Protector.

24.

Few days later.

Wynter Dawson.

I was on my way home from the hospital after being there for about four days. I hadn't seen Kentrell since the first day I was put in there but he could do as he pleased. He was still texting me but it wasn't the same him being present. I was tired of focusing on him and letting him have his way with me. I needed to focus more on my daughter and Tez since he seemed to started becoming an important person in my life although we were taking it slow.. I really liked him.

"Say," Tez called out from the driver's seat, "you wan' some chow?" He questioned.

I nodded, "yeah I could eat."

Tez then chuckled a bit and I wasn't too sure what was running through his head but I knew it was dirty. He pulled up to a restaurant I'd never been too but he went to the drive thru. The person on the intercom had a think Jamaican accent and asked us what we wanted. We weren't ready so he turned them down, she told us to let her know when we were ready. My eyes scanned the menu as everything literally had the word jerk infront of it.

"What the fuck is this?" I wondered leaning over to get a better view.

"They got a spot like this in the city," he replied, "it's good as fuck."

I rolled my eyes, "well can I have a jerk salad," I mumbled sitting back into the seat. "What kinda pop?" He wondered glancing at me.

"Pop?"

He nodded, "yeah."

"Nigga you mean cold drink?"

"Same shit b, what'chu want?" He wondered seeming to be amused.

"Sprite dude," I replied dryly looking at my phone to see it was Kentrell texting me once again. I kissed my teeth instantly and listened as Tez put in the orders. "Yeah lemme get uh Jerk salad wit a large Sprite and uh Jerk pineapple bowl wit extra chicken wit a Sprite too," he answered. The lady repeated it back then told him the total and he drove up.

"Say check tha glove box for my wallet," he directed.

I sighed opened the glove box to see several papers which I believed was his insurance then I saw his wallet and there was a handgun sitting there also. I pulled his wallet out which had money spillin' out of it from every hole. He handed her a twenty at the window.

Kentrell 😍🎯: I know you mad but cant you talk to me I just wanna kno you good dont make me pull up fr

I deleted the message and placed my phone down.

"Hea," Tez spoke up.

I grabbed the drinks placing them into the cup holders and grabbed the bag of food sitting it onto the floor. He then drove off and got back onto the main road. I stared out the window without saying another word. "I seen you textin'," he announced causing me to look at him. "I wasn't texting nobody," I admitted, "I just opened the message and I didn't care to respond.. That's what you saw."

"Cap," he replied.

"I'm not lying," I scratched my head in annoyance.

"Cap," he repeated.

I let my eyes roll, "look I don't have no reason to cap to you."

He hit the breaks smoothly at the red light, "but'chu is."

I sighed not bothering to say anything else. The last thing I wanted to do was be mad at him too. There was something with these men which were making every little thing difficult honestly. I picked up my phone seeing Kentrell was now calling me. I denied it and reached to turn up the radio.

"Who dat?" Tez wondered.

"Nobody."

"Is it really nobody or is it nobody cause I'm right hea?" He asked looking at me then back at the road as the light turned green for him to go. He eased onto the gas and the car moved again.

"It's really nobody."

Moments later we pulled up to my house. I got out grabbing the bag and one drink while Tez grabbed his. A car pulled up as we were walking towards the door and I mentally cursed seeing it was Kentrell with Joe. "So you can't call me back?" Kentrell spoke loud enough for me to hear from where I stood. "Then you over hea' wit niggas I done beat tha fuck up, that's how you rockin'?" Kentrell asked starting to chuckle slightly. "Guys is goofy," Tez spoke even louder than Trell.

"Kentrell what do you want?" I asked handing Tez the food and key for him to go inside.

I folded my arms over my chest and walked towards the car. Kentrell licked his lips admiring me, "why you ain't been hitin' me back?" He wondered looking genuinely concerned. I shrugged, "why haven't you came to see me?" I shot back looking around unamused. He broke into a smile, "I was busy but nah I'm not so why you fuckin' wit that faggot ass nigga?"

"Tez is not a faggot.."

"Whateva' I see how you rockin' don't be mad when a nigga start doin' tha same shit," he stated looking serious. My eyes widened by his choice of words, "Kentrell you been out here fucking hoes and doing your own thing. You just my friend understand that shit with your weird ass."

"Bitch you weird you hot headed and shit cause Jania pregnant," he shot back.

"Fuck you and fuck that baby."

He chuckled, "see you real life mad won't'chu jus' let me give you one too," he teased reaching for my jacket pocket causing me to step back. "Kentrell you not supposed to pass kids out like they gifts, the last thing I would ever want in life is to have your baby," I admitted but I wasn't even sure if I meant it. I just felt the need and desire to hurt him.

"Bet," he mumbled with anger written all over his face then sped off quickly.

I turned around to see Tez standing a few feet away from me. "You good?" He asked sounding concerned but I just nudged his shoulder and entered the house. At this moment I just wanted to get in my bed and curl up. Things were becoming more and more complicated in my life and that was because I allowed them to become just that. "Fuck is wrong wit'chu?" Tez asked following behind me.

"Can you go?"

He looked surprised by what had left my lips.

"You wan' me to go? I ain't did shit to you. Evidently that tight pants wearin' ass nigga got'chu in yo feelings and you mad at tha wrong nigga.." He spoke truthfully, "nah if you don't wan' tell a nigga cool leave it at that but if somethin' happened between y'all discard that shit. History allat included.  Especially if he gon' have you actin' like this."

I sat on the couch silently.

He walked over and sat beside me, "can we get back to havin' a good fuckin' day?" He removed a blunt from his pocket and put his lighter to it. He yanked me into his lap aggressively. I admired his neck tattoos as always, "yeah baby I'm sorry.."

"Thought so odeein' shit."

I giggled a bit then kissed his neck, laying my head onto his shoulder.

At this point my mind was completely like forget Kentrell. Forget loving him, forget every bad thing and every good thing he's done for you. Your focus needs to stay on Tez.