Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do

by Shvonne Latrice

  “I’ll take that advice. I’ve actually seen you in a few things, and I’ve noticed you from Instagram, so I know you get a lot of work. You’re inspiring.”

  “Thanks.” I took a sip of my water. “What was your name again?”

  “Kharla. I already know yours of course.” She laughed, so I pretended to go along with her.

  “Right.”

  My phone started ringing, and Belly’s name popped up, so I silenced it, using the side button. Kharla’s eyes darted right to my iPhone screen with her nosy ass, and she was staring for so long that I moved the phone to the other side of my tray.

  “So, Blaise Cansino, do you still date that music exec, Merlin? And your baby daddy is Five-Star, right? How do you pull men of that caliber? I mean, you’re very pretty, but a lot of women are, so I wanna know the secret.” She was smiling so widely that I was waiting for one of her cheekbones to come through her eye socket.

  “I don’t know you well enough, or at all even, for me to be discussing my personal life with you.”

  “Sorry. My mama always talks to me about being so nosy. It’s a horrible habit of mine. I do have to say, I did notice your phone said Belly on it. That’s the crazy, sexy boxer, isn’t it?” I didn’t say anything as I continued to eat my food. “Well, I’m only bringing it up because I heard a lot about him.”

  “Oh yeah?” I inquired dryly, still eating and looking out at the scenery instead of her.

  “Yep. This one girl named Maia, Maia Curls on Instagram, she used to fuck with him, and she was so in love, girl. Got his name tatted and everything while she was fucking him. Then for some reason, he cut her off, and now she is meesssssed up in the head. She’s always looking and sounding depressed, when she used to be chipper. She makes curly hair videos and tries to act normal, but you can see the sadness in her eyes.” Kharla shook her head. “That nigga is known to do a number on women, so I just thought I’d let you know so you’d be cautious if you are dating him.”

  “If you ever want to make it in this industry, you should definitely talk a little less.” I got up with my tray and headed inside to finish my food.

  After lunch, we did a wardrobe change and the last scene for the commercial before we were all free to go. By this time, it was around 7 p.m., so I had to get home to handle my motherly duties before going to this party tonight.

  I got to my condo around an hour later because the location was pretty far, and once there, I made dinner for Island and my mother, then played with my baby a little bit before bathing her and reading her to sleep.

  Since it was already 10 p.m., I texted Nichole to let her know I was about to start getting ready, then ran a warm bubble bath. While in there, I thought about the little story time that weirdo Kharla told me, which prompted me to reach for my iPhone and look up this Maia girl.

  She had about 400,000 followers, so she seemed to be pretty popular, and she was a beautiful girl; reminiscent of Christina Milian in Love Don’t Cost A Thing.

  I noticed from her pictures she looked miserable, even with all the makeup on and curls popping. Tapping one of her videos, I saw exactly what Kharla meant about her attempting to act normal but she was bothered; it was in her eyes. However, that didn’t mean it was because of Belly, so I scrolled down as much as I could and saw she posted little cryptic messages and photos to make it known that she was with him; or so she thought, knowing Belly.

  Shrugging, I exited out of the app and placed my phone to the side. Whatever happened between Maia and Belly had nothing to do with me; I was done with his ass.

  I finished my long bath, then climbed out to spread body butter all over my frame. Tonight I chose to wear a halter style dress that hung low in the middle between my breasts, had the back out, and a split all the way up my thigh. My panties were thin, so I didn’t worry about the split exposing them. I kept my makeup light, and since I hadn’t gotten my hair redone, my loose waves were doing their own thing. Once I had my diamond hoops in my ear, I slipped that Belly bracelet off that I was still wearing for some reason, and then grabbed my clutch. Plus, I already had on a watch, so I didn’t need that stupid bracelet.

  I’d already texted Nichole, so I went to the living room to wait until she got to me. I was so ecstatic that she’d offered to drive.

  “Wow, you look beautiful, baby.” My mother entered my large living room, smiling. “You’re definitely going to catch us something tonight.”

  “Ma, I’m just going to have fun.”

