Carl Weber's Kingpins by Clifford “Spud” Johnson Page A

extremely loud sound system bumping the same T.I. song that she was just talking about. “That li’l nigga is somethin’ else.”
    â€œYeah, I know. And he’s a young hog when it comes to gettin’ this paper,” King added as he stepped over to the porch of the trap.
    Nutta was the youngest squad member; he was only twenty-three years old. He earned his respect among his peers with his moneymaking skills and his knack of always finding good moneymaking spots around the north. He, Boleg, and Cuddy made a formidable squad within the squad.
    â€œWhat’s this shit ’bout you hittin’ up the club?” asked Tippi as she sat down next to him on the porch.
    He shrugged and said, “I don’t know, it ain’t shit else to do. Might as well go out and get a li’l bent. It is the Fourth of July.”
    â€œSince when did you start givin’ a fuck ’bout a holiday?”
    Before he could answer her question his cell rang. He checked the caller ID, frowned, and answered his phone. “Hello?”
    â€œHi, Trevor. How are you?”
    King stepped off the porch and started walking toward his car before he answered. Once he was inside of his car he said, “Shay, is this really you?”
    She laughed and said, “Yes, it’s really me, silly.”
    â€œWhere are you? Can we get together or somethin’?”
    â€œI just called to see how you were doing, Trevor. I heard that you were home and doing quite well for yourself.”
    King smiled from ear to ear as he remembered how Shayla always refused to call him by his nickname; she preferred his government name instead. “Yeah, you could say that. But, look, I’m not really tryin’ to get into all of that on the phone. Why don’t you meet me somewhere so we can chop it up for a li’l bit?”
    â€œI . . . I can’t do that, Trevor. My . . . I mean, it just wouldn’t be right if I met you.”
    â€œWhat are you talkin’ ’bout, Shay? It’s me. What’s not right about us meetin’ each other somewhere?”
    She took a deep breath. “I have a man, Trevor. He wouldn’t like me meeting with my ex-boyfriend. I have to respect that.”
    With a slight edge in his tone, King said, “Yeah, I feel you. So tell me, why did you really call me? I mean, what’s on your mind, Shay? Obviously it’s not me.”
    â€œYou’re wrong, Trevor, and don’t you dare talk to me with some attitude in your voice. Don’t forget that you’re the reason why we’re not together anymore. I would’ve waited for you. You’re the one who told me to move on with my life, remember?”
    â€œBaby, I remember every last mistake I’ve ever made. Believe me, I’ll never forget that one. But, on the real, I thought I was makin’ the best decision for you. I didn’t want to be a selfish nigga and try to lock you down. Yeah, I had other reasons, too. I didn’t think I would have been able to deal if you started out riding wit’ me while I did my bid and then fell off along the way. That would have hurt me too much, Shay. I couldn’t take that chance. Can you understand that?”
    Shaking her head from side to side as if he was there and could see her, she said, “No, no. I was your woman and I had the right to choose, too. You took that right away from me. You hurt me, Trevor. But, hey, that’s the past. You’re doing well, I’m okay, and life goes on.”
    â€œThat’s right. You got my number. If that clown nigga you’re wit’ fucks up give me a holla,” King said as he hung up the phone. He got out of his car and went back and joined Tippi on the porch of the trap.
    Tippi could tell by the look on his face that something wasn’t right. “What’s wrong with you? You look like somebody done pissed you the fuck off.”
    He shook his head and said, “No