Chapter Two Khalil “Savage” Knox #2
“Things change. Time changes and so does people, you know that, Breia. I ain’t that same nigga you fell in love with all those years ago. Hence the reason we’re not together now”
I finally decided to turn and face her, because this moment was about me being real. Not making the shit sound sweet when it wasn’t. Because we have so many years behind us, she deserves nothing but the real from me.
“While I still care for you deeply, I’m just not there with it anymore.
For some time now I been thinking about stopping this thing we started.
I never once wanted you to feel like I was leading you on.
As two consenting adults, I thought we both knew what it was.
Just some bomb ass sex from time to time.
I don’t want to hurt you Breia, so I feel like its best that we end it here.
No bad blood, no nothing. You’ll always be good in my book”
I saw tears welled up in her eyes, but she didn’t dare let one fall. She nodded her head in agreement to the shit I just said. Knowingly, she wasn’t feeling that shit in the slightest. She just grabbed her belongings and walked out of my door.
The shit still went a way I didn’t want it to go.
That’s my fault though because I should’ve never let it get to this point.
I honestly thought she could just handle the friends with benefits shit without crossing the line.
I guess that shit was hard to do given our history.
It bothered me a little, but I know the shit is for the best.
I ain’t out here trying to be the nigga to lead anybody on.
I want her to do whatever is best for her.
Me being the stand-up nigga that I am, I know that’s not me right now.
Maybe in another world or a different life, we can get that shit back.
Right now, unfortunate as it is, I’m not feeling it like that.
In an effort to get my mind off the shit with Breia, I turned my music on and prepared to start my day.
“Every Night” by Money Man began to blare through the soundbar in my room.
I went in the shower to do my thing. Taking the time to lather my body with my men’s Dove body wash.
I stayed in that bitch trying to scrub every spec of dirt that I imagined to be on my body.
When I shower it’s like that’s my time to reflect on shit. Past and present.
The shit that went down the other night should be the last time we deal with some shit like that.
Out of all the niggas running around the city, they want to let SSC be the ones to have the one up on us.
I ain’t feeling that shit at all. I don’t do reckless, period! We don’t sit back and become victims.
That’s exactly what happened the other night.
How the fuck a couple of them niggas get shot.
I’m blessed to still have them here with us but still.
I bet that nigga Trill slept really good that night.
Just knowing that they hit us. Ever since I’ve known the nigga he has been my competition in these streets.
He built his squad from the ground up, I did the same.
I’m a made ass nigga, that nigga just somebody that’s trying to stop me from some shit that was destined for me before I decided to pursue this shit.
I don’t fuck with any of them niggas. I try to stay on my side of town to prevent bull shit from occurring.
That shit isn’t the simplest task all the time when money is involved.
I don’t give a fuck where it is, I’m going to get it.
If I have to step on them motherfuckers' toes to get it, then that’s what the fuck gone happen.
I’m real quiet and humble about my shit though.
That’s what the opposition hates. I have brains beyond this street shit.
The way I articulate my words, apply educational shit to a street aspect; all that shit made me versatile when it comes down to this drug dealing shit.
The shit is beyond dope for me. I know this isn’t my end but I’m utilizing the cards that I’m dealt to make the shit work in my favor.
When I reach a level of economic sovereignty unbound by the need to traffic in the streets, I plan to bring my people with me.
But I’m only taking people with me that are prepared to accumulate funds but in a much different way than what we’re accustomed to.
I’m not looking for emotional immaturity, or niggas that don’t see the vision.
Any real nigga knows that the streets don’t come with a pension or a 401k. Shit full of nothing but bullets, death or life sentences. Prayerfully I escape the confinements of the streets before either reach me.
When I was dressed, I grabbed my phone off the wireless charger, my keys, and proceeded to head out of the door. It was seventy degrees outside with a little breeze here and there. I fuck with it, as long as it doesn’t get too chilly. I’m a summer baby and I live for the sunny weather.
