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Higher

Chapter Twenty-Two: Down

While Irina and I left the nail salon, she told me to just be natural with my nails, because I had my fingers spread like they were still wet. They felt nice and dry and cool when I made a fist, and my hands actually looked sexy.

And I couldn't wait to scratch along Edward with them, his scalp, his back and shoulders.

I sighed as we approached 59th Street. "Thanks again…that was fun."

"No problem, mami. I got you." She placed her arm around my shoulders.

Feeling awkward, I said, "I like your cornrows." They were only on the top and her curly hair was flowing down.

"You like these?" She pointed. "Yo…I can do yours right now."

"Oh…" I touched my hair. It was clean since I'd washed it this morning, and it was down. "I don't know. Don't they hurt?" Alice had them done when she went to Jamaica a few years ago with her parents. While they weren't the same twists that Irina had, they were still braids—cornrows.

"It's not too bad. If you're interested, I'll go my crib right quick and get some bands."

I nodded.

"We can sit on your stoop, chill out."

"Sounds good."

We went our separate ways, and I couldn't believe how lonely I truly was without Edward and Alice. My best friend and I aren't as attached at the hip now that we have boyfriends. But I always try my best to split my free time. I hate being alone and shit. Edward would be home in about an hour…

And I felt bad saying no when she seemed so cool.

When I entered the apartment, Emmett was on the couch—where he always is when he's off. I waved, not making small talk as I went into the bathroom to thoroughly brush my hair. Then I went to the fridge. I figured Irina would be quick, and I should bring some drinks down. I also grabbed the radio Edward got me for the kitchen. It's small, battery-operated, and I think he got it so I'd enjoy being in the kitchen more? He's so cute, and he's not subtle at all.

"Hey." Emmett was in the kitchen doorway. "How'd it go with your mom?"

"Eh…" I grabbed two Heinekens. If Irina doesn't like beer, I'll grab her some soda.

"Thirsty?" Emmett pointed.

"Oh, um…" Now I suddenly felt weird, embarrassed almost to admit I was hanging out with Irina, and I didn't know why. "I ran into Irina. We got our nails done." I showed him. "She's gonna do my hair...if you wanna come down and chill."

He nodded, not saying much about it, which surprised me. "Irina's a cool chick."

"I think so too." I was honest.

"Bella!" That was Irina.

"I'll be downstairs." I walked around Emmett and ran down.

Irina sat on the top step, a bag of small rubber bands and a comb in her hand, and a spray bottle of what must be water next to her.

"Beer?" I offered her one.

"Word." She grabbed it. "Have a seat." She pointed to the step below her.

I sat down, turned on the radio, and then I hummed some Mary J.

It didn't hurt as much as Alice said it did. When the pick would scrape against my scalp, it was uncomfortable, but not painful.

We didn't talk as much as we did at the nail salon. Mostly, we listened to Hot97, singing along, too. Neither one of us had a great voice, but it didn't matter. We'd still try to hit some of those sweet notes, and we both kept failing—laughing together and at ourselves.

We were having a good time.

Irina had finished with more than half my head when Edward pulled into the driveway. And it was like the radio knew he was home—SWV'S "Weak" sounding from it.

Fuck, that song is so apt.

I don't know what is that you've done to me…

But it's caused me to act in such a crazy way…

Whatever it is that you do when you do what you're doing…

It's a feeling that I want to stay.

'Cause my heart starts beating triple time, with thoughts of loving you on my mind.

I can't figure out just what to do, when the cause and cure is you—

Disappointment filled my gut when he left the van with that black Jansport—the knapsack that has the Ecstasy in it. I don't care about its contents, but that means he might be heading back out.

And I'll miss his sexy ass.

Whether he's picking them up or dropping them off, the process takes a few hours.

I had my nails, and soon I'll have my hair nice. I wanna fuck all night…which would be a great start to the long weekend, I thought.

The knapsack: Edward thinks I don't know, but I did snoop one day, and I found one helluva hiding spot. The floor in the closet is slightly raised, not noticeable at all. I don't know if it came like that or if Edward made it so when he moved in.

