When A Hood Legend Claims It All 2

by Belleza

  “If you need the help there’s nothing wrong with moving back home.”

  “I don’t need the help and you know part of you just wants to be nosey.”

  She cackled because she knew it was true. “You are my business. Don’t forget you’re my daughter.”

  “How can I?” I laughed. “But let me call you back.”

  “Don’t forget because I need to know what’s going on between you and Peter.”

  “Yes ma’am,” I said just to get her off the phone.

  “Is it me, or something definitely feels off in this house?”

  My eyes traveled to the door where Amena was leaned up against the threshold of the guest bedroom I occupied. For the past two days it’s been the room I slept in after almost a week of Amare ignoring me. We’ve been sleeping in the same bed since after the first night he bought me over, but sometimes he didn’t return until late at night or would be sleeping on the couch in the living room. When I did try to start a conversation he would one word me and not even look my way. It finally annoyed me to the point where I was now packing my shit up and leaving. No one was going to treat me like a ghost.

  She craned her neck and looked at the bed where I was folding my clothes into my luggage.

  “Pretty much. I think I overstayed my welcome.”

  “Overstayed? That’s impossible when my brother wants you here.” She walked into the room and sat on the bed with a frown on her face. “Don’t go CoCo.”

  “I got to. I refuse to be treated the way he’s treating me.”

  “What happened?”

  Taking a seat on the bed, I raked my hand through my hair blowing out a deep breath.

  “Amare came to the Salon to take me to lunch and my ex popped up.”

  Amena made a face. “Sounds like the situation with Natalia and the guy that showed up at her house.”

  I stopped folding my clothes and actually thought about the two situations and how similar they sounded. The only difference was that I wasn’t fucking Pitt. I didn’t want anything to do with that man.

  “See, he’s probably just processing everything and needs a little time to figure it out. I know my brother. He rarely shows his feelings and this is definitely a sign.”

  “I should be offended that he’s even comparing me to her.”

  “Shit, I would be,” Amena agreed. “But don’t go! Who else am I going to talk to about all my problems? You know I don’t have no life or friends.”

  I laughed at the silly face she was making. “I’m always one phone call away and you know where I work, girl. You gotta start living or you’re gonna be that old lady with cats.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” she grimaced.

  “I was just joking,” I giggled sitting down next to her. “How’s your new little friend?”

  Amena’s face lit up when I mentioned the guy she told me about last week. “It’s Wesley,” she blurted out loud and waited for me to respond.

  I didn’t know what to say because I was aware of him being in a situation with that girl, Kesha, and since Amena knew him longer than me I believed she knew as well. When I didn’t answer she whined probably because she knew what I was thinking. Meeting, Kesha, I really didn’t care for her. Her vibe was all the way off, but I also knew how it felt to be with someone and they weren’t honest with you. Shit, Amena did as well. That could be why she acted standoffish around other women.

  “I know. I know. I know, CoCo. Don’t judge me.”

  “Trust me I’m not,” I clarified. “I don’t want you to get hurt. You told me about Jake who you didn’t know was cheating on you, but you’re falling for a guy you’re aware is dealing with another woman. There’s a world full of men that would only want you and only you. Don’t settle for number two when you’re great enough to be number one and the only one.”

  The look on Amena’s face expressed it wasn’t what she wanted to hear but it was the truth. I wasn’t going to root for her downfall even if it was what she wanted. In a short time she became a little sister to me and I wanted her happy, but not at the cost of living a lie or being a secret.

  “Wes makes me feel different, CoCo. I haven’t felt this way in so long. Not even with Jake.”

  “Did y’all have sex?”

  She shook her head and I shot her a look to tell me the truth.

  “No! I swear. It’s just been kissing. We text majority of the day or we would meet up somewhere to see each other. It feels right. I never had someone I can open up with, laugh and be myself. Wesley gives me that freedom and love.”

