“That tough-guy shit is what got yo ass punched in the eye in the first place,” Groovy reminded him. “If you hadn’t been trying to play gorilla with that bitch, duke would’ve never decked you.”

“Yo, how the fuck you sound right now?” Rel asked seriously. “A nigga get a lucky snuff off in the club and you’re making jokes? Yo, if anything you supposed to be helping me figure out how we gonna catch this nigga and put his lights out.”

“Go ahead with that fake gangsta shit.” Groovy waved him off.

“Nah, Rel is right,” Slick said. “First these little niggaz rob the spot, then a nigga snuffs Rel in the club. Niggaz is acting like we ain’t ’bout our shit. We gotta tighten up, fellas.”

“The only thing I’m gonna tighten up is that bitch Yoshi,” Rel declared.

“I told you that bitch was a snake, son. If you ask me, it was probably a setup,” Groovy said.

“Word,” Rel agreed, convincing himself that that was actually the case. “Yo, when I spring the trap on these muthafuckas, my justice is gonna be swift. If you don’t believe nothing else, you better believe that.”

“Don’t worry, Rel, you know I ain’t gonna let this shit go unpunished. After we deal with this thieving muthafucka Jah, we’re gonna find out who laid hands on you. But until then, what we doing today?”

“Getting money,” Groovy said.

“We get money every day, my dude. I’m talking about recreationally. It’s mad hot out and I know these bitches is gonna be on the streets in full force.”

“While y’all silly muthafuckas is sitting here playing video games, we need to be on the streets. Let’s go up to Rucker Park and see what’s popping.”

“Yeah, lets do that. But first let’s get this fool some sunglasses. Him running around with his shit all broke up is gonna make us look soft.”

“Fuck you.” Rel scowled at Groovy. He went back to the mirror and continued dabbing his eyes with the ice. “Had it been you, your ass would’ve probably ran. Fake tough guy.” Groovy thought the situation was funny, but Rel didn’t see it like that. Not only had Yoshi dissed him when he tried to pour his heart out, but she had been the cause of him getting knocked out in the club. Hundreds of people had seen or heard about the incident and it wouldn’t be something that Rel would live down anytime soon. His pride might’ve been hurt, but he was still a gangsta. The next time he bumped into Yoshi, he would show her just how ‘bout it he was.

“Man, fuck these little niggaz,” Groovy said, tossing his joystick to the ground. “If you’re really that uptight about the shit, let’s go handle it!”