I’m known as the strategist of the Kings. I investigate before I act, and I’m always prepared and execute with precision. The Kings look to me for guidance because I’m always analyzing, searching for clues.
It’s how I knew Lucy was with a man tonight. She lied to my face, but I knew because her scent was mixed with another, and it wasn’t mine. Lucy has a particular scent and taste. I know what her pussy and cum taste like. I’m well acquainted with her scent, and I miss it on my tongue. The way she moaned my name when I was inside her plays like a loop in my mind. It haunts my dreams almost every night, but then reality sets in, all I see is the hatred in her eyes when she looks at me. At the time, I thought it was best to let it be just one night of passion. Now, I’m not so sure. I feel like I have made the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter Six
Lucy
The first game of the football season is tonight. Khalani told me Linda is coming to the game and I’m so excited to have her around. The Southside GuNz are crossing over to our turf, so it’s unsafe for Linda to be left alone. They could track her and retaliate against Smiley. Aiden suggested she was safer hanging out with us in the west, because Smiley can’t always keep a member of the East Hillside Kings with her. Who knows, maybe she will want to attend Hillside University her junior year.
“I’m so excited Linda can hang out with us,” I tell Khalani as we head to the east in my Porsche SUV to pick up Linda.
“I know. This is awesome, and Aiden thinks it will be healthy for us girls to hang out with each other since we don’t exactly get along with the girls that attend Hillside.”
“I never knew my brother could be so sensitive and caring,” I mock.
“He is,” Khalani says.
“Only with you, Khalani. He treats me like a child and is an asshole to everyone outside the Kings.”
“He cares about you, Lucy. He doesn’t want anything to happen to you, but you’re older and he’s decided to back off and give you space.”
He told me the same thing. I’m glad he’s giving me space because I need it.
When we pick up Linda, I hope Smiley is there, so I can come clean and tell him who I really am. As much as I like him, I know it will change the way he thinks about me and he’ll probably block my number when he finds out I’m Aiden’s twin sister. He texted me last night saying he wants to take me out tomorrow night. I was hesitant to accept the invitation because he thinks I’m just some girl who attends school with Khalani.
My mind was all over the place. I felt excited, sad, and guilty, all at the same time. I don’t know why I feel guilty, but I do.
To cope with the loss of the baby, I purchased a book so I can write my thoughts, my promises, and my feelings for the little being that was growing inside me and then ultimately dying while I was still alive. In those moments, I hated God, I hated Mason, and most of all, I hated not being loved in return.
As soon as I hit send, agreeing to go out with him, I cried, holding the little book with my angel’s sonogram picture inside. I felt so much sadness but maybe it’s from fear of being with someone new.
Driving through the streets on the east of Hillside, I compare the houses to the West of Hillside. When I would pick up Khalani at her mom’s house, it was jarring to see the modest sizes of the homes and the fact some households only had one car when I live in the lap of luxury.
“You think he will be there?” I ask Khalani, while she stares at her phone.
She’s been texting nonstop to Aiden since we left the house. The smile on her face warms my heart because she loves my brother, and he loves her. It’s a happiness every sister wants for her brother.
“Alex will be there.” She raises her head when I pull in and park behind a classic Impala with a beautiful paint job I can now recognize was designed by his sister. “See, he’s here.”
My heart gallops, dreading the conversation I must have with Alex. He most likely will back off and not want to pursue anything with me, but I’m prepared to be rejected because of who I am. It’s stupid for me to think otherwise.
I sigh and get out of the car, walking up the concrete walkway of the white house with its pristine lawn. The sun setting in the sky as the promise of night begins.
“I’m going to tell him before things get complicated.”
“I think it’s smart.” Khalani places her hand on my forearm, and I look up to her brown eyes. “Stop worrying. Knowing Alex, he won’t back off if he is really interested in you. Think of it this way. If he backs off, you dodged a bullet.”
My brows pinch. “What do you mean?”
She sighs and lowers her voice. “It means it wasn’t serious to begin with and he probably just wanted to bang. Alex is no different from Leo, Mase, and Colton. They go through girls and are not serious about any of them. Keep that in mind. I know you’re trying to put Mason and what happened behind you. I get it and I would have tried to do the same.” She puts her arm around me. “You’re beautiful, Lucy, and if he or any other guy can’t see how amazing you are, then they don’t deserve you.”
I hold back the tears that threaten to spill out of my eyes and take a deep breath. “Thank you, Khalani. I love you.”
“Me too. Now let’s get going. Aiden and the guys are waiting for us to show up. Your parents will be there shortly.”
Upon entering the living room, Khalani walks ahead, her sneakers squeaking against the wood floors toward Linda’s room. I scan the living room and the kitchen but don’t see Alex. I walk toward the white wooden door that must lead to his bedroom and knock. My heart beats uncontrollably, and my mind retreats to the day I walked in on Mason and Colton with Gloria.
What if I’m interrupting him while he’s busy screwing some girl? I hate the way my mind always reverts to that day.