When A Hood Legend Claims It All 2

by Belleza

  “So you think you Laila Ali now?” he questioned me with a smirk on his face. Rolling my eyes I mushed him in the head.

  “I’m not that nice, but I can get shit popping. Don’t sleep on me.”

  “Shit, I’m not. Your little ass probably was tagging Pitt’s bitch ass up when you were with him. You know he a pussy.”

  “Now that would be bullying. You shouldn’t fight someone that’s not a match.”

  “Did that pussy say anything to you?” he questioned me in a serious tone.

  I didn’t say anything, so Mar got upset.

  “Corryn…”

  “Yeah, but not really,” I replied only because I didn’t want to be upset and retaliate.

  “It’s a yes or no question.”

  “I said something about him fucking Trina and he told me to charge it to the game.”

  His expression relaxed as he continued to drive to our destination. “Does Pitt cheating on you with your best friend bother you?”

  “I’m shocked more than anything. Trina was like my sister and I would give her my shirt off my back if she needed it. It’s not my lost though. They deserve each other.”

  “Sharita is a real one. I like her.”

  “And so do Kenton,” I cheesed just to figure out if him and his boys actually talked about things like that. The smirk on Amare’s face was a dead giveaway.

  “Stay out their love life. Especially when you have your own to worry about.”

  “Well excuse me, my love life is going well. You’re about to meet my mom, so that means something.”

  “It does. Are you nervous?”

  “Kinda.” I admitted. “My mom can be stubborn sometimes and stuck in her ways.”

  “It can’t be that bad,” he replied, not knowing exactly what he was walking into.

  Mar

  “About time! I don’t understand how I have to beg to see my one and only daughter,” Corryn’s mother came out of the kitchen wiping her hand on her apron. When she looked up at us, she stopped in her tracks and glanced at me before she addressed CoCo again.

  “CoCo, who’s your friend? Where’s Pitt? Is he Pitt’s friend?” she rambled off questions looking between the both of us.

  I looked over at Corryn who glanced at me before facing her mom. Now I understood why she was nervous.

  “Mom, this is Amare, my boyfriend,” she said nervously.

  “Boyfriend?! Where’s Peter,” she asked again this time annoying me a little. I couldn’t disrespect her mother, so I bore down on my teeth as she waited for Corryn to answer.

  “There’s no more Pitt, mom. We’re over. I’ve been explained this to you. I’m with Amare now, so I would appreciate it if you would stop bringing him up.”

  Her mother looked from her to me, before she finally smiled making me feel a tad bit better to meet her. For the moment I was chilling. If this moment was ruined it wouldn’t have been because of me. If I ain’t know any better I would’ve thought Corryn acted as if she had something to hide the way her mom kept asking about her ex.

  “Well it’s finally nice to meet you,” he mom greeted me with her arms stretched wide for a hug.

  We shared a quick embrace and then followed her to the kitchen. I gave Corryn a look that let her know we needed to have a talk afterwards as we followed her mother to the kitchen.

  “It smells good in here mom, what you cooking?”

  “Food. Now I’ve been hounding you for you to explain what’s going on between you and Peter and you got me looking crazy because I have no clue who this man is. Nobody ain’t eating until you tell me everything I need to know.”

  Corryn had the audacity to look my way as if I was going to save her. Her mother was indeed crazy, but she knew that already. Sounds to me like she was stalling for whatever reason, so she was on her own to figure it out.

  Almost an hour later we were finally able to eat after Corryn told her mom about what happened between her, Pitt and Trina and then answered her mother a million and one questions. When Corryn explained that Pitt was married, her whole attitude towards him changed and he went from Peter to that muhfucka.

  She was an older woman, but she cursed like a sailor. I could tell growing up she ain’t play no games. As amusing as the conversation got when it came time for her mother to rant, I was glad when it was over because I didn’t eat all day knowing that we were going to have dinner with her mom. Once we were done, her mother had her cleaning our dishes while we both sat in the living room eating dessert. I knew she only set that up, so she could talk to me alone which I was cool with. I had a good way of dealing with people.

