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in cosmetology school. I knew that between her and Riq the baby would have everything and more; I just wasn’t ready for my little sister to grow up yet. As much as I hated to admit, whenever shorty got here, she would have me wrapped around all of her fingers.
    After making my rounds and catching up with a few of my niggas, I excused myself and went upstairs to my room. I made sure no one followed me up and locked my door behind me. Going into my closet, I pushed my jeans to the side, and for a moment I stared at the space before me. With my index finger, I traced a crack in the wall and gently pushed. The section of the wall wiggled, and I grabbed it and pulled it away, revealing a safe. I sighed a breath of relief when I opened it and saw my money stacked neatly and untouched inside, along with my two Desert Eagles. At that moment, I was glad that I had never told Journee about that stash. She had already cleaned the safe at my corner store, and from one of my stash houses.
    Just the thought of that bitch was making my skin crawl! I grabbed a crisp pair of dark blue jeans, and a money green shirt from my closet and laid them across my bed. I turned my TV on and placed it on MTV Jams. Instantly I bobbed my head to Big Sean and Chris Brown’s new joint while I rolled a blunt. Though I had a house full of people wanting to celebrate my return, I just wanted to be alone with my thoughts. I still couldn’t believe that the first time I allowed myself to love someone I had gotten played. I knew one thing though; she had definitely made it hard for anyone to ever get that close to me again. I had already promised myself; from this day forward, Brick wasn't loving these hoes.
     

 
     
    Journee
     
    “Hey Lala!” I said as I happily walked into the hair salon. Bird had finally come through with a few dollars, allowing me to finally get something done to the bird's nest that was sitting on top of my head.
    “Damn, look what the wind blew in!” she cracked. I waved her off as I grabbed a magazine and sat down in the waiting area.
    “I’ve been so damn busy with work lately, I just ain’t been having the time,” I lied. Truth was, I didn't have the funds like I used to. I mean, I made a few dollars here and there but every little dime I did manage to scrape up ended up going to a fucking bill. I couldn't win for losing.
    “Work? Now why the hell you working when yo nigga back home? You know damn well he ain’t gon’ have you out here working.”
    My head whipped in Lala’s direction so quick, I thought for sure I heard turned into the lil bitch from ‘The Exorcist’. What she said couldn't be true. There was no way Brick had gotten out early. I needed more info from her, so I chose my words carefully.
    “Shit, when they took him to jail and raided his store, they took everything girl. I didn't have a dime to my name, so I did what I had to do and got a job. Just cause he home don’t mean I gotta stop grinding. He gotta start over from scratch, and as his bitch it’s only right that I carry us until he can.”
    “I hear that girl.” She put the girl in her chair under the dryer and motioned for me to sit down. “Now I ain’t trying to be in ya business or nothing, but what you gon’ do about Bird now that Brick is home? You know that nigga don’t play that shit.”
    “That shit with me and Bird been dead. That nigga can’t do shit for me.” That was a half lie. Bird did a lot for me, and most of the times it always landed my ass in some kind of trouble...just like now.
     
    “Bird, why the hell you call me over here?” My arms were folded across my chest and annoyance was written all over my face. If he couldn’t tell that I didn’t want to be here, he was a damn fool.
    “Damn ma, that’s what we on now?” When I didn’t answer, he pulled me closer to him. I hated this man, but somehow his touch always made my ass weak. I closed my eyes as his index finger gently traced the side of my face. I felt