“The fact that you sittin’ here, breaking bread with my enemy, tells me that you are no fuckin’ brother of mine.”
I smirked. “I thought I was forgotten?”
He chuckled, and then his smile disappeared. “I want my bitch and my daughter back in my presence in forty-eight hours. I know you know where her hoe ass is. Don’t make me have to come looking for her, or it's gon’ be all bad for her ass whenI catch her.” He plucked a shrimp from Law’s plate and stood. “Mm. That's pretty good. May have to come back formore.” He smirked, downed my drink, and left as quickly as he came.
“Tru—”
“I know, Law. Fuck!”
I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. This was all bad. The decision wasn't left up to me anymore. My brother was violating and breaking the code of brotherhood. I knew the only reason he was even able to set foot in here and walk out like he did was because of me. At this point, there was nothing I could do to save him.
Law sipped his drink and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He’s a grown man and clearly untamable. I won't permit you to kill my brother, Law, but I also won't stop you from protecting yourself and your family. Just… try not to, if you can.”
“I can’t make no promises, brother. The threat has been made.”
I sighed as I stood, slapping palms with him. “Let me know when you’ve made that call for me. I need it done pronto. You seen that nigga just now.”
“Indeed.”
I walked out of the restaurant. I knew it was going to break my mother’s heart to have to bury her son, but this was the life he chose. It was out of my hands, and I was done trying to save someone who didn’t want to be saved.
Today was Scottlyn’s birthday.
As I placed the pretty, small tiara inside her cute bun, I smiled in admiration, watching my baby bounce in excitement, not knowing how special today was. Tears threatened to come to my eyes, but I promised myself I wouldn't cry today—not over my situation, and not over Damien missing her first birthday.
None of it.
Today was Scottie Pie’s day, and we were going to enjoy every waking moment of it. Since discretion was pivotal, I decided to throw a small gathering at Truce’s home. It would be very intimate with just a few people. I had Jasmine reach out to my best friend, Iyana, since I was too chicken to do it myself.
Iyana had a son, Marshawn, who would be three in February, and who was supposed to be my godson. I felt horrible and nervous after ghosting them for a year. I even told her to reach out to Marcy and Amber, my two other best girlfriends, even though they didn’t have children. I just wanted my life and my friends back, and I prayed that they would be accepting and come through for Scottlyn, if not for me.
I had the house decorated in purple, white, and gold with the Encanto character cutouts surrounding the living room. My baby loved that movie. I decided on cupcakes instead of a cake since there wouldn't be a lot of kids attending. I moved the furniture to one side of the room and had set up a mini playscape equipped with a slide, a small bounce house, mini trampolines, a ball pit, and a small tunnel the kids could crawl through. I made sure everything was child-proof for all the kids' safety.
There was a popcorn machine, a cotton candy machine, and a bubble machine. My mom created a station for finger and face painting, and Jas set up a station for a puppet show. Even though we couldn’t be outside for her birthday, being inside wasn't all bad either. It looked like a mini fair in the living room.
My phone chimed with a text from the dope sex slayer himself. Over the past two days, I had been sleeping in his bed and going through withdrawals. I did as he asked and sent him sexy photos, but that wasn't enough for me. I wanted to feel his hard, hot flesh on my body, stroking me into a damn stupor.
Tru Bear:
Thirty mins away.
Me:
Hurry… I miss you.
Tru Bear:
I miss you, too, baby.
I smiled, slid my phone in my pocket, and lifted Scottlyn from the dresser.
“You ready to have some fun, Scottie Pie?”
“Fuhhh!” she yelled in excitement.
I carried her downstairs, seeing my mom opening the door for someone. When Marcy, Iyana, and Amber walked through the door, I paused. Amber and Marcy had brought their nieces, who were toddlers, and of course, Iyana brought my godson. They all looked up at me, and I continued my trip down the stairs. As I approached them, I could see the happiness in their eyes, and that made the tears I was trying to hold in fall freely down my face.
