• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 •

• 21 •

eneaj

"Hey pretty girl. Wassup?"

"Bro, this man just came in and confessed to a murder and think I'm finna represent him? He wild as fuck fa that," Yenvy laughed into my ear.

She was on her lunch break right now, and I was in line at Walmart, getting one of those DiGiorno pizzas for tonight in case she couldn't bring anything back in time tonight.

"What did you say?"

"I basically said I'd see, but like in a real professional way but anyways, hell nah. What you up to?"

"Walmart. In line," I shrugged, like she could see me.

"Ima try and make it to the c-l-u-b tonight. I haven't had a break in weeks. David wasn't lying when he said personal injury was stressful," she groaned. "I needa turn up."

"But safely, right?" I added.

"Eneaj, I ain't gon drink. You don't needa drink to have a good time. Everybody knows that. And I'm gettin' better," she stated.

"I know, but Val said-

"I know Val relapsed, but I won't," she told me strongly. "I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but addictions aren't the same for everyone, Eneaj. I know you come from a good place in your heart though."

I sighed.

"Eneaj...you there?"

"Yeah. I'm bout to check out, hollon," I told her, hanging up. I slid my phone back into my pocket, staring at the back of the heads of two people in front of me in line.

You care about a person and it's just like...they don't listen to your advice.

After I had my groceries, I left Walmart, and checked my phone to see if Valerie had text me anything- she hadn't. I bit my lip, driving down the potholed Houston roads as the sun beat down through my partially tinted windows. The sky was open, people were honking on 45, and my heart was tired.

Tired of worrying about my best friend.

Tired of worrying about my girlfriend.

I was back in the outskirts of Zinnias, and I pulled up the crew's new crib. I parked and went upstairs to the apartment, hoping I could get something to drink real quick and maybe rest my cramping hands from the drive.

I knocked on the door, waiting outside while I shifted from foot to foot, my body tired from grocery shopping.

"Hey...Oh, Eneaj?" Jadyn answered the door, welcoming me inside. "Pleasure havin' you here."

"Thanks," I glanced around, noticing how quiet it seemed, "Where's Val?"

"Her and Pey and Milli went out. Just runnin' round town," Jadyn waved off my question. "I'm sure they'll be back soon."

"Yeah, I came back early. Too tired to do the rest of my errands," I shrugged, sitting down on the couch, "They weren't urgent or anything."

"Want sumin to drink? Water? Tea? Wine?"

I laughed, "Some cold water would be nice."

"Bottle fine?" Jadyn asked, going to the kitchen.

"Yeah."

"So how's things goin' between you and my favorite person?" Jadyn cracked a smile, handing me a bottle of water.

"Don't even play, Jadyn," I laughed, "And, we doin' good," I nodded. Even if we weren't, I wouldn't tell her. That's me and Val's business.

"Good," she sat down on the other end of the couch, casually switching the TV on. "I was watchin' some Law and Order, if that's fine."

I shrugged, sipping my bottle and scrolling through my phone. Should I ask where Val is and how long she's gonna be or would that be annoying? I settled on just waiting for her to come back.

I sat my phone down besides me, kicking my shoes off and getting comfy on the couch. As I was getting into the episode, my phone dinged.

"Yeah, wassup?"

"Car broke down on the side of the feeder. Where you at?"

"They crib."

"With...Jadyn?" Val asked, I could already imagine her face, the way her jaw tenses, how sexy she is when she's mad...allat.

"Ight. Well, could you come scoop us up? I'm with Pey and Milli."

"Gimme yo location. I'm comin'."

Jadyn looked up, muting the TV. "Wassup? Did sumin happen?"

"Car stopped on the feeder," I frowned. "Do you know where they went?"

Jadyn casually shrugged.

"Well c'mon. I know it's gettin' hot if they don't got air," I got my phone and my keys.

"I can drive...I know you said you tired," Jadyn offered.

I could imagine Val's face if we pulled up and Jadyn was driving. It was already bad enough I had invited her to come.

"I-Sure," I hesitantly agreed.

I handed Jadyn the keys and we went out to my Charger to get in. I took down my ponytail, dropping my little black hair tie and searching through the sides of the seats for it.

"You lost something?" she asked.

I said yes, not really hearing her. I stuck my hand down in the little side of the seat and grabbed it, wrapping my hair back up.

"Did she tell you where they were or...?"

I looked at me and Val's messages. "She's typin'."

Jadyn stretched, pulling her black hoodie down a little as a nicely tatted stomach showed.

"I was thinkin' about gettin' some tats," I mentioned, as she caught me looking.

"Val doesn't like tatted girls."

I was a little disappointed for a moment and it must've shown on my face.

"I'm just kiddin'," she chuckled, "Chill. Val has tattoos too anyways."

I didn't know her well enough to play hit her so I only rolled my eyes. Maybe Jadyn wasn't as cold as everyone else painted her out to be, but she was still an asshole. I checked my phone again and we finally had their location. "Here. I'll put the directions into Maps."

"Got it," she nodded.