But it's genius.

Edward hadn't closed it properly after he dug out some weed or placed the bag inside that day, so it's his own fault.

Had he righted it, I would have never known.

Nevertheless, the Jansport made me frown instead of smile at him as he left the van.

He'll be gone for hours.

Unless that guy met him in Manhattan and he already picked it up? Regardless, he probably has to meet up with Demetri, and he usually does that at night. His uncle is like a vampire—sleeps all day, parties all night—like a lost boy.

To be honest, I'm not crazy about him selling, hustling, and dealing these days.

It's never an issue that I'd argue over, nor is it something I enjoy him doing. He did that before we met, and I never judged him, but nowadays—now that I am crazy in love with him, I love him—I'm constantly on edge whenever he's doing something shady. I wish he had no involvement in anything like that.

God forbid something happens, like if he gets arrested again...

Him doing it doesn't bother me; I could never think less of him.

The risks he takes worries me, scares the hell out of me, actually.

Edward furrowed his brow, pausing at the bottom of the stairs. "What's this?" I'm sure he referred to Irina.

"Relax," Irina said, and I didn't know what that was about.

Edward threw her a chin jerk, and I wondered what they were silently communicating about.

That piqued my interest, and I didn't like it.

"I ran into Irina when I left the subway," I explained, lifting my knees to my chest.

"Yo! I'm peepin' ya panties from down hea. Cross yo' legs." Edward stomped up the stairs. "Wearin' shorts like that." He gave my outer thigh a slap.

"Oww-uh!" I rubbed the sting out.

Edward smirked. "Don't be a baby. That wasn't hard." He bent low to peck my lips.

"It was hard." I was pouting. "I heard that shit." And I felt it, too. "Why you always—" I just shut up, not wanting to make it an issue or fight with him.

"What?" Edward backed down a few steps. He placed light kisses on the spot before sucking some high-thigh fat—near my crotch—into his mouth, grunting a hum. "Hmm." My traitorous pussy responded, and I squirmed. True, he spanks my ass during sex harder than that, but still. "You got ya nails done?" Edward picked up my hand.

"Yeah…you like them?" I asked.

He shrugged and then nibbled on a nail. His nose was scrunched while he did it, and he looked silly, so I giggled.

"Tilt your head, mama." Irina gently tapped my head.

I went right, and she twisted some hair near my temple. She must be almost done. "You goin' somewhere?" I asked, looking up to Edward.

He let the bag drop, and there was a slight weight to it. I'd imagine he'd need a lot more than usual this week. "Nah…I'm home for the night. We had dick to do—guess it's 'cause of the holiday. I was off at noon, did whateva."

But it's after six p.m., I thought.

"It was cool." He sat down below me, easing his back between my legs.

I snuck my hands into the neck of his tee to run them down his chest, and his happy growl made my fingertips vibrate.

It made me smile.

"Did'ju cook?" Edward lit a cigarette.

"Can you bust me down?" I asked, wanting him to save me some.

Realizing I only legit need to smoke if I drink, puff, or do whatever, I haven't been buying packs. After all, I'm broke these days, and I feel badly when Edward gives me money unless it's for the house or…whatever. It makes me feel like I'm a kid with an allowance. It's all good, though. I don't need my own cigarettes; I smoke Edward's.

"Here." He handed me his stoge, fast to light another one. "Did'ju cook?" he asked again, and I saw him rub his stomach below me.

"Um, I thought we'd have leftovers." I pulled from the ciggy.

"Oh…" That wasn't a happy sounding oh, and his shoulders dropped.

I sighed. "We have Spam…mac and cheese? All the meat is frozen. The chicken cutlets might thaw quick, but we'd be eating at like ten tonight."

My man, Edward, can be picky. Especially when it comes to food. If he's in the mood for something, he has to have that. However, if I cook a real meal—and it doesn't even matter what it is—he's happier than a pig in shit.

"Fuck that," he said. "The macaroni from yesterday is cool—"

"Awesome."

