Page 32 of No Remedy for Love

“Damn cousin, I didn’t know all of that was going on. Did you ever try to talk to him about it?”

“Yeah, I did and he relaxed with all the sleeping out. He still comes inside late as fuck and he act like he can’t sit his phone down for a second. Even now, we’ve both kinda been staying close to home since MJ has been sick, but I noticed that he keeps checking his phone and going outside to make calls. I got pissed last night and told the nigga to just go by whoever he kept sneaking outside to call. Niggas be dumb as fuck. They can’t cheat for shit.”

“Girl, tell me about it. OJ tried to have two phones one time and always ended up leaving the wrong one at home. Stupid ass hoes used to be texting with me and didn’t even know it.”

“I forgave him for doing me dirty the first time but ain’t no looking back this time around.”

“Y’all got a lot more to lose this time though, Kiva. Besides MJ, y’all got the shop to think about too.”

“Girl, fuck that shop. He can sell that bitch and I’ll go work somewhere else until I can get another one. Hell, I started out in my mama’s garage and I’ll happily go back. As far as MJ, we can co-parent and figure out visitation.”

“Damn bitch, you really are serious, huh?”

“I just can’t be nobody’s fool. I got a lot going for myself and any man would be happy to have me. Another nigga would be grateful for what Mav takes for granted.”

“You better say that shit louder, cousin. But don’t just assume shit Kiva.”

“I have to be real with myself before I can be real with anybody else. Kerri be pissing me off but she’s not always wrong. There’s just too many coincidences. Me and Remi got the same car and the shoes just added fuel to the fire. The math just ain’t mathing.”

Kiva hated that she and her sister weren’t really speaking to each other, but that wasn’t their first fallout.

“Well, you know I’m here for whatever you need, cousin. OJ will kill me but, if you need to do some investigating, just say the word. It’s been a while but my detective skills are still up to par. I know that I always say that whatever you need to know will come to you eventually but, sometimes, you have to do a little digging to answer some of your own questions.”

Nessa did promise her husband that she would stay out of it but, if her little cousin needed her, she was gonna be there. Remi was his family but they weren’t blood related like her and Kiva were. To her, that was a big difference that couldn’t be overlooked. She was about to be on her Inspector Gadget shit to help her cousin get the answers that she undoubtedly deserved.

“No doubt. OJ will never hear a thing about this and you have my word. We’re gonna peep shit out for a little while before I make a move though. When I do go at his ass, I’ll have enough proof to make sure he can’t lie his way out of it.”

“Between me and you, I heard that Remi was fucking with Blaze. A few people said it, so something must be up.”

“I thought Blaze was married.”

“Girl, that don’t mean shit these days. And that bitch ass wife of his ain’t right either with her sneaky ass.”

“Some of these niggas ain’t shit and nobody knows that better than me.”

Kiva felt better after having come clean about her relationship issues. She now realized that holding it in was doing more harm than good. She was hurt to know that Mav was possibly out there doing her dirty, possibly with the same woman that he’d left her for once before. But, just like before, she would walk away but, this time, there was no coming back. Niggas came at her all the time, but she respected Mav and their relationship. It both angered and hurt to know that he couldn’t do the same.

Mav vibed to his slow jams as he made his way over to his shop. He had to do a double take when he pulled up and saw Remi getting into her car and pulling off.

“The fuck!”

Mav was angry as he sped up a little and followed behind her. To his knowledge, Remi had never been to his shop since she’d moved back home. Technically, she had no reason to before, but she obviously did now. She was really playing with him, and he wasn’t feeling that shit. Mav blew his horn to get her attention as he dialed her number on his phone.

“Seriously, Mav. You’re following me now.”

Remi looked out of her rearview mirror when she heard someone laying on the horn behind her. She blew out a breath of frustration when she saw that it was Mav. She knew that he wasn’t at work, which was why she felt comfortable bringing Blaze something to eat like he asked her to. Apparently, he and the other barbers were swamped and he hadn’t eaten anything all day. Remi was on her way by Tracy, so she stopped to grab him something to eat before she did.

“Man, I don’t want hear all that shit! Pull over!” Mav demanded angrily.

“I’m not stopping on this busy ass street, Mav. Just say what you have to say now. You already know that I ain’t with that arguing shit.”

Mav wasn’t trying to hear nothing that she was saying. He sped up on the opposite side of the street and got in front of her. Remi slammed on her brakes when she saw that he was driving way slower than she was.

“Pull over in the gas station parking lot.”

“Bye Maverick.” Remi sighed as she did what he asked her to. She could see that he was angry when he got out of his truck and walked over to her car. He opened the door, pulled Remi’s small frame out and got in her face.

“What kind of muthafucking games you outchea playing, Remi?” Mav barked angrily. He was so close that his minty scented breath tickled Remi’s nostrils.

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