True didn’t say it, but the look he gave Eight let him know that he was going too far. “My dude, I got something to do.”

Eight placed his bike back on the curb and stepped away from the car. “Okay, True. I respect it, fam. Listen to my joint and get back with me.”

“A’ight,” True said as Eight closed the door.

The man watching True from the truck was a big-lipped kid, with a slightly receding hairline. The whole time that True rounded his car to get into the driver’s seat, he kept his eyes glued to him. Since becoming semifamous, True was used to cats staring at him, but there was something in the kid’s eyes that he didn’t like. Right after Crazy Eight had gone he placed his .40 cal on his lap as he started the engine.

In the rearview mirror, True saw the big-lipped kid get out of the truck and head in his direction. True’s heart began to pound in anticipation of what was about to pop off. He didn’t know the kid’s face, so he was pretty sure he had never crossed him, or given him reason to want to harm him, but with hating-ass niggaz operating the way they did, a reason wasn’t necessary. As the kid drew nearer the driver’s side window, True checked to make sure there was one in the chamber of the Glock.

Von clenched and unclenched his fists as he approached the car. Whoever the kid was who was hugged up on Rhonda was about to get himself checked. Von was sure the kid saw him approaching in the rearview, yet he didn’t move. Von figured that he was probably shitting his pants, which only made him feel even bolder. He opened his mouth to say something smart, but the words got stuck in his throat when he saw the hammer resting on True’s lap.

“Can I help you?” True glared up at Von.

For a minute Von just stared, dumbfounded, until eventually he was able to find his voice. “Oh, my fault, yo. I just wanted to say ya new video is dope.”

True just nodded and repressed the urge to laugh at Von’s cowardice. “Thanks. Cop that album, son,” True said, putting the car in gear and peeling off on Von, who stood there looking like a clown.

Von must’ve raised hell for almost a half hour. He pressed Rhonda with questions as to who the cat in the Beamer was, and made accusations and threats about what he would do to him. Rhonda knew how True rocked, so she saw right through Von’s lie. He was trying to make it seem like he was the one who was pulling the G moves and not the other way around.