by Niyah Moore
“What you mean, there is no tour?”
“He took the money, but I can’t confirm one single venue. I was trying to get Desire’s calendar together, and the nigga’s phone is disconnected. I called a couple of the venues to make sure this nigga wasn’t a fraud, and lo and behold, nothing has been booked. They never even heard of the nigga.”
“That nigga is supposed to be a promoter. He’s booked shit for us before,” I said.
“Yeah. I don’t know what happened, but you won’t be seeing a return on that money. I think you should go ahead and add the Monnahan Boyz to my list. I can handle their scheduling. That way, I can make sure their asses are on time.”
“You sure you can handle them and Desire?”
“I got this,” she assured me.
“Okay, let’s give it a trial run. Try to get another American cities tour going. We gonna have the Monnahan Boyz with Desire, and our artist Lael will open for them.”
“Sounds good to me. Any cities you don’t want to hit?”
“Nah. Just no overseas right now,” I told her.
“Got it. Well, you guys enjoy your night. Desire, I’ll see you in about a week.”
“A’ight,” Desire said.
“Bye.” Egypt hung up.
I tried not to seem pissed that this nigga had got over on me. I was the wrong one to fuck over. Trust I was going to find this dude.
“Babe, you okay?” Desire asked.
“I’m good. I’ll feel even better when I find this cat. I don’t like thieves.”
“That is pretty fucked up. You going to meet up with your baby mama in the morning?”
“Nah, fuck that bitch.”
“What’s her problem with me?” she asked.
“She’s just bitter. Don’t trip off her. My son is taken care of. She’s lucky I didn’t beat her ass for that shit.”
“You don’t have to put your hands on her. I’m sure she just wants us to break up.”
“If she keeps fuckin’ with me, she’ll leave me no fuckin’ choice.”
Desire was staring at me all crazy. I shook my head. I wasn’t a woman beater, but I didn’t like nobody getting over on me.
“Babe, I’m just talkin’ shit,” I said. “Putting my hands on a woman ain’t my thing. I’m a lover, not a fighter, baby.”
“Okay. I don’t care what she does to you. I don’t want you hitting on her. She’s the mother of your child, so you gotta show some respect.”
“That bitch knows nothing about respect. Why should I respect her if she don’t respect me? I’m just some money to her. Having that baby was about money. There’s no love there at all. Shit, it feels more like she’s a bill collector. I can’t wait for my son to get older. Then we will be able to bond more.”
“I hear you. So when do you want me to meet him?”
“Whenever you’re ready. I know it’s a lot to handle.”
She nodded. “I’ll let you know.”
I looked over at her with a grin. I really loved Desire. She didn’t have to worry about me believing no damned rumors. If I didn’t hear the shit from her or see it with my own eyes, I wasn’t taking nobody’s word as truth.
* * *
The days I didn’t have anything to do, I just chilled in the house and watched TV. I was trying to get caught up on the show Snowfall. Everybody kept saying how good it was, and I wanted to binge watch it. Luckily, Desire didn’t have anything to do, either. It was rare when we both had hardly anything to do at the same time. I was enjoying every moment.
“Baby, I’m thinking about making us dinner tonight,” she said. “I haven’t cooked in so long. It feels good just to be able to say I’m making dinner. I gotta go to the store. You need some more Henny?”
I pressed PAUSE on the TV remote. “You do realize that you may be recognized at the store, right? I’ll call E and see if she can go to the grocery store for us. That’s her job.”
She rolled her eyes. “I know what her title is, but she doesn’t have to do everything for me.”
“She actually does. I’ll call her for you. What you need?”
“I want to make baked chicken, asparagus, and twice-baked potatoes with shrimp.”
“That sounds good,” I said, picking up my phone. “You need all the ingredients?”
“Yeah, so just tell her I’ll text the list.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
I called Egypt, and she answered after three rings. “Hello?”
“E, what you doing?”
“A few things. What’s up?”