  “So you use to be in the same class as my daughter? How come y’all didn’t get together back then.”

  I took a piece of the apple crumb cheesecake and stabbed it with my fork bringing it to my mouth. “We were in the same class, but two different worlds. Back then I wouldn’t have been no good for ya daughter.”

  “And you are now?” she asked as if she was shocked.

  “Of course I am. What kind of man would I be to lure her in just to lead her on? Life is too long for the games, Ms. Moore. I know you was thrilled about Pitt and is probably let down because his true colors finally came to light, but I’m nothing like that man. As good as you thought he treated your daughter, I’m treating her better. I would never hurt her, and you got my word on that.”

  “You can say that again. And cut all that nonsense out with Ms. Moore shit. We’re family around here. You can call me Ma. If you make my daughter happy, then I’m happy. She’s all I have so if you hurt her I’m coming for you and that stanking ass hoe, Trina.

  She smiled big making me smile as well. Her mother could be overbearing, but she was also funny as shit. “A’ight ma.”

  “Now tell me the truth,” she said lower. “Did Corryn beat that girls ass? I can’t believe I took care of her and loved her like a daughter and she did that to her.”

  “Mom, I hear you, ya know.” Corryn walked in the living room cutting her eyes at me even though it was her mother that was doing all the shit talking and questions.

  “Well I’m just asking,” she cackled.

  Although Corryn looked irritated I can tell she was more at ease now that her mom wasn’t throwing shots and had a wall up. Having to grow up with a mother that gave up on her kids had me respect Corryn’s mother who went hard for her. That wasn’t a bond I would come in between.

  ***

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Corryn whined as soon as we left out of her mother's house to go home. I actually had a good time, but she knew I was going to bring up the fact that she ain’t let her mother know what was up between us earlier.

  “I didn’t say anything,” I laughed.

  “Not yet,” she shot back at me.

  As she walked around my car to the passenger side, I lifted my hand and smacked her round soft ass hard. She yelped and turned around with a from on her face rubbing where I smacked.

  “Why would you do that?” she whined.

  Taking her arm and pulling her into me, I slid my hands down to her ass and squeezed as I pinned her against the car with my body.

  “I thought we were doing this a hundred percent?”

  “I am and we are.”

  “So what’s up with ya old bird?”

  “As you can see she doesn’t have it all. She loved Pitt and no phone call conversation or one on one conversation would’ve changed that. I wanted you to meet for a reason and it definitely wasn’t for her to rub that she once liked Pitt in your face.”

  I leaned down and met my lips with hers and she smiled. “I have who I want,” she said against my lips before I reared my head back to look her in the eyes. “and even if she had an issue that would’ve had to have been something she would have to work out on her own.”

  Gently moving her from off the door, I unlocked it and opened it up so she could get in “Don’t say that, that’s ya mom.”

  “I understand that, but I know he
r better than you do. My mom has some unresolved issues she doesn’t talk about, but the way she pushed me into staying with Pitt like he’s the last man on earth says it all.”

  I closed the door behind her and rounded the car. My phone went off the moment I got in the driver side and started the car.

  “Yo,” I answered connecting it to my speaker.

  “I see Pitt right here, but it’s hot. I can’t make a move.”

  Corryn’s head snapped in my direction so fast. I didn’t have shit to hide, but this conversation I ain’t want her to hear. If she thought I was going to let her ex and her best friend get away with that shit they pulled with her earlier they had another thing coming.

  “Stay close to them. Call me back once everything is clear.”

  I ended the call and went to turn on the radio. Coco smacked my hand away from the button.

  “I know you ain’t doing what I think you’re about to do.”

  “I’m not doing shit but riding home with you.”

  I felt her burning a hole on the side of my face. “Mar, it’s not fucking worth it. Just let it go. They didn’t do anything to me.”

  “You don’t see your fucking face?!” I snapped.

  “It’s only a scratch, Mar. Trina suffered worse than I did.” I didn’t say anything.

