Page 102 of Smoke

“Your father and uncle… how do they coexist with being on different sides of right and wrong?”

“My pops was on the same side as my uncle at one point. Some shit went down, and he decided he couldn’t be a part of that life anymore. He wanted to focus on helping those who can’t help themselves. I guess to answer your question, they don’t preach to each other about what they do. Uncle Blake is always down to help out if we need him. My siblings and I just don’t cross over to that side of family business. The only illegal substance you’ll catch us with is weed.”

“Weed a plant, not a drug.”

I grinned as I looked at her. “You smoke? Get the fuck outta here! I can’t see your innocent looking ass getting high.”

Then again, I didn’t know she sucked dick like a porn star either.

“I’m not as innocent as you think I am, Devin. I’ve lived a little. Me and Renay?—”

“Say less. I know that heathen is the life of the party.”

Romi mushed my head. “Not too much on my sister.”

“Nah, look at her and Shar.”

I pointed them out as they twerked on each other to “Say I Yi Yi” by Ying Yang Twins. Maceo stood off to the side, shaking his head at his pregnant wife. I had to laugh because he knew who he married.

Romi laughed. “I can see her and Shar becoming the best of friends.”

“She’s already adopted her into the fold, I promise you that. My cousin Jakobi wants to holla at your sister.”

“Really!”

“Yeah, man. Talking about he would wife her and shit.”

“Well, what’s he like?”

“Kobi is a real chill nigga. He doesn’t do too much. He’s laid-back until you make him have to sit up and lean forward, if you know what I mean.”

“I don’t know… Renay is… extra as hell. She needs somebody to match her energy.”

“I don’t think that is always the case. I mean, look at me and you. We’re different in most ways, but I fuck with you. You bring out something different in me, Ro.”

She smiled. “Like what?”

“Being gentle and shit. I’m an aggressive nigga by nature. You have me cuddling and doing all this cutesy shit. I let you give me a facial the other day, woman. You went in the kitchen and whipped up that crack. My skin ain’t ever felt so smooth.”

She laughed. “You see why your brother comes to me? I know what I’m doing. I don’t play about skin care.”

“You should bottle that shit up and sell it.”

“I actually want to. I’ve been thinking about it for years now. I just have to get my money up?—”

I stone faced her ’cause who the fuck was she playing with?

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

“Romi.”

“Devin.”

“Do you need an investor?”

“What? No. I wouldn’t ask you to do that?—”

“I didn’t hear you ask me for shit. Now answer the question.”

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