Two Sides to a Love Story: Rico & Raja's Story

by Natavia

  “Bastard!” she says to me walking out.

  Lace walks-in. “Hey, Raja! I need to grab some things out of my room,” she says walking up the steps. Raja looks out the window.

  “Laceeeee, who is that fine nigga in the car around front waiting for you?” Raja shouts out smiling at me.

  “Oh, that’s Steph! He’s giving me a ride home from work,” Lace says.

  “Heyyyy, Tarae!” she says with her fake ass hi. I know she is still mad about that Tessa shit but she isn’t going to say anything else about it.

  “Don’t get fucking cute! Who that nigga you with?” I ask louder than what I intended.

  “Why you want to know?” Raja asks.

  “Why you being nosey?” I ask her.

  “Call me later Tarae!” Lace says rushing out the house, ignoring my question.

  “Damn Tarae, you and your mama can’t keep nobody!” Raja says.

  “Fuck you! You almost couldn’t!” I say to her walking out to my whip. Mashawn follows behind me.

  “Yo, that little bitch gets on my nerves,” Mashawn says laughing.

  “Yo, you better not let Rico hear you say that! The nigga already about to go postal!” I tell him.

  He waves me off then I smoke a blunt waiting on Rico to come out. I’m sitting here wondering if Lace is going straight home. I’m not going to call her though because she might think I’m jealous.

  “Nigga, that girl not fucking that nigga,” Mashawn says.

  “I’m not worried about that shit!” I lie.

  “Yeah right! You should’ve saw how tight your jaw was when she walked out the house. I’m not going to lie though, Lace’s ass looks like two big country buttermilk biscuits! All I need is some sausage gravy,” he says.

  “Nigga, you need insulin! What the fuck you looking at her ass for? What type of shit are you on? I don’t look at Kenyatta’s ass,” I tells him.

  “Go ahead! My bitch bad,” he says. He wasn’t lying about that though. Kenyatta looks like the singer Sevyn Streeter; same build, complexion and all that. I don’t know how Mashawn’s big ass pulled her.

  Rico finally walks out the house. He and Mashawn are clowning around but I blocked them out. Who is that nigga Lace riding around with? I know she is still mad at that shit with Tessa from last night. When she stayed over my crib after we left the hospital, she barely said shit to me.

  Lace

  After I clocks out I walks out of my job towards the bus stop. I know Tarae was hot when he saw me with Steph but I work with Steph and he is not my type. But that’s what his behind gets! We have been just kicking it but he does too much whoring around. Tessa and her drama is the icing on the cake. That heifer fucked his new car all up and she blew his phone up the same night she did it. This is why I like older men! Bricks was ten years older than I and so is Jerrick. I have never paid attention to a guy Tarae’s age because of their level of maturity.

  I catch the bus to my apartment then starts getting ready to go out with the girls. I know it’s going to be a long night tonight. I turn the TV on the news channel because that’s the only channel that is worth watching now.

  The reporter speaks:

  “The headless body of the John Doe that was found in the dumpster a few weeks ago is identified as 30 year old Jerrick Brown. The coroner states that his inner organs were missing and he was gutted out alive. An incident like this is similar to the gruesomely murders that took place in Annapolis, Maryland almost two years ago when six bodies were found decapitated with missing limbs. Now, maybe the killer is residing in Charleston, South Carolina. If you have any information please call the STOP CRIME number at the bottom of the screen. This person is very dangerous, and appears to be an intelligent trained killer,” he says then I smiles because I know I could count on Corey to get it done without a trace.

  After I said a silent prayer for Jerrick I took a twenty minute shower. I got out then massaged my skin with almond-vanilla and coconut oil. I put on a pair of skinny, black ripped jeans, a sleeveless, black tank top that flares out at the bottom above my hips with a gold zipper going down the middle. On my feet are some pink, black and gold snakeskin Jimmy Choo strapped sandal heels. Bricks bought them for me a week before he was killed and this is my first time wearing them. I style my dreads into a bun then leaving half of them hanging down. I apply nude lipstick and eyeliner, then I put in my gold hoop earrings and grab my black clutch. Now all I need to do is wait for my cab. I told them that I would meet them there.

  I guess they can see how the old Lace used to be before I moved back home. I laugh at Tataliscious when he makes fun of my gear. Only if his ass knew what my old life was like. That’s why when jokes are being made I don’t let it get to me. I been there and done it!

  When I walks in club “Purity” I go to the bar ordering me a drink with my fake ID. I wanted to sit by myself for a while. Raja’s friends are cool but I’m not much on being around a lot of people that I haven’t known for a long time.

  I text Raja letting her know I’m at the bar. A few minutes later she walks to the bar in a jean jumper with a red bra underneath and some red pumps.

  “Rico let you have all of your fun bags hang out?” I ask her.

  “Rico, not my damn daddy! Look at you though! I almost didn’t recognize you,” she says checking me out.

  “I do know how to look presentable when I party,” I laugh waving her off.

