Page 42
Khaotic
a few weeks later…
“So, what’s going on with you and Gabi?” I asked, looking across my desk at Tae.
He’d been sitting in my office for the last hour, looking pitiful in the face. This shit with Gabi was really fucking with him, and the only reason she ain’t dead is because I believe she ain’t on no snake shit and I know that this nigga loves her ass.
“Ain’t shit going on,” he answered. “She moved out.”
“Where she go?”
“Shit, probably back with her bitch ass husband,” he replied.
I shook my head because I didn’t believe that shit for a second. Gabi had always seemed genuine when it came to my brother. I wasn’t saying she hadn’t fucked up by keeping her marriage a secret, but I’d been around enough snakes to recognize one, and she’d never given me that impression.
“You’on believe that shit no more than I do,” I told him. “You need to talk to that girl and find out what the fuck really happened. I’ain saying you gotta forgive her, but I’on get snake vibes from Gabi.”
“Man, fuck Gabi. I’ain studdin’ her ass,” he dismissed, tossing his phone onto the desk.
I laughed at how quickly his attitude changed.
“See, that’s how I know you still give a fuck. Soon as somebody mentions her name, you get madder than a muthafucka.”
“Khaotic, leave that shit alone,” he warned. “Lemme ask you something.” He sat up. “What if you found out Tori was already married to another nigga?”
“Her and that nigga would be dead as fuck,” I answered without hesitation.
“But you’re sitting here telling me to talk to Gabi?” He laughed.
“Nigga, my wife is a non-negotiable,” I replied. “I’m telling you not to throw away something you want without knowing the whole story.”
He shook his head and reached for his phone again. I could tell he wasn’t interested in discussing Gabi any further, so I let it go. He was grown, and regardless of what I thought about the situation, he had to decide what he was willing to deal with.
“How’s that baby shower shit coming?” he asked, changing the subject.
“Man, I’on fucking know. All I know is my card is getting swiped more than a little bit, and I’m starting to think Rah doing that shit on purpose,” I complained. “Every time I look around, she’s ordering something else talking about her nephews deserve the best. Them little niggas ain’t even here to see none of that shit.”
Tae laughed, shaking his head.
“Man, you know Rah ain’t about to throw no regular-ass baby shower for sis.”
“Clearly. That woman done ordered so much shit I’on even know what half of it is. Yesterday, I got a notification for some fucking personalized napkins. The fuck we need personalized napkins for?”
“Because your sister has expensive taste, and you’re the one paying for it,” he replied, laughing.
“And my wife and sister-in-law is right there helping her spend the shit,” I added. “Tori swears she’on know nothing whenever I ask, but I know better.”
I wasn’t genuinely upset about the money. I had it, and I didn’t mind spending it on my wife and children. I’d give Tori whatever she wanted, especially with everything she’d been going through carrying the twins.
By the time we finished, I was ready to get home. I grabbed my keys and phone while Tae pushed himself out of the chair.
“You coming to the house?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’ain got shit else going on,” he answered.
We headed out together, and it wasn’t long before we were pulling into my driveway.
I noticed AJ outside sitting in the swing that was on the front porch with a girl sittin beside him. Leah was sitting on the steps with her tablet, occasionally looking up at whatever they were talking about.
