Page 175 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“So, when’s your surgery again, Wyn? I know it’s next week but I don’t know what day.”

Dallas has stopped mothering Peanut and has set her sights on me. A pleasant and expectant smile elevates her natural beauty as she waits for my answer.

“Thursday, bright and early,” Auty answers for me. Her voice has this almost hysterical edge to it, permanently three octaves higher than usual, ever since we found out what’s wrong with me.

Dallas’s gaze shifts her Auty, a few seats down from me at the unnaturally long table, and her eyebrows pinch. I know she sees what I see. What everyone sees, even Turkey, who usually is blind to anything negative about his precious best friend turned lover.

An obnoxious snort comes from the other side of the room, and I groan inwardly, popping a sausage in my mouth.

Rico’s been leaning against the wall, since the only free seat was next to Set. This is the first time we’ve all been around each other since Shad’s birthday, and I guess he feels like I’m not acting like a woman in love with him should act.

At least, that’s what I deciphered from his bullshit one-line texts he sent this morning when I told him I was riding with Auty.

“Something funny?” Auty asks. I sink further into my seat. Dallas covers Peanut’s mouth with her hand, glaring at him when he tries to move it.

“Hilarious, actually,” Rico drawls, before taking a bite out of a chicken wing.

All the actual adults have retired to the backyard with the kids. Even they’re tired of this rift.

“I’m outta here before I box this bitch ass nigga up again. Peace out, losers.” Tyree stands with his empty bowl, giving me a kiss on the top of my head as he passes me by. “Good luck,” he whispers only to me.

“You shoulda brought ya wi–” Turkey says, before dodging Tyree’s hand.

“Would neva bring my girl around this negative energy. You niggas weird,” he rants, disappearing into the kitchen.

“You done eating, B?”

Brina rolls her eyes and cracks open a crab leg. “Nope. You can go. I’m staying.”

I sink even further into my seat. My ears are on fire, and I’m already fighting against the antiseizure medication to stay awake and alert. My past deeds have never come back to haunt me like this. I’ve robbed niggas before, and never seen them again. I’d rather have run-ins with them than whatever this is at the table.

Tyree slams Reem’s front door, so I can’t even bum a ride with him.

Maybe if I run–

“Then I guess I’m staying, too.”

“Cuck.” Rico coughs to cover the word, but we all hear it, and a weird sound actually escapes my mouth.

Set wipes his mouth and grabs his glass of water. “Ain’t you the nigga who watched another nigga fuck on yo bitch for years? You the biggest cuck I know.”

“Casey!” Brina screeches, but he pays her no mind, even if guilt flashes in his eyes as he glances toward me.

The chair scrapes across the hardwood floors, but I can’t seem to apologize. My words are gone.

“You don’t deserve my sister,” Auty spits.

“Shit, you don’t either,” Rico retorts.

“You’re a fucking asshole!” A thick clunk stops my feet. The table freezes, as we gawk at Brina and Set.

She’s fisting a steak knife, sunk deep into the table. Set’s staring at her in horror, since the knife is millimeters away from his hand.

“I missed on purpose,” she says through clenched teeth. Her rage shifts to Rico, and she pulls the knife out of the table. “And you!”

He’s quick enough to dodge the knife before it lodges exactly where his shoulder was.

Brina’s out of her seat in a flash, grabbing my arm and leading me out of the living room. I hear Rico’s voice, but didn’t catch what he said. Whatever it is has the room in commotion, with chairs moving and “I’ll kill you nigga!” flying from Set’s mouth.