  “Your boy Tarae is here! Girrlllll, I’m warning you! The bitch who Kenyatta brought with her tonight is all up on him! Kenyatta cool and all but that bitch she with, I’m not feeling. I think her name is Monae or some shit like that. But anyways, she think she is Amber Rose with her boy cut and blonde hair. Girl, you should see this bitch shaking her ass with these little ass shorts on,” she fusses.

  “I’m not worried about Tarae!” I say but deep down I feel a slight twinge of jealousy.

  “Y’all two kill me! Y’all have been spending too much time with each other these past few months for you to not care,” she says pulling my hand towards V.I.P. I was better off sitting at the bar sipping my Remy.

  When I get past the rope, I speak to everyone. Royal and Corey is also here. Jamie and Killa are missing because they are now living in California. Raja is sitting on Rico’s lap and those two are in their own little world.

  I sit down crossing my legs while everyone laughs and enjoys themselves.

  “What’s wrong with you?” Tee-Tee asked me.

  “Nothing, this type of scenery isn’t for me! I’m not really a partying type of person!” I tell her.

  “I feel you on that one. I didn’t start hanging around females like that until after Corey and I got into a relationship. I used to hang with nothing but niggas, but that jealous ass fool is not going for that anymore,” she says laughing.

  “I understand, trust me,” I tell her as I finished my drink. Five cups later I’m buzzed. Meek Mill’s song “B-Boy” comes on and the chick Monae grinds hard on Tarae’s dick and he’s biting his lip, feeling on her ass. I have not said anything to him and he has not said anything to me since I’ve been sitting here. I look at him and he blows me a kiss and I turn up my nose at him.

  “I smell something,” Raja says loudly.

  “What do you smell?” Cam asked her.

  “I think I smell it too bitch!” Tee-Tee says.

  “I smell a bad case of a yeast infection and some other unknown STDs!” Raja says.

  Kenyatta taps Raja leg trying to get her to keep calm, but that will never happen. Raja has a mouth piece on her and never bites her tongue.

  Monae turned around facing, Tarae riding him like she was screwing him.

  “Amber Hose! Does this look like a strip club to you? The nigga not even in the NFL yet and you are on him like he Ray Lewis or some damn body! Its men in this section with their women and you need to have some respect! You got your ass all out and your titties! I think I even saw some cottage cheese run down your leg!” Raja says.

&n
bsp; “Mind your damn business, Raja!” Rico says, slightly pushing her back into her seat.

  “I will mind my business when she stops shaking her nasty ass every damn where! She needs to go on the dance floor! She’s the only one up in here like she never saw a nigga before,” she argues with him.

  “Honey, please! You do not know me!” Monae tells her.

  “I know enough! And Tarae, you are a piece of shit,” Raja says. I hate when her butt drinks. This is going to be ugly!

  “Mind your business! Rico, get your fucking girl! I’m telling you nigga! She keeps getting gangsta with her mouth and I’m sick of that shit!” Tarae says.

  “I’m not minding shit! You got my damn cousin sitting right here and you are being disrespectful! I don’t give a fuck if y’all not together! That’s a diamond sitting over there and she does not need to see the nigga she is dating is nothing but a fucking hoe,” she says screaming.

  “Damn Raja, chill the hell out! You had too much to drink!” Rico tells her.

  “I’m out!” Tarae says.

  “I’m coming with you!” Monae says running behind him.

  “I did smell something though! I didn’t know what that shit was!” Corey says. Mashawn and Royal laughs. Rico shakes his head as Raja continues to rant.

  “You better not had been looking at her!” Tee-Tee says to Corey.

  “Go on with that shit shorty! I already got one bald-headed shorty. I don’t need another one,” he says and she playfully mushes him.

  I look around at all the couples and a sadness rushes over me. Black love is a beautiful thing and one day I hope to experience it again. They say give it a try three times and I can only give my heart away one more time. First time was Bricks, second time was Jerrick. After three strikes I will give up.

  They played Future’s song “Commas” and we went out on the dance floor. I’m not much of a dancer as everyone else. I do a little two step, swaying my hips side to side. After the song goes off I walk to the bar with Raja following behind me.

  “Where is Tata?” I asked her.

  “Girrllllll, Tata is scared of Tarae! When he knows he is around he does not come around,” she says laughing.

  “Are you okay, Lace?” Cam asks me.

  “Yes, I’m fine! Thanks for asking, but Tarae and I are just dating!” I tell her.

  “I don’t give a fuck! It’s about being respectful! Corey used to do the same shit to me! I had to start jumping on his ass. But let a nigga try to step to me; he acted a fool. You don’t need to beat Tarae’s ass or nothing like that but you need to put your foot down. You let that nigga know he can do what he wants but when you are in his presence you need some respect,” Tee-Tee says jumping into our conversation, sipping her drink.

  “Tarae’s just mad because Lace caught a ride home from work with a nigga. All the times we have been out this nigga never done no shit like that! His bitch is ass just in his feelings,” Raja says.

  “Don’t listen to them Lace. Just sit down and talk to him if it bothers you. You are never supposed to show these bitches that they can use him to get to you,” Cam says.

