Runner

by Lexi Reign

  "Don't "mama" me. You're weak. You have always been weak" she spat at me. I chuckled and wiped my eyes.

  "I never wanted you as a son. I resented you from the day you came into this world" she said. It felt like a knife just went through my heart.

  "Don't say that," I said to her.

  "Well, it's the damn truth," she said staring at me through my eyes. I could feel my heart beating like crazy. I hate this woman and she's the reason why it has been hard for me to love.

  "Shut the fuck up, Jackie. You are a stupid, conniving ass bitch. I'm so tired of you putting my son down. He's a good man and I did that. I raised him into a good boy. He will always be my son. I don't give a fuck about a birth certificate. How the fuck you sleep with your sister's husband" my pops said angrily at my mama as he got in her face.

  "I've always wondered why you hated me so much. You hated me because every time you look at me, I remind you of your mistake" I said to her. She chuckled.

  "Aw, Oliver," she said, making a pouting face. I swear if she wasn't my mom, I'd kill her. She cupped my face.

  "My name is Lorenzo," I said to her.

  "No, your birth name is Oliver White," she said.

  "And it wasn't a mistake. I'd do it again" she said evilly as my pops slapped the hell out of her.

  I could feel my anger and blood pressure rising. I quickly walked out of the house. I heard Nia calling my name, but I ignored her. I need to get away and out of that damn house before I do some shit I regret.

  "Yo, you good" Maurice asked as I bumped into him.

  "Nah," I said as I grabbed my keys and hopped into my truck. I sped off down the road and Nia called me. I pressed ignore. I know I'm probably wrong for that, but I don't care. This really is the worst night of my life.

  I scrolled through my contacts and saw Tasia's name. I need to release some pressure. I dialed her number.

  "Hello," she asked into the phone.

  "Man, where are you at," I asked.

  "Are you okay?" she asked.

  "Not really," I said.

  "I'm at my grandma's house. I'll send you the location" she said as I hung up. I quickly sped off towards her crib.

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  I pulled into the driveway and got out. Tasia opened the door and stepped aside for me to come in.

  "Where your grandma," I asked.

  "She's asleep" she whispered smiling. She grabbed my hand and led me up the stairs.

  We walked into her room and it smelled like pure dope. She let the window up and turned the lights off.

  "You want to smoke," she asked. I sighed.

  "Hell yeah," I said as she got in her bed.

  "Get comfortable," she said as she patted the place next to her and I took my shoes off. I got in the bed and she started to light the blunt.

  "What happened?" she asked. I shook my head as she handed me the blunt. I pulled it a few times.

  "Family drama," I said to her.

  "You want to talk about it," she asked.

  "I'm trying not to think about it," I said. She nodded. I looked at her and she had on a tank top with only panties on. She didn't have a bra on and her titties looked good as hell through her shirt. I chuckled. She is ready for me.

  "What," she asked. I shook my head.

  "The peach ain't bad," I said to her.

  "I told you," she said laughing as I passed it back to her.

  We continued smoking and I could feel my anger leave my body. I'm honestly ready to go back home. I don't want to talk to anybody else about shit. Tasia started to flip through the tv.

  I pulled out my phone and dimmed the brightness. Nia called me 14 times and sent me 20 texts in the past 30 minutes. I sighed. I'm really fucking up.

  "You ok," Tasia asked. I nodded.

  "Yeah," I said.

  "Let me help you ease your mind," she said smiling.

  "How are you gonna do that," I asked chuckling. She slid her top off and her titties popped out. She had nipple piercings. I licked my lips and she straddled me.

  "Relax, daddy," she said as she started to kiss down my neck.

  "Fuck" I grunted as she nibbled on my ear. I took my shirt and jeans off and pulled my dick out. Her eyes grew wide.

  "It's big enough for you," I asked. She giggled.

  "Yea," she said as she took my dick into her mouth. I laid my head back in ecstasy as she sucked me.

  "Fuck" I grunted as I pressed her head down further. She choked and started to deep throat my dick. She continued to gag. She spat on my dick and started to suck the tip.

  "Shit, girl" I grunted.

  "Let me get some pussy," I said to her as she sat up and wiped her mouth. She straddled me and sat down on my dick. She was wet as hell.

  "Mmmmm" she moaned. I licked on her nipples as her titties bounced up and down. I smacked her ass.

  "Oooh, yes. That dick feels good" she moaned.

  "I know it does," I said as I flipped us over so I was on top. I gave her long, deep strokes.

  "I've been wanting you so bad" she moaned.

  "I know," I said as I sped up my thrusts.

  "I want it from the back," I said as I pulled out.

  "Ass up" I demanded as I smacked her ass. I slowly slid myself into her. She was soaking wet. Damn, I already know ima regret the fuck out of this shit in the morning.

