“Bitch ass nigga we only playin’ with you, aww you pussy man!” Everyone doubled over in laughter.

“Why you fuckin’ playin! Fuckin’ fools!” He was fixing his clothes. Kay threw him a towel to dry off the sweat.

“We got your punk ass, nephew!”

“You still wet behind the ears. Come see us in about four years.”

“Fuck y’all niggas.” Kevin spat. He was madder than a muthafucka.

TASHA

I was enjoying my conversation with Seven when Kevin came racing into the living room and went outside, damn near knocking the door off its hinges. Me and Seven jumped up at the same time and went after him.

“Let me talk to my sister. Take the baby back into the house. I’ll be there in a few,” he said as he paced back and forth, his shaking hands fumbling to light a blunt.

“Is everything alright?” Seven asked.

“I’m good. Get your shit together though. Time to go.”

She paused before turning and going into the house.

“What’s going on, Kevin? What did you do?”

“What did I do? Them crazy motherfuckers just put a gun to my head!”

“For what? What did you do?”

I knew for damn sure Trae and them wouldn’t do something like that unless some shenanigans were going on. Brother or not, I needed to know what he did for them to go that far.

“They was fuckin’ playing around. Them niggas are crazy, Tasha, crazy. They don’t know who they fuckin’ with.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Take it how you want it.”

Chapter Ten

The Board Walk

Coney Island, New York

RICK

Things were going as good as it was going to get with Kyra until she finally decided to be more open minded about the Nina situation. I couldn’t front and act as if I didn’t understand her because I did. I just wished she would understand me and realize that I was doing all that I could to make sure those I loved were taken care of and nurtured. This was my kingdom. The typical nigga would’ve been secretly dipping between the two and feeding them both lies just to feed his ego. But, that’s not me and it would never be me. I was as real as they came, and I was not going to stop fighting for my family until I was at the head of my throne.

“What’s up, baby? I want you to enjoy yourself.” We had dipped away from the baby shower and went to walk around Coney Island on the board walk.

“I’m supposed to be fake with you and act like I’m happy?” Kyra pursed her lips. She was adamant. “You need to make a choice, Rick, because I am not feeling what you are hell bent on doing.”