Protector.

13.

Kentrell 'young boy'

"You ever met the nigga?" Three questioned referrin' to Wynnie baby daddy, Dwayne. I nodded my head, "I met him when they first had somethin' goin' and then it was like she stopped fuckin' wit me and he took all her attention away from me.. That's when I was doin' whatever I pleased," I informed havin' him nod his head in amusement.

"Basically it was like we kinda fell off," I admitted.

"Is that why you don't want her wit no other nigga now cause you scared to lose her?" Ben wondered while placing his attention back to the game.

To be honest I didn't know why I didn't want Wynnie wit anyone else. I mean she was my best friend and somethin' in me felt like that was all we'd ever be. I do think she looked at me like I was jus' anotha' Dwayne but that wasn't true. I'd never abandon her or Meli for any reason. Even in death I'll never abandon them. I had my moments whea' I'd catch myself fallin' for her but that was crazy to even imagine. We'd been friends for so long I wasn't even sure she'd view a nigga form that perspective. Last night was the first time I said I loved ha' and I didn't mean it in a friendly I care about'chu typa way. I really did love ha. I've always have.

I shook my head, "she could be wit who she wanted but her body will always belong to me."

"Damn nigga."
_________

Wynter.

"I'm glad you decided to come and hang out wit a nigga, you'd have yo days to whea' you'd want me and then the next you avoid me," Marlo admitted while holding onto my hand tighter. He was telling the truth. It wasn't like I wanted to avoid him. I just didn't need Trell trying to kill him.

"I'm sorry.. You know I'd love to spend time with you everyday if I wasn't so busy," I sighed tossing a piece of bread with my freehand at the beautiful white ducks which walked about near the lake. They all ran towards the bread and simply quacked at each other over who was to get what.

Marlo held my hand tighter, "you are not busy everyday I'm a busy man myself but I always make time for you." He tossed some bread also.

I let my eyes roll because in the back of my mind he was right. I couldn't keep letting Trell push off men I actually liked. Marlo wasn't afraid of him or anyone else. I admired that about him also. He didn't let anything or anyone intimidate him. Whether it came to handling business or getting something he wanted. He was determined to have me all to himself. "I'm sorry..."

"You good jus'start lettin' a nigga kno' somethin," he insisted.

"I will I promise," I replied. Suddenly I felt his lips on mine.
___________

I entered the house with a never ending smile on my face. The date I just had with Marlo was overall perfect. "Why you so happy?" Trell questioned stealing my happiness away completely.

"Umm," before I let anything come from my mouth. I thought for a moment. Should I tell him? I mean I knew he'd be mad either way but he just needed to get over it. I'd be loyal to him if I let him know what was up and it'd be disloyal if I sparked something up with Marlo behind his back. Overall he'll be mad either way. "I went on a date," I admitted, "with Marlo."

His eyes widened, "so ya' not understandin' the fact that he shot'cho daughta?" He questioned standing to his feet and walking over to me.

I sighed and fanned him off, "Marlo did not do that he'd never do something like that."

"Wynnie you can't be serious, who else would do it?" He asked with sly smirk as if he was amused and believing I was in denial.

I pointed to him, "you're the one with dozens of enemies. You have several targets on your back. I'm telling you Marlo wouldn't do something like that I've known him far too long for him to even try to put me or Meli in harm's way..." I looked him up and down, "unlike you."

"I've been protectin' y'all since the beginnin' and I've never purposely put'chu in harm."

I shook my head.

"If I don't like him you don't need to be fuckin' talkin' to him. What tha fuck I gotta do kill em? I told'chu he ain't good for you, I know this shit!"

"And who's good for me huh? YOU?"

He eyed me, "I'm somethin' relative to it!"

I let out a laugh, "you can't be serious!"

"I'm dead ass stop tryna play me," he spat while pointin' his fingers, almost as if he was threatening me.

I decided to not say another word. I didn't need this situation to escalate much more into something worse. "I'm done with this bestfriend shit, okay?" I spat while looking at him. His jaw began to lock and he just stared at me with dark eyes, "you'on mean dat." For the moment I did want to mean it. I just wanted to be happy in life and it was like Kentrell was holding me back completely from that. "Yes I do mean that," I paused and took a deep breath trying to collect my words. "I don't need you treating me like I'm your underage daughter or some shit, you need to understand boundaries an-and things like that."

He didn't say another word, he only went back to the couch in silence.

I started walking up the stairs until he spoke up, "I guess it ain't L.O.E no mo, huh?"