by Mercy B
“As long as that shit hurts! And frankly, I highly doubt if that’ll ever not be the case. Excuse me. I have people waiting on me.”
“I know,” she admitted.
“Did your sick ass follow us here?”
“I wanted to congratulate you.”
“For what? You didn’t play a single damn role in this degree. Exactly what is the point of you congratulating me for? The only congratulations that matters is that of my loved ones, the people who have been on this journey with me.”
“I’ve been here, Gauge. Just in the shadows.”
“Then why make your presence known now?”
“My intentions weren’t to upset you.”
“Then you shouldn’t have come.” I shrugged. “I suggest you leave.”
“I just want to talk.”
“Talk about what? Man, if you don’t get the fuck out of my face, I’m going to have an entire episode.”
“Gauge, please. I didn’t come to cause a scene”—because that’s exactly what we were causing—“I hope to hear from you one day. I’ll be waiting. Your father has my number.”
“He’s been had it, and I ain’t used the shit yet!” I yelled to her as she fled.
My whole damn mood had changed. The nerve of her! I was livid as I made my way back to the table where my father was. From the look on my face, he could sense my discomfort.
“I need to speak with you,” I mumbled in his ear.
Immediately, he was up on his feet and following me to a more secluded area. “Everything okay?”
“Is she on a mission to ruin my life?” The anger formed tears. “Why won’t she just leave me alone?”
“Mili.” He softened, pulling me into his arms and hugging me as he had in the past. “Listen, she knows she fucked up, Mili. She regrets the shit. I get messages from her every so often begging me to get you to try and talk with her. I keep reminding her that these things take time. If you never decide to talk to her in your life, I stand with you. If you decided to call her on tomorrow, I’d happily give you her number. She’s not a horrible person, Mili. Understand that.”
“When she tried coming into your life after she’d matured, I kept her away for the both of our sanity. You didn’t deserve the pain that her presence would cause. You were too young, and I wanted you to be able to make that decision for yourself. Now that you’re older, the power is in your hands. Use it how you see fit, love. I’m with you either way. But I do suggest you talk to her so that you can let go of this pain you’re feeling. I don’t like it one bit.”
“Me either. I’m just not ready.”
“Then don’t give it any thought. When the time comes, you’ll know. For now, let us just enjoy this dinner. It’s your day, and I refuse to let her get you down. Don’t ever let anyone rob you of your joy. It’s not theirs to have.”
“You’re right.”
“Come on. Your people are starving after that long ass graduation ceremony. I’m about to get full off of biscuits if I don’t order soon.”
I followed my father back to the table where we celebrated without anymore hiccups. I was so happy to be surrounded by the people I loved, but the gaping hole in my chest wouldn’t allow me to forget that Sosa was missing.
I could hardly sleep last night. I’d gotten home around eleven after Brielle and I stopped by a bar and loaded up on drinks. Sauni would’ve joined us, but she had to begin arrangements for our departure. By the time I made it home, I was toasted but still needed to pack a few things and clean my home. By the time I laid down for bed, it was two in the morning.
As we boarded the flight, I was paying for the long night and three shots I’d had. Brielle was all smiles, walking through the airport as if the sun shone on her ass. As big as it was, it probably did. First class was a breath of fresh air. We were able to board almost immediately and didn’t have to concern ourselves with the rush that came with boarding flights. By the time everyone else piled onto the plane, we were seated and buckled in.
There were only two seats to a row, and we all had our own. Sosa had somehow gotten the seats next to each of us as well. I wasn’t sure how he’d worked that out, but the flight attendant assured me that the seat was reserved for my comfort. I didn’t argue, and neither did my girls. Exhausted, we all stretched out and slept through nearly the entire flight.
One by one, we woke a mere hour before landing in New York. “Sauni, you awake?”
“Yeah. I haven’t had this much peace since I had the girls. Lord knows it takes weeks for me to finish a good book. If I could just relax by somebody’s pool and finish this latest Gray novel, then my trip would be made. I’ve been sleeping on this author, but I’m woke now.”
