Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do

by Shvonne Latrice

  This whole time, I’d gotten the impression that Priscilla was happy and that Rafi was a good man, but now, not so much. The lengths he was going to, to make sure no one knew about his family, was alarming. Plenty of celebrity men and women were secretive, but not to that extent. Hell, I liked to keep my relationships low-key, but I would never call my man up and tell him to delete a photo of me.

  “This drink is strong, huh?” Priscilla asked, swaying to “Funeral” by Dream Doll.

  “It is. That damn bartender is heavy handed!” I laughed, feeling a slight buzz. Thankfully, the club sent a car service for me, so I could drink all I wanted to.

  “Can’t believe you’re getting paid to do this!” Priscilla laughed.

  “I know. A quick twenty-five bands.”

  Priscilla and I slapped hands, just as one of the employees of the club came over and asked me to say a few words over the microphone, to let everyone know I was for sure here.

  Setting my drink down, I walked over to the deejay booth and noticed that same girl I kept running into. She’d done the music for that commercial unveiling party, and she was with Manny at the club that one night.

  “Hi,” I spoke to her.

  “Hi! Blaise, nice to see you again! I don’t know if you remember, but I’m Alivia or just Ali V. I don’t mind, call me whichever you prefer.” She always seemed nervous, and despite her being a deejay, plus dressing pretty cute, I got the vibe that she was sheltered. “So I’m going to let you get on the microphone in the next fifteen seconds.”

  “Okay.”

  I continued swaying to the song she had playing currently, and then when Alivia handed me the microphone, I spoke to the crowd to get them a little hype. I gave the mic back to her, we hugged for appearances, and then I started toward my section.

  Pausing, I turned to face Alivia, and she removed one of her headphones to hear me better. “If you can take a minute, you should come to my section with my friend and me.”

  “Oh yeah, sure, okay!”

  She was so excited I had to chuckle. She just didn’t seem like she had friends, and I felt bad. Plus, I didn’t know many genuine people in the entertainment industry outside of Priscilla and my man, and Alivia seemed chill. In addition, any girl willing to take Manny seriously, needed guidance.

  As I headed back over to my area, I felt someone staring at me, so I looked over into the section next to mine, to see that Cadence girl. She quickly looked away to talk to her friend, but I knew it was her because I could see that Belly tattoo on the side of her hand. I didn’t like her at all because she was suspicious, not to mention her original comment to that fan before changing it.

  Suddenly, I heard a bit of ruckus, so I looked to see Belly and his entourage of ContraBandz niggas coming up into my section. People down on the club floor were trying to get close to them, making a tiny bit of noise.

  “Hi,” I spoke softly as Belly neared me, smelling and looking scrumptious. He slipped his arms around my body, hugging me tightly, and kissing on my neck.

  It was so weird how seeing him improved my mood and made me feel excited; so excited that I’d had an anxious feeling in my stomach.

  He sat down with me, and I immediately cupped his face to kiss his lips. His phone vibrated against my back since he was holding me, so I looked back and down to see the screen. How did I know it’d be Cadence’s ass?

  “You look fine as fuck, per usual.” Belly eyed me in my white dress.

  “Can you unlock your phone so I can see what she’s texting you?”

  Belly moved his arm from being around me, and looked at the screen for a second before sitting back coolly.

  “Nah.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “You don’t need to see what the fuck she’s texting me. It don’t matter, Blaise.”

  “Oh, because you’re fucking her.” I turned away and sat back with my arms folded and my leg bouncing out of infuriation.

  “No, because no matter what the muthafuckin’ text says, we still together. Ain’t shit she could say in this text that would change that. Plus, I’m not the nigga that allows females to snoop through my phone.”

  “Of course not.”

  “Right. Whatever the fuck I tell you or any other female, is the truth. You ain’t gon’ find shit different by looking in my phone. If I’m fucking other bitches, you gon’ already know beforehand. If I’m not, same thing.”

