Part 2 of this story will be on that account ]

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𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚃𝚇; 🏚

❦

"Ima ask you one more time Malcom, where is the fuckin' money?" I waved my gun in his face as he sat against the wall in the basement. Rell, Duck, and Eli were standing against the opposite wall behind me waiting for this shit to be over just as much as I was.

"M-man I al-already said.... I don't g-got-" I slammed the butt of the gun against his jaw causing a cracking noise. He groaned loudly in pain and slouched down against the wall.

"Lie one more fucking time!"

"O-okay.. I-i.. I s-spent it." He slurred with blood pooling in his mouth.

I chuckled and shook my head. Niggas be making shit so hard for themselves. He could've been told me that.

I took a step back and shot both of his shoulders making him cry out in pain. I shot both his kneecaps and watched blood drip from his limp body as he slouched down against the wall. I didn't wanna drag

it out any longer so after allowing him to feel the blood drowning out his body for a few more seconds, I shot one bullet right in the middle of his forehead killing him instantly.

"Well then!" Eli stepped off the wall and walked towards Malcom's dead body.

Duck eyed me as I walked passed Eli. "Whens the last time you slept, my nigga? Or took yo pills?" He asked as he passed Rell and Eli a bottle of bleach and a bottle of rubbing alcohol.

"A few days maybe." I shrugged, making Duck sigh.

I walked over to the table and used the other bottle of rubbing alcohol and a rag to start wiping the blood off of my gun.

"Just talk to he-"

"Nah." I cut him off.

Niggas been trying to get me to talk to her for the past week now and I don't want to. Seems like everyone wanna play peacemaker and shit. It really isn't their business. Me and Mari's business was private when we were together and now that we're done it's still gonna stay private as long as i'm concerned.

"You know our sis wouldn't cheat on you nigga." Eli said as he helped Rell put Malcom in a body bag.

The day after allat fuck shit happened at Mari's house, I went over Eli 'nem house and Duck had asked me what was wrong 'cause I guess she called him the night before. All I told them was that she cheated and I left it at that 'cause I didn't wanna talk about it or give 'em details and I still don't. To my knowledge she hasn't told them the full story either, probably other than Tas and Aj.

"But your "sis" did. That nigga had his tongue down her throat and they were definitely getting ready to do something if I hadn't walked in there." I stated. The room fell silent and the boys just looked at one

another making well shitt faces. I shook my head and took deep breath. The more I talk about it, the more I remember how guilty they both looked.

She knows my past and she knows how hesitant I was about another relationship yet I still let her in just for her to turn around and do the same shit that people been doing all my life. Part of me wants to hear what she gotta say but another part of me doesn't wanna hear it.

"That shit doesn't add up to me. Like TK? Really? I don't know, it just don't make sense." Duck said bluntly.

"None of this shit makes sense." I looked at all three of them. "But it's whatever. None of this shit is worth it and relationships probably ain't for me. But it's coo though 'cause I learned my lesson this time

around." I nodded to myself and wiped the gun down.

"Shit crazy.." Rell mumbled. "As fuck." Eli added.

The room fell silent again while Duck loaded bullets into him and Rell's guns and Eli and Rell zipped up the body bag.

"At least try hearing her out, cuhs. That's the least you could do. She's broken right now:" Duck spoke again, making me sigh.

"I don't wanna talk to her. I have nothing to say to her. It would've been one thing if someone had sent me a picture or somethin' but I literally walked in on them." I tucked my gun back in my pants.

"You love that girl. The least you could do is hear her out." Rell said as he and Eli carried the body bag up the stairs. I sighed at Rell's statement and thought about it.

"I don't have to hear anyone out." I said and walked up the steps, not waiting to hear their responses. They probably think I'm running from the problem but i'm not. Or maybe I am. Who knows.

I walked past all the high schoolers bagging product or counting money in the living room hili. "Where Jaiden at?" I asked them and they stopped to look up at me.

"Waddup?" Jaiden asked, stepping out of the kitchen. I motioned for him to walk down the hall with me.

Jaiden just turned 17 and he's the youngest out of all the boys. I really don't like the idea of him bein' so young and working in here but he needs the money. He reminds me a lot of myself when I was working my ass off to help pay my momma's hospital bills in high school. His momma is strung out on drugs, dad left them, and he has a disabled 4 year old brother to take care of so I make sure he doesn't go to the extreme lengths I did when I was his age and trynna make money.

I led him into one of the empty rooms filled with a nothing but a few empty duffel bags.

"How are you and Jakai?" I closed the door behind us.

"Okay I guess. Last w-week my momma left some coke out in the kitchen while Jak was in there." He sighed and ran his hands over his face.

"Damn, what the fuck? He touched it?" I asked and he shook his head.

"Good." I sighed. No teenager should have to deal with the shit Jaiden does. He's damn near a dad to his own brother at 17.

I reached in my pocket and pulled out a stack of $1000's. I counted five and handed it to him.