“I don’t want to see another book for at least the next six months.” I chuckled.
I, too, had a fetish for good books, but school got in the way of my hobby. Now, I was lucky to complete three in a year. It was pathetic, but it was life.
“I feel you. Brielle loud ass sleep. Good. She’d wake the entire plane up.” I observed, taking a peek back at her row.
“Baby, don’t worry about me. Worry about getting the flight attendant’s attention so that I can get some more damn liquor.” Her eyes were closed, but that heffa was definitely awake.
“Try some water, Ms. Thirsty,” I suggested.
“Hungry but never thirsty, boo. There is a difference.”
“And you don’t know it, obviously,” Sauni joked.
“Fuck both of y’all, really.”
Another forty minutes of shit talking, and we were landing. Again, we were the firsts off the plane and headed to some unknown destination. Both Sauni and I were surprised to see a sign with my name displayed across it when we reached the baggage claim area to retrieve our bags.
“I’on know what you surprised for. That’s the shit that you get when fucking with a boss.” Brielle chuckled, handing her bag to the man who was encouraging us to put them down so that he could take them.
“And this what I get for fucking with a bug-a-boo.” She sighed. “This nigga heard I was going to be gone for a week and nearly flipped a wig like I’m his bitch. Nigga, I’m free as a fucking bird. Stop trying to lock down some shit that can’t be tamed. Especially not after the shit I just went through,” Brielle fussed as she pecked away at her phone. “Five text messages. Who does this shit?”
“You like him, Brielle,” Sauni pointed out.
“No, I like his money and the good dick he is slanging. He’s merely entertainment. I’m not trying to catch a million bodies just because I’m single. I just want him to understand that this shit is just fun for me. I’m not in no rush to be nothing more than what we are—fuck buddies.”
“Well, you never know. Maybe it can blossom into something beautiful,” I encouraged.
“Same shit I thought last time.”
“You have a point there.” I agreed. “Do you know where we are going?” I addressed our driver as we walked out to the car.
“Yes. Downtown Manhattan,” he confirmed.
“Sounds like a plan to me.”
We piled in the back of the car, all well rested and ready to see what New York had to offer us. When we arrived at the hotel, I was partially at a loss for words. Sosa had gone out of his way to bring me the joy that his presence had stolen, and it was working.
“Reservation for Gauge Morrison,” I spoke to the receptionist.
“Ms. Morrison, I have your keys right here and ready to go. You can leave your bags here, and someone will bring them up for you. Would you ladies like a glass of champagne?”
“I’ll have two.” Brielle was the first to speak.
We all indulged in the bitter champagne that we could live without while being ushered to our room. While on the elevator, I paid close attention to the number of floors we were passing. Once we reached the thirtieth, the hairs on the back of my neck began to rise. There were only ten more floors left. Of course, we passed them all up and landed on the top floo
r, which housed two penthouses, one on either side of the hallway.
“Ms. Morrison.” The bellman held the elevator open, and we all stepped out. “This is you.”
I inserted the key into the door to gain access of the room. When I opened it, my mouth slacked, and my eyes bulged from their sockets. I’d been in a handful of hotels throughout my adult life, but none of them compared to the three-bedroom penthouse that I’d be occupying for the next week. Forgetting that my friends were behind me, I let the door close, but Sauni was able to catch it before it smacked her in the face.
The bellman was the last to come inside. “Should I give you guys a tour?”
“Yes,” I replied with glee.
We covered each room of the penthouse, following along and listening intently. The first room to cover was the common area. It was open and spacious, equipped with a full kitchen and bar. Next were the bedrooms, which all had bathrooms attached. There were floor-to-ceiling windows, but neither opened. The bellman explained the suicide rate in New York city and how their hotel was taking necessary precautions to prevent it. I respected it, but it would’ve been nice to step out onto a balcony and enjoy the city’s skyline.