  CJ's POV

  12:30 am

  Right now, I'm playing Call of Duty with Vedo and Maurice. Vedo and I have been filling in Maurice on all that went down tonight. I just can't believe Jackie and Turner. I would have never thought that shit. That's some crazy shit. And I already know Lo is hurting on the inside, but he'll never admit it. His mama puts him through a lot of shit. I would've knocked her ass out, mama or not. She deserves it.

  "I just hope Lo ain't doing nothing stupid," I said.

  "He ain't answering the phone," Maurice said.

  "I'm sure he's good. He probably with that girl" Vedo said. I paused the game.

  "Man, what are you doing" they both semi yelled.

  "What girl," I asked.

  "Tasia. The one he met at the store earlier" Vedo said. Who the fuck is Tasia?

  "Who that," I asked. Vedo shrugged.

  "She had a fat ass though and she was all into him," Vedo said.

  "She's brown-skinned with sexy ass thighs," I asked. He nodded. I chuckled and shook my head. Lo some else, but I ain't getting into shit between him and Nia. But what I am going to do is tell his ass about himself while he's cheating and his girl is upstairs pregnant.

  We heard footsteps and Nia walked down.

  "Hey," we all said in unison.

  "Where is Lorenzo? Have y'all heard from him" she asked.

  "Nah," I said without looking at her.

  "He won't answer the phone," Maurice said.

  "Can one of y'all help me?" she asked.

  "With what," Vedo and Maurice asked simultaneously.

  "I can't reach the towels," she said. I sighed and stood up.

  "I'll help. I'll be back," I said as I walked upstairs behind her. I looked at Nia and she was shaking. I started to feel bad as hell.

  "You good," I asked her. She shook her head no. I walked into the room she's sleeping in.

  "Where are the towels," I asked. She quickly pushed the door up.

  "CJ, I need to calm down, but I can't. Please take this from me" she said with tears in her eyes. I stared at her confusingly.

  "What's wrong," I asked as she started to dig in her bag. She handed me a dime bag.

  "NIA, WHAT THE HELL," I asked. She quickly put her hand over my mouth.

  "Shhh. I haven't taken anything" she said.

  "You still using? You are fucking pregnant" I said.

  "CJ, I can't do this anymore. I'm tired of being strong. I can't fight this. I'm too weak" she cried. I sighed and sat by her on the bed.

  "It's ok," I said as I pulled her into me.

  "You are strong and I know you can do
it. You have been doing it. You just stressed right now," I added.

  "This all you got," I asked as I picked up her bag.

  "What are you doing," she asked.

  "Checking," I said as I started to dig through every compartment. I found another dime bag. I stared at her.

  "Really? Have you used any since you found out you were pregnant?" I asked. She shook her head.

  "No, I promise. I just kind of never got rid of it" she said as I walked to the bathroom and flushed both of them down the drain.

  "I'm sure Lorenzo is cheating on me," she said pacing as she started hyperventilating.

  "Nia, calm down. He's not," I said to her.

  "I can't. I'm tired, but I can't go to sleep until he gets here and if he's not cheating, then what the hell else is he doing" she asked, wiping her eyes.

  "You want me to sit up here with you till he gets back," I asked. She nodded. I sighed and sat at the foot of the bed. I flipped through the tv and she got in the bed.

  "CJ" she called out.

  "Hmm," I asked, turning around to look at her.

  "Lorenzo tells you everything" she started to say and I cut her off. I sighed.

  "I don't know where he is at, Nia. He didn't tell me anything and he won't answer my calls" I said semi telling the truth.

  "What if he's hurt," she asked.

  "I'm sure he isn't. Lorenzo is strong and everybody knows him around here" I said as I heard footsteps. Lorenzo pushed open the door and looked at me and Nia crazily.

  "Where have you been," Nia asked him.

  "Just riding," he said. I saw that he was lying all in his face.

  "What are you doing up here," he asked. I looked at Nia.

  "She was worried about you and didn't want to be by herself," I said as I stood up.

  "You good," I asked him. He nodded. I sighed.

  "Goodnight y'all," I said as I walked down the hallway. I saw that Vedo and Maurice were gone from downstairs. I walked to my room and I got in bed. I got comfortable and soon I was out.

  Chapter 34: Family Ties (Part 1)

  Lorenzo's POV

  February 14th

  10:30 am

  I woke up to Nia staring in my face. She looked mad and annoyed as hell.

  "Girl, gone with that shit," I said to her.

  "You cheated on me last night" she stated. I sighed and rolled over.

  "Nah, man. You asked me that shit last night" I said to her. She sighed. I really do regret that shit, but it was good, no lie.

  "I know you did, Lorenzo, and I am pregnant with your child. My intuition never lies. You smelled just like a female last night and it wasn't any kind of perfume I have" she said. I sighed.

  "Nia, go back to sleep. Your intuition is wrong" I said to her as she hit me with the pillow.

  "Chill, man," I said to her as I sat up.

