Page 33 of Free to Fall

Creed leaned back in his chair, taking another puff. “Speaking of time… I’m ready to get back in the game. I got a feeling next season gon’ be our year. Clippers gon’ eat.”

“Shit, y’all better,” Royal said. “I done put money on y’all in the playoffs last year and lost my whole damn pride.” We all laughed.

Creed smiled, but it faded quick. “For real though… I’m focused. But Gio’s been heavy on my mind.”

“Gio good?” I asked, brow raised.

Creed nodded. “Yeah, just… missing Gianna. Been talkin’ ‘bout her more, asking if he can go visit more often. I’m wondering if I should give her full custody again and just get him summers and holidays.”

“Hell no,” Brodie said instantly.

Royal looked confused. “Wait, this his bio mom, right?”

“Yeah,” Creed said. “She still in Dallas.”

I rubbed my jaw. “You really think that’s a good idea, though? Gianna didn’t step up when she had him the first time. In fact, she got into some bullshit behind my triflin’ ass brother. Yeah, you helped and got her ass out of jail, but can she be trusted to make the right decisions for him?”

Creed sighed. “I know. But I’m trying to be fair. Gio loves her. I don’t wanna be the reason he feels like he can’t have a relationship with his mama.”

“You’re not,” I said firmly. “You’re giving him stability. That’s more than she ever did. Don’t undo that trying to make up for her mistakes.”

Brodie nodded. “Serenity’s been raising him like he hers since all that shit went down with Gianna. That boy thriving. Don’t fuck around and shake the table cause you feeling guilty.”

Creed looked conflicted but didn’t argue. Just sat quiet, letting the words settle.

Then Royal broke the silence. “Man, I ain’t even gon’ lie, this long-distance shit with Ave got me in a chokehold.” We all groaned in unison. He had been stressing about his tour for months, not wanting to be away from Averi too long. And I got it, they were newlyweds technically, married only six or seven months.

Zay cackled. “Not this again.”

“Nah, for real,” Royal said, laughing too. “I want her on tour with me. Every stop and in every room. But I know she got shit goin’ on, her own career, her own grind. I don’t wanna be that needy nigga, but I need her.”

Zay clapped his hands. “Pussy whipped!”

Royal grinned. “Hell yeah. For my wife? Most definitely.”

We all cracked up. Creed and Brodie nodding like they agreed with him and knew where he was coming from. That shit hit different, that married life. I wanted that, wanted to be hella needy about my wife and constantly lay up under her. Sometimes I wondered if Egypt could be that for me.

“Nah, but real shit,” I said, “Averi solid. She gon’ make that shit work. You know she will.”

Brodie agreed. “She always finds her way back to you. Even when she stubborn.”

Zay nodded. “Yeah, Sis ain’t even worrying about it for real. It’s yo ass stressin’ out for nothin’. We all know she in deep, won’t let a nigga say shit bad about yo’ ugly ass.”

Royal smiled, pride shining in his eyes. “Yeah…that’s my baby man. She mine for life.” Then everyone turned to me.

“So, what’s up with you, Nas?” Brodie asked. “You been real lowkey lately.” I exhaled slow, took a sip of my drink, and looked around the circle.

Fuck it.I thought to myself. Now was as good a time as any.

“Me and Egypt been fuckin’ around with each other,” I said, eyes steady. “Shit been going on since Creed and Serenity’s wedding.”

Royal didn’t blink. “Knew it.”

Zay shook his head laughin. “Y’all not slick at all, by the way.”

Brodie laughed. “Bruh, you really thought we ain’t notice the secret looks? The whispered convos? Nigga, you be hovering.”

Creed smiled but stayed quiet. He already knew, of course. I chuckled. “Damn. So y’all been clockin’ us this whole time?”

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