  “What are you going to?” She folded her arms, leaning up against my fireplace.

  “A birthday party for Keenan Wallace.”

  “The NBA player?” Her eyes widened with excitement. “Did he invite you personally?”

  “I mean, I guess. My manager got an email from his people and let me know that I was invited. But I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

  “He’s cute, Blaise, and just got a ninety-million-dollar contract.”

  “Thank you, but I’m fine. I need to stay focused. I’m not really interested in entertaining anyone.” I moved my hair from my face and checked my phone. Nichole needed to hurry the hell up. I wanted to bring Priscilla, but she said she couldn’t come.

  “Baby, you have to remember that I’m a part of this too. Hell, I miss my big house that I can’t even live in because you decided to break up with Merlin.”

  “He didn’t take the house back, Mama. You can go live there if you choose.”

  “Yes, but how long before some people shows up saying I have to get out? And that boxer, what happened to him? Wasn’t he balling? Where is he? Secure Keenan just in case tonight. He’ll like you, Blaise. You’re the prettiest girl in Los Angeles.”

  Nichole: Downstairs.

  “I have to go.”

  I hurried out of my condo and to the elevator, riding it down. I spotted Nichole’s Mercedes outside, so I quickly made my way across the marble lobby to get outside.

  “What’s wrong?” Nichole inquired as she pulled off.

  “Nothing. My mama just trying to hook me up with the birthday boy.”

  “What happened to Belly?” She could barely focus on the road because she kept glancing over at me.

  “You’ll be happy to know that it didn’t go anywhere, and it was never going to.”

  “Why would I be happy about that? I tried to warn you beforehand so you wouldn’t get hurt again.”

  “Well, I’m not hurt, and, Nichole, I know you’ve been trying to fuck him for months. He told me.”

  She got quiet just as she came to a red light.

  “Okay, but that was well before you even talked to him. Once I saw you were into his ass, I left him alone.”

  “Whatever.”

  I wasn’t interested in picking through her lies for the truth, because I didn’t care, and it didn’t matter at this point. Nichole was never someone I would leave alone with my man, well before Belly came into the picture.

  We made it to the club in Hollywood that the party was being held at, and used the valet service. Plenty of pictures were being taken of Nichole and I as we walked to the entrance to be let in. Once inside, we were escorted to the VIP section that I was told was squared away for me. I did expect to be in VIP, but not in my own section, so that was nice.

  Nichole and I ordered a few drinks from the hostess, and once “Big Deal” by Kid Ink came on, we began to dance. Everybody was in the building, from rappers, singers, producers, to football players. I saw a lot of girls dressed in barely anything, so they definitely were here to get chose up. I will say, no basic looking bitches were here, and I was sure Keenan made sure of that. And every time I got a wink or a wave from one of these famous niggas, I acted just like I didn’t see it.

  “Ooh, bitch.” Nichole nudged me, and when I followed her eyes, they were on Keenan walking over to the section we were in. Here we go.

  Just as he was about to step in, none other than Belly appeared, gripping his shoulder and saying something to him, before giving Keenan
a pat on the back. Keenan nodded, looked at me once more, and then walked off. The guard didn’t even attempt to stop Belly. What the fuck kind of security was he?

  “So you can’t answer ya muthafuckin’ phone but you can be in here shaking ya ass?” Belly walked up on me with his ContraBandz gang in tow. One of them were eyeing Nichole something serious.

  Seeing him made me angry immediately because I didn’t know why I still liked him and found him attractive. Per usual, he had on a black snapback, a gray polo type shirt, black jeans that weren’t too baggy or too tight, and some gray Chuck Taylors. He stayed keeping it simple, but he was so sexy still. My eyes roamed down his strong dark arms, covered in tattoos.

  “Fuck you! I didn’t answer my phone because—” Belly cut my yelling off with a deep kiss that made me drop my drink onto the couch.

  “I don’t give a fuck why you didn’t answer, just stop fucking ignoring me,” he whispered down into my face once he pulled away.

  I was still a little winded from our kiss, so he took my hand and led me out. I spotted Keenan watching, along with a few of the other men that were trying to get my attention earlier.

