She sucked her teeth. “Boy, what did I just say? Tell me now.”
I looked around for a second. “Iight, get back in the car.”
She did that shit with no problem, and I walked around to the driver’s side and hopped back in. Once I closed the door, her eyes were locked on me, waiting.
“I don’t know what it is…” I said low. “But I’ve been feeling like somebody is watching me or some shit. And last night, I swore I heard a camera click when I hopped out.”
Islah stared at me for a second.
“Do you think it’s because you are switching up on T and you feel guilty?”
I almost laughed out loud.
“Nah, baby, it ain’t that. I don’t know what it is. I just want to make sure you are safe.”
Islah slowly nodded and opened the car door.
“Come on, let’s go inside.”
She didn’t ask me shit else. I just hopped out and followed her up the steps. Once inside, she wrapped her arms around me.
“Listen, if I stressed you out, I’m sorry?—”
I cut her off. “This has nothing to do with that, baby. You might be right ‘bout the shit with T. He didn’t like me cutting ties with him.”
I said that shit just to end the conversation.
“Yeah…well, you got your meeting in a few. T is behind you, let that shit go.”
I kissed her, and she walked off to the bedroom. I went and sat on the couch and checked my phone. Nigga was still hitting me for that work, and Trina was texting back-to-back about her shit, and she was pissing me off.
I sent her a picture of my house keys and a message. “Bought my girl a house off your crack. Stay the fuck off my line.”
I saw the three dots like she was typing, but they instantly went away.
I still wasn’t at ease, though. After a while, I went and checked on Islah, and she was knocked out. It was almost time for my meeting. I grabbed my money for my brick and my emergency bag outta the closet, kissed Islah, and walked out. Across the parking lot, I saw Bully sittin’ outside his door smokin’.
I walked down the steps, placed one duffel bag in my car, and walked over to Bully.
“Wussup, nigga?” I said, walkin’ up the steps.
“Not shit, nigga, you good? You ain’t been around today.”
“Yeah, spent the day with Islah. I need you to do something for me.”
“I got you, nigga, what is it?”
I tossed the duffel bag at his feet. “I’m ‘bout to go to the meeting. I need you to hold this bag for me and give it to Islah if anything happens to me.”
Bully tilted his head at me.
“What the fuck is goin’ on, nigga? Do you want me to come with you?”
“Nah, it’s all good. I just have a feeling.” I then dug in my pocket and handed him the key. “Hold this for me too. I’ma send you the address that goes to.”
Bully nodded slow, and I walked back down the steps. I hopped in my car and pulled off.
I don’t know if my mind was playin’ tricks on me or not, but it didn’t matter. I was gonna move accordingly to make sure Islah was straight.