  I didn’t say anything, and soon I felt his hand on my thigh, rubbing upward. His lips went to the corner of my mouth before covering my lips completely. Like clockwork, we were kissing hungrily and slowly, like we were about to fuck in the club.

  When Belly pulled away to make himself a glass of water, I felt the wetness in my panties, so I got up to go to the bathroom up in the VIP area. On my way back, I spotted Cadence in her section dancing, so I came over. Her phone was in her hand and unlocked because I could see her home screen, so I snatched that shit from across the separator.

  “Excuse you!” she shouted, but I ignored her, going into the text messages.

  I was able to read that she’d sent Belly, You better not stay over there with her all night and not speak to your other bitch, before she snatched her phone from me. She scratched my hand in the process with her nails, and I was pissed about it.

  WHAM!

  Hopping over the short partition, I punched her right in the face, for that text and that scratch. Pandemonium ensued, as she and I began to fight, and I wasn’t sure if she was hitting me back, but I knew I had punched her face more than a few times as she hollered.

  She kept saying ‘bitch’, as if she was doing something, but I was giving it to her ass, until I felt someone yank my hair. It was her friend, and as soon as we made eye contact, we began fighting too.

  I heard Priscilla come over and help me, before strong arms that I knew belonged to Belly, pulled me away. Ozzy grabbed Priscilla, and both men placed us on the other side of the separator.

  “Really, Cortez!” Cadence hollered, tousling her messy hair. Her nose was bleeding and so were her bottom row of teeth. “You’re letting bitches hit on me now!”

  “Bitch?” I tried to come back over, but Belly stopped me. He held the sides of my face from the other side, surveying it, before kissing me slowly.

  “You better be happy not a fucking scratch is on you, or I’d be mad as shit,” he growled a little bit. I nodded, calming down.

  He came over the separator as Priscilla started back to our section, and he picked me up bridal style to carry me.

  “Cortez!” Cadence hollered. “Cortez!” Again, she screamed, sounding like she was using every muscle in her body. I looked over his shoulder at her, and she was sobbing hysterically. “Really, Ozzy!” she shouted to his homeboy. He just threw his hands up in mock surrender before walking away, and I saw Cadence’s friend hug her tightly as she wailed over my man.

  I looked at the side of Belly’s face, pondering on why she was so damn attached. Then again, I remembered Belly had very charming ways, and it was probably easy to feel like he was yours. But we’d already had that conversation, and he’d made it very clear I was different, and that he in fact was mine.

  About two weeks later… a little after 3 p.m.…

  “I wanna come through after my training session. Shit is in an hour and doesn’t end until 9 p.m.” Belly stuffed a chip into his mouth. He, Island, and I were at this Mexican restaurant named Javier’s in Century City.

  “Damn, baby. I couldn’t imagine working out that long. But I’m going somewhere tonight, so maybe you can come over early in the morning.”

  “Going where?”

  “Nichole has a club hosting, and she asked me to come.”

  “You got Island though.”

  “I know, but it’s my mom’s weekend with her, and since she hasn’t had her for two weeks, she asked me to bring her by this afternoon.”

  “Oh.” He sat back, folding his deep brown, tattoo covered arms. “I don’t want you fucking w
ith Nichole no more.”

  “I mean, we only hang out when it’s convenient. It’s not like she’s my most trusted friend, for obvious reasons.”

  “Nah, I know, but she’s a bird bitch, and when muthafuckas see you with her, they gon’ assume the same about you.”

  “I don’t care what people think about me. I’ve learned not to from being with Five-Star and in the public eye. People say things about me all the time now that they pretty much have gathered that I’m with you.”

  “Well, I care what people think about you, especially these niggas. And if I find out one of ’em pushed up on you while I wasn’t around, it’s gon’ be some shit. Niggas know I got issues low-key, and I don’t play about you.”

  “Baby, but—”

  “You ain’t going, Blaise.”

  “Nigga, you can’t tell me what to do!”