". . . I guess." He spoke over me or I spoke too soon.

I rolled my eyes. "Well, what are you in the mood for?" The supermarket is only four blocks away, and it's a big one.

In Bay Ridge, the closest market to my house was ten streets away. And if you bought a lot and you didn't have a car, it was a bitch getting home. I use one of those shopping carts that you fold; the guys already had one that hung behind the front door.

"You know what sounds good, baby?"

"Hmm?" I took another drag, flicking the ashes to my left, and I noticed Irina was being really quiet. Since she wasn't earlier, talking my ear off, I wondered what that was about.

"We get steaks," he said. "Don't that sound good?" Steak is expensive these days and to feed three men? I buy chopmeat, London Broil, different kinds of chicken, and pork chops—never steak. "We gotta li'l grill in the closet upstairs—just need a small bag of charcoal, some lighter fluid." He nodded. "We can cook 'em on the fire escape or right hea."

"Okay," I said.

"French fries, too. How do you cook those?" he asked.

I smiled because he's so cute. "I have frozen fries in the freezer. They go in the oven."

"Dude, can you even boil water?" Irina laughed.

Edward scratched his neck. He didn't shave this morning and had stubble. "Yeah…I can fuck wit' that."

I wished I could kiss him right now, but he must have had the same thought. Edward kissed my knee, and I wove my fingers into his hair. "That's feels good." He rested his cheek to my thigh.

I hummed, happily, trailing my nails along his scalp. My baby.

"You're all set, ma."

I felt Irina lean back.

"Thanks." I smiled, and the first thing I did was raise my brows. It felt tight up there. "How's it look?" I squeezed Edward's shoulder.

He stood up from the step. "Good." Edward winked down to me, extending a hand. He yanked me up, and because he was lower on the stairs, he palmed my ass. "Beautiful as always."

Grinning, I bent low to tangle my tongue with his.

He let out a short groan. "I missed you," he whispered.

"I missed you, too." And he could never imagine how much. "I love you." In my periphery, I watched Irina walk down the steps. "Thanks again!"

"Today was fun," she said. "I'll see ya around." Irina lifted her hand.

"Oh…" I felt she'd done a lot for me. "Did you wanna stay for dinner?" I thought maybe we could walk to the store together, too—chill some more.

Edward's hold on my ass was almost painful suddenly. I guess I shouldn't have asked, but I didn't care.

"Nah, it's cool. I gotta get home to Julio," she spoke of her son. "Youse enjoy, though."

"Okay." I waved.

Once Irina turned her back, Edward looked up to me and shrugged, silently asking what that was about.

"She did my hair for free," I whispered.

"Right," he said, rising a few steps to kiss me silly again.

Edward needs to stop kissing me like this all the time. It makes me wanna fuck all the time. It's like the man oozes sex, and I have to have his dick, his hands, his intense stare, his grunts, groans . . .

When Edward let up, I was dizzy, and I knew I was soaked.

"Damn, baby," he commented, coming back at me.

"Supermarket?" I gulped.

If we start fucking around, we'll never get there.

Edward heaved a heavy sigh. "Let's go." He put the knapsack on his back and then held out his hand out for mine.

"Wait…the bottles and the radio." I reached for everything. No one would give a fuck about the empty beer bottles, but someone would definitely swipe the radio.

"Gimme." He took them to toss them down into the trash cans. "Just take the radio. It's small."

That wasn't a bad idea.

And it truly wasn't.

On our way to the market, it was like we were sharing a Walkman, and I swayed my hips with a hop to my steps—so, so fucking happy to be with Edward on this glorious night.

The sun was setting, the streets were quieting down, and the wind was a little cooler.

I felt like I was in heaven with my boyfriend, and I practically danced as we strolled along the avenue.

"Yo…chill." Edward wrapped his arms around me, stilling my hips.

I frowned. "I was only…"

"Those dudes were just—" He gritted his teeth, looking behind us to widen his arms. "Get a good look?!" He bopped, jerking and emphasizing his words, dripping aggression.

"Edward!" I hissed through gritted teeth.