  "Don't tell me to chill, boy?" she said.

  "I'm a grown man and if you don't chill the fuck out ima show you a boy," I said to her as she mugged me.

  "What are you gonna do, Lorenzo? Hit me" she asked. My face softened and I sighed. I tried to hug her, but she flinched.

  "You know I wouldn't put my hands on you, so don't say that shit," I said to her.

  "Nia, I just needed a break, last night. I didn't cheat on you. I would never cheat on you" I said to her. She stared up at me and nothing but guilt filled me. She's so beautiful and I do love her. I kissed her lips.

  "I love you," I said to her. She sighed and got up.

  "Do you want to talk about last night?" she asked. I shook my head.

  "We need to. How are you feeling" she asked.

  "I'm fine," I said, lying.

  "No, you're not. Tell me the truth" she said. I sighed.

  "I feel like shit. I'm hurt because my mama is not shit. I'm hurt because my pops is hurting. I'm hurt because my auntie is hurting. I'm hurt because I feel like I don't even know who I am anymore" I said to her.

  "Aww, my baby," she said as she climbed in my lap and straddled me.

  "It took everything in me to not step to your mama last night. Everything she said was wrong. You are not weak. You are the strongest and toughest man I know" she said.

  "I hate that she's like that and I know she'll never change. It hurts, baby. She resents me. It makes me wonder how long you're going to be in my life" I said honestly.

  "Lorenzo, I'll never leave you. I love you too much to let our relationship go down the drain. And so what. I know that's your mother and I know you want her love, but baby, you're holding onto pain. I say just let it go and we'll take it day by day. But you don't need to be around her. She's toxic and it's not good for you" Nia said.

  "If I don't be around her, then it'll really eat me up if something bad happens to her," I said. Nia sighed.

  "It's not good for her to say things like she did to you and constantly make you feel like you aren't enough or worthy. She's the problem, not you" Nia said cupping my face. I looked up at her. I can't believe I cheated on her. She deserves so much more than me.

  Nia's POV

  I stared down at Lorenzo and all I felt was his pain. Hearing everything his mama said to him, really pissed me off. How can she talk to her son like that? He has such a huge soft spot for her and he values the shit she says. He takes everything she says to heart and it's affecting him. I could feel and see his heartbreaking last night as she spat at him and I cannot get it out of my head.

  "Why won't she love me," he asked with tears in his eyes. I could feel my heartbreak as I watched him. I've never seen him in so much pain. I sighed and hugged him. I wrapped my arms around him and just held him tightly. He really broke down. Tears filled my eyes.

  "It's okay, baby. I don't know why she's the way that she is. But everyone has their own issues and their own way of dealing with shit. I'm sure something traumatic had to happen to her. And she does love you, Lorenzo. I've seen it before in her eyes" I said to him.

  "I'm tired of being strong. All my life she has put me down and I always thought that I was the problem or like what I was doing wasn't good enough" he said.

  "You deserve better than me. I'm weak" he added.

  "Don't start, Lorenzo. You're using her words. There isn't anything better than you. You came into my life when I needed help and you saved me. I love you and I'm happy with you. You're more than enough for me" I said.

  "And you don't have to be strong with me. I love you, do you hear me? I'll always be here for you" I added as he kissed my lips.

  "Always," he asked. I smiled and nodded. He chuckled and wiped his face.

  We both stood and walked towards the bathroom. He turned the shower on and looked in the mirror. My hair was all over my head and I looked rough.

  "I love you, too," he said as he wrapped his arms around me from behind. He squeezed me tightly and kissed my neck. He placed his hands on my belly and he looked at me in the mirror.

  "You're beautiful," he said. I smiled.

  "I promise I'll be the best father a man can be to our child. I don't care if we have a boy or a girl, I just want our child to be loved by us both" he said to me. I smiled.

  "Forget your mama. We already know that she ain't shit. She doesn't care about anybody but herself. And as far as Turner and pops, what are you going to do" I asked.

  He sighed and sat on the toilet. I started to brush my teeth.

  "I don't know. I love them both, it's just I'm mad at Unc for even hiding that from me. I don't even know what to say to him. And I know my pops is hurting. He has known for years that my mom cheated, but he didn't know with who. And by him knowing that it was with Unc, I don't think he'll ever let that go. I don't want him to have to look at me and be reminded of my mom's selfishness" he said. I sighed. He sounds the same way I did when I was going through my depression. I cried for nights and he was there for me.

  "You remember when I was having those sleepless nights and crying every night," I asked him. He nodded.

  "You told me that my mother's
selfishness had nothing to do with who I was or who I can become. It's the same with you, baby. Do you really think your dad doesn't want to even look at you? That's not true. He's upset with Jackie, not you. Everybody isn't conniving and evil like your mama. Trust me. Pops loves you and he is always rooting for you. He has told you before that he doesn't care about the fact that he wasn't your biological father" I said to him. He sighed.