ATL Hoe

Chapter 21: Closer

"Time for the beach?" I asked Derek as he walked into our bedroom. I was laying in bed looking at stuff on my phone.

"We can go with everyone but we gotta come back early and change, I got something planned for us later," he smirked and walked right past me.

"Something like what?" I asked immediately sitting up. His response was shutting the bathroom door. I hated and loved surprises at the same time. The waiting was so hard but the excitement of the surprise finally being revealed made it somewhat worth it. I put my swimsuit on, ready to hangout with everyone on the beach and hoping that would take my mind off of the secret night he had planned.

"Hot mama," Devyn joked when we met everyone on the sand in our usual spot. I twirled around causing Derek to shake his head and walk away. We sat there doing what we did every night, splashing in the water, fake swimming, enjoying the sunset, and having fun with each other. I was lying peacefully on my towel when Damon came and sat beside me.

"You were smart for picking this as our vacay spot. I think we all needed this," he said and I opened my eyes and sat up some, acknowledging him.

"In a few years maybe we can go out of the country," I smiled. He chuckled lightly and looked out at the guys dunking each other in the ocean.

"As long as no one has warrants by then," he stated and I laughed sadly. It was a joke but not really. There was a big chance something crazy could happen and stand in the way of us leaving. "Anyways," he said, turning his legs towards me. "I just wanted to say thanks for looking after my lil bro,"

"My pleasure," I said, smiling and I looked over at Derek.

"You keep him grounded. He can be a hot head for real but he ain't been poppin off like usual. I think it's cuz he finally has something to lose," I let that sink in for a moment. "And about the Harlem shit, I won't put him in a position where he may not make it out of it. I do some dumb shit sometimes, work with the wrong people and allat but ima have his back through whatever,"

"I know you will. He won't admit it cuz he tries to act hard and give you tough love but he'd do anything in his power to help you. He'd die for you,"

"That's the part that scares me. I mean, I'd die for him too, no question. But, he doesn't put me in the situations I put him in, you know?" I nodded completely understanding. Although Damon would risk his life for Derek, Derek has never brought him into anything that might actually result in that. Regardless of who does better business or makes smarter choices, Derek would never leave his brother hanging.

"You guys will be fine. When we get back, you'll go to Harlem, handle business, and you'll both go home safe," I said confidently.

"I was actually thinking about moving to Atlanta with y'all," I looked at him shocked. He never showed any interest in it before.

"I'm sure he would love to have you. Then he could look after your crazy self," I nudged him, earning a slight laugh.

"Ima handle my Harlem shit but after that, I'm coming down here. Time to start a new chapter," he stared off into space and I wondered what else was going on that he wasn't saying. "I'll talk to you later though, and keep what I said about moving between us," he instructed before walking away. I sat there still thinking about everything he said when Bash approached me next.

"Now that your heart to heart with Damon is over we can have ours," he joked sitting down in the spot Damon was just in. "You and Mia straight now right?" he asked as if we hadn't been chilling together the whole trip.

"Yeah we talked shit out a long time again,"

"I know this is corny but I wanted to get her something. Not necessarily a ring but something so she knows I'm serious. And I'm sorry for all the shit I put her through," he said, smiling from ear to ear. I could tell he was happy about this idea.