Page 213 of Kentrell

Wave laughed so hard he damn near knocked over the lamp. Kensei was smirking but quiet—like always. Watching. Clockin’.

I was two seconds from shutting it all down when the room went still.

Real still.

Heads turned. Eyes widened.

And I didn’t even need to look to know she was behind me.

Her voice cut through the air, soft but laced with bite. “Y’all making all this noise in somebody else’s house?”

I turned and—damn.

There she was, standing near the column closest to the door, like a scene-stealing entrance. Fresh-faced and glowing, dressed in a fitted black athletic set that clung to every curve. The leggings hugged her hips like they were painted on, and that matching jacket was zipped just enough to tease what was underneath. Hair pulled back. Gloss shining on her lips. Smile unsure but sweet like she was trying to play it cool and failing.

The guys moved like a pack on instinct.

Wave jumped up first. “Lord have mercy.”

Oshon followed. “Wussup, Zoe.”

Even Wani stood up, snatching her panties off his head and stuffing them into his pocket as I glared at him.

“Man, take her shit out—” He laughed before I could finish, pulling them out and tossing them to me while adjusting his shirt like he was about to shoot his shot.

Before any of them could take two steps, I was already in front of her. Blocking. Planting myself there like a wall. My silent dare for any of them to try it.

Wani laughed, shaking his head. “Damn, Trell. Let her breathe.” Then, softening just enough to drop the teasing edge, he smiled. “Hey, Zoe.”

He sidestepped me slightly, eyes twinkling with that same reckless charm. “You okay, ma?” He opened his arms wide. “Come give me a hug.”

Zoe blinked, clearly caught off guard. Her eyes darted to me like she needed clearance. I shook my head slow, nostrils flaring.

Wani raised a brow. “Aye, man… don’t tell her not to hug me.”

“If you need a hug, nigga, you got seven hoes you can rotate.”

“Fuck you,” Wani tossed over his shoulder, still holding his arms open like he had all day. “Gimme a hug, gimme a hug, gimme a hug, gimme a hug—” He repeated it like a chant, like Drake on tour, making the whole room bust out laughing again.

Zoe giggled despite herself, cutting me one last glance for reassurance. I gave her a nod.

She stepped forward, giving him a polite but brief hug.

Of course, Wani took full advantage, rocking side to side like they were slow dancing at somebody’s backyard wedding.

“How you doin’, Zoe?” His voice dipped to that fake sympathy tone he used when he was being messy. “I heard what happened, ma… who did it?” He pulled back just enough to look her in the face, eyes wide like he was genuinely concerned. “Want me to get ‘em?”

I laughed low in my throat, already reaching for her waist to pull her right back to me.

“Man, get the fuck back,” I said, not bothering to hide my grin.

That set the room off again. Even Zoe cracked up this time.

“He always been jealous of me,” Wani said dramatically, throwing his arm around Oshon’s shoulder like he needed support. “’Cause you prolly gon’ like me more.”

“You a fool,” Wave snorted.

“Certified,” I muttered, already tugging Zoe closer.

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