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Rushing through my skin and body care, I didn’t feel dismissed by him, but I felt close to it. One minute I do believe he loves me and he missed me. The next, the fear that’s in my heart starts to grow ten more sizes. He’s definitely going to leave.

I rushed out after brushing my teeth, running to my drawer. Inside I found all the sets of clothes I’ve been saving for when Kenzo came home. I quickly snatched up a black set. The shorts were small with a pretty trim. The top had two ruffled straps. The back started at my shoulder blades and wrapped around to the front. The front only tied with one small, pink string. I took my hair out of the bonnet, tying my lace with a matching pink scarf. What hung in the back, I quickly threw in a braid, leaving pieces hanging around my face. After slipping on house shoes, I ran into the kitchen.

I heard Devyn’s room door open as I grabbed a pot, filling it with grease on the burner. When looking back, I couldn’t help the giggles that came out as she peaked her head out. Add failing to tell her how crazy these niggas were to the long list of things I let her walk into blind.

“Getcho ass out here and help me!”

“Cassandra, this is crazy!” she ran to me in an oversized t-shirt and sweatpants.

“I know. The true tea is you and Man-Man! Please roll two blunts for me with that weed on the island.”

She nodded, walking and sitting down. “What do you think? About him and I? I don’t even think I can call him Man-Man.”

“Duke’s Mayo, then.”

She cackled, watching me take pizza puffs and French fries out of the freezer.

“Really, Cassie?! A hot pocket and fries!”

“Girl I almost called you out your name. You in Chicago business.”

I cheated by turning the grease up more, making sure it got hot as hell. If I blow the building up, that’ll be fine. This nigga finna blow it up at some point.

“Anyways. You know he’s not my type.”

“How is he not your type, baby? He been your type since you met him. I don’t know what the fuck his goofy ass been doing for his brother. I just know that any hood shit he has done has been for his brother. Period. When K3 was out, Duke was hanging around but never in the mix. I can promise you that.”

I dropped extra pizza puffs in the grease in case Devyn wanted some or my man extra.

“I know. I still just feel bamboozled. Because if I knew from the jump, I would’ve just admired from afar. And he’s such a sight to admire...”

I smirked. Duke is handsome. He and his brothers. She continued, “What if he knows that? What if he purposefully didn’t tell me because of that?”

“I understand. I think both of y’all hardheaded as fuck. Neither had a reason to lie to the other. But DAMN I’m glad you didn’t tell that nigga none of my fucking business!” We both laughed. “He’s such a good man. Kenzo loves him a lot. Are you going to stop seeing him?”

“Clearly not. The nigga is psychotic. He was calling me his wife and we haven’t had sex yet! He beat someone to death for saying I had a fat ass while outside!”

I cackled, taking the puffs out and dropping the fries in.

“UH-UH, UH-UH! Why you come to Chicago and get that nigga reactivated? He worked hard to not be crazy anymore.”

“What made him go off the rails?”

“He was crashing out before he met me. I’m only used to calm Duke. But there was a month or so where he was giving niggas they issue, on my mama. Well, you know. Around the time their big brother died.” Silence. “Devyn, you didn’t know about their big brother? His daughter he left behind, Piper?! Remember her therm ass lil boyfriend came and searched the apartment?”

“He never told me...”

“This is just all miscommunication between y’all. Unfortunately for me, I’m facing the guillotine. It will work out. But a nigga like that, you gotta give a day or so.”

“FUCK HIM! HE NEEDA GIVE ME A DAY OR SO!”

I laughed while taking the fries out. Of course the bitch who had a lot to say wanted some. I made her plate quickly, kicking her out of the kitchen. Next, I made my man’s. Three sausage pizza puffs, seasoned fries with mild sauce I all about had to fuck for to get a huge squeeze bottle from Harold’s. He cleared his throat in the room as I rushed to grab a water bottle, sitting it next to his plate. Lastly, I made him a big ole glass of RC with ice. As I put the bottle away, he came out.

“I didn’t even ask if you were hungry...” My voice came out in nervous notes. “Just assumed no one else has been taking care of you since you got into the city.”

He laughed as he approached the food. You could see his abs through the beater and white tee. Shorts on his body so sexily. He had on some socks and house shoes.

“You know exactly what ya daddy needs. Thank you, beautiful. And no one has been taking care of me but Duke.”