Once we were all settled in, we met back in the living room to pop the bottle of Ace that was waiting on ice when we got in. I couldn’t help but keep checking my cell. I’d sent Sosa a message thanking him for his generosity. I was completely overwhelmed, and this was only day one. With our flutes filled and in the air, we toasted to our girl’s trip.
“To New York!” I screamed.
“To New York!” my girls followed.
Chapter 8
Sosa
The screeching sound of my alarm stirred me from my slumber. I’d been studying case files for the better half of the night. My restlessness had me on edge, mainly due to the fact that I wasn’t alone in my home. The sound of clinking, nailing, hammering, sawing, digging, and yelling should’ve been enough to keep me awake.
My construction crew was on duty throughout the night and had been for six months now. The only time they were able to rest was the first night I’d invited Gauge over, who happened to be the one who’d triggered my alarm system. In a pair of basketball shorts and a tank, I opened the door. Thanks to my reflexes, I caught Gauge before she went crashing onto the ground.
“I’m baaack,” she slurred.
“Gauge. It’s only been two days. You were supposed to be gone a week.” My nostrils flared, anger budding in my chest because I knew that she could’ve been seriously injured or worse in an accident while trying to get her drunk ass to my house. “Why the fuck didn’t you just call me? Who let you drive like this?”
“I came back because I had something to tell you.” She ignored my question, pissing me off even more. Them bird ass friends she had weren’t supposed to let her get this sloppy, and neither were they supposed to let her drive. I had something to tell them hoes when I caught up to them. Gauge was in no condition to stand, let alone drive.
“H… Hey. I love you. Hey. Look at me.” Sober thoughts.
Gauge was cutting away at my anger with her words and sultry look. “I’m taking you to bed.”
“Boss, is everything alright?” Julio appeared in the foyer.
He was in charge of the construction to my home. At his side was a M249, a pretty ass automatic that would knock the head off of a lion if need be. Though large and extremely lengthy, the machine gun was light in weight but fulfilled its duty just as the heavier pieces I owned.
“Julio.”
Gauge was familiar with Julio only because she’d been a great host during her time here and continued to stuff the workers with her meals to the point that the itis would kick in, and progress would slow. I’d directly forbade contact between her and the workers, but Gauge was Gauge. That shit flew out of the window once she realized they would be around often.
“Hola,” Julio greeted her, his face absent of a smile and waiting for a command.
“Stand down, Julio. It’s only Gauge. I wasn’t expecting her.”
“I’ll get back to work.”
“Julio, tell this man that I love him.”
I’d never seen her so off her square. The fact that she hadn’t been in my presence for protection during her alcohol consumption period had me furious. “Gauge, shut the fuck up. I’m taking you to bed!”
“Please take me to bed, daddy. Punish this pussy because I’ve been a bad, bad girl tonight. I almost gave it away.”
Before I could catch myself, I’d removed my arm from around her. She plummeted to the ground in a fit of laughter. “He was a lousy kisser, so I knew he’d be a lousy fuck.”
Her honesty was gruesome, gutting me like a fish and leaving my heart hanging outside of my chest. “So I had to come to where I know I can get some hood wood. I knew my Sos would take good care of me.”
Kneeling beside her, I grabbed her chin and made her face me. I needed her to witness the venom she was injecting me with simply from her words. It felt as if my eyes were about to pop out of their sockets, veins bulging and trigger finger itching to pull something.
“Gauge, I will break your fucking face if I ever hear anything else about you and some other nigga.”
“No, you won’t.” She chuckled.
She was right. The fact that she found my threats comical made me want to punish her ass. I scooped her into my arms and headed for the stairs. I took them two by two until I reached the bathroom.
“Are you going to give me a good spanking, daddy?” Gauge asked as we entered the master bathroom.
