“Your heart is going to get you fucking hurt. I taught you to use your head,” Nahvid said. “I’ve seen plenty of good girls lose their lives over niggas like the one you trying to run back to. He’s no good for you. You’ve got to listen to me, Aria. You’re my responsibility. Something’s going to happen to you on his watch.”

“And it’ll be worth it,” Aria said. She sounded like such a girl in love. “I’d rather die right now than live the rest of my life without him. If I get a day with him and nothing else, it’s worth it. So stop the car.”

“I’m not stopping the car,” Nahvid said without looking at her.

“Fine,” Aria said, opening the door while the driver was going eighty miles per hour. The driver swerved.

“Yo! What the fuck are you doing?” Nahvid shouted. “Close the door!”

“Let me out, Nahvid! I’m not a little-ass girl. I’m going home to my man,” Aria argued.

“If you do this, that’s it. I’m done with it. I’m not doing the sleepless nights, the back and forth coming to bail you out when the nigga go upside your head—”

“He’d never,” Aria defended.

“Until he does,” Nahvid scoffed. “You make this choice, and that’s it.”

“Then it’s been real, brother, because my heart won’t let me not love him,” Aria said, her eyes misting. Aria was betting big on Isa and calling Nahvid’s bluff, only Nahvid didn’t bluff. He said what he meant and meant what he said. If Aria got out of this car, he would be done with her. “You’re my brother. I don’t want to lose you,” Aria said as a tear slipped down her face.

“I’m not into watching people I love self-destruct, and that nigga can’t be around me. He don’t think before he act. So if you get out this car, don’t call me, Aria. I love you, but I know when to love from afar,” Nahvid said.

“You can pull over on the next exit,” Aria said. Her chin quivered, and a tear fell against her will as the driver veered off the highway. They pulled into a gas station, and Aria opened the door.

“Nah. I’m not going to let my little sister find a way across three states. You take the car, and then we’re done,” Nahvid said as he opened his door. “I’m disappointed as fuck, Aria. You’re better than this.” He pushed open the door, and Aria sobbed when it slammed closed.

“Back to Michigan, please,” she said.

She turned around in her seat, staring at Nahvid as he placed a call while she rode away. She hoped one day he would change his mind, or that she could prove that Isa wasn’t as bad as Nahvid thought.

6