Page 48

G-pop pulled my attention from the lake to him when I heard his lighter flick. He was sixty-four and still often blowing smoke.

“Lay it on me. What’s on your mind?” he asked as he inhaled smoke.

“Pop, man. I don’t even know where to start.” I paused, thinking about the first time I met Justice.

“Almost two months ago, I met this fascinating woman. She’s loud and bold. She challenges me and doesn’t take any of my bullshit. She’s always sweet, caring, and nurturing.”

“Alright… what did you do? Why didn’t you bring her over?”

I sighed before I let it all spill. I told him how she showed up looking for Chase, but she asked for Chance because Chase lied and pretended to be me rather than himself. Yeah, I snitched and told G-pop that Chase was still fucking with inmates, and that’s how they met. I explained that I couldn’t tell her right then because I was already under her spell after a few hours in her presence. I admitted I didn’t want to tell her because I knew she would be furious and wouldn’t want to do shit else for me. Lastly, I explained that Chyanne gave me an ultimatum. Either tell Justice myself, or she would.

“So, do you see my dilemma? I selflessly wanted her to get to know the real Chance before I fucked up everything.” I admitted.

Pop handed me his blunt. “You need this more than I do.”

I took it and let it settle my spirit.

“I swear that got damn Chase makes my ass itch. I don’t understand how y’all have the same parents and yet are so different. He definitely takes after his bitch ass daddy,” he grunted.

My granddad could not stand my father. He always thought my mother, his daughter, could have done so much better than marrying a prison warden. There were rumors that my dad had fucked a few female inmates. That didn’t surprise me, though. What’s that old saying? An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“Well, son, I fear you need to be a man and tell her. I wish you’d come visit sooner because I would have told you we are not men who lie. Regardless of the situation. We take control and handle our problems head up. None of the pussy footing around either.” He paused before continuing.

“Tell her today, son. Get it over with. It will be messy, and she will leave, and you will let her. But if it’s meant to be, she will be back.” I nodded in agreement.

That just made me furious. I didn’t want to disappoint her, but I knew she would see this as nothing but betrayal.

After we finished smoking, he asked about the shooting range. He knew I was in the streets too, but never asked about it.

Shortly, Momma called us in. We sat down, I prayed, and we ate together. After dinner, she brought out a small cake with a candle bearing the number 35.

“Happy Birthday, baby. Since you visited a day early, I’m going to assume tomorrow you won’t make it past, so I want to give you your cake today.”

“Appreciate it, Ma.” I got up to give her a hug and kiss.

We talked about other things as I packed up to head home. I left half the cake because I wasn’t going to eat it all, plus this had become somewhat of an unofficial tradition.

I said my goodbyes and headed home. It was time to face the music. I pulled out my phone and sent Justice a text.

On my way home. I need to talk to you about something.

I placed my phone in the cup holder and focused on the road. I wasn’t trying to think about what I wanted to say. I planned on just speaking from my heart.

CHAPTER 19

Justice

I didn’t know if Chance was testing me or not, but the fact that he didn’t mention his birthday was tomorrow left me feeling a bit off. Things had been good between us, really good. I hadn’t had any nagging feelings like I did two months ago until I realized he wasn’t going to mention his birthday.

That was a bit odd because when I was in prison, Chance would tell anyone he could that it was his birthday. I’m not gon’ lie, that gave me the ick. I hated how he acted like he needed attention from others. It wasn’t like I could have done much for him back then, but today I had going all out for him, even though technically I’m using his own money. It’s the thought that counts.

I took Chance’s Benz as my ride for the day. It was the least masculine car he had, and I wanted to hurry back home to hide all my gifts before he returned home.

I went to Louis Vuitton to buy him some new shades. Then I stopped by Gucci for a few hoodies and Burberry for several different bottles of cologne. I’d seen couples following this five-senses trend for birthday gifts. I had gifts for sight, smell, and touch, but still needed two more—one for taste and one for sound. For taste, I was thinking of something for the bedroom, and for sound, I wanted to get a Build-A-Bear and have them record me singing his name.

I was excited to pick up the last few things, but I needed food first. I was exhausted and out of breath, so I decided to take a break and grab a bite from the food court before finishing. I sat in one of the booths, eating Panda Express and doomscrolling through TikTok.

Chance always thought it was strange that I rarely invited my sister or Sage out with me when I did certain things. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be around them, but being locked up with bitches 24/7 for five years taught me to enjoy time with myself. I was lucky that my girls understood that and never tried to force me to give them more of my time.