Page 150 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“And I’d still feel the same way regardless.” I grab her hand and interlock our fingers as I start driving again. “But I have a feeling you’re gonna fold before me.”

“Fat chance,” she cackles, popping a piece of gum in her mouth.

“We gotta figure out something else for you, Snow. Yo jaw finna be hella square chewing gum all day.”

She freezes, rolling her eyes before blowing an obscene bubble. “I switch to tic tacs sometimes. I’m trying not to be like Dori with cigarettes. Plus… someone could reap the benefits of my extra strong jaws if they weren’t floosies.”

“Snow, we having a good day today. Don’t start.”

She tries to snatch her hand away from me, but I tighten my grip, and call on my brother, mother, and every angel in heaven to grant me the patience to truly see this good ass day I planned through to the end.

When I pull into this old diner deep in East Kenton, Snow can barely contain herself in her seat. It’s one of the few spots over here in neutral territory and that stays open twenty-four hours. A few times we’d come here to stay up all night and talk over slices of cake and shit like an old couple.

She’s out of the car before I can even turn it off properly. Strolling up to the door, I catch myself smiling as I watch her be led to our old booth. The menu is in her hands by the time I sit down, and I’m curious as to what she’s gonna order.

“Cheeseburgers, no onions. You wanna share chili cheese fries? Oh wait, no chili for me. I don’t know what else you got planned.” Her teeth comb her lip as her eyes dance between me and the menu, before she places it down on the table.

“You can get whatever you want. You wanna be gassy all day, then I guess I’m smelling farts.”

The waitress comes and I let Snow order for us. With a little encouragement from me, she gets exactly what she wants. When our sodas come, her foot finds mine underneath the table.

“You always wanna play footsies with a nigga,” I chuckle.

I move my shit out the way and laugh louder when she tries to step on my shoe. “Gotta be quicker than that, my baby.”

“You said we were gonna have a good day. That means no teasing.”

“But that’s what we do, Snow. You just mad ‘cause when you can’t think of shit, you resort to violence. My throat still hurts from your fucking nail.”

“Good.” She takes a sip of her soda. “I heard there was a fight the other night, and you were nowhere to be found.”

“Ain’t that–”

“Because you were all up in that big booty girl’s section being a thot!”

Our food is brought to us, and as soon as the waitress leaves, I place my hand on top of Snow’s.

“You want Daddy to buy you a new ass? Is that what this is?”

I snatch my hand back before she can stab me with a fork, covering my humor with a bite from my cheeseburger.

Shit is fire. Just like it was all those years ago.

She takes a bite of her cheeseburger as well, but that don’t stop my Snow from talking shit. She just moves her food to the side of her mouth where her teeth are still real. “Nope. I already had someone give me the parts I wanted.”

“See, Snow. You be aiming for the gut. Straight violence. Now what if I make you run up in that nigga house with me? It’s nothing to do it while Brina and the kids gone.”

She rolls her eyes and swallows her food. “Okay, fine. That was low. In my defense, he never paid for my teeth, he just was moral support. And the tits were from a bet. Don’t go overreacting like you always do.”

I grin, since she’s not telling me shit I don’t know, and inhale the rest of my food.

After I pay, we’re safely in the car and headed to Hudsonville. The sun is high in the sky, though it’s a mild enough day for there to still be a breeze. The city always reminds me of Belize. Regardless of humidity, most of the days are perfect and peaceful. I probably would never wanna live no where else.

“Set’s still mad at me.”

I glance at Snow. She’s picking at her cuticles again, but I refrain from comforting her, because I know she’s not done.

For her to bring that nigga up to me, I know it’s bothering her. And while I’m conflicted on talking about another nigga, I’m also conflicted about being her only safe space, especially when she has a sister.