Slick was about to come out of his mouth sideways, but seeing the bartender setting his drink down took some of the bite out of his mood. “That’s a’ight,” Slick said, careful not to let Rel know he was uptight. “When I catch shorty I can fix that problem. You, on the other hand, can’t do nothing about the fact that you don’t get no pussy,” Slick remarked, laughing as he headed back through the crowd, leaving Rel at the bar feeling burnt.

At the site of his son’s mother heading his way, Paul immediately felt his kill switch trying to flip itself into the on position. He thought that he’d be able to enjoy a nice night out with his right-hand man Larry, but seeing Rhonda threatened to jeopardize that. He thought about trying to slip away into the crowd, but knew it wouldn’t be of much help. Rhonda had already spotted him and would be sure to track him for the entire night until she got her point across.

“Just be cool,” Larry told him, seeing the irritated expression on his friend’s face.

“I am cool,” Paul lied.

“Paul, I know you. Don’t let that girl goad you into causing a scene. We paid good money to get in here and have a good time, so let’s do that.”

“I hear you,” Paul said, giving himself a mental pep talk.

“What’s up, baby daddy?” Rhonda smirked as if she knew something he didn’t.

“‘Sup,” he replied, not bothering to make eye contact with her.

“What the fuck is his problem?” Rhonda asked Larry.

“He’s chilling,” he said to Rhonda, but continued to look at Reese, wondering if her ass had been that phat the last time he saw her.

Rhonda frowned at his answer and turned back to Paul. “Drinks on you?”

“I ain’t got it,” Paul said shortly.

“You ain’t got it? You must got it, ’cause you still ain’t brought P.J.’s sneakers.”

The devil in Paul screamed for him to pounce on her, but he chose a softer approach. “Rhonda, please don’t start with me.”

“Ain’t nobody trying to start with you, Paul. It ain’t even that serious,” she said, giving him a stink look. “I’m in here trying to get my swerve on, not harass your maggot ass.”

“Rhonda, why you always starting with that boy?” Larry asked.

Rhonda spun on him as if she was ready to fight. “Why don’t you mind your fucking business?”

“You better watch your trump-ass mouth, I ain’t Paul,” he warned her.

Rhonda got ready to lay into Larry, but spotting True across the room talking to a big-butt female changed her plans. “Come on, Reese,” she said, pulling her toward True’s direction. “Fucking derelicts,” she said over her shoulder as she passed Larry and Paul.