I Wanna Be.

Part 28

-Rome-

The smoke from the newly lit joe filled my lungs. My Stress started to fade but only a little. My mind was filled with issues that needed to be solved. I watched as the cars began rolling into the warehouse's parking lot-first, my parents, with dre pulling in behind them. After plucking the cigarette to the ground, I stomped on it. My mother hated that we smoked. She didn't care for the smell. It was one of her biggest pet peeves, so we respected it. Yo, Dre said, walking up to me. The nigga was so carefree it was almost as if he didn't have a care in the world. What's good with you, youngin? I dapped him off.

My parent got out, and they didn't even speak. My pops didn't even look my way. I ain't gone lie that shit hurt. I was used to Dre being the fuck up, so being put in this position changed my thought process. I could now understand how Dre felt. We were both seeking my father's approval, so I was in this false competition with him. We walked into the warehouse and was greeted by the workers. The mood was intense as we went to the elevator to the top floor. Workers weren't allowed here because this floor was reserved for my family. The cool air from the ac blowing had me somewhat trembling. I hardly ever came up here and had forgotten how cold it was.

My parents and Dre sat on the sofa, and I sat across from them on a reclining chair. I didn't have to sit right there or anything, but I ain't gone lie; it felt like I was in the hot seat or some shit. Speak was all my pops said, and I knew he meant business. My dad has never been this mad at me, so I never realized how dangerous he was. I guess you hear stories about a killer, but the person's family members never truly get to see that side of them. "It was my fault, Dre spoke up," and we all looked in his direction. If I had never let Mark off with that money, Rome wouldn't have had to do what he did. He wasn't lying or anything, but I wouldn't let him take the wrap for what I had done. My parents ain't raise no hoe, ya dig. "Nah, it was my fault, I voiced." I should have handled that situation very differently, and if I could go back and redo it, I would. "But you can't; my father said, cutting me off."

"You can't he continued talking." What I need help understanding, Rome, is why. Mark was like family to us. You could have gone and gotten the money from Dro. "I just wanted to teach him a lesson, I said." Okay, even if that were true, Mark was Dro's only son; even If you had succeeded in teaching him a lesson, you think Dro would have let you slide. "I didn't think that far ahead. "Clearly, he said." I'm used to cleaning up Dre's messes, but even he has never fuck up this bad. I can't be mad at you when I taught you to rule with fear. I probably should have taught y'all perception is everything. I take the blame for this bullshit, but this won't happen again.

"Just let me handle it, I said."

"Let you handle it so you can fuck up some more."

"I fuck up once, and you acting like it's the end of fucking world."

"Who the fuck are you talking to. He stood up, but my mother grabbed his hand and guided him back down to the sofa.

I have a plan, and if you get in the way, you will just fuck it up.

His laughs filled the room, bae, you heard what he said, he asked my ma. He said imma get in the way, he continued to laugh. He fuck some shit up, but ima get in the way. He was damn near crying and laughing at this point. He wiped his tears away and said iight handle it with the straightest expression. Meeting adjourned.

I got up and walked out of the room. My mother was making my dad a drink at the mini bar. I went through my phone and scrolled to Mani's name, wanting to call her, but I couldn't. I hadn't heard from Brittany since the night of my birthday bash. After being kicked out by security, she understood I wasn't fucking with her like that. I let her get away with so much shit I shouldn't have, but this was the last straw.