Page 30 of So I Know it's Real

I almost dislocated my thumb, moving at lightning speed to press on her profile picture. The volume on my phone was up, so her voice erupted through the truck from where I sat in the backseat. From what I could tell, she was showing off perfume and jewelry. The pieces didn’t look real, but fucking with me, she would have the real thing real soon.

Why are you on the internet without wearing your ring?I wrote in the comment section.

A spark flashed in Clover’s doll-like eyes when she realized it was me. “Buttah, cut it out. You know it’s getting resized.”

Her playing into the gimmick made me smile.

I told you it was delivered this morning.I typed back.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m waiting for you to put it on.”

I’m on my way.I commented.

She shook her head and giggled. “You are too much. Clovers,” she said, addressing her viewers. “I’m sorry about that. I’m just joking with a friend.”

Stop lying to these people, mama. You know I don’t like repeating myself.

“Nigga!” Loso peered at me from the driver’s seat. “You’re back there with your feet up. You must be talking to a bitch.”

“Don’t confuse Clover with the nightcrawlers you mess with. I’ve seen them around the clubhouse. Those bitches are bums.”

“Damn! One second, you’re turning down pussy from Junie, and the next, you’re turning up on your brothers. All this, and you haven’t smashed.”

I remained silent, but when Ishmael spun around and narrowed his eyes between the headrest and his seat, I fell out laughing.

“Bro, stop looking at me like that. You look like a creep.”

“I’m going to be a creep that’s a lot richer if you slip up.”

“Shit is already different,” I declared. “I like Clover…a lot. She saved my life, and she’s been popping up ever since.”

Loso scoffed. “You should feel even worse. She saved your life, and you’re playing a game with her.”

My even gaze turned into slits. “I think about Clover’s smile when she isn’t around. Her scent is stuck in my nostrils. I won’t even talk about how I feel watching her care for her kids. Nothing about that is a game to me.”

Loso’s head jerked back. “Wow. I guess people can change. I never thought I would see the day you would get married.”

“Married? I didn’t say all that.”

“Well, Clover seems like the marriage type. If you don’t lock her down, someone else will.”

With no regard for his driving, I scooted behind Loso’s seat and put him in a headlock. The car swerved between lanes, making us rock from left to right.

“Let him go, idiot!” Ishmael rushed to grab the steering wheel.

I snarled then slapped Loso’s in the back of his bald head. “Like I said, watch your mouth when you’re speaking on her, Mr. Clean.”

“I swear to God I’m going to beat your ass when we get to the clubhouse! Dumb ass!”

Clover

When I See You

“Boys! Come in here for a second! I need to speak with you!”

Tatum was at the door first, wearing a grin while Pierce crept up with a frown.

“What’s up?” Tatum lifted his head.

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