Page 55 of The Ninth

Tati stopped at a red light, putting the truck in park. Cassie turned the radio up, blasting Fuckin Problems.

“WHAT HE SAYYYYY!” the four of us yelled as the beat dropped.

We opened the bags, throwing money all around us as we twerked. Cars beeped, cussing us the fuck out. We didn’t give a fuck. Tonight was for the get money bitches!

Chapter 11: Well Acquainted

Devyn’s POV

Despite our long ass night, I was up and showered by a decent time. I sat on the couch in sweat shorts and a matching cropped jacket with socks on. Our night was so fun, I made sure I was up for the recap before the girls left. K3 asked Cassie to put her downpour on the phone before he had to go through inspections, so that’s what she’s doing.

My phone buzzed in my hand, showing Duke calling. I cursed myself out in my head for how fast I answered. All I could do was pause for a few moments, calming down and also not seeming eager to speak.

Duke: Hello?

Me: I’m sorry! Hey!

Duke: Everything good?

Me: Yeah. With you?

Duke: Yes, ma’am. I would be lying if I said I haven’t been thinking about you since I was just with you.

I laughed softly.

Me: I would be too. Thank you so much for that day, Duke. It meant the world to me. And for taking me to breakfast the next day.

Duke: Ah, no thanks needed. My house felt empty without you. Not to sound greedy, but is there any way I could steal you again for the da—

Me: Yeah! I mean...yes. Sure.

He chuckled.

Duke: I’m at the shop. C’mon and dress comfortable.

Me: I’m ready already so don’t think I was waiting around for your call.

Duke: Whatever you say, Baby. This your world.

He laughed, hanging up.

BABY?!

I hopped up, swooning like a dumb ass. Grabbing my bag with my entire life in it, I grabbed my charger and slid some Crocs on. I knocked on Cassie’s door but had no intentions of entering ever again.

“BYE CASSSSSS! TEXT ME! YOU LEAVING?”

“BYE BABEEE! NOPE! I’MA BE HERE WITH DOODAS LATER AND ON THE PHONE WITH K3. BE SAFE!”

I left while applying lip gloss. She texted me, insisting I take one of the cars. In all honesty, I wasn’t comfortable driving something so nice yet. I’m also not the best of drivers. If she wrecked what K3 got her, imagine what I would do?! Once I walked outside, I heavily agreed with my choice to walk.

At the start of my walk, I put in one AirPod, listening to Ctrl by SZA. The sky was gray which made me walk even quicker. When the fuck am I going to learn to check the weather or grab a damn umbrella? On the bright side, I may have no choice but to go to Dukes again...

When I was there last time, nothing happened. Even the next day. We woke up, both showering and taking care of ourselves separately. I watched him wash his truck while sitting on the porch, sketching. Then we smoked, went and got breakfast, came back and drew together. It was simple compared to our day before...but it was so special at the same time.

Once I was a few feet from the shop, I sprayed perfume all over me. This time I chose a clean smell that wasn’t heavily fragranced, just in case we stayed in the shop. My worst fear was meeting him after walking and smelling like outside, even though the walk wasn’t far. He wasn’t inside of his truck, so I came inside instead.

“Oh, here she is...” he said with a formal smile. Beatrice and about four other people were standing there. “This is Devyn. Devyn, you’ve met Beatrice. We got Clyde, Latrice, Jo, and Kilo.”