Read Online Down by Law by Ni-Ni Simone - Free Book Online Page B

out of the doorway.
    We all hopped up from the bed and hurried into the kitchen. Queenie had food everywhere: fried chicken, baked chicken, barbecue turkey wings, ham, fried whiting, cabbage with neck bones, candied yams, cornbread, and chocolate cake.
    By the time we’d carried the food out of the kitchen and set it up in the living room, Marvin Gaye was on the turntable and the apartment was filled with people, most of ’em who lived right here in Da Bricks.
    â€œHere they come! Shhhhhhh!” Queenie said in an excited whisper as she flicked the light off.
    The living room was bathed in afternoon darkness and everyone was frozen in their spots. K-Rock’s and Face’s voices echoed from behind the door, as one of them placed their hand on the knob, jiggled it, and then pushed it open.
    â€œSURPRISE! WELCOME HOME!” everybody yelled.
    Queenie flicked the light on, and everybody in the room took turns hugging Face. Afterwards, they dug straight into the food.
    I tried my hardest to stop blushing, so that I could finally lift my eyes and look over at my future husband.
    Okay... breathe in... breathe out...
    You can do it. You can do it.
    Suck your stomach in.
    Stand up straight.
    Take a piece of your hair and twirl it with a finger.
    Take another deep breath.
    Lick your lips so they shine.
    Now turn and face him.
    Smile.
    I almost passed out ’cause the moment I turned around, K-Rock’s eyes locked into mine.
    Oh my God. Oh my God. Breathe. Breathe.
    I grabbed Cali’s hand and quickly spun back around, forcing her to twirl with me.
    â€œWhat the heck? What’s wrong with you?” she asked in a panic, her eyes revealing that she was ready to give it to whoever was bringing noise my way.
    â€œIt’s nothing like that. Chill.”
    â€œSo what is it?”
    â€œYou see that guy standing over there next to Face?”
    She almost looked over her shoulder, but I caught her in time. “No! Don’t turn around. Not now. He’s looking this way.”
    â€œWho’s looking this way?”
    â€œK-Rock.”
    She squinted. “K-Rock? Who is that?”
    â€œHe used to clock with Face, but when Face got locked up, he fell back a lil bit.”
    â€œOkay, so what about him?”
    â€œHe’s standing over there.”
    â€œCan I look now?”
    I pulled in and pushed out two deep breaths. “Yes. But turn around slowly.”
    Cali eased her head around, looked over her shoulder, and then looked back over at me. “He’s not over there.”
    â€œWhat?!” My heart dropped and my eyes popped. “What do you mean? Where is he?”
    â€œRight behind you.”
    My knees buckled and my legs turned to twigs. I squeezed Cali’s hand tighter as I eased back around and looked K-Rock dead in his face. “Hey.” I gave him a small wave.
    â€œIcy.” He reached out for a hug, pulled me into his embrace, and kissed me on my forehead.
    Oh God, his lips were soft and so smooth. I wanted sooooooo badly to ask him, practically beg him to kiss me again.
    He took a step back and looked me over. His soft brown eyes reflected my hair, my neon-pink fitted mini dress and matching pumps. “Look at you.” He smiled and gave me another once over. “All grown up.”
    â€œI’m thirteen now.” I knew I sounded super stupid.
    â€œHow old are you?” Cali butted in and I had to do a double take. Just that quick I’d forgotten she was standing there.
    â€œSeventeen,” he said, proudly.
    Cali blushed. “All right now, girl. I see you like an older man.”
    My stomach hit the floor and my heart went right behind it. I looked at Cali like she was completely crazy.
    She bit into her bottom lip. “I’m sorry. I was just excited.”
    I ignored her apology and turned back to K-Rock. “She’s crazy. Anyway, wassup with you? I ain’t seen you in a minute.”
    â€œYeah, I know. Been