  “I get it. What y’all are doing may feel right, but there are many things that are wrong in the equation. Bad enough Amare doesn’t want you with anyone,” I sighed thinking about the shit that can unfold if he found out about his best friend and sister. “Imagine if you brother learned of y’all situation.”

  Amena placed her elbows on her knees throwing her face in her hands. “I just want to be happy,” she groaned.

  Wrapping my arm around her, I pulled her into me. “Happiness starts within you. If you look for it in other people you will never get it. I’m not telling you to stop talking to him but take things slow and set some expectations. If he really wants you, nothing will stop him from being with you, not even your brother.”

  “Please don’t say anything to Amare about this,” she pleaded.

  “Girl, we’re not even speaking to each other and honestly it’s not my place or my business. Just remember what I said.”

  Amena smiled and hugged me again. I could tell that she was torn and she knew I was right, but I wasn’t holding nothing she said against her. As women we all loved and did some things we regretted which included putting up with situations we knew we were too good for.

  ***

  “You’re late, Trina.”

  I watched as she rolled her eyes and strutted past totally disregarding everything I said. Thankfully, only the employees were in so far, but regardless of who was around I wasn’t going to put up with her disrespect.

  “Let’s talk in my office,” I told her making my way there.

  I heard her suck her teeth before slamming her bag down on her station. I used the few seconds I had alone in my room to decompress. I was irritated by a lot of things lately and I didn’t want to take everything I personally had going on out on her. Aside from my issues I needed to have this talk with Trina. She came in late; she didn’t clean after herself, she complained and talked about clients with other clients all of which wasn’t right.

  “What’s the problem now?” she huffed.

  “You’ve been the problem,” I shot back at her. So much for being level headed but her whole demeanor had me ready to go off. “I spoke to you about being late on countless occasions. You’re client left because you weren’t here.”

  “Why does me being on time matter? You still get your percentage of whatever I get paid.”

  “It’s the principle. You act like you don’t want to be here. I don’t know if you’re confused but I’m not forcing you to work. I thought I was looking out by letting you work here, but you’re treating me like you’re doing me the favor. Your attitude sucks and you’re bringing down the morale of my business.”

  “Morale? Why am I not surprised?” She shook her head. “I expected this a long time ago, but it’s now coming out. You forgot we grew up in the same neighborhood, Corryn? You think you’re better than me because you have your own business? You’re no different than me. You got what you wanted from Pitt, but now you’re moving onto the next nigga with money.”

  I laughed to keep myself from snapping on her. “See, now you’re tripping.”

  “No, bitch, you’re tripping. But it’s cool… I’ma get the last laugh when it’s all said and done. Fuck you and this stupid ass job. Just how you were getting your money, trust and believe I am too.”

  I stood in shock as she left out of my office slamming my door behind her. Sharita came right in, swinging the door back open.


  “Do you want me to beat her fucking ass? Because I will!”

  Exhaling a deep breath, I ran my hands through my hair and rounded my desk. “It’s whatever. She quit and I’m happy. Shit not the same with us and I’m not about to kiss her ass. We outgrew each other and it’s time for me to accept that. I just hate that everything feels like it’s falling apart with me. Once something good happens all this negative shit follows behind.”

  “That just means a change is coming and you’re strength is being tested to see if you have what it takes for what’s coming your way. When I was locked up I use to get so angry about my appeals getting denied so I can get the hell out of that place, but I see that maybe being in there a little longer was needed so when I got out I knew I would do whatever it took for me not to go back in. Had it been some years back I would’ve been dragging Trina’s ass by now.”

  I giggled. “What that gotta do with change and strength?”

  “I don’t know, I just wanted you to laugh and let you know how bad I want to punch your ex best friend in the face,” she admitted and we both burst out laughing.

  I loved Sharita because she was such a down to earth woman and knew how to pull me out of my funk.

  Opening up the drawer to my desk, I pulled out a bottle of Grey Goose I had in there forever. We normally served wine for our clients. During a trip to the Wine and Spirits I picked me up this bottle for just in case purposes and this was one of them.

