Page 40 of Chrome

“I’ll put them in the crib. I ain’t even ‘bout to chance y’all shit out here. Walk with me,” he said grabbing Onyx’s free hand.

Chrome was a loved individual. There were many females in attendance. With every two broads was one nigga. He brought his hood out and they were having a ball. Everybody had a cup in hand, and they seemed to be unbothered by the next person.I guess I could relax more knowing no one was on that type of timing.

When we finally got through a section of the crowd, I scanned the next group of people. To my surprise, I saw him wrapped up in the bitch from the doctor’s office. So much for me wanting to talk and fix things. The bitch said he always went back, and I’d be damned if she didn’t give a bitch proof. Tears welled up in my eyes and I fought tooth and nail to keep them at brink. I didn’t want no female thinking she won over me.

“Awh, damn. Aye sis, he?—”

Zinc was trying to cover for him, but I didn’t need him to. I had eyes and could see just fine. “It’s okay, Zinc. I already know,” I said referring to what the bitch told me earlier today.

“Bestie, we can go. Just say the word,” Onyx voiced.

“No, you stay. I’ll go.” However, my feet wouldn’t let me move and it became harder and harder to tear my gaze away from them. With her hand on his chest, his arm wrapped around her neck, and whatever he was telling her, had me ready to call Earl. I was sick all over again.

Finally, he backed away from her and headed in our direction. The bottle of liquor he held was brought to his lips as he breezed pass me like he didn’t give a fuck about me. I mean, he didn’t give me a second glance and that crushed me. Those tears I held back for so long had finally fallen. This was the rejection I was afraid of.

“Here Zinc, tell him I said happy birthday. If you can tell whoever that took my car to bring it to the top of the street, please. I love you, bestie, and I’ll call you when I get home.”

I handed the gift over and turned to leave. “Wait, bestie. I’ll walk you up there.”

“Sis, that ain’t what it look like. He don’t fuck with that girl,” he said trying to convince me that what I witnessed wasn’t that.

I said nothing as I pushed through the crowd once more. It was what it was, and he made his decision, now it was time to make mine. I may have fucked up, but I didn’t turn to another nigga. Men were going to be men no matter the age. I knew that and still played the damn fool for him. I was over this entire Eastlake move that fast.

My car was at the top of the street waiting for me and I was glad Onyx didn’t try to talk me out of leaving. After exchanging a hug, she stepped back and allowed me to climb inside.

“I’ll come see you tomorrow. I love you.”

Nodding, I pulled off and the waterworks started. I was thirty-seven, crying over a twenty-five-year-old. I was thirty-seven carrying a child for a man who could flip women like a light switch. I was thirty-seven getting embarrassed by a nigga that clearly didn’t give a fuck about me. This move was supposed to be a fresh start, yet I felt like I was still going through the same motions I did in Atlanta.

Focus on yourself, KoKo. These niggas ain’t never gon’ be loyal.

Chapter Thirteen

CHROME

Another day… another week, and Fade still hadn’t shown me she was locked in. I fully expected to have a conversation at my party, but she ran like a fuckin’ coward. I knew what it may have looked like to her, but all she had to do was open her fuckin’ mouth and speak her goddamn mind. Maturity didn’t come with age, and I was slowly figuring that out.

Being the man that I am, it took everything in me not to chase after her. When Zinc told me she left in tears, I was ready to put all our bullshit to the side and comfort my fuckin’ woman. However, I wasn’t ‘bout to be the only muthafucka in this shit taking blows. A nigga had feelings. Shit, ones he’d expressed one too many times. The ball was in her fuckin’ court.

“Chrome. Where you at, lil’ nigga?” Pops called out.

“In the kitchen, Pops. What’s good?”

He didn’t answer until he found me. He took a seat at the table and grabbed a bag of chips out the center snack basket. He rarely came over, so I knew this was something serious. He had me a lil’ nervous. I couldn’t lie.

“How you feeling?”

“I’m straight. How you feeling? And why you over here? Something wrong with Dukes?” I was firing off question after question since his visits were out the normal.

“Calm down with all that. She fine. She told me about that woman you dealing with. Where you meet her?”

“I was whooping down on Bartholomew bitch ass in the alley of her shop. Why?” I finished pearling the blunt and sparked up. Inhaling deeply, I let the smoke fill my lungs. I’d indulged in more weed that usual since me and Fade been at odds.

“She owns her own business, that’s good. I would hope she had some kind of movement at her age. You always loved them older. I don’t know why Neon so damn shocked at your choice of women.”

“Yo’ wife is nagging me,” I said handing over the blunt.

Pops took it and pulled on it a few times before handing it back. He couldn’t multitask for shit. Hitting the blunt and talking would have him in here coughing up a lung. He was getting old, and he wasn’t gon’ be able to hang like he used to.

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