Page 12 of Honey's Special Roux

“They do in my romance novels.” I pouted.

I wanted to enjoy the thrill of kissing a boy, but Jenifer’s questions forced me to think about the consequences of my actions.

“I don’t want to freak you out, girl, but you should definitely be careful. Don’t get too attached without knowing what he wants. Set boundaries if you have to. We’ve seen women crash out behind men who never put a title to things. Remember when Karla and Trent’s drama went viral around school? We called her dumb as hell for giving her heart to a man who was fucking college girls in his brother’s dorm.”

“I hear you, Jen. I’ll be careful.”

My mood had turned sour, and all I wanted to do was go home and escape to the fictional romance world. I hated how conflicted my feelings had become after one conversation.

This is why Granny Janie told your fast ass to leave that boy alone.

My stomach churned at the thought of breaking my promise to Granny. She had to understand, though… right?

“I’m justa young nigga on the block, watchin’ the clock.” TK rapped to the instrumental playing from the car speaker.

“Yeah!” We hyped him up.

“Niggas know not to fuck wit’ me. Fuck around and get split in three.” He continued.

“Nigga, that shit was ass.” I interrupted his rhymes.

“It’s always a hatin’ mothafucka in the mix. When I get us out of the hood, I don’t want to hear shit.” TK paused the music since I’d messed up his flow.

“Marq is already out of the hood. My boy is in a nice house in the ’burbs now. Katy, Texas, ass nigga,” Mouse added.

I chuckled. “It wasn’t by choice. I’on’t even be at they spot much. You see where I’m at today.”

“You dumb, to be honest,” Mouse stated with a shrug.

“Huh? Why?”

“If I were you, I would have washed my hands of this street shit soon as I got a bed of my own in a neighborhood far from this one. You basically got a fresh start and came back to the hood that took your mom and got yo’ pops on the run? Dumb shit.” Mouse lifted the blunt to his lips.

“Nah, facts. We doing this shit to survive. You got people who want to see you be better and opened their home to you.”

I frowned. “Who the fuck are you niggas?”

“Man, we might be hoodlums, but we are smart hoodlums. Personally, I’m not interested in doing this shit forever. That’s why I’m trying to get into music. My pain can make money.” TK shrugged.

It was rare for us to talk on such a deep level. I couldn’t lie; it made me reflect on my choices. I was lucky I didn’t get caught up in the foster care system or become homeless in the streets after my mom died. Uncle Chance and Aunt Dee were very generous and didn’t have to let me stay with them.

“Look at these lame ass niggas.”

The unfamiliar voice brought me back to the present. My gaze landed on three block boys. They were looking for trouble with their shiesty masks on. I hadn’t gotten into a good old-fashioned fistfight in months. After I’d pissed off Uncle Merlot, he punished me with block work. I didn’t give a fuck, though. It gave me opportunities to kick it with the guys.

“You must want to die today,” I said nonchalantly.

I rubbed my hands together as my eyes darted between the three dudes. I could take them all down by myself, but my boys wouldn’t let me handle it on my own. If one fought, we all fought.

“Nigga think because his crackhead ass mama dead, he the hardest?—”

BOP.

I swung my fist forward and punched the reckless mouth that had something to say about a situation he had no clue about. As soon as I felt his lip split from the pressure of my fist, I saw red. It was like a fuse blew in my head as I crashed out on the dude.

Time seemed to slow down as I focused on causing the most pain possible. All the slick-talking bitch could do was curl up in a fetal position as I kicked him repeatedly.

With wild eyes, I finally stepped back and took in the scene. The young man was unconscious and covered in blood.

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