  Once I was inside of Belly’s Range Rover, I’d come back to my senses a bit, so I folded my arms and stared out of the window.

  “I don’t appreciate you following me.”

  Chuckling lowly, he responded, “Fuck you.”

  I snapped my neck so quickly to look in his direction that I got a painful crook on the side.

  “No, nigga, fuck you! You know what, just hurry the hell up and take me home!” I felt my chest rising and falling rapidly. If he were shorter and skinnier, I would take off on his ass.

  “I miss you, Blaise.”

  “So!”

  I kept my eyes out of my window, even though I felt him looking at me occasionally as he drove the clear night streets.

  “I want you to be my girl, on some real shit.”

  Finally, I turned to look his way.

  “No, all you’re going to do is cheat but try to hide it, and I don’t have the time for any of that.”

  “No, I’m not; at least I don’t plan on it. And when have I lied to yo’ ass? If I fuck up, I’m gon’ let you know, but I don’t plan on doing that bullshit.”

  “So you’re just gonna go from being a player to faithful cold turkey, and you expect me to fall for that? Please.” I let my eyes look out the front windshield.

  “I gotta change at some point, baby, and what I’m saying is I’m willing to start that shit for you, no other female. If it’s not gon’ be you, then I’m gon’ do whatever the fuck I want. But for you, for Blaise, I’m ready.” His hand went to my thigh before rubbing it gently. I moved it away, so he put it back, then I moved it again, so he put it back again. We kept doing this dumb shit for a few moments before he pulled over onto the side of the road.

  “Don’t touch me!” I spat.

  Taking my hand, he kissed the back of it while tugging me lightly to come over to him.

  “Bring yo’ hardheaded ass over here ’fore I knock it off.” Begrudgingly, I allowed him to pull me over to his lap. Moving my hair from being in between us, he said, “Blaise, a nigga gotta want to change for the shit to work. It don’t matter how much he fucking care about you. Before, when we first started fucking around, I wanted to do me, but I noticed I don’t like not being able to fuck with you, so I can’t have that.”

  “Well what I want and what I need are two different things, Cortez.”

  “I know, and I’m both,” he said cockily.

  “You don’t even know what I need, so how would you know?”

  “A nigga that’s gon’ provide security, sprinkle of that romance shit, and can take care of you mentally and physically.” He raised his brows, which made me laugh. “Financially too.”

  “I don’t need that.”

  “I didn’t say you did, but you don’t want a broke muthafucka; no female does.” He kissed my lips. “A man, not a little ass boy… for you and for ya baby.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded.

  “I want you, and I need you too, Blaise.”

  “Same.”

  “Exactly, so like I fucking said, I’m what you need. Now we together and shit.”

  Laughing, I asked, “We are? I didn’t agree to that yet.”

  “I agreed to it for yo’ ass. So that means if you don’t answer my texts or calls in a timely fucking manner, I’m busting through on yo’ ass like the Kool-Aid nigga.”

  “Yeah, you just proved that.” I snickered before pressing my lips against his. “Are you serious, Cortez?”

  “Very. I ain’t never met a female like you before, and you’re the first one to make a nigga even wanna try to do the monogamy shit.” He turned his hat to the back to lean up and peck me as I rested in his lap.

  We sat in the car kissing for a little while, before I got back into my seat. We then went to get ice cream sandwiches from this gourmet spot close by. Afterward, we went straight to his house to make up…

  Kharla Chamberlain

  About two days later…

  I’d been calling Belly for the past week, but he wasn’t answering my calls or my texts. I was panicking right now, thinking he’d actually gone and made that Blaise woman his girlfriend. I’d been in the running for that position way too long for her to come in and take it. I didn’t even like the fact that she was a part of the harem at the moment, so I damn sure didn’t want her being promoted to girlfriend.

  It was embarrassing because outside of Maia, I’d been fucking Belly for the longest, and everyone expected me to be the one he finally claimed, not some new bitch. Then to make matters worse, he was doing things with and for her that he’d never done for any of us. The expensive dinners, gifts, and spending longer than two days in his presence. All of us knew that the most time you got with Belly was forty-eight hours, and maybe seventy-two if out of the state.