“Desire needs some stuff from the grocery store. You think you got time to handle that? She’s texting you the list.”
“Okay, cool. I gotta go to the store too, so that’s perfect.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
I ended the call, and my cell rang no sooner than I had set it down. My mom’s picture was displayed on my screen. I placed her on speaker and answered, “Hello?”
“I’m so glad you answered for your mama, Poo. Spoodie nor Jon-Jon ever answer for me. I know they be seeing me callin’.”
“They may be busy recording.”
“I guess. I’m going to see Dinky tomorrow.”
Why did she always feel the need to tell me every time she went to see that nigga? I had already told her that I wanted nothing to do with him.
“Mama, I really don’t—”
“Just listen to me. I understand how you feel. Regardless of the situation, he’s still your brother and my baby. No use in holding hatred in your heart. He’s sorry about what he did. He needs a package, and I ain’t got no money. I was trying to ask Spoodie and Jon-Jon, because I hate to ask you.”
I looked up at the ceiling. “Mama, I told you I wasn’t going to give him a dime, and I meant that. I’ll see if they want to contribute, though, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you. When will I get to see you? I haven’t seen you since you got married.”
“Soon. I’ll probably swing by in a few days.”
“You gonna bring my grandson?”
“I might, depending on how Charity is acting.”
“Bring your wife too. Would be good to see her again.”
“Yeah, I’ll bring her.”
“All right, son. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.” I ended the call.
Desire came out of the kitchen and stared at me.
“What?” I asked.
“Your mom wants to see me and your son at the same time?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Something like that, but I don’t know how you would feel about that after what just went down between you and Charity.”
She nodded and sighed. “Well, I just sent my list to Egypt. She said it will take a few hours. Once she brings the stuff I need, I’ll start dinner.”
“A’ight. You want to go get one of those fruity things you like so much from South Beach? It’s been a long time. By the time we come back, E should be on her way.”
“Yesss.” She grinned from ear to ear, rolling her hips like a belly dancer.
We both put on our shoes.
31
DESIRE
Too Many Bitches
After getting a batido, my favorite treat, in South Beach, we decided to take a walk, with the bodyguard behind us. It felt weird strolling the strip with protection and with people snapping pictures of us. A few people asked to take photos with us. We stopped and posed for a few pictures, and I signed autographs.
“You ever want to move away from Miami?” I asked.
“No. This is home. I love Miami,” Luxury answered.
“That’s how I feel too.”
I thought about the conversation he had had with his mother about his son visiting her at the same time as me. I was his wife, so I was going to have to get this over with. The sooner the better.
“Baby, I’ll meet your son. I’m ready. If your mom wants us to come over the
re, we should go before our schedules get hectic again. I think Egypt was saying something about doing a late-night show in Los Angeles next week.”
“Yeah. A’ight. I’ll make the arrangements.”
My cell phone chimed. I pulled it out of my pocket and saw that I had a text from Nasim. I opened it while Luxury was looking at the parade of lowriders cruising by.
N: I see you, walking like the happy couple. Glad that things are back on track, but when can I see you?
My breath nearly caught in my throat. I looked around to see if I could see Nasim. There were too many people out for me to spot him. He could be anywhere.
Me: I told you I would hit you.
N: I’ll be waiting.
I hurried and erased the messages.
“Who is that?” Luxury asked, with one eyebrow raised.
“Just my brother,” I lied. “He wants to link up before he moves.”
“Oh yeah, he did say he was leaving Miami. We should throw him a going-away party.”
“That would be nice.”
Suddenly, we heard a feminine voice yelling, “Luxury. Luxury.”
I turned to see who was calling my man like that. Some blond-haired bitch looking like a black Barbie was walking briskly toward us.
“Luxury, I know you hear me calling you,” she said.
“Who the fuck is that?” I laughed at the sight of her.
“Nobody,” he answered.
The bodyguard blocked the woman’s path so she couldn’t get to Luxury.
