Page 50 of Chrome

“Or something,” she said smirking.

“I’m with it. I can show you why these clown ass niggas in the city fear BMG. We ain’t never played pussy on them bikes. It’s hard to catch us once we take off.”

“I believe it. I’ll be there with my pompoms. Maybe I can understand why your crew listens to you so well.”

Them niggas was gon’ listen to me or find themselves another crew. This was my shit, and it had my name on that bitch. I might’ve been unreasonable at times, but I had their best interest at heart. If Fade came out for real, I’d gladly welcome her to my world.

&

Once again, a nigga was being called out for the umpteenth time. Another race and another bike being added to the collection. Devil’s Den was the only area in Eastlake that had a curve so deadly many riders feared it. Hence where it got its name from. Most of us declined because we had families to think about which should’ve been my reasoning. Racing was in my blood, but losing my life before I met my child… However, I wasn’t declining a challenge.

I eyed the dark road and knew what was to come. Riders only proposed this location when they knew they could beat you. Swamp Man’s Crew were coming in from the Heights. They were the only crew worth racing there and held an undefeated title so far. Gator was the head and the most unpredictable one.

He must’ve known something I didn’t seeing he was out here first. I respected Gator because he could whoop yo’ ass one dayand offer you a plate of food the next. He wasn’t shit to play with though. He was up in age and ready for whatever. He raced against Pops a few times on track days and Steel dusted him each time. Now when it was a pot, Gator showed the folk not to underestimate him. He started SMC around the same time Pops started BMG and they been lethal ever since. This was the first time they challenged BMG under my management though.

SMC was known to take risk and live their life on the edge. They could fool you into doing something stupid meanwhile, it was normal stakes for them. I fucked with them though.

“Chrome, you look just like Steel,” he said walking over. He was an associate at the end of the day no matter how many times he got whooped by the Black family.

“And you… I see them piercings still got a hold of yo’ weird ass,” I jested.

Gator was the emo nigga out yo’ friends’ group. He had piercings all over his body, weird ass tattoos, and spikes coming out of places you couldn’t imagine. It never failed with me looking at him with disgust. It was just too much, and he was too Black to be playing with the culture like that.

“I will always be me. You ready?”

“I ain’t got no choice but to be. This like home for you, right. Don’t think I ain’t heard about SMC showing up here late nights burning. My guess is, you think you good enough to take my shit, huh?”

“Keep up is all I can say.” He walked away and I chuckled. The Devil’s Den had been their playground lately, so I was sure this muthafucka had some shit up his sleeve.

“What the fuck be wrong with dude? Hellraiser looking ass nigga.” Zinc was gon’ be the first to pop shit every time.

“That’s his style, Z. Chill out.”

“Style or not, I know he doing hard meth. Look, yo’ woman here. She wanted to holler at you for a minute,” he said pointingto the women behind us. I turned around and Fade stood wearing all black. She wore something so basic, but she looked so damn fine.

I motioned for her to come to me, and she did a light jog my way. She wrapped her arms around me as soon as she was in reach. Having her here was a bittersweet moment. Was the support wanted? Of course, but the pressure was worse. Not making it out this shit was gon’ fuck her up.

“What’s good, Ma?”

“Onyx told me why this road is called Devil’s Den. Are you nervous?” she inquired.

“Very, but I got this. Ain’t shit I can’t handle. I just need you to pray for a nigga and I’m good.” My heart was beating out my chest lowkey thinking about the stakes. There was no pot of bread only bikes on the line.

“Alright fellas. To the line!” Copper shouted.

“I got to go, baby.”

Fade took my hand and placed it on her stomach. “Don’t lose Chrasmere and don’t fuckin’ die.”

“You know me better than that.”

We shared a kiss, and I watched her walk back to her friends before I moved. She was scared for me, and I understood why. I lowkey wished Onyx would’ve kept her mouth shut on this one. I didn’t need my baby stressing in no shape or form.

I walked my bike to the line and double checked my gear and bike. Now wasn’t the time to fuck around. This was legit a life-and-death situation and if I didn’t get my mind right, this could end bad for a nigga. Gator pulled up next to me and extended his fist in my direction. I pounded it then switched from associate to foe.

This muthafucka was not getting my bike. If I forfeited this race, that was exactly what the fuck I was giving up and he had to know I was drawing blood behind my shit. He might’vebeen undefeated in the Heights, but this was the Lake. I had homefield advantage like a muthafucka.

I gripped the handle and slammed the shield down on my helmet, blocking out the sight of that nasty ass nigga groaning and licking his tongue out. That was his tactic to scare his opponent and so far, it worked for him. However, I was cut from a different cloth. I truly didn’t give a fuck. As long as he abided by the fuckin’ rules, we was straight.

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