Page 32 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

Stalking out of my room, I pull out my phone. It takes three tries to get it right, but I dial Haze’s number as I lock myself into my office.

I’m killing this bitch.

And I’m killing Pooh.

My mouth opens to proclaim as such before I’m interrupted.

“Hi, Rico!”

I’m not expecting Patience, so unfortunately, some of my ire is smothered at the sound of her voice.

She’s the perfect balance to Turk and Haze. The path to how they got to where they are now was rocky, but they’re probably one of the most, if not the healthiest example of a relationship I’ve seen. And it’s because of her.

They know it, too, and spoil her accordingly.

“My bad for answering Auty’s phone. She’s in one of her moods right now. Is Wynter okay? Between you and me, I think they’re more connected than they think.”

I deflate in my chair. “She’s… alive.”

“I know that tone,” Pay snickers. “I know she’s working your nerves, but she needs you. Something is driving Wyn to indulge in drugs and alcohol, and if anyone can pull her out of that hole, it’s you. Once she confronts her demons, she can manage her triggers, and live a full, sober life. I believe in you, Rico.”

“Well, thanks, little fox,” I chuckle. I stopped calling her zorrita after Pay came back from Colombia accusing me of calling her a slut all this time. Spanish and its triple entendres.

“Be the change you wanna see! I’ll tell Auty you called, and have her call you back when she’s feeling better.”

“Fasho.” We say our goodbyes and I breathe deeply a few times.

For the sake of my sanity, I make myself believe this bitch wouldn’t do something so fucked up as to fuck Pooh, while also making a note to see about her own trifling ass mama.

Then, after an hour, I walk back to my room.

“Just… if you’re going to kill me, at least–”

“I’m not gon’ kill you, Snow.” Since the chair burst when I threw it, I just stand by the side of the bed, and shove my fisted hands into my pockets.

“Everything’s clear, and out in the open. Let’s start all the way over.”

She makes a weird noise, but I ignore it.

“Not even as friends. Let’s start from nothing. The slate is completely clean. I’ll even keep up this honesty thing. We’re two completely different people from when we last really knew each other, and the present should dictate that, especially when you’re supposed to be staying sober and building your endurance. So from now on, we’re at level zero.”

She leans down to wipe her face before narrowing her eyes at me. “I don’t get it… you’re not killing me. Why? Why do you care that much that you wanna start over? Auty begged you not to hurt me?”

I don’t answer right away. Yeah, I just called Haze to tell her she’d be twinless, but she isn’t the driving reason behind me wanting her to be better. Not with the air clear.

Nah. This has everything to do with my own shit, my own aspirations still buried too deep to shine light on.

So, I give her a half-truth, already breaking my honesty vow. “This isn’t about anyone else but you, Snow. I could manipulate you into accepting my truce, but I’m tired, and it’s been a long night. And you basically called me a heartless ass nigga, and I kinda wanna prove you wrong. So can you just agree so I can uncuff you?”

She purses her lips. “And… you’re not gonna kill me? Not now, or in the foreseeable future?”

“On my mama, Snow, You’ll live to see another day.”

All the fight whooshes out of her before she nods.

I walk to the other side of the bed and uncuff her, careful not to touch her. She clambers off the bed and rushes to the bathroom, not even bothering to close the door.

“Jesus! I’d been holding it for hours!”