Page 21 of So I Know it's Real

“Exactly. I don’t want to speak to you.”

“Why not? Because you’re fucking with that dude from the party?”

I entangled my arms over my chest. “No. I just don’t think we’re on the same page. You have too much going on while having nothing going on.”

Davis’s busted lip twisted into a ball. “Fuck you! I don’t want a janitor on my arm. Plus, you’re boring. You already have kids, and if you eat a few more burgers, your belly will be as big as your ass.”

Though he read me down, I maintained a grin. “If you don’t leave my property, I’m going to call your worst nightmare over here.”

“Call him! That fool doesn’t want you. He spit that hot shit to get under my skin.”

I ignored Davis’s heavy breathing while I called the number Durk dialed earlier.

“What’s good, Lucky?”

“Hi.” I grinned at Davis. “I…umm...have a pest at my house that will not leave. Can you help me get rid of it?”

The line went quiet. Then Durk’s deep laugh flooded the speaker. “Lucky, baby, is the bitch boy I’m going to kill at your house?”

Davis opened his mouth, but I quickly said, “Yes.”

“Do you have me on speakerphone?”

“Yes.”

“Davis Jerome Jones.” Durk hollered his full name. “I thought me whupping your ass was enough for you to crawlinto a hole, but I see I have to end your life for you to really disappear.”

Davis stepped back as if Durk was in his face. “It’s not like that, man. My people already let me know about you. We may be family. My third cousin—”

“Is a bitch I don’t give a shit about!” Durk yelled, causing me to shift against the doorframe. “You got three seconds to get off my wife’s doorstep before I set your mama’s house on fire.”

The threat was overkill, but Davis backpedaled like he believed it was true. With no shame, I waved as he scurried away with his face twisted into a mean mug.

“Thank you for that.” I sighed. “Davis has never been this persistent. I’m sure his ego is just hurt.”

“The next time he comes over, do not open the door. Just bang my line.”

“I don’t think there will be a next time, but I’ll keep that in mind.”

Although most of what Davis said rolled off my back, some of it stuck. The comment about me being boring ran on replay. Motherhood realigned my priorities, and I lost myself in my to-do list. I didn’t know who I was outside of being a mother, a daughter, and an auntie, but I was going to make it my business to figure it out.

Durk

Say Yea

“I told you niggas you can’t beat me! Being a loser ain’t in my blood!” I taunted Playa and Flip as we raced down Pentel block, driving over 120 miles per hour. Street racing at The Showdown in the daytime never gave me the thrill I got at night, but the money I earned from side bets was enough to make it worthwhile.

I refused to give Playa the chance to take the lead, so I switched gears and cut him off, only easing off the gas once speculators came into view. The crowd sang my praises when I passed the stop sign, but I didn’t have time to gloat. My happiness spun into disbelief when my eyes swept over a curvy woman with a dimpled smile. The adrenaline that once doubled my heart rate evolved into something more peaceful. I had been tearing shit up at The Showdown for seven years. I had never seen Ms. Jesse’s daughter in my neighborhood.

The members of S.O.E, their ladies, and a few nightcrawlers circled around my Grand National after I pulled up behind Church’s bike. Everybody was on their fly shit, rocking all black and wearing a letterman jacket, jersey, or vest displaying our club’s logo. While my folks celebrated my win by poppin’ bottles,I hopped out of the car and surveyed the audience, but Shiloh’s skunk-headed ass interrupted my search.

“Durk! You got that look in your eyes. I know you’re not looking for a broad instead of collecting yo’ bread.” He smirked. “There’s no way you’re going to win the bet by moving like that.”

“Who are you looking for?” Ishmael asked, joining the conversation.

The smile that eased across my face prevented me from telling him to mind his business.

“Collect my bread for me. I’ll be back,” I announced, already walking in her direction.

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