**Unless otherwise noted, Part Two will be in Joey's point of view.**
17 | Chapter Seventeen
Harlem, New York | April 2015
"Maybe she's dead."
I shook my head at Rakim as he gulped another swig of his beer. Quentin, who sat besides me shook his head. "Are you serious?" Quentin questioned. Rakim shrugged. "I mean, she's doing us all a favor right? When Joey's hurt, we're all hurt. We got you bro." Rakim stated, sending a forced smile in my direction. I was happy to hear that Rakim 'got me' but in the context that he used it, it just didn't sound right. Quentin could tell as well because he let out a dry laugh before shaking his head. "Look, we all understand that you and her had your little petty ass arguments, but you don't say things like that, Rakim." Quentin spat in his direction. Rakim pursed his lips before shaking his head. "If I didn't know better I'd say you liked her. Or atleast, fucked her." Rakim responded sternly. I continued to glance between the two of them, not quite knowing what to say.
"You're damn right... you don't know better. That's why you keep your goddamn mouth shut." Quentin stated as he turned his head from the two of us.
"And anyway, Joey got him a badass mermaid type bitch. I mean, she ain't as thick as my bitch, Cordelia, but she's fine as hell. You fucked?" Rakim questioned me, his attention now removing from Quentin and being placed on me.
I sucked my teeth and waved the conversation off.
I glanced in the direction of the stage. There was a country band playing and a lot of drunk people swaying uncoordinated to the beat just in front of the stage. The bar wasn't packed, and in fact it was quite empty. I was beginning to regret inviting Quentin and Rakim here today. They both had different views on the whole Isis thing. Quentin honestly believed I should call the cops or find some kind of clues, but Rakim believed I should ditch Isis and stick with Raven. Rakim's suggestions did sound a lot more easier than Quentin's, but I didn't really know I truly wanted to forget about Isis.
My phone buzzed and I subtly glanced at it.
It was a text from Raven. It had only been a day or two since the incident with Cassidy at my house and still, Raven decided she wanted to make something between us. I thought that was bold as hell for her, and I obliged wholeheartedly. Isis didn't have to be my only female friend. Rakim laughed loudly and I glanced up from the phone. "That's that hoe from the club, right?" Rakim questioned as he stuck his hand out as if he was waiting to get dapped up. I rolled my eyes at him. "She's not a hoe, and so what if that is her?" I questioned. Quentin scoffed before standing up from his chair. "I really can't deal with ya'll niggas." He stated as he shook his head. He pulled out his wallet and placed a five on the table. I glanced at him. "The fuck you mean?" I questioned. Quentin sent me an incredulous look. "You move on from Isis that quick?" He asked me the question as if it was a shame. I didn't quite think so. "How the hell you move on from a chick that lived with you for two years in a week? For somebody at a club? Really, I thought better of you." Quentin stated shaking his head. "None of ya'll know how to keep a lady. No wonder none of them are here right now."
"Man fuck out of here. It ain't your place to be telling us about our girls. Can you keep one my nigga?" Rakim spat back, standing up.
"The hell I can. Let's not forget I'm with Deja. And I don't think I run around to clubs and sleep with random hoes. Leah and your ass needa get checked out." Quentin stated shaking his head. I could tell Rakim's mood change. Leah had dumped him after she found out what happened between Cordelia, the girl at the club, and him. Rakim had been hurt, but it was him who decided to get in that bathroom stall with her. Quentin saying it now only made him feel even worst.
