The James family is making a major move after Spencer decides to retire and uproot back to California, which causes the entire family to face some serious adversity.
"Your mom said she's coming to pick y'all up at seven-thirty," our dad yells as we make our way to the exit.
"Why'd you have to say we were taking an Uber, SJ?" I whisper as if our dad could still hear us.
"Did you not just feel the love back there?" He asks as we reach the outside. "If dad knew we were about to be riding around in the hood with ol' boy, he would've called security to come babysit. Or worse, he would've rode with us himself. And honestly, you should be thanking me."
"We're not riding around the hood. We're going to a meeting. And that seems like more of a reason to tell him we're catching a ride to the cafe with J.R.."
"Why? Do you want to be seen as some nerdy ass privileged kids visiting the hood like folks visit the fish at the aquarium?" He asks and I think about his words.
I can't imagine those girls would ever stop harassing me if they caught me riding around the city with security or my daddy.
"Now you see why I had to lie?" SJ asks loudly as we stop and stare at J.R., who's waiting by a royal blue 2021 Dodge Charger. "Look at this..."
He points towards J.R.. And he looks better in a hoodie and durag than he does in those plaid polos he wears inside the school.
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It's almost like he's Clark Kent between eight in the morning and three in the afternoon. Then makes a stop in the phone booth and turns into that fine ass Superman. Only, he's the Crenshaw version of Superman.
"He got a new car. So what?" I mumble as I pretend to not be mesmerized by his good looks from a distance.
"He's eighteen and we ain't never heard this guy mention a job. So how can he be riding in this?" SJ asks and I try not to think about it.
"You heard dad! He thinks I should get to know J.R. and understand him."
"Don't take dad's kindness for weakness. You know he's not saying to go be a fool for this guy." He tells me seriously. "And I don't give a damn about how nice, cool or respectful J.R. is to you. We still have to be careful."
"Is that why you all of a sudden want to go to this committee meeting?"
"That's exactly why I'm going to this whack ass meeting," he tells me before walking over towards J.R. and shaking his hand.
I sigh because it's nice to feel the love from my twin. And it's honestly a change for us, since we rarely get along. But I have a daddy. So SJ can chill.
"My fault again. I didn't mean to—-," I overhear J.R. say and SJ stops him by shaking his hand once more as I move closer to where they're standing.
They look like they're the best of friends again. And here I am, watching in envy, because I don't know how easy it will be for me to just go back to being his friend, after I completely embarrassed myself back in that bathroom.