"Mir.. you gave me 5k last week." He stared down at the money in disbelief.

"I know lil' nigga and now I'm givin' you another five." I shrugged.

Jaiden took the money hesitantly. He always feels like people are gonna expect shit back from him which is why he doesn't take handouts from anyone. I met Jaiden around this time last year and I been helping him ever since. I don't expect anything from him and I never will.

My momma always used to say, "acting in good conscience isn't acting in good conscience if you expect shit in return."

I be trying to tell Jaiden that but he still thinks i'm gonna ask him to pay me back or something eventually. That's never gonna happen.

"Preciate it Mir." He dapped me up.

"Fashoo. Stuff that money in yo jacket and don't let them other niggas see it." I instructed and he nodded, doing what I asked.

We walked out the room and I headed for the front door, sending Jaiden another head nod before walking out to my Hellcat that was parked across the street. I started my car and got on my phone to go to me and Shani's messages.

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Today 2:32pm

Where we meetin?

The address I sent you yesterday

[ 344 Ivory In, Houston TX, 66723 ]

Come alone

Gotchu

I'll be waiting

You loved "I'll be waiting"

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𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗞𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶

𝙷𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚗 𝚃𝚇 ; Houston Adventist Hospital

Sitting in the waiting room all I could do was tap my foot restlessly. I hate hospitals. Everything about them. The sounds, the colors, the smell-I hate it. The one good memory I've probably ever had in a hospital was Layva bein' born. Other than that, looking around the hospital is like a constant reminder of someone's death, whether that be Bri'on, Soovy, my uncles, my cousin or anyone else.

"Amari Browne?" The doctor looked up from his clipboard. The same doctor from the day we got shot in that motel too. His white ass.

"Hi Dr. Wells." I stood up and shook his hand. "Hello!" He flashed me a smile before motioning to walk with him. We got to room 17 and I took a seat on the bed, shivering and crossing my legs from the coldness of the a.c.

"It's nice to finally see you Ms. Browne. Seems like you've been avoiding us!" He joked and I chuckled.

Little does he know I really have been avoiding him. I was supposed to have this appointment damn near two months ago after my surgery but I kept rescheduling cause I was either scared or busy at the studio.

"Yea, I've been busy." I said truthfully. "I see. What have you been up to?" He asked with his back towards me as he flipped through the pages of my file.

"Nothing interesting."

Other than getting broken up with by the boy i'm deeply in love with and being called a hoe.

"What about you?" I asked.

"Nothing much to report! Attended my cousin's wedding last weekend, she married her stepbrother. And my oldest daughter is making me pay for her college tuition even though she and her mother kicked me out years ago. So now I have to take her to court and possibly start paying child support even though we agreed not to when we first got divorced." He turned around and faced me.

Now I feel so much better about my life..

"Wow, your life sounds shitty." I leaned back on the bed and crossed my arms.

"I wouldn't disagree with you, Ms. Browne!" He waved his finger and chuckled. White people be soo enthusiastic for no reason.

"Anywho, let's get started shall we?" He pulled up a chair and I nodded. "It's been about three and a half months since your surgery. How are you feeling?" He put his notepad in his lap.

"Fine I guess. At first I was having pains where my stitches are when I would stand up but it doesn't hurt anymore." I said. He nodded and wrote it down.

"Did your menstrual cramps get worse after the stitches or are they the same?"

"Pretty much the same." I shrugged and he nodded.

"Are you recovering well? Have you taken the antibiotics that you were prescribed?"

"Yes and yes."

"Great! I'm gonna have you lean back so I can check the stitches for any infections and then we're going to draw some blood and you'll be done for today." He said and I exhaled deeply and nodded.

I laid back on the bed and lifted my shirt up slightly while he checked my stitches. Luckily i'm familiar with his white ass cause I don't feel comfortable with any doctor. After checking my stitches I sat up and he drew my blood.

"You're all set Ms. Browne. I'll be back with your results shortly." He said as he disposed of his gloves and walked over to my file again.

"I do have one more question to ask you.." He trailed off.

"After your surgery I suggested discussing other pregnancy options due to your infertility whenever you were ready. Is that something you still want to do? Because I can refer you to a specialist who will be happy to help." He said. I sighed and looked down in my lap.

"I don't think that's gonna be necessary anymore." I gave him a slight smile. He caught on to my change of demeanor and nodded before walking out the room.

I stared up at the ceiling to prevent the tears from coming down my face. Truthfully I was planning to ask him about "other options" during this appointment. But I was hoping Samiron would've been here with me. I doubt i'm ready for a child

at this point in my life but out of curiosity I wanted to know if there was even the slightest chance of still being able to get pregnant.

I shut my eyes tightly and took a deep

breath before looking down at my phone

that was in my lap.

