We’d all been through a lot and would go through much more.
So, maybe we just wanted to laugh.
West and Griff continued joking.
Quin took out two more dildos and threw them at Griff who shrieked like a little girl.
The kid chuckled and had us swerving on the road.
Fuck. What an unlikely team.
I barely heard the rest of their words as I wrapped my arm around Phoenix and held onto her, loving the way her body vibrated when she chuckled.
Phoenix held on tight to Dr. Fuzzy and I swore the bear giggled in her hold.
The kid entered Caviar Lime Highway and drove the car with precision.
Laughter continued to flood the space.
Then the laughing and joking stopped.
Silence filled the car.
I gazed out the window, knowing what everyone else must be thinking. This would be a crazy job because no one had truly planned for it. It was all unknown. All blank. All dark with many dangerous possibilities.
And because everyone was seasoned enough—whether from pulling jobs or living on the streets—we all knew that our future could be filled with death and blood, loss and pain.
“Let me turn on the radio in this bitch.” Quin leaned forward and fumbled with the stations. “Paradise 100.6 is the shit. The Hot Mix. It plays all the top shit.”
I leaned back in the chair. “Perhaps, we could put on some opera.”
Quin and Devin exchanged glances.
Phoenix stirred next to me.
Quin frowned at me. “You’re an opera guy? Huh?”
“Paradise has a great classical station. It’s 88.9.”
“Not on my watch, buddy.” Quin put it on 100.6.
A hip hop song ended.
I stared up at the dark sky.
God. . .please don’t let anyone die tonight.
My nerves flared on edge.
Help us get the money, deal with Pandora and her team, and then get home safe.
“This is DJ Hawk.” The radio broadcaster came on. “And you’re tuned in to the Hot Mix, burning up your radio.”
The sound of an explosion filled the car.
DJ Hawk continued, “We turn to Shay Shay for the breaking news.”
A woman’s voice sounded next. “Here I be! And you know Shay Shay has all the tea and this tea is topped with a whole lot of crazy.”
“Then give it to us, girl!”
“You know Tate Parks—Glory City’s hopeful?”
A strained noise came from Phoenix as she sat up.
Quin turned the volume up.
DJ Hawk chuckled. “Of course I know about Tate Parks. That little dude has got me driving to that dusty ass town just to see him put his balls in the face of many when he dunks.”
“Hawk, what’s wrong with you? That’s a crazy ass reason to drive to Glory.”
“Shit. Then, you haven’t seen that kid play.” DJ Hawk’s voice grew a little serious. Please don’t tell me the little dude got shot by Glory’s racist ass cops.”
“No way, but it’s still heart breaking and crazy.”
Phoenix shivered.
I leaned her way and tightened my arm’s hold on her. “Whatever it is, we’ll fix this.”
Trembling, Phoenix kept her gaze on the radio.
“It seems that this evening Tate Parks’s Mom just shot her husband which of course is his father.”
“Oh shit.” Quin looked back at Phoenix. “What the hell is going on?”
“Police are not giving any details,” Shay Shay said. “But you know the girl has the hook up. Some of the neighbors said that Mrs. James was screaming about a missing teddy bear.”
A mixture of guilt and joy hit me.
Phoenix turned to me in shock.
“What?” DJ Hawks laughed. “That lady shot her husband over a teddy bear? What is happening in this world?”
“At least there is some good news. Her husband is not dead. He’s in the hospital in critical condition and Mrs. Parks is in custody.”
Too bad. It would have been nice if he died.
DJ Hawks spoke, “And where is Tate Parks? The boy is still a minor.”
“I was told that he is staying with family.”
“Well, Tate, if you can hear me,” DJ Hawks raised his voice. “I would love to adopt you, man. I’m trying to get some of that future NBA money you got coming your way.”
“Boy, what is wrong with you?”
“I’m just saying. I can be your father, Tate. I’m a good dude—”
Quin turned the radio off and looked at Phoenix. “Don’t you have a teddy bear, Nix?”
She nodded.
Griff and West held knowing looks.
“So. . .” Quin tucked strands of hair behind her ear. “When did you get the teddy bear?”
I spoke for Phoenix. “I grabbed it from her place.”
“You should have killed the stepfather when you grabbed it.” Quin turned around and messed around with the radio.
I put my attention on Phoenix and kept my voice low. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing, but silence. I don’t know how to feel or what to think.”
“When we get back to Glory, we’ll check on Tate.”
And maybe I can make a quick run by the hospital and finish what your mother started.
Squeezing Dr. Fuzzy, Phoenix let out a long breath. “You were right.”