Page 10 of Chrome

I heard her loud and clear. Her and Henny. Calling the police was never my intentions simply because I knew how hard Black men had it. With everybody giving me the run down, I knew how to move better. I got a whiff of the kind of person Chrome was, but I knew deep down there was more… crazy to his young ass.

He had more dominance than any man I’d met so far and to have it over so many others was wild. He controlled them young men with ease, and they all listened as if what he said was for the better. None of them stepped up to him and when he said it was time to go, they left without question. Chrome had it like that.

“Well, now I know. I guess from now on I need to check in with y’all first to make sure I’m abiding by BMG’s guidelines,” I said shaking my head. “I’ll be back in like an hour until then, hold the place down. Oh, do I need to worry about these Medieval time ass crackers in my alley?”

“Hell no. If BMG got to them, all you got to do is ignore they ass. And stop parking in the alley. The hotel across the street allows us to park in their lot. It’s safer,” Henny stated.

“Got it. Thanks, y’all.”

I retrieved my purse from my office and made my way to my car. The rednecks out back were still lingering around but they were no longer picking themselves up from the ground. I did like Henny advised and ignored them. My feet were moving a milea second, but I made sure not to look their way or acknowledge any of them. Once I was in my car, I hit the locks on the door releasing a deep sigh afterward.

What the hell have you gotten yourself into, Kosha?

Chapter Five

CHROME

Being the head nigga in charge meant you had more responsibility than most. I had kids who looked up to me and if I was being honest, some grown ass men, too. I didn’t play about my position ‘cause I knew I earned it. The neighborhood needed stability and without the Black family handling shit, wasn’t no telling where these kids would be.

However, today was a day to let go… for me anyway. I had a race lined up. A new crew from the east side wanted to challenge a nigga and I was all for it. The Spencer bridge was slow at night, but it was also one of the longest. It was perfect for racing. Nothing serious was on the line other than a few racks. Money would always be added to the equation if it wasn’t BMG against BMG.

The crowd was forming, and I knew this was something the folk been waiting on. I didn’t have my ear to the streets ‘cause my folk had that covered but I could tell this was a conversation held already. Regal versus Chrome. Two young niggas showing what these bikes could really do.

Racing was something the gangs did to keep a stable mindset. Some of us were in situations we couldn’t control, and this was the only release. The biker gangs were judge free zoneswhich was why so many joined. They would rather become a rider than a product of their environment and that pushed us to move different.

“Chrome! Chrome!”

I looked in the direction my name was being called, and a smile touched my lips. I was an only child but so was my lil’ cousin, Harli. She was on my mother’s side of the family by my Aunt Leila. We looked at each other as brother and sister more than cousins. She was a senior in high school and the graduation party we were throwing was to celebrate her more than everyone else. She deserved it.

“What’s goodie, lil’ sis? What you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be studying somewhere?” I brought her in for a hug as soon as she was in reach.

“I just took my EOC’s this week, I need a lil’ break before my senior exit. I want you to meet my friend Mel. She’s new to the Lake. Her and her mom just moved here from Atlanta.” Harli introduced the young chick next to her. She reminded me of someone, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“What’s up, Mel? How you liking the Lake? It ain’t shit like mini New York but we have fun.” I brought her in for a side hug that lasted no more than a few seconds. I wasn’t a physical muthafucka like that, especially if you weren’t family.

She batted her lashes at me and gave up that shy girl demeanor. I knew what that shit meant all too well. I was flattered to see she took a liking to a nigga, but she was nothing I would dabble in, even if she was the last pussy walking. I didn’t fuck with nothing under thirty. I preferred my pussy seasoned.

“I had to make some adjustments but it’s getting better. Thank you. This your crew?” she asked.

“Yeah, this all me. Harli, go take her to meet Mang and Cobalt. They more her speed,” I said turning to leave.

“Okay. We’ll be watching from the sideline. Have a good race.” Harli gave me another hug and walked off with her lil’ friend. I didn’t bother to look back to see if her friend was watching because I knew she was. I could feel her eyes burning a fuckin’ hole in my back.

“Eyes up, nigga. Regal and his crew just arrived,” Zinc spoke grabbing my attention.

I smirked as I looked forward. Him and his crew were slowly making their way across the bridge, and I could smell the five racks in my pockets already. Racing was like taking candy from a baby. My skills came from everything Steel and Merc taught me. I could put a bike together from scratch by the age of twenty-one. I refused to lose.

“How you feeling Chrome? We good to go?” Copper approached us checking in. She must’ve noticed the Lowrider Boys as well.

“I’m copacetic. Make sure that nigga good. I don’t need him crying when I take his bread,” I replied.

She nodded and headed over to Regal. Some niggas felt embarrassed and offended when they lost so most of the times after a race, fights broke out. They never could accept defeat well and even though we were young, Regal and his crew were younger… and dumber. They were hot heads and didn’t have a sense of reasoning. I was hoping they abided by the street rules tonight.

“His dumbass really put them bright ass lights on his shit. He gon’ cry all the way to the crib after this,” Litty said pointing out the obvious.

“I hate what I’m ‘bout to do to his ass but a nigga rent due. Tell Goldie to send him home with a warm bottle and paci.”

“Beating up on the lil’ ones is wild,” Zinc added.

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