  “I just did. And if I find out yo’ ass went anyway, I’m gon’ show up to that club and embarrass you.”

  I believed he’d embarrass me, so I was conflicted. I wanted to just go anyway, but every time I went anywhere, pictures were taken.

  “Fine.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll let you suck me up later to make you feel better.” Belly stuffed a chip into his mouth, wearing a nonchalant expression.

  I spit out my water from laughter, so Island started to laugh too.

  “That’s supposed to make me feel better? Sounds like it’ll make you feel better, Cortez.”

  “Both of us.” He smiled with his mouth closed since it was food in it, and I just chuckled, shaking my head.

  Belly, Island, and I finished having lunch, then afterward, I had him drop us off at the nail shop. I’d just take an Uber home.

  “Bye.” I kissed him. “Say bye, Island.”

  “Byyyye!” She waved to him shyly, and he grinned.

  “Bye, baby girl.” He pecked her round cheek. “Aye!” he shouted out of his window. The women outside of the nail shop and by the window were staring hard at him. “Where you going after this?”

  “Drop Island off to my mama and then home.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Good girl.”

  I waved him off as I entered the nail shop, so he sped away, with some gangbanger music blasting.

  Just two hours later, I was finished at the nail shop, and I even let them paint Island’s since she was crying for it. I really didn’t want to go home, especially because I wouldn’t have my baby to keep me entertained, so after dropping her at my mom’s, I rushed to my condo. I was going out with Nichole tonight.

  Once home, I made myself a snack then brushed my teeth. I took a shower and then tied my hair up until later.

  Annoying ass Belly of course texted me, checking up, and I told him I was relaxing at home. I spread lotion on my body then threw on some panties and a bra before lying out on my huge bed to chill for a little bit.

  I dozed off for about half an hour, and when I got up, I saw I had a text from Nichole asking if I was still going. I told her yes, then replied to Belly’s text asking what I was doing now.

  “Lying down, nigga.” I read my reply to him out loud before laughing at the fact that I was lying. I would just be home by 11 p.m., which was when he’d probably get here since his training wasn’t over until 9 p.m., and he’d have to go home to shower and such.

  I chuckled a little more, placing my iPhone down onto my bed, and swung my feet off. Hopping down, I felt someone grab my ankle.

  “Ah!” I screamed loudly, trying to get my ankle loose, but it was to no avail. Before I could say another word, Belly’s upper body emerged from under my bed, staring up at me with a blank expression.

  “Where the fuck you going?”

  “How long have you been under there! And I thought you were going to training! You liar!”

  Coming from under my bed like the psycho he was, he replied, “Dropped by on yo’ ass and saw you knocked with ya clothes and shit laid out like you was about to go somewhere.” He sat on the edge of my bed, clasping his hands together. He was so fine. “Where you going, Blaise?”

  “Nowhere.” I pouted.

  “Put that dress back up and come lie down.”

  Sadly, I grabbed the dress and hung it back up in my walk-in closet, then came over to the bed where he was. We lied down together, and he hugged me from behind as I cut the TV on.

  “Don’t kiss on me,” I joked.

  “Aye, in a second, my muthafuckin’ feelings gon’ be hurt. I know I eat yo’ pussy better than that bitch Nichole.”

  “She has never eaten me out!” I laughed, turning my head some to look into his handsome face. “And I’m kidding, baby. I love spending time with you.”

  I turned back toward the TV, and Belly began rubbing all over my body since I was only in a bra and panties. I could feel both his abs and dick prodding me.

  “You need to start wearing granny panties to the club and not this sexy shit.” He put me onto my back and got between my legs as I snickered.

  “Okay.”

  I was smiling hard before our lips came together, and his hands started to yank down my panties.

  Rubbing between my legs, getting me even wetter than that kiss had, he whispered, “I wanna tell you some shit before we fuck, because yo’ ass is gon’ fall asleep after.”

  “What?” I panted because he was still moving his fingers around my clit slowly.

