Page 112 of The Ninth

Looking down at my phone, I chuckled and shook my head. Being shaken from seeing that shit quickly washed away.

A cute puppy is still a dog.

I hugged Devyn, kissing the side of her head. Grateful to have my cousin standing beside me. Tati and I grabbed our bottles for Josiah and Dean. Putting my smile back on, I spun around, walking away.

I felt evil as hell for what I did to Juan. Now I’ma sleep peacefully. He aight!

Chapter 23: The Set Up Part One

Devyn’s POV

I sat in the front seat of Kenzie’s car as she drove and the girls sat in the back. The windows were down, music playing, the day was nice. The group felt back to normal. Cassie hit a heist in that hoe two nights ago after Juan left. Some paid man is running Tati down. Things are going okay.

Me and Duke are still doing well...but I don’t know. I was under the impression that he was coming home yesterday. Well, I was under that impression because that’s what he told me. Verbatim. Out of nowhere, he just started talking about everything else BUT coming home. Now I’m wondering who the fuck else in the city that he’s spending time with? He has to be here. I’m still suspended from the shop. If I pop up there or his place, I’ma look crazy.

Last night, Kenan or Pink’s man came to The Ninth. Everyone agreed it was best for me to stay home, so I did. The three of them snuck him past Timbo and into a private section. Tati danced naked on the pole while Cassie danced on the table for him, in her bottle girl uniform. Of course his creepy ass was like a rabid dog after seeing both of them. Tati says the look in his eyes scared her. But they talked him down to doing just a small private party. Which is tonight.

“Hey,” I turned down the music. “I just wanna check in with everyone. It’s been a wild ass few weeks. Tonight will be even wilder.”

“Let’s start with you...” Kenzie said softly after drinking her drink from Portillos.

“I feel better about the situation mostly because everyone is getting what they deserved out of it. The cherry on top isn’t Kenan being robbed, but the shit that comes afterward. The humiliation. K3’s brother handling him. They deserve the worst. For me and for every other woman. On the other hand, I’m one thousand percent sure my guy I’ve been talking to is back in the city and hasn’t said a word.”

“WHAT?!” Cassie and Kenzie yelled.

Tati just shook her head while typing on her phone, “No show, new hoe!”

“You gon treat his ass, right?!” Cassie asked.

“I don’t know. I’ll at least hear the nigga out. He’s had to hear me out plenty of times.”

“Mmm,” they sung in unison. I rolled my eyes.

“Kenzie?”

“I’m okay...” she sighed. “Apparently I’m not sending enough home. A family member is sick and it’s eating up all the bread I send. I needed the lick we hit the other night, this one tonight, and another tomorrow at the private party.”

“Are you taking care of yourself too?” Tati leaned into the front as Kenzie drove.

“I’m trying, babes.”

“I feel you. TayTay’s treatments are also eating up all the money I’m bringing from The Ninth. I feel like I’ma never get us away from Poncho and have my little brother healthy. I definitely need all the licks we hitting.”

“Speaking of....tomorrow is my last one. I gotta quit dancing. Bottle service. The Ninth, period...” Cassie whispered.

“DAMNNNN!” Tati yelled. “Ain’t no fucking way!”

“Mhm. Kenzo still has me blocked. Ain’t no telling what he’s got going on in his head. I don’t wanna give my man any other reason to be mad at me. Y’all know I only worked there to stack my own bread. I can give that shit to the both of you, Tati and Kenzie.”

“Girl, that shit cost so much it’s not even worth taking from you!” Tati rubbed her face.

“Seriously,” Kenzie agreed. “Plus babes, you need to hold onto it. Just in case K3 does act weird when he comes home.”

Cassie sighed, “And with Ben’s niece fucking on Juan, he may be at The Ninth more. I don’t want to be within ten feet of that man and give anybody any reason to think we’re still speaking. I’m cutting everything cold turkey before Kenzo potentially comes home next month.”

“I...I have to quit soon too. I’ve been tattooing and I’m almost done with my shadowing hours. Also...my situationship doesn’t know I work at the club either. He wouldn’t take that shit well.”

“Y’ALL SOME LYING ASS COUSINS!” Tati yelled. All four of us cackled.