Page 179 of The Ninth

Me: Why everybody think I did that?!

Cassie: EVERYBODY?

Me: Bye, Crybaby.

I hung up, laughing at her shaking her head as I threw my shit in reverse. In about two minutes, I made it out of the restaurant parking lot and across the street, parking next to her. She popped out with her arms crossed as I jumped out of my shit. Her lil cute ass can act mad all she wants; I know she’s happy to see me.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Cassandra. That pout makes it even better.”

“You letting me drive everywhere and following when you could just be driving me this entire time! I hate driving! And....thank you, Deddy. You look good yourself.”

“Why you ain’t loved on yo nigga?”

She smiled big, throwing her arms around my neck. My arms wrapped around her frame as much as they could. Even out in the open, I allowed my eyes to close. Her touch, her smell, her love. Five years without this girl, G. The same hair shop I brought her to the last time I was a free man. I can’t believe I was separated from her for that long. I love this woman.

She pulled back, kissing my lips as a nigga fell even deeper in love. She started motioning towards the tire, going on and on about how she hit a curb but she doesn’t think that’s what did it. I didn’t really hear anything shorty was saying. I just stared at her beautiful self while she tried to play off her bad ass driving.

“Are you listening to meee?!” she laughed, pushing on my chest.

“I’m trying. Are you okay? Your hair is beautiful.”

“Thank you, baby. Yes, I’m okay.”

“Do you need something?”

“I’m hungry and sleepy!” she whined.

I laughed, “Of course you are. Here, put this in your bag. I’ma change the tire.”

She instantly stuck her hand out, taking the two stacks from me. My eyes trailed down her body one more time. Tank top, blue jeans, heels, pretty ass nails and toes. I shook my head, finally going to the trunk and getting out her jack, spare, and a tire iron. I forced myself to focus and get my baby’s shit changed so she could get the fuck out of here. After taking my shirt off, I got straight to it.

“Let me ask you something, shorty.”

There was a pause before she responded. Cars drove past. Brakes on busses hissed.

“Mhm?”

“You already know what I’ma ask so just tell me,” I smirked.

She cackled, “Nigga, who you think you running plays on?! Goofy as hell!”

“WHO GOOFY?!”

“YO ASS!”

“Nah but, have you heard anything about a nigga named Kenan?” Silence. I instantly let out a long breath. “Cassandra.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know him personally. Why?”

“Niggas is looking for some people that’s responsible for putting him to sleep.” Silence. “It’s calm right now, but it’s ramping up.”

“So, what? Is we coo?”

I looked back at her as I pulled the tire off. Instead of looking at me, her eyes were going up and down my back. Was she being coo or was she avoiding looking me in my face? I turned my attention back to the car, putting the new tire onto it.

“I don’t know what the fuck is going on. By the time I was back out here, the shit died down. I’m only hearing about it now. I’ma be sure to let niggas know to leave me and mine out of that shit. But I also wanna know who’s going around sliming niggas. Aight, my heart. Let me get this glass away from your shit and you good to go.”

“Thank you Big Deddy!”