Page 33 of Certified Sin

My next album was almost done, and this meeting tonight gone be about finalizing it. After that, I’m done with BCE altogether. The owner had no problem letting me out of the contract. It needed to be renewed in a few months, anyway.Beast was understanding when I told him I’m better on my own ‘cause we both knew I was referring to Sin.

What my mama said about not taking people with you was something I’ve been thinking about it for a minute anyway. I’d been rocking with Sin for a long ass time, but sometimes it’s better to love muthafuckas from a distance. And besides, I feel like we were going in different directions in our careers and in life in general.

Speaking of different directions, I held the blunt in one hand and my phone in the other. I called Jasmine.

“It’s about time you hit me back Reese. I’ve been calling you for two days,” Jasmine fussed. I sat back took a puff of the blunt.

“I know, my bad. There’s been a lot going on.” She exhaled deeply in frustration.

“That’s no excuse. You left me hanging at the fashion show, then you disappeared. What’s going on with you?” I figured now is the best time to do that shit Ronnie suggested.

“My sister is pregnant. The day you wanted me to go to the show with you, she was flying in from college.” Jaz was quiet, making me move the phone from my ear to look at it. I thought she hung up on me.

“Is that all? You stood me up because she’s pregnant?” My jaw ticked in anger.

“Fuck you mean, Jaz? That’s my damn sister, and she needed my support.” I shouldn’t have to explain why I needed to be there in the first place.

“You know how stupid I looked walking in there all alone?” She disregarded what I said.

“It was so damn embarrassing, and then I see pictures of you on the internet with that lawyer, Ronnie. Wasn’t she out with your group member, Sin Sizza, a few days ago?” Jaz accused.

“It ain’t got shit to do with you, Jasmine!” I barked.

“I’m saying, shouldn’t you try to be with someone who knows what she wants?” I threw my hand in the air.

“Jasmine, you don’t even know that damn girl!” I barked back in anger.

“I don’t have to know her to see what kind of woman she is,” Jasmine retorted with envy. And that’s the problem. Muthafuckas think they knew you by what they see on the internet, but nine times out of ten, that shit be wrong. I put out the blunt then rubbed my temples.

Jasmine done blew my high. “Alright, look. This is over. That’s why I called you.”

She gasped. “You're breaking up with me for her?”

I shook my head. “Nah, for me. Take care of yourself, Jaz.”

Hanging up, I walked to the railing. I knew Jasmine wasn’t the one for me when I found myself relieved about what I had just done. I heard a loud bang coming from downstairs.

The fuck!Running to my safe to pull out my gun, I stuffed it in the back of my sweatpants.

“Oh my God, Ronnie!” Rayna shouted, which made my feet move faster downstairs. She was leaning against the doorway, sobbing loudly. Rayna and Raine were tryna help her up, but she ran to me instead.

“What happened to you?”

“Sin lost his mind, Reese. H-he choked me against the door,” she hiccupped. “And the girl helped me out, b-but h-he said he’s gonna tell people I helped him rob somebody. I didn’t know, I swear!” Ronnie cried out. She was talking so fast. I couldn’t keep up with her words.

“Hey, I can’t understand shit you saying.” I wiped her tears, my heart swelling in my chest just looking at her. “Stop crying, baby.”

“He choked me.” Ronnie lifted her chin for me to see the bruise on her neck. I can condone a lot, but I can’t standmuthafuckas putting hands on a woman. Sin knows better than that.

“Where the nigga at?” I went to get my Jordan’s by the door.

She whimpered. “He’s at his house.”

Shit! Which one?

“I’ll find him. You stay here. Lemme see what the fuck going on.” I opened the door.

“Reese, wait!” Raine yelled from the steps, which made me pause. I twisted around.