Growing Pains (Book I)

Chapter Three

-- Arianna in MM.

Thursday, September 12th, 2018.
Approx. 11:27am.

Aubree

I rolled over to answer my ringing phone.

"Talk."

"Ace." I sat up. "Bradley is dead." Trina sniffed.

I was shocked.

"Damn, the family need anything?" I rubbed my hand down my face.

"No. We all knew his time was coming sooner than later so we prepared ourselves." She spoke.

"Yall are gathering at his residence?" I began getting up.

"Yes. Come over when you get a chance." We disconnected the call.

I knew I had to be the one to tell Jasmine.

I shot Harmony a text to send me her address again.

I got up, brushed my teeth, took a quick shower and wrapped my lower body in my towel.

I walked into my closet and began getting dressed.

It was a rainy day which would make the news so much worse to deliver.

I threw on a plain white shirt, my black Levi Jean's and my black timberlands.

I grabbed everything I needed and headed towards the door.

Courtney's voice stopped me.

"Where you goin' with no security?" He mocked me.

I chucked. "Just to make a move real quick."

"Can I come?" He asked.

"It ain't like that." I shook my head.

"What's it like? Simone?" He smirked.

"Hell nah. She about to get put off the team." We laughed. "I'll be back though."

I quickly left out of the house before he could say anymore.

I hopped in my car and drove off.

I glanced at my phone and pulled the address up in my GPS.

I pulled up in no time.

I turned the car off and proceeded to her door.

"104." I kept mumbling to myself until I found it and knocked twice.

"Who is it?" Jasmine yelled.

I shook my head. "Ace."

The door swung open and she stood there with her arms crossed and eyebrow raised.

"Bradley died this morning." I told her.

She says she doesnt care but I just wanted her to know.

"He-He what?" She held a confused face.

"I told you he was sick.. He passed away in his sleep." I explained.

"Damn." She ran her fingers through her hair and backed up. "I should've..."

"You cool?" I stepped into her house and closed the door behind myself.

She broke down sobbing.

I caught her before she fell to the ground and carried her to the couch where she laid there crying.

I didn't know what to do.

"The family's gathering--"

"I cant go!" She shot up. "I cannot go, no one will know who I am and they'll think I'm there for money. I just can't." She sighed.