I rolled my eyes at the fact that Tony actually had a little bit of sense. That thought quickly dissipated though when I spotted a line of girls twerking in bathing suits to “Cash Shit” by Megan Thee Stallion, and Tony was front row with his friend Cornell, throwing water on them.
“He is so disgusting. How do you like him?” I turned my lip up watching.
“He’s not that bad. I promise.” Camarih looked on for a second, obviously bothered by his flirting. “Houston!” She finally barked, making him pause and search the area before his eyes landed on her.
He said something to his artist Eitan and then made his way over. He immediately hugged Camarih from the back, kissing on her neck, and slipping his hand under her dress. She stopped him.
“You look good in white,” he told her, feeling her up. I noticed every girl in this lot, watching with their mouths open. Tony Wacko having a girlfriend was even shocking to me, and I barely knew the nigga.
“Say hi to Shanece, Tony.” Camarih nudged him, as he kept a hold onto her from behind.
“Sup, Shanece.” He nodded his head up.
“Oh, I’m Shanece now? I’m not a bitch or a hoe?”
“Nah, but you can be, with yo’ rude ass.”
“Me? You’re the rude one, nigga!” I was truly baffled at the fact that he of all people had called me rude. “If you apologize, we can be cool.”
“I ain’t apologizing for shit. The last two times I seen you, you was acting like a bitch and a hoe, so I called it.”
“Okay!” Camarih blocked me from slapping Tony as he laughed.
“Bitch, I wish you would. I mean, Shanece.” He grinned. He had a sexy smile, but it was menacing too. However, I could never find his ass attractive or sexy, despite his good looks.
“I can’t wait until Camarih finds somebody better than your disrespectful ass.”
He just stared at me, obviously not caring or bothered by what I said, which irritated me even more.
“I kind of think you want me to pipe you, so you angry as fuck all the time.”
“Houston, go back over there.” Camarih started turning his body in that direction.
“Nigga, you wish I wanted to fuck you!”
“Nah. If I was single, the only place I’d put my dick is in yo’ mouth, to shut you the fuck up.”
“Aye, aye!” Rahim bear hugged me after running over when he saw me about to swing on Tony again. “Chill out.” He laughed.
Tony pulled Camarih with him after getting her to stop fussing by kissing her a few times. Again, the hoes out here didn’t miss a beat.
“Let me go.” I moved Rahim back. He smelled good, and I liked the way his arms felt too much to be a married woman.
“My bad. I just didn’t want you getting into with that nigga. You know he off.”
“Whatever. You seem nice, so why do you hang out with him?”
Rahim chuckled.
“I don’t know how I feel about being called nice.”
“I didn’t mean it like that.” I folded my arms. “I meant he’s a fool and you seem sane.”
“Yeah, he’s wild, but he’s smart as fuck and knows his way around the industry, so I fuck with him. Plus, he’s cool once you see past all the other shit.”
“Well I won’t see past it.” It was silent for a second before I said, “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“Hurry back.”
I looked over my shoulder at Rahim after he said that but quickly focused back onto the path that I was walking.
Making my way into the car wash and down the hall, I followed the signs to the bathroom. Just as I was about to turn the knob to walk in, I heard moaning and noticed the red occupied tab was showing.
“Can’t stand this ghetto ass shit.” I huffed, leaning against the wall across from the door. About six minutes later I heard rustling and water running, before Tony Wacko emerged, pulling Camarih with him. “Had fun?” I gave her a look.
Chuckling, she flicked me off, before I cautiously entered the bathroom. After using it, I left back outside to find Rahim, but before I could he approached me.
“Thought you skipped out on me?”
“On you? I’m here with Camarih.”
“True, my bad.” He looked around then added, “Let’s go sit over there, it’s loud as fuck right here.”
I nodded, glancing to my right to see niggas shooting dice, and by niggas I meant Tony and two other men. He was so damn ghetto, and Camarih’s pretty ass was just right in the thick of it with his stupid ass.