  “Whatever, Cam! Men like Tarae needs their ass jumped on a few damn times,” Raja says and Tee-Tee agrees.

  “If you listen to those two they will have you sitting around the police station,” Cam says laughing.

  Royal walks over. “Ay shorty, I’m fixin’ to leave!” Royal says to Cam.

  “Okay, I will see you when I get home,” she replies.

  “No, we don’t fly like that. We came here together we leave together,” he says calmly but you can tell he meant what he said. Royal has a smooth calmness to him but his aura screams “Don’t fuck with me!”

  “Leave her alone. She’s having fun! She’s kicking it with her girls!” Tee-Tee swats him away.

  “When you and Corey walk down that aisle, trust me, the nigga going to be the same way! Y’all see each other every day. Plus, she can have fun when she gets home. Ain’t that right shorty?” he asks Cam making her blush.

  Cam clears her throat. “Ummmm, it was nice partying with y’all! But I and my hubby are leaving so y’all have fun and stay out of trouble!” she says walking off with Royal following behind her.

  “When that nigga leaves I be talking again!” Raja says and we laugh.

  “Why you scared of Royal? The nigga just be laid back!” Tee-Tee says.

  “That’s what you think. He too laid back and niggas like that ain’t right in the head!” Raja says.

  “Let’s take some shots!” Raja says. We ordered three rounds of fireballs. I have never drunk this much a day in my life.

  Raja

  We all go out to Denny’s after the club and Lace is tipsy as hell. She’s been laughing and snorting since we got here.

  Mashawn reads off his order. “Kenyatta!” I say to her because her drunk behind is nodding off.

  “Who shooting?” she asks popping up, making us laugh.

  “Wake your ass up! This nigga ordered almost everything off the menu! You better tell him to slow down before he has a heart attack!” I tell her.

  She waves me off. “I love my teddy bear!” she says snuggling under him.

  “Mashawn, are you pregnant?” I whisper to him and he gives me the finger. Rico laughs.

  “Shorty, chill! Leave my niggas alone!” he says to me.

  Tarae walks in with Monae and I cannot believe these two are still together.

  Lace looks at him. “You still hanging with her?” she asks him slurring.

  “Raja, why you let her get like this?” he asks with concern in his voice.

  “If you cared you would’ve stayed and made sure she hadn’t got like this! Plus, she is grown! She can do what she wants!” I grill him.

  “Monae, where did y’all go? I was calling you to make sure you were good! Is he taking you home?” Kenyatta asked her.

  “No the fuck he isn’t taking her home! Where did y’all go Tarae? Did she suck your dick or did you fuck her?” Lace asks him. I turn my head so fast almost snapping my neck. Who possessed Lace’s body?

  “Call me when you sober,” he tells her.

  “Ay nigga, you might want to run. I’m telling you some real shit. Tee-Tee been telling her to fuck you up all night and I think she is fixin’ to do it. She been taking shots and drinking liquor straight too! It’s not looking good for you football star,” Corey tells him and Tee-Tee punches his arm.

  “Nigga, shut the fuck up,” Tee-Tee says and Corey just smiles.

  Lace stands up taking her heels off and I grab them for her along with her clutch. Rico looks at me and I shrug my shoulders.

  “Lace put your shoes back on! Your feet is touching the floor that has germs on it!” Tarae says backing up.

  “Nigga, you got five seconds! She is fixin’ to jump on you! I don’t break fights up so I’m telling to you get low,” Corey says and we all start laughing.

  “Where did you go Tarae? Y’all left three hours ago!” she says. I knew her ass was clocking him!

  “Tell the truth nigga!” Mashawn tells him falling out laughing.

  “Someone get her ass,” Tarae says walking backwards towards the door.

  “Lace, sit your ass down! Come on now! This not even you shorty,” Rico says to her.

  “No, fuck that! I will sit down after he tells me what the fuck they were doing!” she says and everyone in the diner is looking at her.

  “She sucked my dick then we just chilled, damn! Y’all happy now, shit!” he says and Monae looks embarrassed because Tarae just put her business out.

  All I saw next was Lace charging into Tarae. “Y’all niggas think I’m some type of weak woman who can be taken advantage of?” she says swinging on him. Rico jumps up pulling Lace off of Tarae. Maybe I shouldn’t have let her get that drunk. I just wanted her to smack him one good time but she was trying to fuck him up.

  “Get the hell off of me!” she cries as Rico drags her outside.

  “Tee-Tee, I tol
d you mind your fucking business! Look at this shit!” Corey says to her.

  “So what! You keep on and you and I are next! I know you don’t want to take it there with me! That’s what he gets! He did that shit to hurt her feelings,” she says hushing Corey up.

  I hear arguing then I go outside. Everyone else follows behind.

  Tarae has Lace by her shirt jacking her up against the car. “Leave me the fuck alone! I didn’t ask you about what you and that nigga did when you were riding around in his whip! You saw my car outside so you knew I was there! You want respect give it!” he says to her.

  “I work with him! It was nothing like that!” she yells hitting him the mouth. She split his lip then Tarae slams her into the car.