“Shit. Where he go? I gotta get that off him.”
“Get what off him?”
“My money fuck you mean?” He gave me a look that meant he was serious but I didn’t understand how he could be.
I chuckled again and folded my arms because Link really was worried about the wrong thing. “That’s my money and he’ll be more than happy to tell you that shit whenever you run back into him.”
“Porsha, I gave you that shit to sell—”
“With the fucking money I fronted you, nigga! How many times have I had to dip into my fucking course fund to save your ass from my brother’s wrath? How many times your ass promises you gone pay me back and then it’s always fucking something. Trinity need this, her ho ass mama need that. You need to treat yourself even though you ain’t done shit to treat yourself for. Shit, if I was the ho and you was the pimp I’d at least get a cut. Right now you getting some of all my work and that don’t work with me. We too old to still be playing these lil ass games, Link. I need a nigga that I can count on not somebody that will leave me stranded for hours.”
“If waiting for your man was such a gotdamn issue you should’ve gone with your fucking brother.” He said that shit way too bitter and I needed him to understand just how badly he’d fucked up.
“See, I saved your ass from him hunting you down. Because he told me to go wit’ ‘im to find my shit but I declined makin’ up an excuse for you as always. But yeah, gone head and tell Man how you want the money that he knows I made from pushing product all day.” I was nodding because I dared for him to step to my brother like he was stupid. Man had a serious issue with people trying to disrespect him or anyone he loved. He normally used his fists, but he probably would shoot Link’s ass just because he hated him so much.
“You not gone—”
“I’m not gone do a fuck ass thing but let you drive to wherever the fuck you’re getting dropped off at so I can go home and relax.”
He frowned up like my words were a surprise. “Damn, we not about to lay up or nothing? I missed y—”
I waved him away with my fingers because that bullshit he was talking wasn’t about to convince me to change my mind. I was angry; I was tired and no sweet talking was going to change how I felt. A change in his actions would be the only balm, but somehow I knew he wasn’t going to change anything. He’d been given too much leeway with me and I’d accepted too much. If anything was going to be different, it was going to have to be me.
“Save that shit for whoever you were laid up with all fucking day instead of putting in work like you should’ve. You have no issue with fucking up my day but now you want some pussy? Get the fuck outta here. And move cause you blocking traffic and shit.” Cars had been honking at us and this dub ass was ignoring it just to keep arguing with me.
He shook his head like none of what I was saying sunk in. “Nah, we need—”
I saw the light before I heard thewhoop whoopof the siren and saw the cop car swoop in perpendicular to ours. I was now even more agitated, since this was the last thing I needed today. My brother had yet again come in clutch and ensured I wasn’t carrying anything on me.
“I told you to move, but nah you just had to sit your ass in the road and argue.”
“Now ain’t the time for this shit, Porsha.”
“You right. You better hope the police moonlight as taxi drivers because as soon as this is cleared up I’m about to leave your ass on the curb.”
He sucked his teeth like I was joking. “Yeah, you say that.”
“And I mean it.”
The cop approached the vehicle and it was hard to tell what they looked like because the tint was so dark. As soon as Linkrolled down the window I could tell the officer smelled exactly what I had when I’d opened the car door.
Fool didn’t even have the decency to let the damn car air out.
I was holding my breath hoping that the officer would be lenient on us but I knew based on where we were and where they assumed we’d come from that thought was slim to none.
“What seems to be the problem, officer?” His tone had changed quickly from when we were arguing.
“Wonderin’ why you lollygagging in the street. You folks need help?” I knew he was trying to sound nice, but even I could hear how nervous he sounded.
“No sir, just heading out to eat with my girl.” Link reached over for my hand even though I didn’t know why. He should’ve known better than to make any sudden movements.
“You must got the munchies or something.” The officer was trying to make a joke but none of it was funny.
“I’m sorry?”
The officer motioned to the car before looking back at Link. “This whole car stinks of marijuana. Your eyes are glassy so you can’t even lie and say you haven’t been doing anything. Where you headed?”
“To dinner like I said.” Link nodded toward the front of the car like the man could guess where we wanted to go.
