Page 107 of Real's Love

"Ay, man, I get it. But you gotta let this one ride. Shorty saying this her brother," he interrupted.

My gaze flew to Love where she stood clutching the sheet and glaring at me, tears sparkling in her eyes. She huffed before making her way to the fuck boy currently groaning and struggling to stand. Theory followed her and together, they helped him sit up.

"Everett, what the fuck were you thinking?"

He scowled at her. "Nah, what the fuckyouthinking? I get home at 4 o'clock in the morning, thinking I'ma surprise y'all and be here for the family reunion next weekend. I start talking to some of the farmhands and PawPaw. I hear some big, shady looking niggas done come on Miller property sniffing around behind yo' ass. Then, Danny's ass won't say nothing, but I can tell he ain't feeling this shit. I came to warn these niggas. I thought you were gon' move more carefully this time, Ev?" he thundered.

A frown stole across her pretty features, an expression of hurt, and her tears spilled over. I took a step forward, about to finish what I'd started on this nigga's head.

"You fuck up her brother, ain't no coming back," Targen muttered, stopping me in my tracks.

"I did everything Prime and I discussed. And you know Prime checked them out before he let them set foot on the farm. But nothing gives you the right to bust in my room holding a gun, Everett," Love said, her voice low. "I'm sorry, Brother, but that was dangerous... and stupid."

This time, nothing Targen said could stop me as I crossed to her, looping an arm around her waist and tilting her trembling chin back.

"You don't have to apologize or explain to him, Love," I told her.

Everett kissed his teeth. "You gon' tell me who this mothafucka is, Ev, talkin' about you his? Then got this crazy-looking nigga with Theory? You know she—" he cut it off abruptly, a guilty look crossing his face.

Theory huffed and frowned, anger written all over her pretty features. Targen's annoying ass grin was suddenly gone. He pushed away from the wall on which he'd been relaxing, his expression dark. Theory stepped in front of him, her arms stretching up so she could rest her hands on his shoulders and capture his eyes with hers. Silence, tense and thick with the threat of violence, reigned for a long moment. I decided to give Targen his chance at Everett since I'd started the process, but I guess Theory wasn't having it. Finally, Targen visibly relaxed—slightly—and she cleared her throat and faced us again.

"Good morning, everyone! Everly, I was just coming to tell you that Granny wants us to run to the store. She said she needs more breakfast stuff," she announced brightly.

Everett, Love, and I stared at her. I was in disbelief that shorty was bringing up something so random in this situation.

"The fuck y'all looking at?" Targen growled. "Real, you and yo' girl need to get ready to go to the Piggly Wiggly or whatever they got, and this nigga can go on about his business."

I snorted. "All these chickens and cows and pigs they got, and we gotta go to the store?"

"Yeah, the three of y'all should go to the store while I talk to my sister," Everett piped up at the same time.

My top lip curled as I looked at him.

"Fuck you, nigga. She going where I go," I spat.

Love's hand grabbed my bicep and squeezed, stopping me.

"Real. I got it," she whispered, before turning to her brother. "Everett, you know how Granny is about Sunday breakfast, which she must be changing to brunch. That means she's celebrating your arrival. I'll talk to you after we get it together."

She wouldn't be doing that shit by herself. and I hoped the look I gave him over her head as I pulled her against me told his ass that.

"Now, respectfully, can y'all all get out so I can get ready?" Love requested.

She wouldn't be doing that shit by herself, either.

Montréal Idris Hamiltonwas hard-headed as fuck. He went to his room, grabbed clothes, and came right back to my room despite my sending him out. I sighed.

"Can you please stop attacking people? I mean, I saw you punch Naaman. And you really could've hurt my brother with that gun. He's a Marine, Montréal. He does special missions and shit. He not gon' let that rest," I said.

"Attacking? Them niggas started it! I told Naaman to mind his business, which wasn't you. And he almost made you fall--"

"I was fine!"

He shrugged.

"And yo' brother held a gun on me while you were in my arms. He signed up for that ass whooping. His being your brother is the only reason he breathing."

"Real!" I gasped, eyes big as hell.

---