“I’m nobody?” she asked. “Tuh. I see you wasted no time marrying this li’l so-and-so. So that’s how this works, huh? No phone call or nothing? You promised you wouldn’t do no shit like that to me after all I’ve been through.”
I was watching closely as I sipped my batido. Something was off about her. I knew Luxury had had bitches before we got together, but these random chicks popping up here and there made me wonder if he was still fucking around. I should’ve known he had some loose ends, but this was crazy.
Luxury didn’t say a word as he pushed me toward the car.
“You trying to replace me with this bitch? You and I both know that no bitch can ever replace me. I’m the best you ever had, or do you not remember saying that, either?” the blonde screeched.
I shrugged, with a laugh. “Who the fuck is that?”
“Girl, don’t think you the shit because you got hits or whatnot. Don’t nobody like yo’ whack-ass music. You can’t even rap, ho. I hear you shake ya ass for cash better than you rap. Maybe you should go back to doing that.” She laughed her ass off.
I got close enough to pour my batido on top of her head. My shake was now running down her face, and it was all over her ugly-ass yellow spandex outfit. She was trying to come after me now, but the bodyguard wouldn’t allow it.
“Stupid-ass bitch! Fuck with me if you want to!” she screamed. “Luxury. Luxury! Don’t do this to me.”
Luxury grabbed me hard and pushed me into the car.
“Ouch,” I said, pulling away from him. He slammed my car door shut.
As soon as he was behind the wheel and had closed his door, he said, “You gotta learn how not to react to these bitches.”
“What is going on, Luxury? Was that a—”
Before I could finish, he interrupted. “Man, hell nah. End of story. There’s no need to start assuming shit.”
The woman was so extra, and her choice of clothing was interesting. I prayed to God Luxury was not into some crazy shit. I pushed the thought out of my mind quickly, because like he had said, there was no need to start assuming shit.
I stared at him. “Let me ask you something . . . You still fuckin’ these around? Ain’t no way these bitches keep coming out of the woodwork over some dick they ain’t seen or touched in months. That’s probably the real reason you didn’t come overseas with me.”
“You don’t be listening, I swear. I don’t even know that lady. I don’t know how you figure I’m fucking around. You say the dumbest shit.”
“Oh really? I threw my batido at Miss Thing. Now I don’t have my shake. Ugh. How many bitches have you fucked, Luxury? How many others will try to come for me?”
He shrugged, as if it were no big deal. “I got this under control. You should know I won’t let anyone fuck with you.”
“You think I like hearing that some bitch done fucked and sucked my nigga?”
“You think a nigga want to hear the same shit about you?”
I paused before I replied, “Ain’t no nigga coming at you about shit, so it’s not the same.”
“You sure about that?” he asked in the oddest tone of voice.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I know you not talking about what Charity said to you. I thought you didn’t believe her lying ass.”
“I don’t believe her, but you acting bogus as fuck right now. Look, you said you not fucking nobody, and I’m telling you I’m not, either. If you believe me, then I believe you.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and looked out the window. The sad part was I knew all about my dirt. There was no way Luxury’s ass wasn’t out there still fucking around with other bitches. I mean, how else could he go weeks without no pussy from me? If he wasn’t getting it from me, he was getting it from someone else. I chilled and made it seem like I believed him, but in the back of my mind, I had made up my own mind. I couldn’t trust the nigga.
* * *
When we got back to the house, Egypt was pulling up. Perfect timing, but now I wasn’t in the mood to cook shit. I stormed past Egypt and went into the house without a word to her. As I was heading upstairs, I got a text from Nasim.
N: I’m here if you need me.
I didn’t respond as I lay on the bed. As much as I wanted to run into his arms, I wasn’t about to fall into that trap. I closed my eyes to stop my head from pounding. I nearly fell asleep.
Luxury barged into the room, shouting, “Hey.”
I smacked my lips. “What?”
