“You want to know what the fuck your problem is? You make yourself a priority. You selfish, Ledge. You got kids, and a girl that loves you. I always thought Chevy was the problem, but it’s pretty clear you just another fuck nigga. Don’t be mad when the next nigga is fucking your bitch and raising your kids.”
Ledge didn’t respond, instead he glared back at him while breathing through his nose. He peeked over his shoulder at me and shook his head while facing his friend. After looking him up and down, he took a few steps around him to go. Frequency let him exit. When we heard the door close in the front he finally blinked. Balling his fists, he pressed them both into the countertop and took a couple of deep breaths. He brought his rounded orbs up to mine.
“You a’ight?” He asked.
“Are you?” I asked, struggling to get on the bar stool. “That’s your friend and your relationship with him. And I’m not trying to come between that.” I grumbled, feeling hot suddenly as my chest perspired from the side effect.
Frequency was studying me like he didn’t believe anything that I was telling him. The comfort of his strong hand on my back left me feeling stronger.
“I’ve cut a mothafucka off for less.” Free responded. “Ledge been reckless. Whenever I want to go right, nigga want to go left. Our values ain’t even the same. It’s always been in the cards to come to this.” He bowed his head, seeming regretful.
“If you can fix it, you should.” I assured him, suddenly weak.
“You sure you okay?” He pressed, wrapping his arm around me.
“Yeah. I think I’m just going to lay back down. I’m still a little drained from the rounds we went overnight.” I had to force a smile on my lips and he sloped forward planting a kiss to my cheek.
“A’ight. Go get some rest. I need to work for a minute in my office. Don’t sweat that shit with Ledge. I’ll handle it.” Frequency assured me.
Frequency
Finding Knowledge going off on Harbor on top of everything else that I’ve been going through was enough to set a nigga off. He was out of line, and I couldn’t let him think he could keep disrespecting her when she was becoming an important factor in my life. There were plenty of women he had fucked with over the years that I didn’t care for, but I didn’t talk to them like he had talked to her. The shit was bugging me because he was my boy, the only fucking friend I had ever had, until Harbor came along. She was becoming one of my favorite people to talk to. She brought a calmness to my life that was needed, and I wasn’t willing to risk that for anything, not even my oldest homie.
Time ticked by and I gathered all of the information that I needed before shutting off the computer. The doorbell rang, and Celine hadn’t made it back, so I went to answer. Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was almost 5:30. When I flung the door open, Ivy and Gardenia stood on the other side.
“Daddy!” Ivy dove into my arms and I held on to her.
“Hey baby girl.” I kissed the top of her head.
“Did you enjoy your birthday?” she asked, looking up at me with her big eyes.
Giving her a lazy smile, I nodded. I could feel Gardenia’s scrutinizing eyes all over me. This bitch never looked happy. Sometimes it was hard to even fathom that she and Ivana were sisters, they seemed like total opposites.
“Yeah, I did. Another year older, and wiser. I’m blessed.” I pulled her closer and she clung to me.
“Hmm, you seem… relaxed. Wonder if this… Harbor has anything to do with it.” Gardenia insinuated, looking me up and down. “Ivy can’t seem to stop talking about her.” She seemed jealous, and I laughed to myself.
“They’ve spent some time together. She’s a good influence on Ivy. You got a problem with it?” I asked, cocking one brow at her.
She looked like she wanted to say something, but it probably wasn’t appropriate from the sideways glance she gave my daughter. Instead, she cleared her throat and humbly bowed her head.
“No. None of my business.” She quipped.
Behind her, a big truck with a bed attached to the back of it wheeled into the circle drive and Gardenia glanced over her shoulder, looking on with interest.
“Who is that?” Ivy asked, pulling away from me.
“Someone dropping off a gift.” I answered. “Did you need anything else?” I questioned Gardenia.
“You trying to get rid of me?” She shot back.
“Just want to talk to Ivy and spend some time with her. Thanks for keeping her and for bringing her home.”
“You’re welcome,” Gardenia said, still eyeing me with suspicion. “I’ll call you later, Ivy. Be good. Frequency.” She backed away from the door just as the driver of the truck got out.
He went to the back bed and raised the door. His partner that was with him went inside the truck and they wheeled out the teal colored 2021 Genesis G80. I saw the car and it made me think of Harbor, so I bought it for her. Gardenia was being nosy as hell as she climbed into her G Wagon and started it up.
“Wow, is that your new car?” Ivy asked, awestruck.
