The Brothers

The next morning, Colin wakes up to a pair of hazel eyes staring at him. He smiles.

"Good morning." He says in a groggy tone.

"Good morning."

This is the first time he's had Aaliyah in his bed in a while, and it was nice to wake up to her.

"Last night was fun."

"It was. Kash and I enjoyed ourselves."

"Nah, I'm talkin bout after the club. When I got to have you all to myself." He pulls her closely. "I need more of this."

"You could have it." She says quietly. "For years, I've been waiting. Waiting for you to get your life back. Because this life you're livin now, it's not you."

"I know. But I would be in jail if I Cain didn't take the fall when we got busted. And ain't no tellin how long I would have been in there."

"I guess, you did what you had to do. I'll still never get why he offered to take the fall."

"I'll never know either. It'll never make sense to me. But let's not think about that. I'm here, with you. Just be patient with me."

"I can be patient. Your son can't." She says, gently stroking his beard. "And I know you moved us out the city just for protection, but he needs you. And not just once in a blue moon."

"I see him more than that."

"Yeah but it's not enough."

"I know. I'm gonna do better. Being with him yesterday was a great feeling."

"And he couldn't stop talking about you. It was dad this, dad that when you dropped him off." Hearing that made Colin smile.

"I'm gonna do better. I really am. Shit has died down, everything's good, time to give him some attention. I owe him that...and so much more."

"And what about me?" She asks climbing on top of him.

"Good question, Ms. Andrews." He says putting his hands on her bare hips. "Just know when this is all over, we gettin the hell outta here."

"What about your brothers. Luke, Cam...Odell. The club?" Colin's silent for a bit.

"YO! COLIN!!" They both hear from outside the room.

"That sounds like Luke."

"Luke." He calls out.

"Get your ass up bro."

"He just walks in your place."

"Sometimes. Him, Odell, or cam. They all have the code to get up here......AYE, I'LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE, LUKE."

"I guess that's my cue to go."

"Nah. You don't have to. I got some shorts and a tshirt in my closet."

"Nah, I need to go. I have to get CJ."

"Okay."

They both get out of bed and get dressed. Colin throws on some briefs and sweatpants, and Aaliyah puts what she had last night back on.

"Well it took you long enough.." Luke starts off until he sees Aaliyah walk out behind Colin. "Oh...didn't know you had company. Hey, Aaliyah."

"Hey Luke."

"Do I need to come back at another time?" He asks.

"No. I was just leaving..." She turns to Colin. "I'll call you later."

"Please do. I'd love to talk to you and junior tonight."

"Okay." He gives her a kiss on the cheek before she walks out.

"Oooooooo." Luke teases.

"I don't wanna hear it."

"I didn't say anything except about damn time."

"What's up Luke. Why are you at my place of residence this early?"

"It's 12 in the afternoon."

"Forreal?"

"Yeah. I've already made a bank run and everything...but I get why you lost track of time." He says, hinting at Aaliyah being over.

"I'm glad you could be so understanding. Where's Cam and Odell?"

"Cam is somewhere out with Kai, and Odell...I have no idea." Colin shook his head.

"Imma call em up, see if they wanna meet to eat. I'm hungry as fuck...and I'm sure if your intruding ass didn't show up, Aaliyah woulda made a nigga some breakfast."

"Aye, I asked if you wanted me to come back at another time, you said no...so who's fault is it really?"

"Still yours. I'm gonna shower and get dressed. Call the fellas."

"Alright."

Luke calls Odell first and after a few rings there's finally an answer.

"Hello." Odell says rubbing the crust out of his eyes. He looks around and see the two girls he left with laying on each side of him.

"You still sleep bro."

"I'm up now. What's up?"

"Meet up in the next 30 minutes for lunch."

"Where?"

"I don't know, Kap didn't say. Uhhh Toasties is fine. I could use a good sandwich."

"That's fine. I'll see y'all in a bit."

He hangs up, and look at the women still clinging on to him. Luckily, he never takes women back to his place, so he silently slips out of bed, gets dressed and quietly slips through the front door. After hailing a cab, he gets taken back to his apartment, and gets ready to meet up with the guys.

Cam gets the same call from Luke. He had already been out with Kai, doing things she wanted to do, and when he called, they were already sitting down, having lunch together.

"Who was that, Colin?" She asks as he hangs up the phone.

"Nah, Luke. Wanted to know if I wanted to meet up for lunch, but I'm with you..."

"The way it should be. You need a break from the club and your boys, and focus on other important things...not shit that'll put you in jail."

"I already told you what Kap does, has nothing to do with me."

"Yeah, but you know what he's up to. Just you knowing is bad enough."

"What you want me to do Kai?"

"Do what you feel is best, Cameron."