“I don’t know why you’re tripping.”
Taking a deep breath, I got out of bed. “Do me a favor and shut the fuck up,” I snapped, then stalked toward the bathroom.
He yanked my arm before I could get into the bathroom. “You better check yo’ fuckin’ attitude and watch yo’ mouth. You really ain’t got no reason to be trippin’ like this.”
“Don’t be yanking on me. How am I trippin’? I just want to go to sleep.”
He wouldn’t let my wrist go and held it firmly. “It’s not even six o’clock, and you ready to go to bed? I thought you were cooking dinner?”
“You better take yo’ fuckin’ hands off me, nigga, before I really act a fuckin’ fool.”
He put his hands up. “You know what? Fuck dinner. I’m out. I’ll go get my own dinner.”
“Shit. That’s fine with me.” I went into the bathroom to pee.
As I sat on the toilet, he stood in the doorframe. “Why are you really actin’ like this? You blowin’ this shit all out of proportion.”
“I’m not acting like anything, Luxury.”
“Yeah you are. You care about that bitch we ran into?”
“Nigga, nobody gives two fucks about that bitch. Maybe you’re the one who cares about the bitch, since you bringing her up.”
“Man, I swear, girl. You need to stop acting so muhfuckin’ insecure. You shouldn’t be worried about no bitch taking your place. This is the last time I’m saying that shit.” He walked out of the doorway, and I heard him grab his keys.
I finished peeing and flushed the toilet quickly. I rushed out of the bathroom. “Where you think you going?”
“I told you, I’m out.”
Before I could respond, he was down the stairs and out the door. I took a deep breath and exhaled. I knew I had cheated on Luxury, and if he was doing it, it would make me feel a little better, as I would be able to justify my own actions, even though it would piss me off. The sun was going down, and I was hungry. I decided to cook dinner.
>
I started feeling bad about the way I had acted, so I cooked enough for him. I put the food in a warm oven to keep it hot. Then I got in the shower, dried off, and changed into some black lingerie and a matching robe. I grabbed a bottle of champagne out of the fridge. Right when I was pouring a glass, he walked through the front door.
A smirk appeared on his face when he noticed my attire. As he sat a Tiffany & Co. bag on the counter, he said, “What you doing up in here?”
“Just a little something to say that I’m sorry for the way I acted today.”
He rubbed his hands together and nodded. “I’m sorry, baby. You shouldn’t have to deal with women from my past. I got you a peace offering gift.”
“Ooh, what is it?” I sipped the champagne.
“Open it and see.” He handed me the bag.
Inside the bag was a box. I took the top off the box and found an eighteen-karat gold wrap necklace.
“Babe, this is beautiful. Thank you.” I placed my arms around his neck. “You’re so good to me. I keep treating you bad.”
“We’re good, Mama.” He kissed me. “I smell dinner. I didn’t get nothing to eat.”
“Good. So wash your hands and sit down.”
He smacked my ass as I bent over to open the oven.
I fixed our plates as he washed his hands and sat at the table. I poured him a glass of champagne and turned on the R & B station on Spotify. I sat next to him at the table and put my feet in his lap while we ate.
“Where do you see us in five years?” he asked.
“Um . . .” I chewed and swallowed. “We’re already married, so . . . You know, I love this house, but I still want my penthouse overlooking South Beach and my white-on-white Range Rover. Hopefully, we’ll have a baby.”
“You don’t need to wait five years for any of those things. Shit, we can make all of that happen ASAP.”
“Not the baby . . . yet, anyway . . . We’ll have time for that. I gotta meet li’l man and see if I’ll even be a good mama.”
“You’ll be a good mama. I know it.”
I shrugged. “Not so sure. I mean, I don’t have a good example.”
“You’ll know what not to do based on your relationship with your mom.”
I nodded. “What about you?”
“I see us happy in a more trusting relationship, with millions and millions of dollars. I already have everything else that I could want.”