Page 16 of Cove City: Vol. I

The thought of what she said about me getting my cousin and me killed settled in. That had always been the problem with her ass, sensitive. You would think with all the shit she’s beenthrough her skin would be thicker than that. Sasha swore she saw the vision, but she never did. We were supposed to move mountains together, get money together, and if it were up to me, she would be serving a nigga some of that fat ass. However, she chose Pierre, then Zeus ole bitch ass.

I tried getting over it all, but I couldn’t. Growing up having no one stung a little. Pierre tried making up for it by being there for me when I needed, but I needed more. I needed someone other than him on my team. I figured the Zoo would be that but the way Chevy was moving his bitch ass just wanted to control niggas and I couldn’t be controlled.

I laughed out loud. My client glanced at me curiously in the mirror. “What nigga?” I spat.

“Dawg you tweekin’ if you not going to cut my shit, I’ll shake right now.”

I gritted at his ass in the mirror. I unsnapped the cape and snatched it off. “Get yo ass on then.”

He hopped up from the chair and stared at me like he was ready to square up. Pierre had finally come from the back. " Is everything cool out here?”

My client eyed me, then Pierre. “That nigga tripping. I’m out.”

Pierre glared at me. “Bro if yo ass ain’t pulling in money this shit isn’t going to work fam or no fam. This shit,” he pointed around. “It’s a business.”

“Both our names are on this.”

He lifted his chin like he was ready to challenge me. “That can be changed.”

I sucked my teeth as I turned to set the clippers down. Pierre was changing, and I didn’t know if it was because of the Sasha shit. Now that the shit had simmered down, he was trying to be a different man for her or Bishop. It was supposed to be family over everybody, and now I was beginning to think differently.

I rode with Chevy to pick up some things for his grand opening. He told me we needed to make a stop before heading on the other side of town. When he drove only a few houses down, my gut feeling told me to be ready. I honestly didn’t have time for whatever bullshit he was about to get into because my mind had been on Freckles and her telling me she lost a baby. I couldn’t lie I felt insufficient, I felt lesser than a man because my woman was going through something, and it was over another nigga. My mind was elsewhere, not in the car with Chev.

Clap!

“Nigga, you good?”

I ran my hand down my lap. “Yeah.”

Chev stared at me curiously. I knew he wanted to ask like he always did, but to my surprise, he didn’t. He hopped on the highway, then looked over at me, “What’s up? You’ve been quiet lately and we all know your howling ass isn’t quiet.”

I ran my hand over my face as I scooted down in the seat. “Been thinking.”

“About what?”

“Sasha and I. Also, I’ve been thinking about—"

“What about it?”

“Damn nigga you gone keep asking?”

He shrugged. “Nigga are you going to get it out? Shit, you over there looking like a fucking sour patch kid in your feelings so I’m going to ask. If you don’t want to tell me, then say that, but pump them fucking brakes talking to me like you crazy. Nigga I’m not Dio.”

Damn Dio.I had meant to call him because I hadn’t talked to him in months. I tried not to bother him so he could enjoy his time in New York. I figured if shit got bad my cousin would reach out. I wondered if he would call and say he didn’t want to come to Toussaint. Dio needs a family, and although I was told he would be good, nobody would have his back like I would. His birthday was coming up soon, and I figured what better gift to have than me going up top. Something in me was urging me to check on him, but then again, would that make me seem overprotective? How do you approach someone who thinks they know it all? I wanted to have an open-door relationship with Dio, but knowing him, that wouldn’t happen. This father brother shit was ripping me apart.

I had been thinking about my brother, and I hadn’t realized that Chevy pulled up to his destination. We’d both gotten out to grab something he ordered at a local café downtown. We entered a garden-like alleyway. It housed numerous plants and featured outdoor seating. We walked inside the café, where a diverse array of people sat: nerds, businesspeople, the average Joe, and students. As my eyes surveyed the place, Chevy was talking to someone at the counter. A moment later, a woman came from the back. She looked good, with a short haircut, red lipstick, and a blue dress accentuating her curves. She glanced at Chevy and me as she strutted over. “I was wondering who ordered all of our teas,” she smiled brightly.

I watched the way she was eyeing Chevy. We both looked her up and down, then at each other. Chevy crossed his arms over his chest. “Unless you’re coming to let me know the shit is for free, no need to wonder who’s buying it, sweetheart.”

She bit her bottom lip. She wanted that nigga. She threw her hands up and stepped back. I leaned in toward her, “He’s off limits. Back the fuck off.”

We didn’t want any motion with Z. She knew how to use the choppa. The woman’s hand graced my back, rubbing up and down. Sasha's voice filled my ear before I could get her hand off me, “Zeus!”

Chevy laughed. “Nigga, never let them touch you.” He shook his head.

Although I knew I hadn’t done shit, now I would have to explain what the fuck she had just seen.

Since leaving Pierre’s shop, I had decided to drive over to Lake Hill to see if I could get some information from anyone. I’d pulled up to a luxury clothing store. The place was so elegant when I stepped inside that it soothed me. The color-coordinated men’s wear was a nice touch. As I approached the back, a female giggling caught my attention. When I spotted her, she leaned over the front counter, flirting with the guy behind it. My eyes rose to him. His build was one of those who worked out constantly. He held a short cut with waves, a clean-lined beard, and thick, dark brows that rested over his eyes. When he caught me watching them, he cleared his throat.

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