“I expected food to be here.” I sat at the table with Rahim.
“There is a little left, but y’all rolled through here kind of late, so.”
“Yeah, well, a real event would have food for as long as they needed to.”
“So what’s yo’ husband like?”
“What kind of question is that? And why do you want to know?”
“I’m just curious as to what type of nigga was able to get you to be his wife. You seem hard to obtain.”
“That’s a compliment in my mind.”
“It is.” He nodded. He stared me in the eyes, making me a bit uncomfortable because of how cute he was. I hadn’t been attracted to anyone other than Paul for over a decade.
“Well, he’s sweet, smart, spontaneous, and just everything a woman looks for in a man. The things bitches pray for at night, he is.”
“Damn.”
We laughed together.
“Why ‘damn’?”
“I’ve never heard anybody describe their significant other like that. You think he’s perfect or something.”
“Well, I know he’s not. That’s only God, but he is definitely close.”
“I know this bar nearby with some good ass drinks. You wanna go have one? It’s a bit loud here, no matter where the fuck we sit.”
“And hood as hell.” I peeped over my shoulder to see Tony pressing some nigga for the ten dollars he’d just won. Heading over, I tugged Camarih my way. “I’m gonna go have a drink.”
“Okay, I can come.”
“No, I’m going with a friend.”
“Who? You don’t know anyone here.”
“Rahim invited me and—no, stop, Camarih.” I shook my head when her eyes widened.
“He likes you, I told you, and you like him.”
“No, I don’t like him. I like my husband.”
“You can like more than one person. Now love, that’s a different thing. Maybe you shouldn’t go, Shanece.” She looked worried as if I was about to honestly cheat on my husband.
“I don’t like him, Camarih. I don’t even know him. Also, I’m sure he can give me a ride home. If not, I can Uber.”
“Or call me. I don’t want him getting you in trouble with your husband.”
I nodded and then walked over to where Rahim was. He pulled the passenger side door of his Tahoe open to allow me in and then came to get in on his side.
I looked around for any remnants of a woman while I waited.
“How far is this place?” I quizzed once he began driving. I was suddenly regretting this move. I knew nothing about this nigga, and I was married. I knew damn well Paul wouldn’t approve, same way I wouldn’t approve of him having drinks with some bitch he knew liked him.
“Only like five minutes, which is basically nothing in LA.”
“Very true. Shit, twenty minutes is nothing out here.”
“So I’ve learned.” He pulled into the parking lot of the bar. He was right; this shit was close.
He helped me out once parked, and then we entered, sitting on two stools at the clean wooden bar. I allowed him to order for me, since he claimed this spot was so great.
“I am so happy I came. The silence here is peaceful.” I exhaled, sipping my drink. It was pretty good.
“I bet. It was way too much going on back there.”
“Tell me about i—” His ringing phone cut into my sentence, and I saw the name Amara with a heart emoji pop up. He declined it. “Pros
pect?”
“Nah, not even. Baby sister. She thinks I’m out here doing it big in the music business now that my shit was on the radio.”
“Oh, okay.” I squinted my eyes out of suspicion, making him laugh.
“What?”
“Nothing. I mean, you’re a good-looking guy, and you have a talent, so it’s hard for me to believe you’re just out here solo.”
“Well, I am. Music is my focus. All the other shit is in the back seat.”
“Wow, a man with no baggage or crazy exes and is nice looking with ambition. You’ll be someone’s husband soon.” I finished my drink.
“What if the person I want is already married though?”
I paused in the middle of ordering another drink and laughed. When done letting the bartender know what I wanted next, I said, “I don’t think we’d work. You couldn’t handle me.”
“Why is that?” He frowned. I could tell he was offended.
“You seem like you enjoy soft women, and I am everything but. I’m not gonna be submissive and all that.”
Rahim nodded like he was taking in what I said.
“Are you a mother? You seem like you tell people what to do all day.”
I chuckled.
“No. I am not a mother yet. Are you a father?” I accepted my drink from the bartender.
