“Nah. After your uncle told me what happened, he connected me with Noelani. After she told me what happened, I took Russell with me to pick up the keys and take your car to the center. I didn’t think it would be a good idea for you to be on school property again so soon.”
I chuckled. “You’re probably right. As long as nobody in that building talks sideways to Noelani, I won’t have to make another appearance until Ramina graduates.”
When we got into his truck, I texted Noelani to let her know I’d been released, was with Rocky, and headed to the center to get my car. My brother and I rode to the youth center in silence. Once we arrived, we went inside, and I got my car keys from Russell.
“You choking niggas out with one good arm,” Russell joked. “I see you, baby brother.”
“I damn near forgot my arm was in a sling. If that nigga wasn’t a bitch, I might be back at zero with my therapy.”
“You might look like Russ, but you’re damn sure a hothead like Roman. I wish you could’ve met him,” Rocky said.
I nodded. “Me too. From what you’ve told me about him, we were one of one.”
“That’s real shit,” Rocky agreed.
We shared a solemn moment before Russell’s phone rang. He looked at the screen and released a breath.
“It’s Rose. I’ve been calling her ass all day and she’s just now returning my call.”
As he left, Rocky shook his head. “Those two are gon’ drive each other crazy.”
“Are they together? I thought they were, but then I wasn’t sure because?—”
“No explanation needed. Those two confuse us all. One day, they’re inseparable, the next, she’s pushing him away, talking about she doesn’t want anything serious. When Russ gets tired of the back and forth and finds a more willing woman, her ass gon’ be sick.”
“From the looks of it, he’s running out of patience.”
“He’s probably close.”
“Before I go, any updates?” I asked.
“Oh shit. I meant to call you last week, but my wife and daughter got sick as hell. They’re doing much better now, but they had me running.”
“I’m glad they’re doing better.”
“Me too, hell. I couldn’t take too much more, but back to your question. Mayhem and the Riders had a situation a few years ago that sparked a war after decades of peaceful coexistence. I wouldn’t say it was resolved, but the Riders acknowledged they were wrong, so they agreed to go back to peacefully coexisting. You’re one of us, and the Riders are aware, so technically, they can’t fuck with you.”
“I appreciate that, Bruh, but I ain’t no bitch. If?—”
He shook his head as he interrupted me. “It ain’t about you being a bitch. It’s about you being alive. You just got engaged and got a kid on the way. Some members of the Riders don’t follow protocol, and from what I’ve found out about Zelle, he’s one of them. Chill and let us handle him. We’ve had eyes on him since he touched down, and he seems like one of those niggas whose mouth writes checks that his ass can’t catch.”
“He’s most definitely that.”
“My source told me that the majority of people they sent to watch the stash houses went back to Savannah because nothing was popping off. Zelle continues to bring your name up every chance he gets, but his people are finally starting to question the validity of his claims.”
I chuckled. “His claims are valid; he just has no proof.”
“Well, what’s the saying . . . proof is nine-tenths of the law?”
“Nah, Big Bruh, I think it’s ‘possession is nine-tenths of the law’, but either way, he doesn’t possess any proof, so it’s all the same.”
“That’s right. Well, either way, we got your back, and I’ll keep you posted.”
When I arrived home, Noelani had dinner waiting. After greeting me with a kiss, she made our plates. When I returned from the bathroom, she was already seated at the table. I quickly blessed the food because I knew she was ready to talk about what happened today.
“What happened at the police station? Did you get charged? How much was your bail?”
“They put me in a holding cell, and I didn’t get charged or have to pay bail.”
