𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

LIKE SMOKE.

Nov, 20. Thursday, 8pm.

"Still didn't talk to Henny or Toni?" Lisa asked, looking at me through the mirror while she kept brushing her hair back. A red rim framed her face. She been brushing her hair for twenty minutes now, how much more slick can it get?

"Forget about it. They don't matter anymore. Only thing that matters is the future and if they don't want to be a part of it that's coo too." It still hurts me, because I've known them more than half of my life, but hey what more can I do.

We packed up everything, and caught a ride there. The place was the same, but clean, empty, and pink doused everything. Even the bartenders wore pink. "Mitch, everything looks so good. Thank you. For real."

He patted my shoulder. "It's nothing. Thank my vato." He pointed behind him. Ricky came over dressed just like his older brother. He smiled showcasing a gold cap on one of his k-9s.

"Abel, good to see you." He took my hand. "Lisa." He gave her a nod. "Where's Toni?"

Lisa shook her head signaling it wasn't very appropriate to ask, but I was okay with it. "Not here. Don't think he will be making it nor will Henny." his smile dropped. He's probably assuming the worst, or he was just excited to see him. Either way it has nothing to do with me anymore.

I decided to sit in a section playing flappy bird on my phone while listening to the mellow music and wait for everybody important to arrive. I'd been losing back to back, so when I finally was getting further than I did before I didn't even bother to look up when the cushion next to me sunk.

"Why'd you tell everybody I wasn't coming? Or most importantly why wasn't I invited?" Well I don't know Antonio how about we ask ourselves why you weren't invited. I waited to get my victory, before I decided to reply.

"Not sure. Maybe because you decided to lie and sell me out."

"A, I know we've been through some rough things, but we're brothers. We can't let silly things tear us apart, that's just crazy." We're brothers, but I lie to mine and throw him under the bus and keep big secrets.

"We aren't brothers. Stop trying to rub it in my face. You keep saying that but you don't treat me like I'm your brother. I'd never say a word about what you did."

"I never blamed you."

"Antonio, you told Aphrodite that I killed your dad. You're the one who clearly had plans. You brought the gun! You been trying to frame me?"

"You for real? We ain't actually brothers? Or are you just disowning me because of what I said?" His eyes seemed to let go of the harshness like his heart was about to get shattered into a million pieces. I could hardly look at him. It was weird seeing him get all soft. Maybe he really didn't know.

"I'm for real. My dad led D.E.A.D, Regina and Julius are your parents, but my dad is way in NewYork on probation."

"A, dude, I didn't know. I wasn't trying to rub anything in your face. It's a little painful to know, but I hope you know we don't have to be blood to be family. You're still the one I grew up with. You're still my brother and you're still Stella's brother." He stood up with his arms out. "Come on, your new little girlfriend is here."

I let him have his way and gave him a hug. We returned to the group and boy where had she been all my sad sad little life. Her smile, her gestures as she spoke, she was an absolute goddess. After she finished up greeting everyone I gave her the gift as the others drifted away to enjoy themselves.

She opened the first box with a face that I couldn't quite read, the same with the next. What if I got her something she doesn't like.. Here I go fucking up something else. She longingly stared at the necklace with two linked hearts before looking up at me. "The gifts are gorgeous, but I hope you know it's not about the money Abel."

"Of course not." I give her an unsure smile. She's probably lying and just doesn't want to feel bad or she could be disappointed. Maybe there's something else I could've given her to better impress her. Or maybe trying for a girl like her was a mistake within itself.

"Everything okay?" She asks, setting the small boxes back neatly on the table.

"I just don't think you really want a guy like me."

"Abel our upbringings might be different, but you're just getting it how you livin', you know? I have family from exactly where you were." Her hand cupped my cheek. A sense of relief washed over me. "My uncle Raymond. He went by Reggie when he sold drugs, but to me he was my uncle Ray. I lost him to gun violence at 16. I don't look down on you, I look down upon your ways. It hurts me deeply knowing that we have suffering young black men out here who have to carry guns and die, because they are letting this lifestyle define them. I don't want that for you."

"I had no idea Reggie was your uncle. He used to be my plug before he randomly disappeared. Nobody ever told me he died. I damn near felt like that nigga was my uncle will all the shit we used to talk about."

"He deserved to rest." I was curious now, but in case she wasn't ready I decided to shut myself up and invite her to dance before it got awkward and turned into a trauma dump fest.

It all feels so wrong. Weeks ago I was lying in bed next to Evelyn stroking her hair, telling her I loved her, but this right here.. this feels more of a genuine love than I've ever felt. Did I ever truly love her? Did I leave my true love behind for a new journey full of lust?

Her piercing gaze met mine. Those fucking eyes. I noticed her sneaking glances at my lips. Pulling her body closer to mine, I rest my hand underneath her chin, guiding her face closer to mine. Her arms automatically rested along the back of my neck as her full luscious lips met with mine.