  “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!”

  “You damn right!” she cheered as I unscrewed the top. We couldn’t get fucked up because we still had to work, but we definitely needed something to take the edge off.

  Wes

  Panting heavily in a slight squatting position with the palm of my hands planted on my knees I watched the ball fly in the air and pass through the hoop swiftly making a swish sound as it passed through the net.

  Game five was over.

  “Twenty-one,” Amare huffed with sweat dripping down his face.

  Kenton who was standing closest to the hoop since I was guarding Amare caught the ball in midair and tucked it underneath his arm.

  “Nigga, you still got it,” he murmured out of breath. He sucked in a deep breath of air and followed behind us to the bleachers.

  Amare was always a fucking beast on the court but this morning he played with a vengeance. We rough house a lot, but today it was on a different level which made me believe something was on his mind.

  “Ahhh… I know I’ma pay for this in a few hours,” I groaned easing down to sit. I lifted the bottle of Gatorade I brought along with me, twisted the top and turned it up until half of it was gone. “What’s going on?” I asked after twisting the top back on my bottle.

  Amare blotted his face with his towel before draping it over his head and leaned back on the bleachers with his elbows balancing his body.

  “This shit with Pitt. He popped up at Corryn’s shop and got his feelings hurt, so he put that ego where his heart was and pulled out,” he spoke, zoned out in front of him.

  “Damn, how bad was the clean up?” Kenton asked knowing no man would ever be able to live to tell the story of pulling out a gun and not using it.

  “That nigga alive… for now,” he stated with a sinister chuckle.

  I completely understood how that was possible. Amare has a mean streak but he moved smart at all times. Catching a body in the middle of a lot wasn’t the way to go. This wasn’t the point of the conversation. It was about Corryn. I felt that vibe and Kenton knew too which is why he ain’t respond. We’ve been friends for too long.

  “Did he know you were there?”

  Amare shook his head before responding. “No and apparently he ain’t know Corryn moved on either. He brought up how he been calling her and was at her mom crib. Something she failed to say.”

  “Nah, I don’t take Corryn to be that type of girl,” I automatically admitted. Shit, you couldn’t put anything past anyone nowadays however, Corryn, I ain’t get that vibe from her.

  “Yeah, but if you withholding information that’s still fucked up,” Kenton added which had me cutting my eyes at him.

  “How the fuck the pot gonna call the kettle black?”

  “Aye, this ain’t about me,” Kenton chuckled with his hand on his chest. “My man is going through something right now and I’m on his side. It’s called bro code. You must’ve forgotten that shit after he sat your ass down on the court a few times.”

  I flagged him. Kenton didn’t have the slightest clue when it came to commitment which was why he was juggling a crazy baby mom and a slew of bitches. Amare ain’t take anyone serious since he was with Natalia, and from the way he moved I knew he had fallen for her, so I understood why he was conflicted and probably angry.

  “Look, just talk to her and see what’s up. Although it sounds crazy as fuck I think the conversation is worth having.”

  “Of course you will say that lover boy, answer ya phone before crazy ass Kesha pop up. Ya phone been buzzing since we got here,” Kenton spat.

  I shot him a bird and checked my phone which had a ton of missed calls from Kesha of course, but the one text message from Amena trumped all of that.

  I miss you.

  “Yeah, it gotta be Kesha from the way you’re smiling.” This time Amare spoke up to fuck with me and it made me feel a little guilty that it was actually his little sister that had me smirking.

  “Nah, it’s someone I’m feeling though,” I corrected them, getting off the bench. “I’m about to roll though.”

  “Man, go get ya boo loving ass up outta here,” Ken joked. “What happened to bros before hoes?”

  Turning around and walking backwards, I shot Kenton a bird. “This woman is far from a hoe, pussy. Yo Mar, stop wasting time with that nigga and go get ya girl, yo!” I said to Amare who was playing tough. He had nothing holding him back from Corryn, so I didn’t see why he should pass on getting what he wanted.

