“That don’t have shit to do with me,” I replied out loud. I leaned back in my seat, draping my arm over the back. “It’s not what it seems, and she’s upset about it. She’s torn up over that shit and needed someone to just listen to her. If she needs me to be her ear, I’m going to be that.”
Running to women and being their knight in shining armor isn’t something I regularly do. Time has shown me that these women only want you when it’s beneficial for them. When they feel like you’re not useful or no longer serve them purpose, they discard you like trash. Me being the nigga I am, I’ll never let a bitch play with my feelings again. With Noemi, it was different. She doesn’t want a damn thing from me but conversation, and that alone makes me respect the fuck out of her.
“You like that girl, don’t you?” Uno eyed me skeptically. “Do you think that’s a good idea? You know her family?—”
“Hold up…” I held my hand up and chuckled as I leaned forward on the table. “I don’t give a damn about her family. They’re the source of her pain, so fuck all of them niggas. Granted, I won’t cause trouble for us because of all they’re doing for the city and helping you with the rebuild. Dre is my boy, too, and I fuck with him heavy. But know that if I wanted Noemi, she’s as good as mine. There’s nothing her so-called nigga or brothers could do to stop that shit. Don’t none of them niggas put fear in me.”
My brothers stared at me without saying anything. I understood they were coming from a good place, but they didn’t have to worry about me. Nothing was going on between Mimi and me, but if she needed a friend in her corner, she could for sure count on me.
“All I’m saying is I don’t want you to start some unnecessary beef, especially about a woman you don’t have any ties to. At the end of the day, we have a business relationship with them. On the personal tip…” He shrugged before he ate a few fries. “You know I got you for whatever. Just make sure the shit is what you want before we have to get active.”
Nodding, I let the subject die because it wasn’t up for debate. Wasn’t nobody about to tell me that Noemi and I couldn’t be friends—my family, her family, or that nigga she was so-called engaged to.
Feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket, I smirked at the incoming message from Noemi.
Mimi:
Jordan, do you have any good vacation recommendations? Nice weather is a must. Oh, and water! I love a good beachfront villa!
Me:
I know damn well you’re not asking me for recs when you’ve been to almost every island in the Caribbeans. *Smirk Emoji*
Mimi:
You’re right. *eye roll emoji* How about I come to Milly Grove and stay at Grove’s Isles? I heard Dre say it’s really nice this time of year.
Me:
It doesn’t get any better, baby. Pull up, and I got you.
Closing out my messages, I placed my phone on the table and found four eyes on me when I looked up.
“The fuck y’all niggas looking at?” I mugged them both. “Y’all got some more unwanted shit to discuss?”
“Chill, man.” Uno threw his hands up in surrender as Wild smirked. “I don’t have shit to say.”
As we ate our food, we got lost in conversation. We talked about everything from the latest in the sports world to planning a family trip. Mother’s Day was coming up, and it would be a nice gift for not only our mother but Harley and her mom as well. We haven’t done anything as a whole family yet, and I knew the ladies would enjoy that.
“Oh shit, I almost forgot!” Wild’s dumb ass yelled and caused the eyes of the nearby patrons to stop all chatter and stare at us. “What the fuck y’all niggas looking at?”
“Adrian, shut the hell up and say what’s on your damn mind!” Uno scolded him. “I’m telling Mama how embarrassing you are, and you know she doesn’t play about her mayor-son.”
“Bitch-ass nigga.” He mugged him and grumbled before he turned his sights to me. “You’ll never guess who came by the store today.”
He stopped talking and stared at me as if he really expected me to guess. That shit pissed me off because I wasn’t about to play any games with his stupid ass.
“Muthafucka, who?!”
“I gotta stop coming out in public with you niggas.” Uno shook his head and chuckled. “Just don’t know how to damn act.”
“Since you want to be a dickhead, I shouldn’t tell you.” Wild mugged me before he began to smile. “But since I know you’re crazy as fuck, I am.” He paused again before pushing out the name I despised with my entire being. “Gia.”
Bitch.
Feeling my mood change instantly, I stared at him as his smile got wider. Uno cursed under his breath before waving the waitress over for shots. He knew how much I hated the mere mention of that hoe’s name. I don’t know why she was back in town, but if I ever caught her ass in my city, it was lights out.
“She came by looking for you…”
