Tramar took the opportunity to get up and go look around for Quan as Ayana was looking through Sharli’s Facebook wall. She found the post of Vivica’s terrified face and the title that said WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU OWE A REAL NIGGA MONEY and did a little more digging to see how Sharli had seen it. Quickly, her searching took her to some guy with gold teeth – just the kind of person who looked like somebody that Sharli would know.
“Look,” she said, “this the dude that seems to know this Byron nigga.”
Jackson and Tramar leaned in closer to the screen to get a better look. After looking at one another and shaking their heads, Jackson spoke up and said, “Naw, I don’t think I know that nigga.”
Ayana turned the phone back toward her as she looked into the screen. She admitted that she didn’t know the guy either. “Well, that’s what we needed to know, I guess, and now we know it,” Ayana said. “Look, I know how you feel and stuff, Tramar, but I think getting Sharli in on this is really going to be the only way we can get to who he knows. I mean, do you really think we need to be hitting this dude, whoever it is, up on Facebook without some sort of connection?”
“And how is Sharli gonna be that connection without making us look suspicious, Ayana?” Tramar asked. “Huh? How she gon’ do that?”
Ayana stopped in her tracks, trying to think of a response to Tramar’s question. “Look, Tramar,” she said, then glanced around their booth to make sure that she wasn’t talking too loudly. “I know what you sayin’, but we don’t even know how Sharli even knows this dude. For all we know they could be friends and you two could say you try’na sell something that she know he want or some weed or somethin’. I mean, you know she said who he is to her or whatever, but I don’t know how close they are or how she might know him or whatever.”
Tramar thought about it for a moment. Against his better judgment, he finally caved in. “Okay, okay,” he said, hesitantly. “Hit her up and talk to her and just be real careful what you say, Ayana. Just be real careful. I don’t want her knowin’ too much. Try to find out and see what she might know already without you havin’ to tell her ass too much about what we got goin’. And if she ask where we at, what will you say?” Tramar himself hadn’t thought of a cover story for that just yet.
Jackson paused, trying to think of what his answer would be once his phone started ringing. He then realized something very crucial. “Tramar,” he said. “Me and you can’t be usin’ our phones and shit. For all you know, the police could be try’na track that shit.”
“Shit,” Tramar said, looking down at his phone on the table. “You right. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Now that they know it’s us and shit, not only do we gotta get rid of them cars, but our phones could also get our black asses caught too.”
“Yeah, they could,” Ayana said. “They could. What y’all gon’ do? And when do you want me to call Sharli and talk to her.”
“Tonight,” Tramar said. “Right now. I don’t mean in here, inside of a fuckin’ Chuck-E-Cheese, but I mean step outside and talk to her and shit. Just be real calm about it. And, like I said, baby, just watch what you say when you talkin’ to her, okay. Me and Jackson gon’ figure out what we gon’ do about our phones and shit.”
Ayana slid out of the booth and walked toward the end of the aisle. Just as she’d passed the other side of the table, where Tramar sat, he reached out and playfully slapped her on her ass. Ayana walked through the main walkway of the Chuck-E-Cheese, checking on Quan herself. She’d found him playing with a couple of other kids, over by some sort of colorful machine that Ayana didn’t recognize. Ayana quickly waved at him before stepping out into the parking lot. She walked over to the side of the building where they’d parked their cars and stood up on the curb in front. She pulled her phone out, feeling a little nervous, as she scrolled through her recent calls list and tapped SHARLI.
Click Here to Get Your Copy
Click Here to Get Your Copy
Author’s Note
I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read my stories. I have a particular way of storytelling that isn’t for everyone, so I thank you for your support.
If you liked the book, please take a few minutes and leave a review. As an indie author, I do everything independently, so the reviews are helpful.
If you are interested in contacting me you can reach me at my Facebook or newsletter.
Books by Tamicka Higgins
Side Chick Series
The Diary of a Side Chick (free)
The Diary of a Side Chick 2
The Diary of a Side Chick 3
The Diary of a Side Chick 4
The Diary of a Side Chick 5
The Diary of a Side Chick 6
Trust Issues Series
Who Can I Trust (free)
Who Can I Trust 2
Who Can I Trust 3
She Betrayed Me Series
She Betrayed Me (free)
Hustler’s Lady Series
When It All Falls Down (free)
Strapped Up
When It All Falls Down 2 - Strapped Up: A Chicago Hood Drama (A Hustler's Lady) Page 16
