“Congraaaaats Baby Girl!”
YT struts into the room like she owns it, in a powder blue velour short set and ice blue stilettos. Big opaque oversize glasses cover half her face, but she’s showing all thirty-two at Brina, who’s own face is frozen.
“T-True–”
YT tsks as she sets the balloons down. “Now, Bri, youknowI go by YT. But you’re tired, and you’re you, so I’ll give you a pass… my brothers send their regards.” She finally looks around the room, winking at Dal before training her gaze on Mace and I.
Her grin somehow gets wider. “Oh, Deezy, you’re glowing more and more every day–”
“How did you know where I was?” Brina’s voice is shaking, and Set places Cody in his portable crib before moving toward her.
YT shifts her eyes toward me, her gaze hardening as her smile sharpens. “Baby Girl, Shaddy isn’t the only person you know that’s handy with a computer.”
She takes off her scarf and fluffs out her platinum blonde pixie cut before pouting at her cousin. “I thought I told you when I got out we would be working on our relationship. That means you have to tell me these things. I shouldn’t have to resort to other means to find out you’ve given birth.” She speaks to Brina like she’s speaking to a toddler, scolding her for eating a cookie before dinner.
“Maaaan, in a minute–”
YT holds her hand up. “As much as I would like you to finish that sentence, my time is limited.”
“Ay, who the fuck–”
“Rahshad, can we speak outside, please?”
Mace stiffens and moves in front of me, which only makes YT narrow her eyes. “Oh… this isjuicy.”
“What do you want with him?”
YT folds her arms. “Are you questioning me?”
“True–”
“Oh myGodI just need to talk to him!Alone. He’ll come back in one piece.” She starts backing out of the room, mumbling under her breath. When she gets to the door, she looks at Brina one more time, eyes softening. “I really am happy for you, Baby Girl. But you need to start answering my calls. I don’t like being mad at you.”
As soon as the door closes behind her, Nut starts. “Ay, I know that’s yo cousin B, but something ain’t right with her ass. Choc told me all the shit her and her brothers be into; why the fuck they move down here?”
“She crazy as fuck, but apparently Mekhi said she’s his Number Two now. She the leader, not that big nigga YC. And Ty said she be doing her shit on the business side.”
Nut scowls and waves Set off. “I don’t give a fuck. I don’t trust that bitch–no offense. But shit, y’all don’t either. What the fuck she want with Shad?”
“I don’t know, but I’ma go see.”
“Like hell you are!”
“Oh hell no!”
“I don’t think–”
All three ladies speak at once, but it’s Mace grabbing my shirt that has me turning to her. “You don’t know her like we do. She could be complimenting you, or she could gut you like a fish in the middle of the hallway. You never know, and you never see her coming.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “You worried about me, Mace?”
She scoffs, folding her arms and turning away. “Fine. It’s your life. Don’t listen to me.”
I shift my eyes to Dal, who’s shaking her head profusely, and Brina, who’s now got Cameron in her arms.
So I shrug and follow YT out.
“I’m finna have to smoke a bitch. First body as a father,” I hear Set say before the door closes behind me.
