Always Crew - Tijan Page 0,99
but he gave me the smallest smile, his hand squeezing again. “Anytime, honey. But you should go. These guys won’t be here long, so make sure not to call them in. They’ll know it was you, and then, well, there’ll be problems.”
I nodded. “What are you going to do?”
“I didn’t go to your job to use you. Yes, I went to do surveillance, but it was also my excuse to see you. I ain’t perfect. Lord knows how much I ain’t perfect, but I love you and I’ll continue to work on doing right by you. I’m sorry if you thought I was using you. That thought never entered my head, to be honest.”
Cross and Jordan moved in, closing in our small circle.
My dad inclined his head toward them, his hand moving around and pulling me to his side. “I got a long road ahead to make things right, but I’m going to try. That’s a promise I can make, but for now, you all need to get going. Do your thing. College. Studying, whatever it is. Take care of my girl.”
“And her job?” Cross had his head tilted forward and to the side. “Her brother?”
Derrick stiffened, his head raising up. His hand was gentle on me, but his arm was rock solid. “Don’t narc. Let Channing do his job. Let my girl do her job, but no snitching. That ain’t a problem for you guys to take on. You hear me on that? You guys are clear of this, so stay clear.”
Cross’ head dipped again, his gaze meeting mine.
I was at a crossroads, it seemed.
Then the decision was made for me, in that moment.
A guy rushed inside. “Cops coming!”
Another guy yelled out, “Let Prez know. Get the civvies out of here.”
Girls were running around. Guys were dashing. Windows were locked up.
Heckler came over, at a more leisurely stroll and dug inside his pocket. He pulled out the phones, putting them on the table. He said to Derrick, “Get out of here. Your kid, her friends, you. You’re clear of this, Pops. That’s how Max wants it.”
My dad’s fingers now curled tighter into me, but his head jerked up and down. “I’ll be at the house.” His words were for the biker.
Heckler moved his head up and down, staring us down for a beat. “Get a job, Pops. That’s what Max wants for you. Keep clean.” He said to me, “You don’t need to worry about your dad. We got no plans to dirty him, hear that? And we’re taking off. Your boss asks you questions, you don’t say shit. Got it?”
My lips parted. My throat went dry.
I said, “Got it.”
Yeah. Seems like I chose. I was on the side of no-snitching. Then again, when had it ever been an actual question for me? I was crew through and through.
Cross grabbed up the phones and took my arm. “Let’s go. We gotta jet now.” He pulled me toward the door. Jordan was already heading out. When I lingered, he said, “Now!”
So, we went.
I looked back, seeing my dad one last time, and then we were gone.
From: Tazsters
To: Cain Group
Subject: why why why
Why has everyone stopped calling, texting, and emailing. I need my emails. I live for my emails.
Where have all the emails gone?
—The Best Twin
BREN
I was experiencing déjà vu, but not at the same time.
This time was different.
Another year, another time, and we’d been driving Alex Ryerson back.
Another month, another time and I’d be walking out of jail.
Another moment, another place and we’d be at the hospital getting someone patched up.
This time, it wasn’t us. It wasn’t our fight. We were heading home, except for a quick stop at the drive-thru for Jordan. He wanted food since we never got the burgers or chicken baskets from The Twister Sister.
Walking into our house, one after the other, we moved around the kitchen.
I grabbed the plates.
Cross grabbed the drinks and glasses.
Jordan went back outside, taking the food with him.
No words were spoken. None were needed. We all just knew.
I dipped in the bedroom, changing clothes and grabbing a blanket.
Cross was waiting for me at the door. He’d taken everything out, and I saw as we stepped outside that Jordan had the fire going. The patio table had been moved over, the stools moved aside to make room so we could eat next to the fire pit.
We all sat down.
Plates were passed out.
Food was portioned.
Drinks were poured.
We sat. We ate. We just were.
After the food was done, the wrappers put away in a