“I am actually. I have a four-year-old named Ahmira.”
“That’s awfully close to your baby sister’s name.”
“Yeah, don’t remind me.”
I stared at the side of his face as he gulped down his drink. I wanted to pry because his past seemed sketchy. He made it sound like none of his exes had gotten serious, yet he had a baby by one of them. Then again, maybe his child’s mother was a one-night stand.
And how close was he to his sister for him to name his baby after her damn near? It was like a mixture of his name and hers. The mother was okay with this? I had so many questions that were none of my business.
“So her mom, was she one of the exes you mentioned?”
“Uh, she umm… I think that maybe once we get to know each other a little better, I can let you in on that. No offense.”
“None taken. I’m sorry for asking. I thought it was okay.”
“You good.”
Rahim and I had more drinks, just talking about work and what we wanted from our careers, before I looked down at my phone to see it was 8:30 p.m. I told Paul I’d be home by seven, and it was an hour and a half after that, yet I wasn’t even headed there.
“I have to go.” I got up, walking out.
“Wait, Shanece.” I listened as he told the bartender to close his tab before following me out. “Aye, wait.” He grabbed my arm, yanking me to the point where we ended up being chest to chest.
Without hesitation, he kissed me. I didn’t know why I didn’t stop it right away; must’ve been the liquor.
“Rahim, no, absolutely not.” I pushed him as hard as I could.
“Shanece—”
“I understand you’re single and ready to mingle, but I am not. You need to do that with a woman who is on the same tip as you.” I started ordering my Uber.
“My bad. We can still be cool. I shouldn’t have done that shit. You right.”
“No, we can’t be cool. I have no business being friends with a man who felt it was okay to kiss me knowing I am married. You have a good night, Rahim.” I walked off to get away from his ass and wait for my ride.
I wanted to blame the liquor for me enjoying Rahim’s attention and company, but I knew better. However, I was not about to lose my marriage and the love of my life, all because I was yearning for a little companionship. In the end, the shit would not be worth it.
Tony Wacko
Back at the car wash…
Today was a fucking success. We made a bunch of money off these car washes since we had these hoes doing the washing and in skimpy ass clothes. I didn’t expect to make as much as we did, but I was happy about the shit, nonetheless. All the money was going right back into Leimert Park. If we was gon’ be the hood, we was gon’ be the nicest muthafuckin’ hood you ever rolled through.
“Damn, man. This shit is lit.” Eitan drank down his Hennessy before refilling his cup then mine.
“It is.” I looked around the now dark parking lot that was filled with muthafuckas either drinking, smoking, or dancing to the loud ass music.
Shit like this was what I loved; kicking back with the niggas and hoes I grew up with on some laid-back shit. The club was cool, but nothing compared.
I glanced over my shoulder to see if Camarih had come back from the bathroom yet. I checked my watch to see the time because, in two minutes, I was gon’ fetch her ass.
“Aww shit!” Every muthafucka out here it seemed, shouted out when the throwback “Get Loose” by T.I. came on. All the females started dancing and shit, picking out a nigga, so when this one bitch named Traci got in my lap to pop her fat ass, I inhaled on the blunt I’d just lit to enjoy it.
“Bitch, what is wrong with you!” Camarih appeared out of no fucking where, moments later, snatching the bitch out my lap and tagging her face.
After a good four punches, while the girl screamed and attempted to stand up, I pulled Camarih away.
“Back the fuck up ’fore I deck yo’ stupid ass.” I warned Traci when she hopped to her feet and tried to rush Camarih. Turning to my girl, I said, “Baby, relax—”
“Fuck you! Don’t touch me!” Camarih barked, storming off. Everybody was watching but on the low.
“Get back to the fucking festivities!” I hollered, tossing my blunt to the floor and jogging after Camarih’s crazy ass. “Fuck you going?” I gripped her arm and made her face me once I caught up to her. We were away from the big ass crowd of muthafuckas and right by her whip.
