Page 11 of The Perfect Verse
“No, Scoot.” Mango chimed in, being nosy. “I’m sure they’ll be open for a few more hours.” She couldn’t believe her good luck, and for free.
He flashed a smile that, strangely, made her want to spend some time with him. It would also give her a chance to apologize for ghosting him.
“Dang, let her answer for herself. I’m not in the business of ganging up on nobody, but I do like to go after something or someone I want.”
“Chilllle,” Mango sang. “Let me mind y’all business.” Still, she rested her chin on the palm of her hand, looking at Kaleela. “Girl,” she spoke, unable to stand the suspense. “Say yes, but make sure you run a check up. He’s good for it.” They all laughed when she said that, but she was right. A woman, in his presence, never paid. He was a man who took pride in being a boss and a provider.
“Well, since you put it like that, we can go, but let me get the boys. They’re too quiet anyway. I’ll bring them back tomorrow for a cut. Be right back.”
He was glad she took him up on his offer, and if it went well, he’d have to expedite taking care of some unfinished business—Serita. She’d lingered around too long, and Kaleela’s presence was all the motivation he needed to finally call shit off.
Chapter 6
Verse Six
“That’s cheating!” Kaleela tittered as Scooter tossed up both hands and groaned. “Again,” he demanded, swiping his game card.
“Awww, you’re not used to losing. Poor baby.” She pushed out her lips, taunting him. “Rell and Trav don’t whine as much as you do.”
“They ain’t betting no money either. All I heard was them trading off snacks whenever they get home. Got me for five hundred.”
“Hey, we can stop anytime, and don’t downplay the snacks at my crib. You want me to toss in a few, too?”
He ignored her, tightening the grip on the steering wheel when the start clock counted down. When he was younger, he used to want to race for a living. NASCAR was a young, Black boy’s dream in their neighborhood. He’d go with his uncles to car races where plenty of money was made. Too bad most of the cars that they sped away from were stolen cars, as they were running from the police.
His uncle Elroy had him and Donovan with him the day he went on a high-speed chase down I-95. They were neighborhoodstars on television when his uncle was arrested. They even sat in the back of the police car until their mothers, June and Geeny, arrived. They barely made it out of the car before they tore into their asses.
“Let’s go!” Rell roared.
“I got you this time!” Trav hooted. “Watch how many I take down!’
He and Rell were playingBreak the Plate. Scooter was against it at first, but Kaleela made sure to let them know that under no circumstances were they ever allowed to touch a real gun.
“Shit,” Scooter muttered when his car hit the curb and spun off.
Kaleela squealed, catching his attention. He wasn’t sure she realized she did. He caught himself stealing glances as she pumped her fist and laughed as her car zipped past his. She couldn’t believe how much she pouted when they first pulled up. Not only had she never been toDave and Busters,but it made her feel like a kid.
With lots of urging from the boys, she’d allowed them to talk her into trying out a few of them, fromCity Car DrivingtoDirt Rally. He saw her hesitancy as the boys took off, looking like a fish out of water. Since it was his idea to come, he took the lead, coaching the boys from mini basketball to duck pins until they wanted to tackle the video games. Sweat peppered her face as she watched with fret until he bent down and whispered against her ear.
“What will it take for me to get you on one of these?”
He whipped out a knot of money, waving it in her face. She’d been counting money with her hands since she was fifteen, before Chico dropped off money-counting machines to each trap house.
“Oh, I want all that shit.” She tooted her lips, and he grinned.
“You sure?”
“Nigga, don’t get scared now.”
He wasted no time slipping his arms underneath her legs. She was terrified, but as the boys cheered her on, she wrapped her arms around his neck until she was safely lowered down in front of the steering wheel. Once seated, her confidence had returned.
“Miss Kaleela’s gone kick your butt!” Travis roared.
“We’ll see.” Travis’s prediction proved to be true because after her nerves settled, she won the first round. Five rounds later, and she was leading four to one.
“Don’t get quiet on me.” Her eyes slid toward his, watching as he tightly clenched the steering wheel. What she lacked in her legs, she made up for in her hands. Before she could challenge him for a sixth game, Rell came over, panting.
“Miss Kaleela, I’m thirsty.” Trav was on his heels, who put in his request for food. And just like that, their time alone was up.
