Page 62 of Real's Love

“You say she’s smart; if she is, she knows men will say anything to get what they want,” I said cynically.

He looked at me, making sure his brown eyes pinned mine.

“Which is why I’ma show her how serious I am until she understands,” he promised.

(Three weekslater)

The lingering cloud of smoke was probably the best sign that my brothers and I should slow down. But slumped on the comfortable-as-fuck sectional in Cairo’s den, eyes low, mind mellow, and stomach rumbling, I couldn’t be bothered to give a damn. I watched as Ghazi toked on the blunt then pulled it away from his lips to just stare at it as he held on to a mouthful of smoke. He let go finally, his exhalation adding to the earthy, citrusy scent permeating the air. He shook his head, his locs shifting with the movement.

“You said Sway sent you this?” he asked.

I nodded. At least, I tried. My head moved up, but I wasn’t sure about the down part.

“Fucking gas-gas, my nigga,” Ghazi exclaimed.

Cairo chuckled quietly, relaxing in his own zone.

“What he call this shit?” my big brother inquired.

I sat up a little bit so I could explain.

“Nigga been developing his own strains. Got twelve he named after the Zodiac. This one is Aries. Betta be glad I like y’all niggas. Started to hide this shit after I tried it last weekend,” I told them truthfully before reclining again.

I was feeling good as hell, calmer than I had in a couple of weeks. There were benefits to owning your own businesses, especially when those businesses together were valued at nine figures. But the fires my siblings and I had had to put out lately were related to what we’d inherited from Ismail and had damn near drained me. All I needed now was a good meal and some even better pussy. Speaking of which…

I pulled out my phone, unlocked it, and tapped on the text app. Who would I finally bless tonight? My moms kept hollering at us about settling down, but shit with Ev had me deaf to my OG’s arguments. Shorty had let me fuck on her after the Abbra situation, then ignored me for a solid week, before sending a couple of stiff ass texts in the last couple of weeks. I wasn’t as bad as Ghazi’s one-and-done ass, but I had a few not-so-sneaky links that I had started back responding to. I figured I was overdue to visit them. Just as I expected, a couple of them had reached out. Halima, sweet and shy until her back hit them sheets, had texted her usualWyd?Jada’s freaky ass had sent a picture of two of her fingers sunk deep in that tight, soaking wet box and the wordsCum over.

“You picking tonight’s victim?” Ghazi asked with a grin. “Trying hard to fight yo’ feelings for wifey, huh?”

Nigga knows me too well, I thought, ignoring him and turning my attention to Cairo.

“You ain’t got nothing to eat in this bitch?”

He shrugged. “Kitchen is stocked. Help yourself.”

“Yo’ hospitality ain’t shit. Where Keelah?” I asked about his housekeeper and sometimes cook.

His easy smile disappeared, and his body language changed completely.

“She quit,” he mumbled, voice tight.

Ghazi and I just stared, first at Cairo, then, at each other.The fuck?Keelah was like an extension of this nigga—he acted like nothing functioned without her.

“Keelah… left you?”

Ghazi’s voice was filled with the same disbelief I felt. Cairo grilled him before standing abruptly.

“I think it’s time for y’all to clear out. I got a pussy appointment even if you weak ass niggas ain’t getting none,” he spat.

“Cai—" I began, my high suddenly fading as I noticed my brother’s agitation.

“Nah, nigga. You hungry, call that pretty little chunky jawn fam said you brought to the restaurant. You know them big girls can throw down,” he interrupted me.

I rose, my six-four height matching his as I scowled at him. I wasn’t possessive over any bitch, but for some reason, his words pissed me off.

“Her name is Evanie and don’t be making jokes about her just cuz you probably done messed up and fucked the help?—"

Ghazi stepped between us, moving faster than I thought the weed would allow, and grabbed Cairo, throwing his sudden punch off target. I didn’t mind rumbling, but I wasn’t upset that the nigga missed. I swear Cairo’s fists were dipped in steel.

---