“You got some fuckin’ nerve,” she said finally. “Walking up to me like that. Acting polite. Complimenting me. Then dropping that shit like it’s a muthafuckin’ gender reveal.”
“I didn’t mean it like that—”
“—You don’t mean shit,” she snapped. “You been hiding? Keep hiding.”
I didn’t wait. I stepped up right beside Mel, giving the stranger a clean look from head to toe.
“Problem here?” I asked.
The woman blinked at me before responding. “Excuse me?”
“I said, is there a fuckin’ problem? ’Cause whatever you said got my sister ready to pop you in yo’ shit.”
Sophi leaned in close to Mel’s side. “You alright?”
Mel didn’t answer right away. She was still locked in on the girl. “Don’t smile at me. Don’t speak to me. Don’t come near me. I don’t care what the hell you think you know or what your reason is. This? Ain’t the time or place.”
The woman shifted, looking uncomfortable now. “I didn’t mean to cause drama. I just—”
“—It doesn’t matter,” I interrupted. “You should go. Now.”
She hesitated, then turned and walked off without another word.
I turned to Mel, scanning her face. “You good?”
She shook her head and eyes tight. “I’m fine.” She lied.
“What did she say to you?” I asked.
Mel hesitated, rubbing her stomach. “Said she knew Kilo. That they had history… and her kid is his.”
Sophi’s mouth fell open. “Wait, what?”
“She said her daughter and my son are siblings.” Mel laughed bitterly. “Can you believe that shit?”
“Bitch, what?” Kasha hissed. “You serious?”
I clenched my jaw. “You want me to call Buck?”
“No,” Mel said quickly.
I nodded, but it took everything in me not to hit send, anyway.
“I don’t even know that girl,” Mel muttered. “Only reason I remember her face is because she used to be around when wewere kids. But that’s it. She pops up now, acting like she knows me and trying to drop bombs in the middle of the damn mall.”
Sophi sat on the bench and motioned for Mel to sit. “Sis, take a breath. That baby don’t need this stress.”
“I know,” Mel said, but she was still fired up.
Kasha handed her a bottle of water. “Whoever she is, she bold as hell.”
“Bold and dumb,” I added.
“Yeah, well… she got the right one today,” Mel muttered. “I’m just pissed Kilo ain’t say shit if this is true.”
We all got quiet. Kasha looked between us. “You think he knows?”
Mel didn’t answer.
