Page 27 of Gang of Roses: Kash

“What? Why you looking at me like that?” she questioned.

“You was gon’ say something. What was it?” I was giving her a chance to put it on the table. We bonded before any of the other roses. I was her best fuckin’ friend. She could confide in me, and she knew it.

“I said it. Thanks for the job. I got to go.” Dice was a woman of many words so for her to not say shit… yeah, that had me ready to push for more information. However, the place that all the roses were in emotionally, it would do no good.

Throwing my hands up, I said, “If that’s how you want to play it, then so be it, sis’. I ain’t gon’ hold you up. Thank you for coming through for me.”

She nodded and dipped the fuck out. I had my sisters back for a few days and for that, I was grateful. I wasn’t telling them how to grieve and thankfully that same energy was reciprocated. We’d find our way back to each other eventually.

Grabbing my funds, I removed my cell from my pocket and called D-Row. He answered with, “Where you at?”

“On the way to the condo. What’s the word?”

“Everybody is clueless as hell. Y’all did good. Give me an hour and I’ll be home to you, aight?”

“Yes, sir ski!”

I was climbing onto my bike and checking my emotions. This was as far as they went. I needed to focus on centering myself and genuinely loving my man. It seemed as if he was the only one I could share a space with without expecting anything in return.

My sisters were here for the bread, and they made that very clear tonight. D wanted me in his life permanently. I figured it was ‘bout time to stop being hung up on ruining people’s life and take a risk.

8

GREED

D-ROW

My eyes stayed glued to Solenne as she sashayed around my condo. The only thing on my mind was how soon would it be before she dipped out on a nigga again. She’d given me more of her presence this go round than any other visit before. Usually, she’d be gone before I could ask if she washed her ass. I guess Rose’s death really did fuck her up.

A month had passed since her and the girls hit that lick, and she was still here giving me her time and affection. Maybe, just maybe she was serious when she said she loved me. She stopped strolling and just stared at me.

“What? It’s something on my face or something?” she inquired wiping at her face.

Cracking a smile, I blushed off shawty had me feeling. A nigga was hard as a rock, but when it came to her lil’ ass, I folded like a fresh load of laundry. I knew what my next move was, but rejection hurt worse than heartbreak. I wasn’t trying to go through that.

Shaking my head, I said, “Nah, a nigga just admiring his woman. I can’t look at you?”

Her smile grew as her cheeks turned red. My lil’ comment had her blushing harder than I was seconds ago. The way we exchanged gentle gestures with one another was corny as fuck, but I wouldn’t give this softness to anyone else but her. I saw her as the mother of my kids as well as my wife. There was no doubt in my mind ‘bout it.

“What do you want with me, D?”

“I would tell you but if you say no, I’m gon’ put yo’ head through the wall. So, I’ll pass.” I couldn’t lie; she had a nigga nervous as fuck to speak. Shit, that rejection really could flip a switch on a muthafucka quick.

She quickly closed the distance between us and jumped in my lap. She seemed happier than usual as well. “We don’t keep secrets, remember? Let it rip.”

I could ask or I could tell her how shit was ‘bout to go down. I took a brief moment to decide on what the fuck was finna happen. Sol never really gave a nigga backlash on anything I proposed other being my woman officially. This visit was hitting different for both of us.

Grabbing her face softly, I said, “Get dressed right quick and ride somewhere with me. It won’t take long.”

“Unt-un. Say what you got to say. You got my mind wondering now,” she said trying to pressure a nigga.

I gently picked her up and walked her to the bedroom. “Why say it when I can just do it? Get dressed for me, Ma,” I repeated, placing her on her feet.

Kissing the back of her teeth, she turned and entered the closet to find her something to slip on. I was already dressed so this shouldn’t have taken more than fifteen minutes. I checked my wallet and made sure my license was inside. I then proceeded to call my brother, Dray, to put him up on game.

He answered after a few rings with, “What’s up, Row? How you feeling?”

“Shit, I can’t call it. Check this out though. Grab Donnie or Deonna, either one don’t matter, I just need two of y’all to meet me at the courthouse.”