I chuckled. “That’s wild. I know about you, but you don't know anything about me. I guess I ain't that important, huh?”
She shrugged again. “I guess not. What do you know about me?”
“That you had my niece and are about to marry my big-headed-ass brother.”
We laughed, and I had to look away because her smile was doing shit to me.
“Yo, Tru! Where you at, bruh?” Dame yelled.
Jela jumped up from the couch and moved to the recliner. My brows met seeing the nervous look on her face.
What’s that shit about?I thought to myself, but I knew. She’d confirmed my thoughts about Dame putting his hands on her.
“In the den!” I yelled back, lifting Scottlyn in the air and making faces at her.
Dame stumbled in the den and sat beside me. “You finally get to see your niece in person, nigga. Scottie Lottie, tell ya uncle he’s a bitch-ass nigga for shading you for almost a year.”
“Da-da,” Scottlyn said, reaching for him.
“Dang, Scottlyn. I thought we were bonding? You gon’ diss me for ya pops?” I placed my hand on my chest as if I were wounded.
“Ain’t no competition when it comes to Daddy. Ain’t that right, Scottie baby?”
She clapped her little hands as I laughed. He kissed her cheeks, then tossed her in the air. “We gotta go. I gotta drop some work off to my people. J, go pack our shit.” He handed Scottlyn to her as she stood and left the room without a word.
“Aye,” Dame said, tapping my arm while looking to make sure Jela was out of the room. “You coming to my crib, right?”
I sighed. “I guess, fool. Your sheets better be clean, and the bathroom better be stocked.”
“Nigga, my bitch makes sure our shit stays clean. She ain't got no other choice since her ass don’t do shit else.”
“Have some respect for your lady, man.”
“What? I’m just telling the truth.”
“I’m talking about you calling her out of her name. She’s the woman you’re about to give your last name to. She shouldn’t be called anything but your queen or wife-to-be.”
“It’s a habit, man. Anyway, I probably won't be back until morning, but you have free access to everything you’ll need. If you need anything, just hit Jela up.”
I shook my head. “Why don’t you come work at Lane Builders with me? This street ain’t gon’ last forever, bro.”
“And what the fuck am I going to be doing at ya company? Build houses?” He chuckled.
“What's wrong with that? How long do you think you can run these streets without one or two things happening to you? You got a daughter and a lady to think about now. Them fucking streets don’t love you, bruh. And the moment they feel like you slippin’, is when shits going to end for you. I want better for you, man. Always have.”
“I ain’t like you, Truce. My daddy ain’t instill shit in me but to hustle. That’s all I know. And don’t act like you wasn’t out there gettin’ it out the mud with me before you met Saleem. Also, no offense, but I ain’t putting on no suit unless I’m in a casket, you feel me?” He laughed, but I didn’t.
I don’t know why I even bothered trying to convince him to leave the streets alone. It was painfully clear that he chose the path he wanted, even though he had a degree in business, something that I had to persuade him to get.
“I don’t need to work at Lane Builders when I have three thriving businesses. In the event that something happens to me, my daughter gon’ be good. She got love around her, and I know you gon’ be the father figure she needs.”
“Knock, knock.” Dame and I looked over to see his ex, Brittany, standing in the entryway. “I’m ready whenever you are,” she directed to Dame.
I looked at this nigga like he had three heads while he smirked at me.
“Go wait in the car. I’ll be out there in a minute,” he said without looking her way.
“Okay,” she said seductively before looking at me. “Hey, Truce.”
