Page 59 of Gang of Roses: Dice

“It ain’t no secret we got different tactics, but you taught me how to sit back just a little longer and process. I don’t sit as long as you, but I’m workin’ on me.”

I gave him a side-eye.

“Nigga, stay on topic.”

“Bruh, you gon’ let me talk or what?”

“I’m waiting on you.”

He continued his speech.

“What I’m trying to say is you don’t know the full story. Even if you do, you don’t know her full story, only what she shared. But you right for feeling slighted, and you didn’t know her angle when it came to the casino, and I get that. But judging from everything you told me ‘bout shawty. She didn’t mind dropping a bag or gambling to collect one. You can’t say she wanted somethin’ from you personally because you bought the pussy. She didn’t offer the shit.”

“Nigga,” I said, glaring at him while he drove.

“I’m just sayin’.” He shrugged, but He was right.

“Ion know. The cards definitely stackin’ against her, though. Even if I understand parts of it. Was the casino on your list? One thing for damn sure, the crew ain’t no amateurs.”

“Sholl ain’t. If that’s really her, they damn near move like the movie Taken. On some real shit, I’m getting excited. My nephew's mama is a damn beast.”

As much as I wanted to think he wasn’t serious, he was.

“Bruh, I got so mad I just had to get the hell up outta there. As much as I hope it’s not her, where would that place my son in all this? But that look… that look said, If I don’t kill you first, you’ll kill me.”

“As much as you get on my nerves with that Secret Agent Monroe shit, you rarely, if ever, wrong about a person. Even when you try to do good and give a person a loan you know might be on some bullshit, you let them redeem themself or hang themself. Nigga, you got yo’ Bonnie. Shit, mad fucked up if you ask me.”

I shook my head.

“What?”

I laughed.

“Bruh, I want my damn Bonnie. Clyde, you ain’t even in the streets no mo.”

“First off, we’re too old to be wantin’ a Bonnie.”

“Says who?”

“Negro we in our mid-forties.”

“And Nana Gin said it ain’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to.”

Nana Gin was Oats' grandmother, and you had to know his family to understand that his behavior was right on track with the rest of his family.

“You spoke with Wallie and Gwop?”

“Yup. I texted them earlier and told them everything was copacetic. Them boys was on go.”

“I bet.”

“You already know. Once I told them we have a son. They was cool.”

“And they didn’t question you?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“Question me bout what?”

His forehead creased.