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iMessage 30s

❤️

Sorry sis, I tried and he said he don't wanna

talk

╰┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈╯

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iMessage 40s

🤱🏽

I understand my love, you guys both need

some time apart to put yourself in each

other's shoes

╰┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈╯

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iMessage 1m

Ju ❤️, Thirty 🌚, Jailbird 🚔

❤️

Cuhs 😭😭😭

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iMessage 1m

Ju ❤️, Thirty 🌚, Jailbird 🚔

🌚

Nigga bent her over the bathroom sink in JAIL

and now she obsessed with the dick 😭😭

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iMessage 2m

Ju ❤️, Thirty 🌚, Jailbird 🚔

🚔

Why the guard found my ig & dm'd me tb just

cus i'm out don't mean I can't give her dick no mo

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iMessage 5m

💜

Don't stress it! I'ma let Angel know to cover

yo 4 o'clock appt

Take care of yo self please! 🥺❤️

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iMessage 16m

Can I take off next Thursday?

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After replying to a few texts Dr. Wells walked back and I put my phone back on my lap.

"We got your results back and I got you a new prescription for the antibiotic." He said and handed me the paper.

"Thanks." I looked down at the paper and looked up at Dr. Wells who was still staring at me.

"You good, Doc?" I chuckled awkwardly. He had both his arms crossed in front of him with a content look on his face.

"Ms. Browne.." He cleared his throat. "Are you aware that you're almost 4 weeks pregnant?" He raised his eyebrows and gave me a tight lipped smile.

My eyes shot wide open and I swallowedthe lump in my throat. All of a sudden Ifelt nauseous and I leaned back onto thebed that was no propped up for support. "F-four weeks, w-what?"

"Yes you're almost 4 weeks pregnant. Congratulations!" He smiled and I stared at him blankly, replaying his words in myhead. "Did you have any symptoms?"

"I had multiple headaches and stomach aches over the past few days. But I j-just thought I had food poisoning or the flu since my niece got sick the other day." I groaned mentally.

"Well it certainly isn't the flu. Those were pregnancy symptoms and they're completely normal." He nodded.

"A weeks? Wh- How, how did this happen?" I furrowed my eyebrows and started taking deep breaths.

"Well when a man and a woma-

"I'm not talking 'bout that Dr. Wells! You guys literally told me, in this hospital, 3 months ago, that I couldn't get pregnant. What happened? What changed?" I asked frantically. I literally feel like throwing up right now.

"Well Ms. Browne." He sat down on the stool and cleared his throat. "The diagnosis wasn't final. I was just told to give you the information but i'm not the one who did the surgery itself."

"Now, i'm not sure how exactly you feel about this pregnancy or if you want to discuss alternatives. But I will tell you now that if you want to have this baby, we're gonna need to start this process right away."

I shut my eyes tight and exhaled. It's way earlier than I expected to be having a baby, after all i'm just 21. But aborting it doesn't seem like an option for me. I'm financially stable, have a good job, and if

it came down to it I would be able to take care of a child. Me and Samiron are on bad terms right now but I know he wouldn't want me aborting the baby when theres even a slight chance of having a healthy

pregnancy.

"Y-yes I wanna have it but what do you mean by process?" I questioned while my leg tapped profusely.

"Due to your surgery, your pregnancy is most likely high risk. So in order to do the best we can to make sure your child is healthy and to avoid a stillbirth, there are vitamins we need to give you and we need to discuss certain precautions to take."

"Oh okay. Um so theres a chance that you might miscarry..?" I asked hesitantly.

He sighed. "Yes, there is always that risk. But that's why there are things we can do to help you have a healthy pregnancy." He said and I nodded slowly.

The room fell silent while I tried to process what he just told me.

I'm having a fucking baby? Samiron's baby?

If this was last week I would've felt differently with Samiron encouraging me but right now I don't know how to feel. My pregnancy is high-risk and on top of that me and Samiron aren't even on speaking terms. What the fuck am I gonna do?

Dr. Wells cleared his throat, snapping me out of my thoughts."You're clearly still trying to process this information which is completely understandable so we're gonna be done for today. Take as much time as you need in here and whenever your ready you can schedule your next appointment at the front desk. I'll also put in a referral to my sister, Alyssa, who is an OBGYN." He got up from the stool and

explained.

"Thank you."

"No problem Amari, I'll see you soon. Take care." He smiled and headed for the door while I stared down at my lap trying to process everything.

He opened the door and looked back at me. "And I hope you figure out whatever is troubling you. For you and your baby's sake." He nodded and walked out the room.

For you and your baby's sake.

After another 15 minutes of sitting in the hospital room while my mind bombarded me with thoughts, I got my stuff and went to the front desk where Dr. Wells had already written my referral. They gave me another prescription for some vitamins that they said I should start taking right away and I scheduled my appointment at the clinic in 9 days.

As I walked out the hospital I couldn't help but touch my stomach. I already feel a certain urge to take care of the growing human inside of me which is strange as fuck considering I never thought about getting pregnant right now— at all. But here I am.

I got in my S-Class Mercedes Benz and put my bag and papers on the passenger's seat. I tapped my fingers against the wheel nervously and took deep breaths.