Page 8 of Blind Spot
“And you’ve been known to let shit like that go in the past.”
“Maybe I’m tired of it.”
“And maybe it’s got something to do with your girl.”
“What girl? Charly?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s not my girl. She’s my friend, Chopper, just like you, Freeway, King, Bear, and all the rest of the niggas.”
He shook his head. “The shit’s not the same, homie, and if you can’t see that, then that’s a major problem too. When we get into shit, you tell us to chill the fuck out. You tell us to get our paper and let that be our sweetest revenge. You tell us to shake the dumb shit off because it ain’t worth it in the long run. But tonight, that bigheaded ass nigga was on some dumb shit, and you let it get to you. That ain’t your usual flow, Reaper.”
“So what are you saying?”
“I’m saying open your eyes. You’re my friend, and you know that I’ve always got your back, Reaper. But where Charly is concerned, you can’t see shit. You don’t make the best decisions regarding her. She’s your blind spot.”
I waved him off. “Man, get outta here with that. She’s been my best friend since I was?—”
“Eight. I know. I know. But you act more like she’s your woman, and if that’s the case, then you need to claim her and let it be known so people ain’t disrespecting her and shit.”
“She’s not my woman. She’s my best friend, and that should be good enough for her to get respect. Or how about the fact that she’s a person, a decent human being who deserves respect.”
He dragged his hand down his face and shook his head. “I want what’s best for this team and for you, Reaper. But you know if it comes down to it, and I have to choose, I’m choosing this team every time.”
My jaw clenched, and I felt like something in my chest seized tightly. “So you’re kicking me off the team?”
“No. I’m asking you to think about putting them first whenever we’re handling team business. Don’t get so caught up in that girl and so blind to what she makes you feel and how she makes you behave that you fuck shit up for the rest of us.”
“She doesn’t make me feel any type of way, and I’m the only one who chooses to behave the way that I do. I’m not controlled by anyone else, so quit with the dumb shit.”
“Don’t let that shit happen again. If you do, you know that you’re looking at a penalty fine or suspension, whichever the team votes on.”
“I’m not on that shit, Chopper. You know that y’all need my black ass on this team.”
He pointed two fingers at me and replied, “You’ve been warned.”
I waved him off and turned around at the same time as he did. He headed out of the club, and I headed back to the table. The fellas were talking about an upcoming race. Charlyse was deep in conversation with her female best friend, Tunisia, who was sitting on her husband, Karter’s, lap.
I dapped him up as I approached the table. “When did y’all get here?” I asked.
“Walked right past you and Chopper when y’all were talking a minute ago,” Karter answered, frowning. “I’ma need you to be more aware of your surroundings, bruh.”
“Yeah, you got that right.” I dragged my hand down my face again and took my seat.
Charly turned away from Tunisia and looked at me. Leaning forward with her elbows resting on her knees, she asked, “You good?”
I frowned a little and then smirked. I hated it when she worried about me. She was a good girl who didn’t need the problems that often followed me. “Of course, I’m good, baby girl.”
“What did Chopper want?”
“Nothing. He just wanted to check on me and make sure that I was good after that shit went down between Chrome and me.”
“He’s trying to suspend you or penalize you?”
“Nah,” I lied.
She really did need to quit worrying about me so much. She had her hands full with other things, and I didn’t need to be one of those things. It would only create further problems in her life and mine.
