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“The fuck was I supposed to do from prison, Rah, but you let another nigga take my place, and now my son calling him Pops like I’m some fucking stranger.”

“You are a stranger to him!” I snapped. “Joni went to prison too, but he still the same shit he did before he left while you were doing nothing… not even making a phone call. You can’t show up sixteen years later demanding respect you never bothered to earn.”

“That’s my blood, Rasheeda. I’on give a fuck what that boy said. You ain’t about to let Khaotic turn him against me and push me out of his life.”

“First of all, back the fuck up,” I warned. “And secondly, AJ doesn’t need anybody telling him how to feel about you. He told you himself he doesn’t want a relationship with you. Instead of listening, you keep showing up causing problems. Leave my son alone, Dexter.”

I turned and got into my car, ignoring him as he continued running his mouth. Whatever problem he had with Joni or AJ’s decision, he was going to have to deal with it without me.

I was barely down the street when Mase called.

“Hey, baby,” I greeted, still irritated about my run-in with Dexter.

“Wassup, beautiful? You sound aggravated. Wassup?” He asked.

“Dexter’s stupid ass was waiting outside my job when I got off. Now he’s blaming me for AJ not wanting shit to do with him and talking about Joni gotta see him for putting hands on him.”

“Why the fuck he keep popping up at your job?” He snapped.

“Your guess is as good as mine. I’m tired of his ass, Mason. Every time I turn around, it’s some new bullshit.”

“Rah, let me explain something to you. I’on know what kinda nigga you thought I was, but I’ain him baby. I’m tryna be cool about this shit off the strength of you and AJ, but that shit’s getting old… fast.”

“Baby, please. I’on need you, Joni, or Tae getting into no more shit behind Dexter. AJ already told him what it is… and that’s where it needs to end,” I told him.

“Yeah… aight,” was his response. “I’ma come through when I finish handling this shit.”

“Okay.”

I ended the call and continued home. I knew Mase well enough to know he wasn’t letting that conversation go, and with Dexter running his mouth about Joni, I was starting to worry that somebody was going to do something they couldn’t take back.

Once I got home, I called Tori to catch her up on today’s bullshit.

“That nigga has really lost his mind,” Tori replied. “AJ told everybody himself he doesn’t wanna see him. What part of that ain’t clicking?”

“Apparently, none of it, but do me a favor, please don’t mention this to my brother. You know how he gets when it comes to AJ, and I’on need any more bullshit than it already is.”

“I won’t… this time, but Dexter better get the fuck on somewhere because I’on need my husband being Khaotic at the moment,” she warned.

“Trust me… I’on either, but enough about his ass. How you and my nephews doing?” I asked, changing the subject.

We talked for a little while about the twins and the kids before getting off the phone. I wasn’t giving Dexter another minute of my afternoon if I could help it.

Since I had the rest of the evening to myself, I decided to get dinner started before Mase came over. I decided on steak bites, corn and potatoes. It was simple, and could cook while I took my shower.

By the time I finished my shower and dressed, Mase was walking into my bedroom.

“Wassup, beautiful?” He greeted me with a kiss.

I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.

“Damn, you act like you missed a nigga or something.”

“I did,” I replied honestly.

“I missed you too, shorty.” He kissed me. “Khaotic pulled up with AJ the same time I did, so heads up, you can’t get into all that right now unless you want that little nigga ready to square up with my ass.” He laughed.”

“Thanks for the heads up.”