Page 60 of Gang of Roses: Dice

“You know, if it wasn’t for me knowing how quick yo’ ass switch up. I would honestly wonder how you stayed in the game so long.”

“Oh, you already know I play half the day, but I have zero kee-keeing when it comes to my business.”

“Facts,” I said as I grabbed the case that held my shades and put them back on my eyes, a mental way to shield myself from the world. We drove in silence until the GPS cut in.

“You have reached your destination.”

I leaned up in my seat.

“Oats, where the hell we at?”

“Yo’ mind so spaced out, but you better start learning all the spots. We at Babies R US. Come on, we bout to blow a few bags.”

“You just a tad bit excited.”

“You damn right. I got my shit clipped. This is my first child. A nigga ain’t bout to impregnate them hoes at the strip club.”

We stepped out of the car and started walking toward the entrance.

“You know you can just stop going at any time, right?”

“Nah, I’m looking at becoming a silent partner.”

“Why? When you a loud one already.”

“Go to hell.”

“Nah, I ain’t feeling the heat.”

“Oats, bruh, I didn’t even get the number to hit her up. I had to slide, and fast.”

He held up his phone.

“That’s why it takes a village. Daddy Number 2.”

“Give me that shit. Don’t be hittin’ up my BM.”

“Hol’ up. I’m tied to the baby. I ain’t said nuffin’ about the mama. That’s all you, partna.”

“I bet.”

“Yup. Ion like the mouthy ones. Big Mama a little too feisty.”

“You can’t have my bitch.”

“Nope. Dead end. But I do gotta check on nephew, plus you needed the number, fool.”

“Who gave you the digits?”

“Twinkle Toes.”

“Good lookin’.”

“Always.”

We talked shit and swagged up in the damn store like some real niggas on a mission. I probably needed this little break from the business. I had to figure out how I would fit my son into all this madness. The Vegas casino would be open soon, and I wasn’t missing any more time out of my son’s life.

It had been two weeks since everything went down back at the cabin.