Rain “Rebel” Crawford #3
“You corny as hell.”
Crow clutched his chest like I’d wounded him.
“Damn, Trouble. After I saved your face from walking around with that big-ass streak of oil on it?”
“I would’ve survived.”
“Nah.” He smiled. “Would’ve been a tragedy. Pretty faces deserve better.”
I rolled my eyes, but the warmth creeping into my cheeks betrayed me.
“You flirt with everybody?”
“Nah.”
“No?”
He held my gaze a second longer than usual.
“Just the ones worth flirting with.”
For the first time in a long time, I didn’t have a smart remark waiting. I shook my head and grabbed my rag off the toolbox.
“You something else.”
His grin only widened. “So, I’ve been told.”
We were in the middle of talking when Kerri walked back into the shop carrying another mug of coffee.
I simply shook my head at her thirsty ass.
It was obvious she had a thing for her boss.
Just to get under her skin, I grabbed the shop towel lying on a nearby stool and playfully smacked Crow on the butt.
The sharp pop echoed through the garage.
He turned around with raised eyebrows before a grin spread across his face.
“Oh, so that’s what we doing now?”
I shrugged, fighting a smile. “You were in my way.”
He chuckled. “My ass was in your way?”
“Mhm.”
“Liar.”
“So, move next time.”
He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough for only me to hear.
“You know... most women ask for my attention. They don’t go around spanking me to get it.”
“Boy, don’t flatter yourself.”
His grin only grew.
“I ain’t flattering myself. I’m stating facts.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Kerri watching us over the rim of her coffee mug. Then I turned back to Crow.
“You done talking?”
“For now,” he said with a laugh. “But don’t think I won’t get you back.”
I pointed the towel at him.
“You better not.”
“Oh... I definitely will.
When I pulled up to my place, the first thing I noticed was a black stretch limo parked out front. I killed my bike, climbed off, and spotted Kash and Dice leaning against it like they owned the damn street. A grin spread across my face. Shit, I had no idea they were in town.
“Damn,” I laughed as I walked over. “When y’all get here?”
The three of us pulled each other into quick hugs before catching up on what brought them back to Magnolia.
When I saw the smiles on their faces, they told me everything I needed to know.
Kash and Dice weren’t just in town to catch up.
Them niggas had a plan, and somehow, I already knew I was about to get pulled into it.
“Well, we told Crow to keep you busy,” Kash said with a grin. “We know you’ve been down lately, so we figured we’d come steal you for a few days, kick it, and catch up. We left the kids and our husbands at home, so this trip is all about us.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “So... where we going?”
Kash shrugged. “Anywhere you wanna go. We’re paying.”
“I’m in.” Dice sighed dramatically. “Lord... and y’all cutting into my Red Bottom fund.”
I frowned. “Bitch, your husband owns two casinos. I should rob his ass.”
“Rebel!” Dice gasped. “Don’t let my husband get active.”
I laughed. “Girl, please.”
“I’m serious. That man retired from the street life. He owns casinos now. Leave him alone and let him enjoy his peaceful life.”
“So... he don’t want no smoke no more?” I teased.
Dice smirked. “He don’t go looking for it... but don’t go waking up the old him.”
Kash laughed. “Leave her husband alone.”
“Aight,” I shrugged. “I’ll rob somebody else.”
Both of them stared at me, and I frowned.
“Y’all know I’m joking,” I grinned.
Dice pointed at me. “That’s the problem. With you, every joke got a little truth hiding in it.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
“Do I need to pack any clothes?” I asked.
Dice looked me up and down before sucking her teeth. “Don’t offend me with your little tomboy wardrobe.”
“My clothes ain’t that bad.”
Kash laughed. “Girl, they fucked up.”
Dice folded her arms. “You own hoodies, jeans, Timbs, and leather jackets in thirty different colors.”
“I wear Jordans too.”
“Oh, my bad,” Dice said. “So today you’ll rob the bank in sneakers.”
Kash laughed so hard she had to grab the limo.
I pointed at both of them. “Y’all are some haters.”
“Nah,” Dice smirked. “First stop is the mall. By the time this trip is over, we’re gonna have you looking like a lady.”
I laughed. “Good luck with that.”
All of us climbed into the stretch limo. The driver pulled away from the curb as Dice reached into the ice bucket, popped the cork on a bottle of champagne, and filled our glasses.
“To us,” Kash said, raising hers.
“To friendship,” Dice added.
“And to making terrible financial decisions on this trip,” I joked, clinking my glass against theirs.
We burst out laughing before tossing back the champagne.
The music filled the limo as we talked, laughed, and caught each other up on everything we’d missed.
For the first time in a long time, I wasn’t thinking about robberies, tech, or the weight I’d been carrying.
I was just enjoying being with my girls.