  ***

  Amena’s pussy was by far my favorite thing to eat. With her legs draped over my shoulders, I latched onto her clit with my lips as I slid my finger back and forth in her wet hole.

  The way her pussy gripped my one finger made it difficult for me not to have sex with her. In my mind I thought what we were doing wasn’t too bad since I didn’t put my dick in her. I didn’t know how long I would be able to do all this sneaking around and holding back from digging in them guts. It had me feeling like a little ass boy that was dry humping his girlfriend.

  This girl was addicting. What was only supposed to be a kiss before I went home ended up with my head between her thighs.

  Slipping another finger inside, I hooked it upward so the tip could hit her spot and just as expected her body quickly reacted.

  “Damn baby… uh… shit… Oh my god!” she cried as I felt the muscles in her stomach get tight underneath my hand I used to hold her still. Her reaction was followed by tremors that started from her torso to her legs.

  Her essence coated my hand as she climaxed and I used my tongue to lap up every drop until her cries turned into a hum. Slowly pulling my finger out I gave her pussy one last kiss before I stood and pressed my lips against hers invading her mouth with my tongue so she can taste herself. She welcomed every second of it making it difficult for me to not want to fuck.

  “Keep that shit up,” I told her pulling back and licking my lips. She locked her legs around my waist as I swiftly lifted her up in my arms and walked her to the office’s adjoining bathroom where I placed her on the vanity.

  “I’m not doing anything. You stuck your tongue in my mouth,” she said smiling as her small hand rubbed on my rock hard dick. “I have wipes under the cabinet.”

  Amena lifted her legs so I can open the cabinet door. Taking the pack of water wipes from underneath, I pulled one out and wiped her center off before I helped her down off the counter, so I could get myself together.

  I wiped my mouth and beard off, gazing at her adjust her skirt over her l
ower half. She smirked when she noticed me staring.

  “Cut it out, Wesley.”

  “Just looking.”

  Tossing the wipe in the trash, I pulled out the bottle of mouthwash I spotted underneath the sink. I poured a little inside of my mouth, swished, gargled and spit it out.

  “Let me find out…” I said and she smacked her lips because she knew where I was getting at.

  “Don’t do me, Wes. I’m a woman and cleanliness is next to godliness. I will like to bust a grub while I work and not smell like onions while I’m in my clients face. And please don’t let me explain the wipes. It’s awkward.”

  Turning around, I enclosed her in my arms loving the way how her small body felt against mine. I kissed the top of her forehead and then hooked her chin so I can get another kiss.

  “This feels so right. I hate that we have to hide.”

  “It’s complicated as fuck. But with time we both gonna be where we’re supposed to be.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re still somewhere you say you don’t want to be.”

  I sighed because it didn’t make sense. What Kesha and I had going on was more so a situationship than a relationship. I had feelings for Kesha, but it didn’t trump everything I felt for Amena. My heart was just in two different places.

  “The same goes for you too, Amena.”

  She rested her head back. “Now you know I don’t want to be with Jake. He’s the only person Mar somewhat accepts, so it’s like I have no choice. He wants me to stay away from the men that he says will break my heart but it’s like no matter where you’re from men still cheat.”

  I grinned because I knew she was throwing shots. “Damn, it’s like that.”

  “Just calling it like it is,” she shrugged.

  Amena laid her head on my chest as we stood in silence, lost in our own thoughts. I thought about how she deserved better whereas she probably was getting fed up. I’ve damn near grew up with Amena. Her brother spoiled her beyond belief so she expected her way at all cost. But even if that wasn’t the case, who would want to play second?

  My ringing phone broke the silence. I pulled it out of my pocket and looked at the screen and saw it was a call from Kesha again. Like the other calls I silenced it and slipped it into my pocket. She was away in Atlanta doing a modeling gig. When she left we got into it again over becoming serious, so I knew a phone call from her at this point was only a continuation of that discussion.