Page 12 of Love At Close Range

“How was I supposed to know you were already out when you never checked in with me,” she sassed back.

“Kree, stop playing with me bro. The fuck I gotta check in with you for? I already told you I would be outta pocket, and you knew what that meant. I didn’t need to check in with you for a muthafuckin’ thing because you’re not my woman so you can chill with that shit!” I was sick of her bullshit.

That was the problem with Kree. No matter how many times I made our situation clear, she kept trying to force it into something it wasn’t. We had a daughter together. Sometimes we fucked. That didn’t make her my woman, and it damn sure didn’t give her the right to think she could check a nigga.

“But I am the mother of your child… your only child so I have the right—” Kree started before I cut her ass off.

“You’on have a right to do shit but take care of my daughter. Now put her on the phone so I can talk to her before she goes to bed.” I was done talking to her ass. I heard her mumbling, but she knew not to let me hear that shit. Moments later, my baby girl got on the phone, and my attitude went away just that fast. This little girl owned every piece of my heart… the part that was left, anyway.

“Hey, pretty girl,” I greeted when I heard Lennyn’s voice come through the phone, and I could feel the tension leaving my shoulders.

“Hey, Daddy,” Lennyn responded happily before she started telling me about everything she had done since the last time we talked.

I sat there and listened while she bounced from one subject to another, barely giving me enough time to answer before she moved on to something else. I didn’t rush her. I could listen to my baby talk about absolutely nothing for hours if she wanted me to. Everybody else got whatever version of me I felt like giving them, but Lennyn never had to question whether I had time for her.

After talking to my daughter, I took a shower and a much-needed nap. I’ll get back up in a few to go check on a few more spots and see what I come up with.

I wasn’t letting losing Pierce earlier throw me off. I had enough information to find the nigga again, and now that I had laid eyes on him for myself, the job had officially started. The next time I got behind him, there wouldn’t be a phone call or any other bullshit pulling my attention away. That nigga was officially living on borrowed time… my time.

6

Reiana

Today I was having a much-needed girl’s day with Mona and Taryn. It was long overdue, and I can’t wait to ignore the bottom of my mimosa glass. While I waited for Rhyse to collect whatever he was taking with him to Mona’s, I sprayed some leave-in conditioner in my hair so it wouldn’t be dry. Once I did that, I dabbed some lip gloss on before grabbing my crossbody. Leaving my room, I headed down the hall to see if Rhyse was ready.

“Boosie, you ready?” I asked from the doorway.

“Yes ma’am,” he announced as he grabbed his bookbag.

We loaded up in my truck and headed a few blocks over to the neighboring subdivision that Mona and her husband lived in. Quentin was heavy in the streets and owned King Q’s Barbershop. He took real good care of Mona and their kids and I was happy that my cousin was able to find love after moving here with me, even though I was still searching.

Once I pulled into her gate, I parked behind Quentin’s GMC Sierra. That truck was as big as he was, but he was a true country boy at heart.

“I hope Uncle Q takes us to ride the four-wheelers,” Rhyse beamed as we got out and headed inside.

“I hope he doesn’t because I’on feel like dealing with the mud and dirt if he does,” I countered just as the door came open.

“Well too bad sis, because that’s exactly where we’re going,” Quentin acknowledged as he opened the door for me and Rhyse.

“Yes!” Rhyse shouted excitedly as he shot past us.

“I’m leaving his dirty ass right here too,” I said as I shook my head and walked inside.

“That’s fine. Mimi is with my sister so I’on mind hanging out with my boys.” He smirked. Quentin has been active with Rhyse from the time he and Mona got together. Even after they had their son, Quaylon, he stayed active. You couldn’t tell Rhyse shit about his Uncle Q, and you damn sure couldn’t tell Quentin anything bad about Rhyse, even when he knew he was bad as hell.

“Mhm. Where’s Mona?” I asked just as she appeared from their side of the house.

“I heard you bitches were looking for me?” She sang as she got closer.

“Bitch, don’t start that shit already. At least let me get my first drink in me first before you start your bullshit,” I laughed.

“Well, you better catch up. Where’s Tay?” She asked, as Quentin felt her up like I wasn’t in the room.

“She’s going to meet us there, so come on. I’ain got time for Q to be humping on you and shit.” I grabbed her arm to pull her away from her husband, who was calling me a hater, and she was laughing as we made it to my truck.

As soon as we got in my truck and left her driveway, Taryn was calling.

“We’re on the way so don’t start your shit,” I said as soon as the call connected.