“I’m going to get my stuff from your place and getting a room. I’ve saved enough for an apartment, so I should have one in a week or so.”
Slipping my arms around her body, I stared down into her face. She turned to the side so she wouldn’t have to make eye contact, but I cocked my head so she could see me.
“Why you mad?”
“You had a bitch in your lap, Houston. Are you dumb?” She frowned. “And let me go.” She pushed me.
“I ain’t have no bitch in my lap. She was dancing on me, same way them hoes do at the strip club!”
“No, it is not the same! So that means I can walk back over there and give a dance to one them niggas, right?”
“And get slapped the fuck up.”
“Exactly! I—just fuck it. I don’t wanna be with you anymore. I’m not about to be doing this. I told you if you cheated, I was done.” She shook her head, mouth twisted up, looking all cute and shit. She thought she was a boss or some shit.
“Ain’t nobody fucking cheated on yo’ dramatic ass. The bitch gave me a fucking dance. You acting like you walked in on her sucking my dick.” I tossed a Jolly Rancher from my pocket into my mouth. “Why you standing so fucking far away? Bring yo’ ass over here.” I yanked her ass toward me, kissing on her neck. “We not breaking up over no damn lap dance, Camarih.”
“I leave for two seconds, and you can’t behave yourself. I just fucked you not but three hours ago, and you’re already on the prowl.”
“Wasn’t on no fucking prowl, and you was gone longer than that; too fucking long.”
“You know why, Tony? I was throwing the fuck up and then had to brush my teeth! You know why I was throwing up? Because I stupidly let you fuck me, and now I’m having a baby!”
Pinning her against her car with the quickness, I said, “Yeah, you pregnant with my fucking baby, and you my girl. None of that shit is changing. And say one more smart-ass thing to me and watch me pull all yo’ fucking hair out yo’ head.”
“You don’t get it.”
“I told you some shit ain’t gon’ click for me. I ain’t never made a bitch my girl. I thought the fucking dance was harmless. Shit, I thought I had to whip my dick out for it to
be cheating.” I backed up.
“No. It’s more than that.”
“Then fucking tell me, Camarih.”
“Lap dances, texting, kissing, flirting, it’s all cheating too.” She finally looked up into my eyes.
“Aight.” I nodded as she looked down at her pretty toes. “You know I don’t fuck with nobody the way I fuck with you.” I touched her hair, making her look off.
“Doesn’t seem like it.” Her voice was soft and low.
“I’ll fix that shit.” I got back in her space and kissed her soft ass lips. Of course her mean ass didn’t reciprocate.
“You can start by going back and letting everybody over there know that I’m your girlfriend. Not something you have dibs on, but your girl.”
“The fuck? They know that shit. I been all over yo’ ass since you got here.”
“Yeah, well you were friendly with a few bitches, so if you want to be together, then I need you to do what I asked.”
I swear to God if I didn’t wanna be with her complicated ass, I would curse her the fuck out right now. But for some reason, I was on Camarih like a muthafucka, and the thought of her trying to be single and shit bothered me. A nigga was not used to this bullshit.
“Man, bring yo’ ass.” I took her hand and led her back to where everybody was. “Lower the music, bruh,” I told the homie Abel who was in charge of the shit.
“Why?”
“Because I said to, muthafucka.” I turned my lip up, irritated as fuck. “Aye, in case anybody had any confusion, mainly you hoes, this right here,” I pulled Camarih in front of me and hugged her from behind, “is my girl.”
“I’m your what?” Camarih looked over her shoulder at me. This feisty shit had my dick hard, so I pressed it against her ass.
“This is my girlfriend. We in some committed shit. This my main bitch, my only one.” I kissed the side of Camarih’s face and peeped her smiling.
“If you have any questions or concerns, direct them to me, and I can fuck you up,” Camarih added, making the homies laugh along with some of the bitches out here. It was a good amount sizing Camarih up, which I found comical as a muthafucka.
She Gave Her All to the Hood’s Finest Page 20