Page 29 of Gang of Roses: Dice

Coca shot him a mug, and Pop Pop shot one right back.

These two.

“Got me feelin’ like Samuel L. Jackson in that Capital One commercial...”

The three of us said it together.

“What’s in your wallet?”

We all burst out laughing, even Revv with his nosy butt. The little man had no clue his lil’ self was tucked away in my wallet.

“Global, baby, sometimes it’s best just to rip the Band-Aid off. One look at this joker, and the jig is up.”

“I keep tellin’ her that,” Coca chimed in.

I rolled my eyes.

“Dang, y’all. It ain’t that bad.”

They both slowly turned their heads toward me.

I lowered mine.

“Alright. I’ll tell him as soon as the gang is done with this next job.”

“You betta...or I’m takin’ my black ass down to Monroe’s to get the pappy.”

“I promise.”

Revv started squirming to get down and waddled straight over to Coca, probably lookin’ for more cheese puffs.

“Alright, y’all done stayed long enough,” Pop Pop said, pushing himself to his feet.

“Huh? We just got here.” Coca narrowed his eyes.

“Boy, I said what I said. Time’s up. Get the hell off my porch.”

“Larry June, we already know you got a girlfriend,” Coca teased.

“See? Negro, worry ’bout yo’ closet and stay the hell outta mine. And quit sayin’ girlfriend. Make that shit plural when speakin’ on Larry June.”

“Well, excuse me, playa.”

“Coreal, only one woman will ever have loyalty and my heart, God rest her soul. I’ll leave that puppy love to you youngins.”

“Listen to him, Coca.” I laughed.

“Trust. I’m listening,” Coca said, looking Pop Pop up and down in disbelief. This man had no filter.

Pop Pop held out his hand and gave me a wink for good measure.

“Hips...let me hold somethin’. I got a cruise comin’ up.”

How he askin’ for money with his hand already out?

“What you need?”

“What you got?”