Page 26 of Kassir and Rebel
“They’re looking good but it won’t be my team,” she says.
“What? Why? You’re not at Prep anymore?”
“I retired. Last year was it for me. It’s time to spend time with my husband. We’re actually moving to Thailand.”
“Really?” I ask, shocked at her retirement news and relocation bomb.
“Yes. It’s time to leave this country. I might return if leadership changes, but for now, Thailand here we come. I’m leaving in September. Too bad you’re in Florida. You would be my ideal replacement. The girls need you here,” she says, and for a split second I entertain the thought. Obviously reading my mind, she adds, “Just a thought, but a serious one. Think about it.”
“Rebel!” the man calls out from the food truck window. My food is ready.
“It was so good seeing you, Coach,” I tell her.
“You too, Coach,” she says with a smile before walking toward a tall fine ass man standing off from the truck.
Chapter 9
Kassir
The block party is on swole as always. It’s not even noon and the closed-off street is packed. Everybody is out and music can be heard all around. Although DJ Flex is blasting our little homie’s Krist’s latest mixtape, I hear other music too.
My plan was to get here before now but between staring at Rebel’s fine ass in my bed too long this morning, making sure the Fadez mobile van and three barbers were all set for today, and making a wasted trip to Linnea’s to get Kassan, I just got here. After maneuvering through the orange cones, I park my ride next to Leem’s GNX. Today is the day to stunt, so he pulled out his 1987 classic. Most can’t fuck with us when it comes to rides, so there are only a few whips posted up by him.
“Damn, nigga. You late,” Leem scoffs as soon as I’m out of my ride. “From the cradle to the casket.”
“Cradle to the casket,” I reply then dap him up. “The damn van and Linnea got me off track. Her ass wasn’t home and she knows Kassan’s supposed to kick it with me today.”
“Bruh, Rebel’s home. Yo’ ass had to know she would act the fuck up,” he says.
“Rebel ain’t got shit to do with her. I already warned her ass not to try me about my son.”
While shaking my head, I pull out my cell and hit Linnea’s ass. I text this time since she didn’t answer my call.
Me: where the fuck you at?
It takes a few minutes but she does respond.
Linnea: Finishing up my hair.
Me: Where?
Linnea: Why?
Her text immediately gets me heated. She’s really acting off brand, beside her damn self. As Kassan’s mother, she gets a lot of passes, but I’m not for her shit today. Kassan needs to be out here, having fun. We added all the extra kid shit because of him. We always had a few things, but I can’t lie, he inspired a lot of the new shit, including the basketball jump from Gravity Zone.
Me: Don’t try me.
Linnea: At my sister’s. I’m bringing him in 30.
“Baby momma?” Leem asks when I place my cell back in my pocket.
“Yeah. She’s finally bringing him.”
“I don’t know how you deal with that shit.”
“I focus on my son. That’s it.”
“Bet.” He nods. “But check this. You got any empty chairs at Fadez?”
