Chapter 19 Trooper
Trooper
“That doesn’t make sense, Troop. They didn’t just randomly stop me. I know better than that. Hell, you know better than that. Something’s up?”
It had been a week since Los got stopped, and out of habit, just to be cautious, he switched things up to make sure he didn’t have any issues.
“Yeah, I’m thinking that too, but who though? You got problems with anyone right now?”
“Shit, no more than usual, but I really don’t know. You know me, Troop. I have no fucks to give about anybody who has issues with me. They can suck this steel.” Los held up the gun on the table in front of him.
“You dumb for that shit, man, but I feel you. You know I’ve been playing it in my head, and honestly, it doesn’t make sense. The people we fuck with don’t fuck with cops. They might run up on you or try and take over one of your spots, but they ain’t fucking with the cops like that.”
“Yeah, I was thinking that same thing. They got too much to lose, but I have no idea. So, what now?”
“Shit, your guess is as good as mine. Just lay back for a minute. It’ll come out. Always does.”
“Fuck you mean lay back? I ain’t hiding, Troop, and I should fuck you up for even suggesting it.”
“Yo, calm the fuck down. I don’t mean hide. I know you better than that. That ain’t how we do things. I mean don’t make a lot of noise right now. You don’t know who’s fucking with you, so proceed with caution, muthafucker.”
Los looked at me and laughed. “Yo, you right, but I’m high as fuck right now. I really thought you got soft on me, Troop. My bad, bruh. You know I love you, right?”
“Now you sound soft talking about you love me. Fuck outta here with that.” I mugged his ass and he laughed again.
“So it's like that? You just gon’ not say it back?” Los looked at me and grinned, so I shot him a bird.
“Stupid ass. You better call Maddie. I’m sure she’ll tell you.”
“You right ’cause she love’s me for real. Well maybe not me, but she loves this dick.”
“Why the fuck you telling me that?”
Los laughed and let his head fall back on the sofa. “’Cause I’m high as fuck, Troop. I just told your ass that, and because it's true, so just pick a reason and roll with it.”
I couldn’t do anything but laugh at his dumb ass. He was dead ass serious. “So what’s the deal? Y’all tight like that?”
“We cool.”
“You still fucking around cool or you only with her cool?”
“Fuck you think? It's only been a few weeks. I’m not trying to settle down or no shit like that. I’m just chilling right now, but she gets first priority right now.”
“Ay, don’t fuck up. If you piss her off, I’ll have to hear that shit from Sophie. Not that I care, ’cause I already told her what y’all do is between you and Maddie, but that don’t mean I’m not gonna hear about it. If you fucking with other women, keep it from her.
“I got this. Damn, why you all in my shit? You just worry about that ring and them two point five kids your ass is about to have. Go straight to muthafucking jail, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars.”
“How the fuck you quoting Monopoly? That don’t even fit.”
“Yo, are you dumb or what? I swear your ass got a fucking master’s degree, but asking me stupid ass questions. You must be high too. Did I not just tell your ass multiple times I’m high as fuck? I’m not supposed to make sense.”
“Ay, let me get out of here before I have to fuck you up for talking reckless. I’m out.”
Los laughed. “Aight, call me later so that we can run through 40/40. You still going, right?”
“Yeah, I’m going, which is why I’m leaving now. I need to hit Sophie up real quick, so she don’t be tripping later.”
“Aight, do what you gotta do, just don’t bail on me.”
“I won’t. I’m out, though.”
“Lock my shit, Troop,” Los yelled while I headed to the door.
I shook my head and left but set his alarm. He was about to be passed the fuck out
Sophie was on her grind, so after I left Los, I decided to grab lunch and head to the house to chill. I wasn’t really in the mood to be around people, so I called in my order to grab it and go.
Once I pulled up at Two8Two, I had a feeling something was off. I strapped up and got out to get my order. I walked in, searching the place for anyone familiar, and sure enough, I laid eyes on trouble. I smirked and he scowled as I made my way to the counter.
After I paid and grabbed my order, I started toward the door again, knowing Rip was still in his feelings about me not putting him on. That was years ago, but he was still running around NY telling anyone who would listen I wasn’t shit.
“Damn, Trooper, I thought you outgrew this side of town. This shit out here is for real muthafuckers,” Rip yelled from the booth.
I glanced at him and the two women clinging to his side. Both had their eyes on me.
“This is my shit, everyone knows that. I have had or can have anything around here. Ain’t that right, Shay?” I chuckled and she squirmed a bit, looking embarrassed.
Everything Rip had was courtesy of me. The money he made and the women in his life.
I wasn’t trying to knock his hustle, because he was doing alright for himself, but only because I allowed him to.
I wasn’t in the streets anymore, but still had a say in what happened.
Between Los and me, certain parts of New York were still controlled by what we agreed to.
Rip knew that, so why he felt the need to pretend otherwise was beyond me.
That was some little boy shit. I didn’t have time for that.
Eat and be happy, ’cause I could change that with a few phone calls.
“Move,” he yelled, pushing Shay from his side so he could get out of the booth and head my way. The shit was comical.
“This might have been your shit, but not anymore. You got out, remember? Your zip code changed and them suits you live next door to ain’t ’bout that life. I’m still here.” He held his hands up. “I know where I came from and everyone around here respects that. Can you say the same?”
I chuckled and looked him right in his eyes.
“See, that’s the difference between you and me, Rip.
I don’t need to say shit to convince you or anyone else what I’m about.
This little show you putting on don’t mean shit to nobody but you.
I may not live around here anymore, but trust me, I still own this shit. You wanna test that theory?”
Rip just stood there looking dumb. He knew better.
“Aight, enjoy your lunch.” I turned and left the building with him standing behind me, feeling disrespected.
I wasn’t really concerned, but made a note to keep an eye on him. One thing I learned was to never underestimate people. Rip wasn’t shit, but I wouldn’t allow him the opportunity to get lucky at my expense.
As much as I hated to admit it, my past would always be an issue.
For a long time, I lived recklessly and didn’t really give a fuck who that affected.
Anyone who lived this life understood fully walking away was nearly impossible, myself included.
It was just up to me to control how close it got to home, and right now, Rip was definitely on my watchlist.