Page 168 of The Ninth

He cracked up laughing, “Aye shorty, you tweakin! I do gotta handle something real fast but it won’t take long. Then I can spend the day with you.”

“Mmmmmmm. I do have something to do but I can call you once I’m done.”

I hopped up, stretching before walking into the kitchen. The cold air from the fridge pricked my body as I looked back at him. He was too busy looking at K4, confused.

“UH-UH, UH-UH! DON’T BE TALKING BAD ABOUT ME TO MY SON, NIGGA!”

“We trying to figure out what the hell you got going on, foe?! Why is it a secret?”

“It’s none of yo business, Kenzo. I thought you wasn’t my nigga?!”

“You could shoot me and I’d still be yours, fuck outta here. MERCH RIGHT NOW I AIN’T YO NIGGA.”

“BYE! I’ma make you something quick to take to your bitch.”

“Quit playing, Cassandra. That shit ain’t even funny right now.”

“Mhm.”

I shook my head and chuckled as he got up, walking to my bathroom. Getting down my thick cut bread, I buttered two pieces and put them in a pan. Once those were done, I cracked two eggs to fry for him. I whisked them quickly while hearing the shower cut on and K3 stepping in. Before the eggs were even in the pan, the front door unlocked.

Fuck. I hope they don’t hear this nigga in the shower. After all the talking Kenzo and I’ve been doing, I’m just over speaking on it.

Devyn rounded the corner quickly with Duke wrapped around her body. The sight of them caused me to smile, turning back and facing the stove. She giggled and shushed him behind my back before making her way to me.

“I’ve been calling you all night! You said you would answer, Cassie. I’m nervous as fuck to meet with my dad.”

“I was sleeping. And I’m about to get in the shower.”

“You’re just letting it run?”

“YOU PAYING THE WATER BILL?!”

She cackled, “Why you eating now? I thought we...y’know..”

“Y’all what?!” Duke yelled. I instantly got irruhtated. “Cassie, is somebody in yo bathroom, shorty?”

“Yeah, Tatianna.”

“Hey, K3 didn’t come back to Duke’s at all last night,” Devyn whispered.

“AHEM!”

K3 cleared his throat loud as fuck. Devyn had to watch the happiness and love leave Duke’s face and Man-Man take over. His tall, hardened frame became even more rigid as he snatched the gun from his waist, storming into my bathroom like he’s my deddy! I just shook my head, turning back to the stove.

“Cassie!” Devyn urged, nervously.

“AYE! GET YO BIG FREAKY ASS THE FUCK OUTTA HERE, FOE! YOU HOLDING NIGGAS AT GUNPOINT BUTT NAKED?! I’M FINNA PUNCH YOU IN YO SHIT AS SOON AS I GET DRESSED.”

Both Devyn and Duke cracked up laughing as he stumbled his big ass back into the living room. Instead of putting everything away, I made a sandwich for Duke as well. Both a bacon, egg, and cheese.

“See what happens when you don’t mind your business?”

“Wait, wait, wait, wait!” Devyn clapped her hands. “What does this mean?”

“I told her y’all would never break up. Both of y’all way too goofy. Did everything get smoothed out?!”

Both of them were now standing inches away from my face, whispering with excitement. Their mannerisms and smiles were exactly the same, clearly showing they spend way too much time together. I wrapped Duke’s sandwich in foil and handed it to him.