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He liked being around money.

Liked being around niggas who had it.

Liked gambling.

Liked women.

Liked having something in his pocket.

His problem was he wanted the reward before he did enough work to deserve the shit. That was Xavier.

Do too much.

Produce too little.

“I’ll have it,” he finally said.

“When?”

“Friday.”

“All of it?”

“Most.”

I looked at him.

He sighed.

“All of it.”

“Good.”

His phone vibrated in his hand.

His eyes dropped immediately.

I caught the name before he tilted the screen away.

Avery.

Interesting.

I didn’t say shit.

Didn’t change my face.

Didn’t even look at him again.

I just drove.

Because one thing prison taught me better than anything else?

You learned a whole lot more when motherfuckers thought you weren’t paying attention.

I took the exit and kept driving.

Xay didn’t say shit else about the money, and I didn’t either. I said what I said. Friday meant Friday. Him being my brother didn’t change that.