Page 43 of So I Know it's Real

“Yes! I don’t need you to babysit me. Go find your cousins and speak to the rest of your family.”

She moved to walk away, but I pulled her back before she could get too far away. Clover’s glossy lips bent at the corners when I lifted her chin and sucked on her lips. Everything around us was invisible when she clung to my waist.

“Don’t be gone too long,” she whispered, breaking our connection.

“I got you, pretty.”

I waited until the ladies were on the other side of the yard before I searched for my squad. They weren’t hard to find, considering the group was posted up under a tree, staring in my direction. Although they weren’t related to Mama Jo, they were the first to confirm their attendance at her party. They loved her as much as I did, and you couldn’t tell them or her they didn’t share the same blood.

Only inches away, I noticed the scowl on Shiloh’s face. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“We need to talk,” he replied as he took off toward the garage. Back in the day, I would know what I did to piss my big cousin off, but today, I was clueless. Tattoos, Clover, and tattoos had been my focus. Aside from what happened at the marijuana cafe, I hadn’t been in any shit.

“All right, man. Spit it out,” I griped once Shiloh, Ishmael, O’Cyrus, and Loso were in the room.

Loso’s bald-headed ass stepped forward like he was about to press me. “Little muthafucka! You owe us some money.”

I grinned, realizing what theissuewas. “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t owe you nothing.”

“The hell you don’t. We’ve been watching you and Clover since y’all got here. There’s no way you haven’t fucked her.”

“I mean…I didn’t fuck her. She fucked me. At least, that’s how it went the first time,” I gloated, recalling the way Clover rode my dick.

Prepared for the moment, I dug in my pocket and grabbed the knots of cash I separated before I arrived. “I could’ve played y’all.”

Shiloh chuckled. “No the hell you couldn’t have. It was obvious y’all been doing more than going on dates and dancing on TikTok for the world to see.”

I shrugged. “I’m not ashamed. Clover saved my life then saved my heart. I’m not worried about what people I don’t know think about me.”

Shiloh thumbed through the stack of bills I handed him. “I guess the bet did some good. You found your lady, and I won a bag. A win is a win.”

“I would say so.”

All eyes raced to the door where Barbara stood with her arms crossed. The sight of the seasoned stallion made my heart race. She called me a few times after I ignored her during Fellowship Day, but I declined the calls.

“What can we do for you, Ms. Barbara? The ladies are inside the house taking shots,” Shiloh explained.

“I’m not looking for the ladies. I’m here for Durk. I didn’t mean to interrupt. The conversation was getting good.”

My top lip reached for my nostrils. “I don’t know what youthinkyou heard, but it’s none of your business.”

“Maybe not mine, but your little girlfriend would probably want to know your relationship is based on a bet.”

I bolted in Barbara’s direction faster than anyone could stop me. I yanked her into the room then pressed her back against the door.

“Durk, chill out!”

I ignored the warning and slapped the space inches from her face.

“I don’t give a fuck what your birth certificate says. I will send you to Jesus before I let you run your dentures.” I growled.

“That’s enough, Durk. Give her room to breathe.” I heard one of my folks walk up behind me, but I didn’t acknowledge them. Air shot through my nose as I sized up the threat.

“You heard what I said,” I warned.

“I’m not afraid of you, Durk. You thought it was okay to threaten to tell people my business. It doesn’t feel good now, does it?” Barbara boasted.

Despite the bass in her voice, Barbara scurried away when I stepped back.

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