Page 39 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

Ugh, what a bitch. I can’t believe she preyed on my–ex-nigga.

Caught myself.

Rico averts his eyes, mouthing words as his hands fist on the counter on either side of me. His hair is growing out, strands beginning to curl in length. I look behind him, in the wall-length mirror.

Our hair is the same length.

My hands itch to reach out and touch it. Rico always had the softest hair. I kept it moisturized, giving him all types of protein treatments before braiding it. Often, I wondered how his short hair would feel.

But I keep my hands in my lap.

Finally, when he comes to whatever conclusion, he stands up straight, leaving my personal space.

I don’t miss him.

“Ju is Mars’s mother.”

My eyes balloon. “Swear?”

He nods, folding his arms and making those pecs jump out. Since he’s so mad about the scar, I know he doesn't have any tattoos, and I wonder how he got away with never getting a rose tattoo. Even Slime, a whole politician, has one.

“After he… she came looking for him at the Birch and found Nan. Told her everything. She convinced her to come out here and have him. The DNA test confirmed it was Fredo’s and not Slime’s.”

“But… why isn’t she here?” I scratch the side of my head. Surely she would have been at dinner.

Rico’s lips twitch. “Nan fucked with her head, and manipulated her into letting Mars stay here while she went back to the States.”

I don’t reply, since there’s clearly more to the story. I applaud him somewhat for not being vague, but how could that mean Spanish-speaking old lady con a mother into leaving her child? Especially when her baby daddy is dead.

Rico may not have been around, but I was. Those three were in love. It was sickening.

Just like the other throuple I know. Maybe that’s the key…

When Rico just stands there, I gesture for him to keep going.

Amusement bleeds from his face as he sighs. He scratches the back of his head and looks away. “Nan… convinced her that the best way for me and her to get over Fredo was for us… to get together. I wasn’t here when Mars was born, but when I came back… Nan put her plan into motion.”

I freeze immediately, as blinding rage takes over me.

Jupiter. She was beautiful. Had Fredo and Slime wrapped around her finger, even if it was for a brief time.

And that mean ass spinster sicced her on my Rico?!

I bite the insides of my cheek, keeping my gaze on the floor.

I don’t even know why I care.

“I didn’t go for it,” he continues, voice quieter than before. “I, uh, rejected her. She and Nan had words, and now she only comes when Nan isn’t here. I’d warned her about Nan before, when she was pregnant, but I guess she forgot.”

I lick my lips. “You rejected her?”

Two fingers tilt my head up. Reluctantly, I meet his gaze.

“Yes,” he says firmly.

I accept it. I guess.

The corner of his mouth pulls. I brace myself for him calling me out, but instead he says, “You start work tomorrow. I’ll try to keep you with me, Miele, or Reno, but sometimes, you’ll have to be with Nan. I’ll tell you like I told Ju; stay on your Ps and Qs. Nan is like me on crack when it comes to the games.”