“That might have to wait. She’s got her hands full right now.” Jean pointed across the street.

Billy looked over by the liquor store where a small crowd was gathering and all she could say was, “Damn!”

When Rhonda and Reese got across the ave, Paul was standing by a tricked-out Caddy, talking to Ice and two of his girls. Her anger immediately welled up, seeing him out there smiling with the two pretty girls. Though she wasn’t with Paul, she couldn’t stand to see him around another female. She decided to crash the party and make her presence felt.

“What’s good, y’all?” Rhonda said, stepping on the curb.

When Paul turned around and saw her, his whole mood changed. He tried his best to be cool with Rhonda for the sake of P.J., but they never could sit horses.

“‘Sup,” he said, uninterested.

“Shit, hello to you, too.” She stepped right into his and Ice’s space, disregarding the conversation they were having. “You ain’t gonna introduce your baby mama to your little friends, Paul?”

“Ain’t nobody here that you got a reason to meet, Rhonda. I’ll get with you in a little while.” Paul turned his back on her and tried to resume his conversation with Black Ice.

“Nigga, don’t be trying to style on me for these hos!” Rhonda raised her voice.

“These Harlem bitches got me fucked up!” Passion spoke up. She was another of Ice’s hos who were present. “Who is this little black bitch talking to?”

“If the dick fits in your mouth, suck it, bitch!” Reese spat.

“Oh, I got your bitch right here!” Passion said, advancing on Reese. Passion was about five foot eleven and weighed 170-something, so it took the combined efforts of Ice and one of his other women to hold her back.

“Why don’t y’all go somewhere with that shit,” Paul said, stepping between the warring parties.

“Fuck you, Paul. That bitch shouldn’t have come out her mouth!” Rhonda shouted, way louder than she had to.

Paul turned to Ice. “Yo, I’m sorry about this shit, Ice. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Ain’t nothing, baby. We’re all gentlemen here.” Ice brushed his shoulder off.

Paul looked at Rhonda and had to restrain himself from saying something vicious to her. Instead, he tapped Larry and motioned for them to keep it moving. He got about three feet and Rhonda was right on his heels.

“Nigga, don’t be walking away from me!” She ran up on him.

“Rhonda, I ain’t trying to do this with you. Just leave me alone.”

“See, that’s your problem. You can’t take me, and that’s why you couldn’t fuck with me. Tell the truth, Paul. I was too much woman for you, huh?”