillin with Pri calmed my nerves OD. More than weed ever could. I ain't even smoke since I popped shoota and I was coolin.
I mean a nigga anxiety was still very much there. I felt at any moment me and E was gone get ambushed and shot down. But after ha pops bought us pizza, after me and ha brother played 2k, and after we watched a luh movie I was straight.
Even ha pops droppin me off to the crib was a vibe. Wunt awkward like I thought it was gone be. We just played some music and called it a day.
But now all that was over. It was back to business and it high key killed my mood.
Leaning against the glove compartment of Eli's car, I filled in the last answer to my homework then put it back in my folder. Pri gave me all the answers of course and I couldn't thank shawty enough. She was really bout to get me through the year no fuckin cap.
Thanks to ha, I had a chance to walk across that stage.
"Chu fillin out?" Eli asked me.
"Homework." I sighed. "I missed school today. Member?"
"Oh that's right. I be forgetting you a scholar and shit."
I sucked my teeth. "You stretchin it. You know I ain't no scholar."
Before we could continue the discussion, Eli came to a slow stop. And when I looked up out of the window, we was right in front of his friend Trey's crib. His mama's crib to be exact.
"Aight we here." He sighed, putting the car in park.
I took a deep breath, stuffing my folder right into my bag. Capri gave me this girly ass folder. With hearts n shit on it. But it was better than stuffing my work into my bag without one. Which is what I was doin before.
"How many suitcases we takin in?" I questioned.
"Just one. That's all I brought."
With all the money we made, we needed bout 3 suitcases to put it in. But only having one was crazy. Either this shit was bout to be mad heavy or we ain't bring all the money.
"That's all the money?" I questioned.
"Nah."
"Where's the rest?"
Eli took a deep breath, furrowing his brows. "Home man. Come on."
"I'm confused."
"Look man...when we go in there...don't tell Trey n Mari how much we made all together." He warned me.
"Okay?"
"And keep quiet with the Shoota thing, aight? They don't need to know we killed him just yet."
"I wunt gone say nun in the first place."
"Good."
Taking my seatbelt off, I stuffed my bag under the seat and hopped out of the car. Eli did the same but went to the trunk and grabbed the one suitcase he told me bout.
Then we walked down the side yard of this nigga house. Dude lived in the basement just like Eli did. Ion know what it was bout niggas and livin in the basement. I ain't like that shit.
Once we reached the door, Eli knocked on it 5 times exactly. Just to let him know it was us. And when he finally opened the door, we all dapped each other up without sayin a word.
First thing that hit me when I walked in was that weed smell. Knocked a nigga to the ground damn there.
And when I got down the stairs, there was henny bottles everywhere and Damari sitting on one of the couches. Drinking from the bottle like an animal.
I know these niggas piss was rank. Yellow as the sun and could be smelled from miles away.
I still gave him a nod though. Eli dapped him up then took a seat on the couch opposite of him.
"Y'all want sum to drink?" Trey asked.
"I'm good." Eli answered. "Q?"
"If you got a water bottle, that'd be cool."
"Nah. No water bottles. And my mama said we can't have none of the ones upstairs cause she ain't get ha food stamps yet. We got henny tho."
"I'm good." I sighed.
Sitting on the couch, I pulled out my phone until we got to business. I really wanted to see what Eli was bout to tell these niggas. If he had any bullshit up his sleeve. Which I know he probably did.
"So what's the word?" Mari spoke up.
Niggas eyes was hanging so low, he probably wasn't gone comprehend shit Eli was finna tell him.
"We finished with Shoota." He responded.
Trey sat next to me "What? We ain't fuckin with him a sum?"
"Nah we just done." I shrugged. "We made back nigga money and now we finna split it up. Me n Q cool off dealin fa a while. That shit gettin old."
"So what was y'all cut?" He questioned.
I cleared my throat, waiting fa Eli to cut in.
"He gave us 50 g's outta everything." He spoke. "So we gone split it evenly, four ways."
That was a whole ass lie. We made half a milli. Half one million fuckin beans. Wunt no way Trey n Damari was gone buy this. They helped us a lil bit but they deserved more than what Eli was bout to cut them.
"Cool. So how much we get?" Mari asked.
"$12.5k." I answered.
"Damn okay. Scholar." Trey joked.
Mari snickered at his remark. "Like how he do that without a calculator?"
"He in school, remember? He smart now." Eli answered.
"Whew! We ballin like muh fuckas. I ain't never touch that much money before!" He exclaimed, dapping everybody up.
Trey was equally happy too. But the fact that Eli was lyin bout the money, was kinda fucked up. I wunt gone say shit though. We had enough problems as it was and these was his friends so I ain't care. And if they was happy with that amount, they was happy.
"Yeah niggas. We eatin good tonight." Eli chuckled, opening up the suitcase and counting the stacks.
He had to be pretending cause this whole ordeal was premeditated. He prolly knew how much he was gone give these niggas since day one.
"And shoota ain't tight he lost customers?" Mari asked, watching Eli count the money.
"Nah. He straight. Said we was free to go. He got his cut and we got ours."
"Fire." Trey nodded.
Taking a deep breath, I watched as everyone eyed that money in the middle of the room. Eager as fuck to get they hands on it. But I was the only nigga that could care less. Didn't mean shit to me.
***
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