There were two guys leaning against a car by the corner store, but when Edward said that, both stood up.

"Just enjoyin' the view, son." The one chewing the flavor stick smiled at me. "How you doin', mama?"

"This motherfucker…" Edward stepped toward them.

With all my strength, I pulled him back but that didn't work. "Edward—" I jumped to be in his face "—walk away."

Honestly, my stomach was a mess, and I swore I was gonna cry. "Please. Please. Please." I was afraid of him taking on the two dudes at once, and I didn't want him fighting over something this dumb.

"Yo' girl's fine, Ed…Good for you." The other one chuckled and faced his friend before he started humping the air. And I guessed Edward knew him.

Flavor stick guy blew me a kiss. And I wanted to scream at them, too—to stop their shit unless they wanted to die.

Edward's crazy…well, he can be, and I love him anyway.

"Edward…please, walk away. It's not worth it." My eyes pleaded.

"You. Are." His chest heaved, his teeth were gnashed together as he stared, and then he swallowed—looking down to me.

"Please…" It came out like a whine.

Edward stiffened and recovered, his eyes softening. "Fuck it. Let's just go home." True, we were only a block away from the apartment, but still.

"Um—" I was cut off when he grasped my hand to pull me across the street.

Alas, I didn't bitch about a thing…

"Keep up, baby." He was walking really fast.

For that, for him to be practically running, we should have just kept going toward Key Food.

I did my best to match his pace, but his legs are much longer…

Then he was running up the steps ahead of me, into the apartment.

Still nervous, and hoping he wouldn't be angry with me, I followed.

I was just in such a good mood, too happy—and with feeling good, and with good music playing…

Ugh. I was so stupid.

I hated myself, thinking Edward might blame me for what happened, or take his anger out on me for dancing. He'd never hit me or anything, but he might yell. I had no idea; I was just wary.

I was halfway up the inside staircase when Edward and Emmett came running back down.

They were shirtless and Edward had a bat . . .

"Whoa!" I shouted as they passed me.

Edward actually wore a smirk, a sinister one; he was still pissed. "Make the mac and cheese, baby." He pecked my lips with force, making me jerk back. "I'm starvin'."

But I think he was hungry for bloodshed, to be honest.

They started running once out the door.

"Edward!" I shouted, and then I took off after them.

They were too fast, had already turned the corner, and I held my boobs to my chest so I could run faster. "Ed—" I stopped and stared when I made it to the curb.

I could see from here, and there was no stopping them…

Those dudes didn't even see Edward and Emmett coming.

The one with the flavor stick got it first. Edward knocked him in the back with the bat while Emmett got the other one.

When it became an all-out brawl, punches being thrown and everything, I swallowed my nerves and ran closer. And I bit my tongue; I didn't wanna start shouting up a storm or distract Edward.

It's bad enough this is happening, but I didn't want Edward to lose the upper hand?

Edward had since thrown the bat into the street, and I went for it, because it was metal and it might have his fingerprints on it?

I was scared shitless the cops were going to come, and I kept my eye out for them as I advanced toward them.

Emmett caught me—saw me while he was kicking the-one-who-knew-Edward's-name. "Go home!" he boomed, which alerted Edward.

Edward slammed flavor-stick-dude into a parked car, making him fall to the ground. "Go!" I knew that was for me. "Now!" He kicked the guy in the stomach.

"Stop it!" I didn't really yell, but I was loud. "It's enough." I backed away a few steps. I mean, those guys weren't even fighting back. They were moving, so I knew they were alive…they were roughed up enough, I thought.

When both guys were down on the ground, bloodied and beaten, Edward and Emmett let up, and I'd stepped quite a few paces away already. My eyes stayed glued to them, though.

My stomach was so fucked, churning with the bad butterflies, and I didn't want to turn the corner just yet.

"Yo!" Someone hollered from a window above. "Five-o. Five-o. Five-o!" He must have been able to see the cops because I didn't hear sirens.

When I saw Edward and Emmett coming toward me, which they did with the first "Five-o," I started running back to the apartment.

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