  “I love you.”

  He plunged them inside of me at the same time he’d delivered his confession, sucking my lips in the process. As I got ready to cum, I squeezed hard on his biceps, thanking God I wasn’t the only one in love, because I surely thought I was.

  Will

  “Fuck!” I grunted, nutting so hard into the condom, my ass cheeks squeezed together and clamped the sheets.

  Swan had been riding me, and like always, she made a nigga bust the hardest; her and this one hooker I found on the streets of Miami a couple months ago.

  Swan climbed off of me and hurried to the bathroom like always to clean herself up. When she came out, she tied her robe around her sexy ass body, then began brushing her hair and touching up her makeup.

  I watched her for a little bit, and she noticed, so she looked my way.

  “Did I do something wrong?” she quizzed.

  “Not at all. Never. How you just be ready to move so quickly though? I be having to catch my breath and shit.” I removed the condom, flushing it in the open door bathroom.

  “I’m used to it, I guess. But you always wear me out.”

  I nodded, licking my lips and walking over to her at the vanity she was seated at.

  “Let’s go again. You know I’ll pay.” Her smile faded as we looked one another in the eyes through the mirror. “What?”

  “I have an appointment in twenty minutes, Will. I can’t.”

  “An appointment?”

  “Yes. I’ve been specially requested, and he’s going to pay me a lot of money, so I can’t. I can see you tomorrow though, and we can do whatever for however long you want, baby.”

  “Nah, I want it tonight, Swan.”

  “I can’t.”

  “I been coming here for years, and some new nigga is more important than me? That’s what you’re saying?”

  “No, no, of course not. It’s just… this is a job for me, Will. I have to pay my bills, and he already scheduled…”

  “Fine. Fuck it.”

  I went to grab up my clothes as Swan watched me. I was mad as hell. I’d become possessive as fuck of Swan, and right now, she had me ready to strangle her.

  “You have a girlfriend, Will. That’s who you can control, not me. You come here, you fuck me, and then we don’t talk again until you come back for more. Stop all this.” Without another word, she yanked the bedroom door open and switched out.

  I plopped down onto the bed and sighed, trying to calm myself down for a little bit. I went to clean my dick and hands, then finished getting dressed before leaving the brothel.

  I saw on social media t
hat Priscilla had a showcase tonight, so I decided to go see it. It was in this building over in West Hollywood, and since they knew me around the city, I had no issues entering without a ticket.

  The show had already started, so I sunk down into my seat to enjoy it. I loved the way Priscilla moved, and I hated to say she was much better than Dionne. Dionne was dope, no doubt, but the passion in Priscilla’s moves was much greater.

  The show was over about an hour later, and I gained access backstage using my name. They assumed I was here to take photos, despite me having no gear. Just as I was about to approach Priscilla, I saw Rafi appear and hand her a bouquet of flowers. He said something to her as he pushed a few hairs out of her face, and once they kissed, I turned right around and dipped.

  The fact that two women who weren’t Dionne had me experiencing envy, made me feel like shit, so I texted my girl to come through, then rushed home, picking up some roses on the way.

  Once at the crib, I took a hot shower and whipped up the only dish I could cook: pasta. By the time I’d turned the burner off, Dionne was using her key to enter, and she tossed them across my kitchen counter when she came in.

  “Sit down, baby.” I smiled down at her, and after frowning for a little bit, she returned the expression.

  “What’s this for?” She took the roses I’d given her.

  “Just wanted to do something nice for you. I haven’t been the greatest boyfriend. I wanna make sure I keep you happy.”

  “Well I appreciate that.”

  I piled our plates up, then set them down before pulling the cork out of some wine. Over dinner, I let Dionne just talk to me, something I missed. That was one thing that attracted me to her; the fact that she could talk a lot.

  I knew most niggas found it annoying, but I liked women who could speak continuously without me having to probe them constantly for a word or two. There was never an awkward silence with Dionne, which I appreciated.