Chapter 9 #2
“After that, we’ll be on the road, Choc. Don’t think you’re getting away from me so easily. Just set that up for me. Nothing is too good for my girl, so spare no expenses. We can go anywhere.”
A couple of months with Jrue felt like forever.
As I sat in the middle of the couch, strumming my guitar and watching her fingers fly on the keyboard as she worked, I thanked the Lord that she didn’t know who I was the night we met.
Her feisty ass probably would have still tried to play me to the left even if she did.
That thought only made me want her more.
“Take a break, chocolate drop.”
“I’m trying to send all these numbers in before five o’ clock. I only have five more days before this event, Ian. I can’t drop the ball.”
I put my guitar on Jrue’s coffee table before standing and padding across the floor to stand behind her.
It was crazy that I found myself at her place more than anywhere else.
I loved how I didn’t have to hide out to get some peace and quiet.
The fact that Jeremiah was spending a few days with his brother helped my cause.
I knew his friends would have the house surrounded if they knew I was here.
Just in case he decided to pop up, I had Eamon drop me off.
I didn’t need one of my cars sitting out in the driveway looking all conspicuous.
I didn’t need or want any interruptions.
I liked having Jrue all to myself. Leaning over her shoulder, I dropped a kiss on her cheek and backed up so that I could turn her chair to face me.
“You’ve been at it for six hours with no break. Say I’m lying, because I know you didn’t take the time I fell asleep to take a break. You probably jumped right back on after we finished fucking.”
“Damn, you sound offended.”
“You gon’ be more than offended if you don’t turn that computer off. You’re supposed to be spending time with your man.”
When her bottom lip poked out, I knew I had her where I wanted her. I pushed down the smile threatening to break through as I guided my baby girl to a standing position.
“Let’s go get some ice cream or something,” I suggested.
“You sure about going out?”
“I’m used to it, baby. We keep a low profile because of you.”
“You know how I feel about the spotlight.”
“I’m not disputing anything you’ve said. I’m saying, let’s get some air. You’ve been working so hard, I’m worried that little wrinkle between your eyes might be permanent.”
“What wrinkle? Let me see!” Jrue yelled, turning to walk away.
I grabbed her arm before she could escape. “I saw a little place not far from here where I’m sure no one will recognize me.”
“OK.” She nodded.
I knew to take that as a win. She loved to argue, so going down easy was a clear sign that her ass was tired. Once we grabbed everything we needed, we headed out the door. As soon as the door swung open, the sound of screeching tires and gunshots sounded through the air.
I tackled Jrue to the living room floor, shielding her with my body as a few more shots rang out. Our hearts pounded in unison as I held her against me until I was sure that the coast was clear.
“You good, baby?” I finally asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t know,” she whispered.
“Let me look at you.” I backed up enough to look at her. She was disheveled and clearly horrified, but she wasn’t hurt.
“I should have had my gun. I’m getting too comfortable around here. Nothing ever happens around here. A freaking drive-by? What the hell is going on, Ian?”
“I don’t know, Choc. I didn’t tell anyone I was coming here. I purposely don’t park my car outside. Let me call Eamon.”
“What the fuck?” She mumbled under her breath again.
Jrue’s phone rang. I helped her stand up and straighten her clothes.
By the time she walked over to the phone, it had stopped ringing.
Whoever had called must have really wanted something because the phone started ringing again.
She picked it up and swiped the screen before putting the phone to her ear.
“Yeah,” she answered, breathing shakily once the words were out.
I could hear loud talking on the other end, even before she put it on speaker and held her phone out so I could hear it.
“You and the fuck nigga hear me clear! Do you hear me, fuck nigga? My aim is superb, bitch. If I wanted to hit you, I would have Swiss cheesed your ass. I just wanted to let you know I can touch you if I want to. I asked you to stay away from my lil sister, but I see you got a hard head. Sis, you need to choose up. I told you that nigga took my life. Now he want my sister and my baby brother too. How you can’t see that, Jrue? Don’t be no damn fool.”
“You could have fucking shot me, you muthafucka! You think I want to hear that shit right now? Have you lost your fucking mind?”
“You know I don’t play, baby girl. You moving real disloyal right now, Sis. We all we got. So you telling me I ain’t go nobody, right?”
“Why are you doing this, Jrake? This shit is stupid.”
“Stay the fuck out of my way, or catch a stray, Sis. I’m done playing nice.”
“Fuck you, Jrake,” Jrue spat right before her crazy ass brother ended the call. Her eyes were sober as they drifted over to me. “Can you believe this nigga? That’s my fucking brother. Why would he do this to me?”
Since I didn’t have an explanation, I did the best thing I could do and pulled her into my arms. I kissed the side of her head before pulling back and looking down into her eyes.
“You’re coming with me.”