Page 12 of Zinc: Black Metal Gang

“He left when I brought you in the crib last night. You got my brother mad at me for being a fuckin’ gentleman. Then again, the only reason I brought you in was off the strength of my wife. She would have my head if I left yo’ ass out there.”

“Well, thanks for having a fuckin’ heart,” I said rolling my eyes.

I slid my shoes in front of me and slipped my feet inside. I looked around for my keys and Chrome extended them in my direction. My eyes rolled once more as I snatched them from him. Standing, I headed for the door and noticed my car was egged. I looked back at Chrome and he threw his hands up.

“Aye, the crew don’t play ‘bout Zinc.”

“Fuck all y’all.”

“What you say fuck me for?” He mocked 50 Cent and that irritated me more than the eggs on my car.

I hopped in my shit not bothering to assess the damages for real. I could buy a new car in twenty minutes if I wanted to. It was never that serious for me. I hit the windshield spray and washed off what I could to see to drive. There was a car wash at the gas station up the road I would glide through before heading to Kosha.

I threw my phone on the charger after noticing it was dead as a doorknob. I was sure I had a list of calls from my best friend and more. My head was thumping but the heartbreak wasstill overpowering. Today was supposed to be joyful but I’d be damned if the devil wasn’t working.

Pulling into the gas station moments later, I ran my car through the wash. My phone was nice enough to power on, too. The notifications flooded my screen, and I knew then everything I was going through with Zinc was going to affect me today. I watched how everyone’s name but his popped up. He didn’t give a fuck, and it showed. I called Kosha to reassure her I would still pull through for her and not to worry. Regardless of how selfish I wanted to be, her happiness was all that mattered right now. I would see Zinc at the wedding, and we’d go from there.

Kosha answered after the first ring in a calm state. This marriage shit was something she’d done once before, so I understood why she wasn’t as ecstatic as she was the first go ‘round.

“I know I’m supposed to be the center of attention today, but why is the spotlight on you? What the hell happened, bestie?”

“A lot. I would have to tell you later. Right now, focus on you, beautiful. You ready?” I questioned.

“I don’t have a choice. Chrasmere isn’t going to let me do a damn thing other than walk down that aisle to him. Where are you? Me and the girls just got to the hotel room. We expected you to beat us here.”

“I’m on the way, bestie. I’ll be there in like fifteen. Have the chefs got there? They should’ve had breakfast prepared for y’all.”

“Yeah, they’re here. We’re about to eat now.”

“Cool. I’ll see you in a minute.” I hung up and relaxed for a minute while the pressure washer did its thing. My life wasn’t supposed to be stressful, especially not today.

Soon as the wash was over, I pulled out and headed downtown for Chivalry. The ballroom was already decorated and set up for my girl. All she had to do was make it down theelevator to it and she was a married woman once again. Nothing could go wrong.

The traffic was light allowing me to get there in less than the fifteen it normally took. A parking space was available the moment I turned into the deck. I spotted Zinc’s BMW, and my heart began to race. At least I knew I could get more time. I gave a light jog inside and headed straight for the elevators. I rode it up to my designated floor and entered the room. The ladies were in good spirits and that was all I wanted.

KoKo was the first to greet me. Even with her belly being the size of a watermelon, she was still the prettiest thing in the room. Her bright skin was glowing and when she smiled, she lit up a room. I loved everything about her unproblematic self.

“You ready to talk?” she asked approaching me with her arms stretched wide. I guess she felt it in her spirit that I was due for a hug.

I embraced her little self and just stood in her arms shedding silent tears. Heartbreak was something new for me. Walking away had never been an issue before Zinc. That man had a hold on me something good. Outside of Kosha, he was the only person who got the real me. I hated the space we were in.

“You know can’t nobody fix this but you, right?” she spoke softly.

“I know bestie and I will if the nigga quit blowing me off.”

“What made you strip of all things? Then you get caught doing it like you don’t know how to move out here. What the hell is going on with you, Onyx?”

Stepping back, I headed for the bedroom and started the shower. My gown and everything I would need for today was already here in the closet and ready to go. When I said I had my girl covered, I meant that. Her wedding dress and makeup team would be here within the next hour.

“I just wanted to dance, friend, and this wasn’t on no Trixie and Ronnie bullshit. Shadow Thongs don’t even let us get naked in there. Lingerie is where we start and end. Besides VIP giving a lil’ boob action, nothing happens there, KoKo, and I mean absolutely nothing!”

“If that was the case, why not tell me about it? You had to keep this to yourself for a reason so what was it?”

I stepped into the shower and let the water drench my skin. I released a deep breath as my eyes closed briefly. It was a moment I needed. Kosha leaned against the doorframe waiting for my response.

“The judgment from everybody. It would’ve dimmed my light, and I wasn’t ready for that.”

“Dimmed your light? Are you serious right now? Bitch, I know how much you love to dance and so does Zinc. Now his reaction is a little different from mine but it’s no judgment my way. I would’ve helped you lie better ‘cause using me and leaving me in the dark is wild. Imagine how I felt when Zinc mentioned you being with me and I’m scrambling for lies to cover you. If you wanted to dance in peace, at least let me know.”

---