Page 17 of Cove City: Volume II
I know he’s been visiting her in prison. I know that ex-wife is about to bear his child, and somehow, he’s still finding his way to the woman you’ve declared love for. I know your father set you up with Angela. I know he is the reason you two ended up together because of some backdoor deal he made. His giving back to the community is good, but is it genuine or a cover-up, Naheem? Tell me.
So, since we’re the pot calling the kettle black, when was the last time Angela told you she loved you? When was the last time she cooked you a dinner that filled your belly? When was the last time Naheem, that she made you smile? It’s clear she is doing none of those things; otherwise, I wouldn’t be getting any of these letters. It is not I who has tension built up; it’s you.
This will be my last letter; however, you need to make sure you get your goddamn house in order.
From the best,
Best.
When I pulled up to Bishop’s, I had just parked to see the girl that Keith had saved that night running out of his house.The fuck?“Yo!” I called out from the window.
I quickly hopped out of the car and jogged up to her before she got in her car. She turned to look at me with fear. “I want to ask you something,” I said to her.
Her wandering eyes pounced everywhere.Snap!“Chill, I’m not going to hurt you. All I want to know is if you saw who set that place on fire. You were in there, right?”
She had gone from being afraid to angry, “I don’t know his name.”
I nodded slowly. “What does he look like?”
“You should know he was in your fucking car. When Chevy finds out he’s going to blow all of your heads off,” she snapped as she hopped in her car and sped off.
Right then, I knew it was Quinton.“Fuuuucck!”
It was as if my conscious was screamingnigga, you knew that.I slammed my fist into my palm as I made my way to Bishop’s door. I didn’t even knock, I walked right in. A chainrattled along with her paws, making a loud clatter on the floor as London came running directly toward me. “Look at that pretty girl,” I cooed, rubbing her head.
Her panting and big eyes were oddly cute. Hell, although London was a puppy, she had a better life than humans because Bishop had her ass laid. Moments later, Bishop and Keith were both coming down the steps. “Sup nigga?” Bishop asked me.
I pointed behind me. “I saw that little shorty leaving.”
“Yeah, this nigga ran her off,” Keith spat.
Bishop ran his hand down his face, “Keith about to come live with yo ass. Caught this nigga eating pussy in my crib.”
“Shit, a little pussy doesn’t hurt nobody. Chill out, Bop, damn. I don’t say all that when you and Indi are fucking all night.”
Bishop taking in Keith had its moments, but I could tell Keith was growing on him, and as much as he didn’t want to admit it, he had informally adopted a son. Bishop cared about the small shit like where he was going, what he was doing, and who he was doing it with. So, if the little shorty was part of those Zoo niggas, then it was a bighell no. He turned to placing prayer hands to his lips, “Keith, I need you to get your shit in order. You know me and that nigga don’t get along and you got her in my shit.”
Keith knew he fucked up, but I could tell he also liked the girl. I walked over to Bishop, “Yo, ease up on him. You can’t help who you like. You’re the same nigga that was fucking with the op’s daughter. So, you’re judging now?”
Bishop cut his eyes at me. “Nigga!”
“I want to throw her a party. Bleek already said he would look out on the skating rink for me. She doesn’t have anybody. Look, Bop, I get it you don’t like Chevy, but she hasn’t done anything.”
Bishop flicked his nose. “Fine,” he gritted.
“Bet!” Keith said excitedly.
He went to walk off, and I stopped him. “Let me ask you something,” I said to Keith. “Did you see him do it?”
When I saw Keith tense up, I knew. “Why you ain’t say shit?”
He eyed Bishop. “You know that nigga crazy, I wasn’t fucking with it. Besides, he’s your cousin.”
“Fuck is he talking about?” Bishop asked.
I was already prepared for Bishop’s response. I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Quinton set Zaria’s Place on fire.”
The rage in him emerged almost immediately. “I want the nigga found. I want his ass found like yesterday. I should have known. Nigga—”
