Page 112 of Real's Love

“He was protecting Theory. Everett was trying to make sure his sister wasn’t being taken advantage of,” justified Lee Earnest.

My jaw dropped. “Taken advantage of? She was about to take advantage of?—"

“Montréal!” Love hissed. “Granny, please do something with your husband. Real, please… just… don’t.”

I looked up at her innocently. “What? You asked me to stop attacking people; I ain’t about to attack nobody.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled just as McKinley reached the steps. He looked at me warily as he ascended. I gave him a nod and stuck out my fist to dap him.

“‘Sup?”

He ignored my hand, and I found myself smiling again. Scary ass bitch.

“That must be that southern hospitality we hear so much about,” Targen quipped.

“Targen,” Theory chided softly.

McKinley pasted on a bright smile. Fake ass.

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Miller. We missed you at church this morning. Everly, could we go somewhere and?—"

“Nah. She can’t go nowhere,” I cut that shit off immediately.

She glared down at me. “Real.”

“You want me to maintain my composure? I’m trying, especially cuz yo’ people looking up here wondering why I ain’t knocked thisboyhead between yo’ grandparents’ rocking chairs.” I wasn’t lying. Everett and Prime, in particular, were slowly making their way closer, no doubt ready to break shit up. I wasn’t on that type of time today. “So, if you want me to keep this impressive composure intact, you better talk to the McKinley boy from right there.”

“I told you, I ain’t nobody’s boy,” he grew the balls to say.

Tilting my head, I nodded as if I understood. Just as he started to smirk, I sat forward, quick as fuck, and barked, “Boo!”

He stumbled back so fast that he almost fell down the steps. Lee Earnest snickered, and Granny swatted his hand. I sat back and glanced at a furious Love. “Continue.”

“Heath, I really appreciate your spending time with me these last few weeks. I’m not one to date, but I’m glad I let you take me out for a fewpleasantevenings. But I have a… lingering issue from Texas?—"

Wait, had she really just made me sound like a STI? I mugged her wannabe diplomatic ass.

“—and I just think we should back up, slow down a little for now.”

A little? For now?

“All right, enough of this shit,” I said, standing.

As if on cue, McKinley’s phone vibrated loud enough to be heard through his suit jacket. He ignored it as he tried to find words to argue with Love. The phone stopped, then started right back.

“You should probably get that,” I suggested calmly.

He scowled at me before reaching inside his suit jacket.

“The fuck wears three-piece suits in Louisiana in the summer?” I mumbled.

“Weak ass boys. Been tryna tell you,” Lee Earnest groused.

“Mama? What’s up? I’m in the middle of?—"

“Heath, baby, you havefriendsover.”

His mother’s shaky voice was clear because she’d FaceTimed him, just as I had had Juvie instruct her.

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