“How’s the family?” Dame asked, resting his ankle on his knee.
“They cool. You would know if you showed up. You brought this property and said fuck everybody.”
“Shit, that’s exactly what I did.” He scoffed, shaking his head. “I love it out here. Don't nobody bother me. I don't have to deal with no neighbors. Just me, Billie, and these dogs.”
“How Auntie been?”
He shrugged. “Still getting on my got damn nerves but that’s women though. She works now. Said she needed something to do so she goes into the city a couple times a week.”
“You cool with that? You know you old school and want your lady at home and shit.”
Dame leaned back, rocking gently in the chair. “That’s how me and your pops were raised. Our father didn’t allow our mother to work, so naturally, we did the same thing.”
Noble nodded. “I feel you.”
Dame turned to him, giving him a skeptical glance. Being that he used to run the streets, his discernment was still at an elite level. After his father was killed, Dame took over and gave Noble, Zayd, and Wilde principles to manhood. Were they morals that society would consider the standard? No, but by the streets, his gems were worth more than gold.
“You think I don't know you came out here ‘cause you got some shit you can’t solve? I can smell when a mothafucka is stressed.”
“I ain't stressed,” Noble retorted, rubbing his hand down his face.
“Nigga, that deep breath you just took says otherwise. We don't do casual visits. You stressed about something. What is it?”
Noble smirked, hating how he could never hide his dilemmas from Dame.
“A’ight… Zayd been proving himself more than Wilde. I wanted him to be the one, but that nigga don't got it. He’s been under Tuck’s ass for so long that he’s not structured, and he doesn’t move smart. Zayd does. He’s more like me. He shows up and he don't fuck around.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Dame asked.
“When Zayd takes over, I think Wilde will try him. Then, they’ll be at war, and I don't want that for my brothers.”
“Shit, let them go at each other. They need to fight it out. Prove to each other that they’re the best man. Ain't nothing wrong with a lil’ conflict. As long as it don't go too far.”
“That’s the thing, though.” Noble sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. “Wilde is a loose cannon, and Zayd is a quiet storm. You can’t gauge how far it will go.”
Dame seesawed his head. “They're still brothers. They got love for each other, but I get what you saying. It’s a thin line between love and hate. But don't let that stop you from making the right decision on who should lead.”
“I’m definitely leaning toward Zayd. He’s stepping up, especially since Rio’s been out of commission. Wilde ain't did shit but try to override what Zayd is doing.”
“I heard about Rio’s accident. How’s he holding up?”
“Still in the coma. I told his wife to keep him on life support ‘cause he might come through.”
Dame bobbed his head. “I done seen people wake up from that shit and recover like nothing happened.”
“Yeah.” Noble paused, trying to mentally prepare his next topic. “I got another issue.”
“What?”
“It’s this girl…”
Without warning, Dame cackled, making Noble chuckle and shake his head.
“It’s always a woman, Nephew. They literally are the center of our fucking universe and the reason for our headaches.”
Noble leaned back, contemplating his words. Women indeed made an impact but the red-headed girl who had invaded his life had shown him something different. There was a genuine quality about Irish that Noble couldn’t get enough of.
“Yeah, but this one different. She got me compromising my character, and I don't like it.”
