Nina & Dee

Four

"Dee, what have I told you about smoking in my house?!"

I stumbled out of bed, my foot sliding on one of Dee's black socks that were lying on the floor. That only made me more heated. I've told him a million times to pick his socks up, to just put them up after he takes them off, but he never listens. Now if I bust my behind and he sees how much the medical bill will be, then he'll wanna throw a fit.

As soon as I got my balance back, I slung open our bedroom door, glaring at the boys in the living room.

Dee, as well as his three older brothers, Kyle, Harlem, and Syte sat around on the couch. Crumbs of weed sat right on the coffee table in front of them, as well as stacks of money.

My eyes widened. What was going on here?

It didn't take Dee long to stand to his feet and start picking up the rubber banned bills and stuffing them into his brothers' hands. I folded my arms and walked over to them, plucking a stack right out of Harlem's hands. I eyed the money in my hand and then stared up at my boyfriend, his face turning cold by the second. He was good at mugging me when he felt as though he were about to be challenged. When he knew an argument was coming.

But I didn't want to argue with him. At least not right now. Right now, he had about five seconds to explain to me why there were stacks of money and weed all on my coffee table because I know Footlocker does not pay that much.

He continued to bore his eyes into mine, but I refused to back down. I was used to this and he knew it.

"Deondre," I began. I looked to his brothers and they only held their blunts between their thumb and pointing finger, afraid of what I might unleash on them next.

"Deondre, what is this?"

I turned my attention back to him and he only stuck his hands into his pockets.

"Money."

"And what is that on my table?" I gestured to the grinded weed.

"Weed."

"Exactly. So explain."

"Look Nina, I don't have time for this."

Wrong answer.

He turned his back to me and made his way to the kitchen. I was right on his heels. I could feel his brothers watching our every move.

"Kyle, Harlem, and Syte," I said, my tone forcing a kind pitch.

I turned around and their eyes were staring right into mine. I hated how much they all looked alike because it felt like I was about to get into an argument with all four of them. They had identical mean mugs.

"Finish the blunt outside."

They stood up and took their time gathering everything they needed before heading towards the balcony. Once they opened the sliding glass door, I gave Dee my attention once more. He was standing in front of the fridgerator, the cool chilling his body as he searched for something to eat. Or something to do while we had this discussion, just to keep from looking at me.

"Deondre, you need to start talking, because I know this isn't what it looks like." I spoke up.

He sighed and closed the fridge door.

"No, it's not what it looks like, Nina." He leaned his hands against the counter and this time, he looked right at me.

I was wearing one of his white tees which were pretty long on me and my hair was pulled up into a messy bun. It was only two in the afternoon, but I had taken a nap once the guys came over and they found that to be the perfect opportunity to act up.