I'm not gonna lie, watching how Tony was running these young ones, I can see why Widow chose to move him up in the ranks. He was already a little older than the rest of us, but the wise beyond his years thing was there too. He always seemed so calm, cool, and collected that this side of him is different. He could take charge and lead effectively. I was pissed initially that he was now a step above us, but I could respect how he earned his stripes. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that we had the label and that I could be taking on modeling. We were always gonna be in the loop but this gave us space to do other things. It's like watching him build and groom them was the same thing we did with our artists. For once in my life I think I could see it was more to life than the streets, but I know they'll always be a part of me. "You look like you're in deep thought over there killa." Mar said to me and I laughed. "Yeah...I didn't think Tony had any of this in him for real. I'm shocked." I told him. "Y'all sleep on Tony because he's chill. He wasn't always. Toya calmed him all the way down and that's what makes him dangerous. The old Tone would tell you exactly what he's gonna do to you, you'd just have to stay clear of him. Him now...you'd never see it coming. That nigga saved my mufuckin life before so to watch him now, I respect it. Being around for some of the journey makes you realize what's what. I mean don't get me wrong, you and Charles came in swinging and we can only imagine what the hell y'all was into in the Chi." he said and we both laughed. "Yeah he seems like he was born for this shit though. It comes natural as hell. I told him he was a natural born leader, but I didn't know it was like this in all aspects." I admitted. "You been real nice lately. You pregnant or something?" Mar asked me. "The fuck bruh?" I said real quick. "I'm just saying, I'm used to gangsta Iris not this calm one. You're different. Not saying it's a bad thing but now I can at least see what Charles sees in you. Because outside of this I thought you were the man in the relationship." I punched him in the arm so quick and he laughed. "I eat those." he said and we both laughed. "Naw but every man likes to see his woman in a soft era, like you don't have to be hard 24/7, he got you." "So their pregnancy hormones rubbing off on you?" I asked him and he smiled. "Naw, it's called balance. I saw the error in my ways with D, she's too hardened and I can't help but to think I helped make her that way. I try to be different to allow her to be different. I have feelings and I can express them in a healthy manner. So I make sure I do so with my ladies and make sure Chi knows it's okay to express emotions and still be a man. It's balance!" he said to me and I let them words sink in. "You can do the same. Maybe it would help y'all understand each other more. Neither one of y'all say much but the lil wedge that be between y'all is clear as day. Y'all connection is fire, but maybe y'all got something in the way." "You can tell that?" I asked him. "I got 3 women, I can always tell when even the slightest thing is off with a woman. I deal with them, Dom, and both my PTs for football are females. Trust me, I read everything." he said. "Not to mention, you just sat here and looked at Tony with admiration in your eyes. The same way he balances, you strive to do the same." "Not exactly." I said far too quick to take it back. "That seemed like a knee jerk reaction." he said to me. "It's not that...promise me you won't say shit." I said and he nodded. "So...I think Toya is contemplating cheating for real." I said and he shrugged a little bit. "Let her." he said and I was about to respond til he put his hand up. "Hear me out...they're not married yet and to be honest I don't think they should get married. I really don't believe they're supposed to be together. You never got to see Tony with Autumn, but I did. He's not happy with Toya like he was with her. Not saying they should be together either, but my nigga ain't smiling like he used to and I see that. She's trying to mold him into being the best guy for her, but that's not necessarily the best guy for him. I'm not taking away from the fact that she really helped push him through school and to get his shit together, but that doesn't mean she's the one." "I hear you, but do I drop him a hint or something?" he shook his head. "Naw don't knock him off his square, he's already overcoming a lot. Just let things flow as they will, you can't fuck with free will. As far as we know, he might be considering the same thing. I don't get in the middle of domestic shit." Mar said and he definitely had a point because at a point in time I probably would've tried to coerce him into cheating for real because Toya gave me an ick. At the same time, it's none of my business. "You right." I said quickly. "What y'all fools over here chit chatting about?" Tony said as he walked over. "Just watching a master at work is all." Mar said quickly and Tony scoffed. "Watch how you talk to your homie, boss. I mean watch how you talk to the boss...homie." I said to Mar and the 3 of us laughed at that shit. "I would say I was gonna go home and watch that, but..." Tony started. "Toya gone be like 'Tony, what is this hot ghetto mess shit you have on the television'." Mar said in a high pitched voice and we all laughed again.
YOU ARE READING
The Unusual Suspects Book 2
General FictionThe story of 6 inner city young adults, all from different walks of life, from different areas, and conquering different hardships. Watch how school, family, drugs, lies, the streets, and love bring them together and rip them apart