I lifted her onto the sink and started the water. No, I wouldn’t put my hands on her, not ever. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to wash her fucking mouth out. She had broken every code of conduct I’d created for her, and the shit had me pissed. Na, I couldn’t have her, but that didn’t give any other nigga reason to think they could. This shit was mine. From her head to her toes, Gauge belonged to me, and I sure as hell belonged to her. A bitch couldn’t touch my dick if her name wasn’t Gauge Miliani Morrison. That was on everything. I wasn’t even giving them conversation at this point. She had my head gone, which was why I had a bar of soap in my hand, swiping it across her lips while she tried slapping the scalp off of my head.
“Na, you want to dirty this motherfucker up, kissing niggas and shit.”
“Stop!” Gauge fussed, getting down from the counter.
She increased the water pressure and began scooping it onto her face. I felt as if I were about to blow once I noticed the little dress she had on that was barely covering her ass. Too afraid to let my thoughts wander and risk talking myself into murking something, I decided to take my stress out on her pussy—my pussy. The only walls of confinement I’d ever agree to.
“Sooooooooos,” Gauge moaned as I slid into her.
I pushed those panties to the side, too eager to get inside of her to consider pulling them down. She was home. I found more comfort in her than I did in the sheets that I slept in every night. She was my refuge, and I sought coverage each chance I got.
As I administered the first stroke, I confirmed the fact that I’d been out of my fucking mind, trying to tame the sprouting of my feelings for this damsel. This was life for me now, no matter how much it went against my beliefs. Gauge’s presence wasn’t to be undervalued or unappreciated, as it had been in the past two months. If I wanted to keep my head attached to my neck without losing it of complete mental breakage due to her finding a nigga worthy of her precious time, then I knew that the games ended tonight.
“Don’t you ever…” Her box was wet for me, always had been. “Let another motherfucker put their hands or lips on what’s mine. You hear me?”
“Yes, baby, I hear you.” I watched as our bodies connected. The floor-length mirror to the side of us and the large one in front of us displayed our figures from several angles. Pulling her upward, I twisted her face until our lips touched. I didn’t give a fuck about the traces of soap that lingered. H
er flavor was more potent than anything I’d ever tasted.
“My fucking lips, aight?” I gritted, biting her bottom lip.
“Yes.” She hissed in pain. “Yes.”
“My pussy.” Reaching forward, I cupped her pussy with my hand.
“Yes, it’s yours.” She nodded.
“My bitch.” I stroked faster… harder.
“Okay.”
“Say it.” My hand snaked around her neck, pressuring it until she turned beet red. Gauge was as kinky as they came.
“I’m your bitch, Sos!” she screamed. “Bite me.”
This wasn’t for pleasure, and she couldn’t have it her way. Her demands were null, and I surely wouldn’t be granting them. Gauge needed to understand that she wasn’t running shit, and that started with the lack of concern for her freaky ass fetishes. She hated when I ignored her wishes, so I did exactly that and continued pounding her pussy until I felt lightheaded, and my little men swam through her tunnel.
Fuck pulling out. I was ready for child support, spousal support, baby mama drama, and breast milk stains on the sheets if that meant keeping Gauge grounded and keeping her pussy on lock. I was able and willing to retire my sanity for the next eighteen years to keep baby girl around.
I’d just gotten comfortable when I realized I hadn’t received the message I’d been waiting for since falling accidentally asleep. With the construction crew gone and Gauge resting peacefully at my side, I could think clearly. My burner hadn’t buzzed since Cayman confirmed that he was about to make his final drop of the night.
Throwing comfort to the wind, I jumped up from my bed and retrieved the small black flip phone that we used to contact one another. I had five of them laying around, each serving a different purpose, each programmed for a certain caller, each necessary.
Double checking the ringer to make sure that it was on, and I wouldn’t miss any future messages, I tapped the volume button on the side. As I figured, the ringer was set to the highest volume. Concern consumed me. Immediately, I dialed Cayman’s burner and waited for him to come through the line.