Flowers were bloomed and the roses that were on the bushes close to my house were sprouted beautifully. This good ass weather had me feeling good upon stepping out of the door. Instantly putting me in a good mood, I already knew today was going to be a sunroof back type of day.
I opted for my 2018 Nissan Maxima Platinum, just to take advantage of the panoramic sunroof on this beautiful day.
One thing about me, I have never been a nasty ass nigga.
My mama raised me better than that and would have a fit over smallest little shit being out of place.
I said all that to say, I may have developed a little OCD over the years.
I tried my best to keep both of my vehicles cleaned, inside and out.
Growing up the way I did, I became a firm believer that if you take care of the things the man upstairs gives you, he’ll bless you with more.
I ain’t rich but I ain’t a poor ass nigga either.
I live very comfortably and don’t try to do shit that’s not within my means to please anyone.
It’s 2026 and I still drive my 2018 from time to time.
She still looks good and drives even better.
Plus, she has low miles because I don’t drive her all the time.
A good wash, detail, and upkeep of the maintenance and she’s ready for me any time I want her.
The panoramic sunroof provided me a nice view of the pretty blue sky.
When I had my radio on the playlist I wanted to hear, I placed the gear in drive and peeled away from my house.
I was rapping the lyrics along with Money Man when a call interrupted my car concert.
My boy Roman’s name flashed across the screen of my phone.
Pressing the green phone on my steering wheel to answer the call immediately.
“What’s good Ro?”
“Everything is everything. Are you in route?”
“Hell yeah, just left the crib not long ago. Them niggas there?”, I asked.
He was silent for a moment, taking a light inhale before he spoke again.
“Yeah, they’re here”
“Say less. I’ll be there in fifteen. Ro?”
“Yeah”
“Don’t let any of them niggas leave before I touch down”
“You know ain’t shit moving or shaking unless we say so”
“I’m already hipped. Dre ass been avoiding me and its time we discuss the elephant in the fuckin room. The shit was extraneous”
“I agree”, Ro said.
I could hear him taking pulls from the blunt that I knew he was smoking. Cool ass nigga, I thought to myself.
“I’ll see you in a few”
“Bet”
We ended our call. Ro is my right hand in this shit.
That nigga has my back more than my spine.
He’s been my boy all my life, so I trust him with the shit.
Everyone knows that Ro is the second in command.
In my absence he can always stand in and make executive decisions.
I don’t have to worry about the shit failing because he knows what he’s doing.
He’s always going to handle shit in the same manner that I will.
Nigga is more than a friend, potna, or homeboy; he’s my motherfucking brother.
About fifteen minutes later I was pulling into the venue.
As expected, everyone was still in attendance.
It was in their best interest not to move until I got here, and the meeting was held.
Ro was standing outside waiting for me to exit my car.
I mentally prepared myself before I made my way out of the car.
When I approached Ro, he and I embraced one another in a brotherly hug. No words needed to be exchanged after that. We proceeded to head into the spot. Everyone was sitting waiting patiently for the meeting to start. Most of them scrolling on their phones or making small talk to kill time.
I propped myself up against the countertop before lighting the blunt that once rested behind my ear.
I took a few pulls and stood there in silence as I gathered my thoughts.
I didn’t give a damn if the shit took all day for me to do, they are on my time.
If they want to continue to have a place in this organization, then patience is something that they must practice.
A lot of shit takes time and I’m not the nigga to rush the process.
“The shit that went down at Platinum the other night shouldn’t have ever been. We didn’t go out that motherfucker to be into it with nobody. Dre, would you like to speak on the shit?”, I asked, directing my attention to him.
He sat back in his chair, relaxed and cool as ever.
One arm resting in his lap and the other propped up on the back of the chair.
Nigga wanted to be as nonchalant as possible.
Shit was irritating as fuck because I didn’t appreciate the negative attention it was bringing A.C.E.
Multiple members of my team were touched and to me that shit gave off that we are some weak ass niggas that can be touched at any given moment.
“Nah, not really”
“Not really”, I mimicked him