​Chapter 17: Too Deep to Turn Back

We sat there in the car, parked at the edge of the park, sayin’ nothin’.

No music. No talkin’.

Just breathin’, starin’, thinkin’ about how fucked up this shit really was.

Then, finally, I broke the silence.

"Man, fuck." I exhaled, rubbin’ my face. "We gotta let this rock go, Kiesha."

She ain’t respond.

Just sat there, arms folded, lips tight.

"You just got kicked out, I just cursed at your moms, my folks ‘bout to find out." I sighed, shakin’ my head. "We in way too deep. We gotta reel it back."

Kirk nodded, exhaling smoke. "I agree."

Kiesha?

Still quiet.

Thinkin’.

Like somethin’ was eatin’ her up inside.

Then Kirk shifted, glancin’ my way.

"So you lettin’ that revenge shit with Dante go too, right?"

I snapped my head toward him, giving him that dumb dog look.

"Nah, nigga." I scoffed, sittin’ up. "You know what him and his niggas did to me. They the reason we here now."

Kirk sighed, sittin’ back, runnin’ a hand down his face. "Man, Joe—"

"Matter of fact, fuck this." I cut him off. "Let’s head to Lia’s spot. I got a hot revenge date."

Kirk stared at me for a second.

Then shook his head.

"Whatever, bro. Let’s do it."

​

As Kirk pulled off, Kiesha’s phone buzzed.

She glanced at it.

Then sighed.

She let it ring a second before finally answerin’.

"Hello?"

I could tell by the way her face changed who it was.

The Mexican nigga that sold us the rock.

"I wanna see you, mami," his smooth-ass voice came through the speaker.

Kiesha tensed. "Now ain’t a good time."

"Come on, I got somethin’ for you." His voice dropped low. "On the house."

She froze.

I saw the hesitation in her face before she even spoke.

Then, finally—

"Aight. You at the spot?....bet"

She hung up.

Turned to us.

"Drop me off at the wing spot before we take Joe to Lia."

Kirk scoffed, shakin’ his head as he gripped the wheel. "Aight... I ain’t know you was into them type of niggas, Kiesha. This rock really got y’all changin’ on ya boy."

Kiesha smirked, leanin’ back in her seat. "Or maybe you never really knew me like you say you do."

She shot him a grin, playful but sharp, like she was enjoyin’ the way he ain’t have a comeback.

​

When we pulled up outside the spot, Kirk put the car in park but didn’t kill the engine.

Me and him both looked at her.

"You good?" I asked.

She nodded, too quick. "I’m straight."

Kirk sighed, shakin’ his head. "Be careful, Kiesha. We gon’ be right here."

She rolled her eyes. "Y’all just gon’ make it weird sittin’ here. Go. I’ll call if somethin’ goes wrong."

I frowned. Didn’t like that.

But I knew her.

Kiesha ain’t take orders from nobody.

I nodded.

Kirk sighed, pullin’ off, leavin’ her behind.

We rolled away, bass thumpin’, GangStarr bumpin’ through the speakers.

And as I glanced in the side mirror, I watched Kiesha walk up to the Mexican’s car and climb inside.

Somethin’ in my gut felt wrong.

But I had my own war to fight.

And that war?

Started with Dante.