  For the past two years that I’d been fucking with him, I’d fought many bitches and did the most to make sure I was there when he needed me. Anytime he had a fight outside of Los Angeles, I made sure I was there, even if that meant leaving my kids behind and any jobs that I’d been booked for. Sadly, the only time I worked was when he was ignoring me like now, or too busy for us to spend time together.

  And no, I wasn’t your typical dumb fuck buddy bitch that had high hopes for a man who treated them like shit 24/7. Belly had definitely gotten in my head, being nice to me, taking me to get food, and taking me places with him like I was his girlfriend. And the way he fucked me, it wasn’t the way a man sexed a woman he didn’t care about. We had a bond. Hell, I had a whole boyfriend that I loved and had a kid with when I met Belly, but I dropped my child’s father to be with him.

  “I’ll just wait,” I told myself.

  Belly had recruited new women plenty of times in the past, and after about six to eight months, he’d be fucking them over, dropping them altogether, or rotating them along with Maia before he got rid of her, Sienna, this girl named Cadence, and me.

  If he dropped them, they’d be depressed and on suicide watch like a fool, because they actually believed he wanted to be with them and was in love. Me, and unfortunately that charity case Sienna, were the only ones he’d kept around for years now. Cadence was only seven months newer than Blaise.

  The only thing that worried me, other than his good treatment of her, is him mentioning he might make Blaise his girlfriend. He’d never once in the past with the other girls said such a thing. He’d just allow them to get first dibs on his free time until he got tired of them, like Cadence for example.

  Regardless, I was the queen in his life because no matter what, he always came back to me.

  Belly had a fight in two days in Miami, so I flew out here to see him since he didn’t want to answer any of my calls or texts. It was already 10 p.m., and he was coming out to Story Nightclub for an appearance like always. Anytime he came to Miami, New York, St. Louis, or Atlanta, he got big money to show
up at the club a few days before his fights.

  “Hurry up!” I yelled out to Maia; yes, Maia.

  We used to work at the same strip club, Belly’s favorite strip club, where he found us. He started fucking with Maia first, but I always thought he was fine as hell, so when she came back bragging on his dick game, I made sure to catch his attention.

  By the time Maia found out I was fucking him as well, she was too deep in love to leave him alone, so she started being extra as hell, prompting him to cut her off. We stopped associating once that happened, but after a while, we started back following one another on Instagram and liking photos here and there. She was still a depressed mess over him, but since he was done with her, I felt safe enough to bring her here with me. Plus, I had no ‘friends’ to bring along anyway, and because Belly was acting iffy, I didn’t want to come out here alone.

  “Okay,” she replied dryly.

  I didn’t tell her why we were coming to Miami; I just said I had a job out here and didn’t want to come by myself. I wasn’t sure if she knew Belly would be here or not.

  As I sat there checking out my fresh manicure, Maia’s phone lit up. I saw the Instagram icon from afar, so I leaned up to get a better look. When I saw it was a message from Belly, my heart sank.

  NHBelly: Yeah I’m out here, why?

  Not able to hold back, I yelled, “Maia, you still communicate with Belly?”

  She came out of the bathroom a couple moments later, tousling her thick, curly hair and nodded.

  “Yes, just not as heavily.” She shrugged.

  “You’re fucking him or just talking to him?”

  “Both, Kharla, why? He’s not your man, and if I remember correctly, I was fucking with him first.”

  “Okay, but he stopped fucking with you! From that point on, he’s been mine! Whatever the fuck y’all had before that doesn’t mean anything!”

  “No, he stopped fucking me as much. And if you honestly think he’s been your man this whole time, you’re mistaken. He and I still converse and have been. It’s just he knows I want a relationship, and he can’t give me that right now, so we have some issues. But he will commit to me soon.” She walked to her purse and started sifting through it. “Get all the fun out of him right now, because he’s gonna be with me exclusively in the next coming months.”