  “It’s not worth it. I don’t know what you’re about to have someone else do, but just let it go. They’re going to suffer regardless; you don’t have to have your hand in their demise. Karma has a way of coming right back around.”

  I didn’t say anything, instead, I turned up the music and rode home. Once my mind was made up there was no coming back. Corryn grew up in the hood, but she didn't understand the way of the streets. You either got or get got, no one was going to catch me slipping.

  Amena

  Checking myself out in the mirror, I sprayed a couple spritz of my J’adore perfume on my pulse points and was satisfied with my finished look. I had on a black fitted bustier dress with my hair up in a sleek bun to show of the dresses neckline.

  Remembering CoCo wanted me to check in, I lifted my phone from my vanity to FaceTime her, but a call from Trey came through.

  The thought of him bought butterflies to my stomach. I didn’t think I’d be this much into him, but I was and it was a great feeling. I easily ignored Jake and forgot all about Wesley.

  “I must be on your mind,” I gushed packing up my clutch before I headed out to leave.

  “You were. I was thinking how it’s weird for us to be going out on a date and I’m not picking you up. I’m old school and you got me treating you like one of these new niggas. You’re too beautiful to be pulling up anywhere alone. Someone might think you’re single and take you from me.”

  I blushed from his comment. “We’re together?”

  “Nah, not yet, but I’m selfish and know I will only want you to myself.”

  “If you play your cards right, maybe that will happen.”

  “Trust me, you will be all mine soon. Send me your address, so I can come get you.”

  I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip thinking about whether or not I really wanted him to show up at my door. We’ve been texting for a few days and I liked him, but I didn’t like him that much to have him popping up.

  “I have no problem meeting you there. I still think you’re a gentleman.”

  “Cool, cool. I should be pulling up soon, so I will be at the table waiting for you gorgeous.”

  “Alright see you soon.” I hung up and tossed my phone in my clutch as I took my keys off my dresser. I locked up my house being sure to set the alarm and got inside of my car.

  Traffic wasn’t too bad, so I arrived to Butcher and Singer steak house in no time. I parked valet and then went inside giving the hostess Trey’s name. She escorted me to the table and he stood when he saw me. Opening up his arms he gave me a peck on the cheek and pulled out my chair for me to sit.

  “You look good,” he told me.

  “Thank you, you look and smell good.” I allowed my eyes to travel his body before I sat down in the chair. Trey noticed me smiling and looked up with a smirk.

  “What’s on ya mind?”

  Just as I was about to express myself, the waitress came up and asked if we were ready to place our orders. Since we just sat down and didn’t touch the menus we placed our drink orders. Trey ordered a rum and coke and I ordered a Martini.

  After jotting down our order, she left and I responded. “Why aren’t you taken? It seems like you’re perfect. And that rings an alarm honestly knowing that I’ve ran across a lot of questionable guys.”

  “There’s your answer. I’m not the man you were with. Anything you want to know ask. I am an open book. I want you to get comfortable with me and I also don’t want you second guessing my intentions again. I spent so many days thinking about you since our first encounter and the second.

  “The kind of life I live I gotta be careful who I deal with,” I sighed being truthfully honest.

  “Care to elaborate?”

  I got quiet again wondering how I can put it without giving too much information. “My brother is connected to certain things that may put me in harm’s way with the wrong people.”

  “Certain things like what?” he asked.

  Playing with the cloth napkin, I stopped to think if I could really trust Trey. Regardless if I did, I knew Mar didn’t and would hate for me to divulge anything about him to Try.

  “Why you stop?”

  “Nothing.” I shook my head. “We’re here to get to know each other not discuss my brother.”

  “It ain’t about your brother. I see there’s something on ya mind and I’m here so you can let it all out. We can’t enjoy ourselves if you have a lot on your mind.”

  The waitress returned with our drinks and I was glad because it felt like Trey was pushing the issue with Amare. I got quiet and lifted my drink. He must’ve sensed I was shutting down so he grabbed my hand.

  “I hope I didn’t offend you, Amena. I know it’s been only a matter of a couple weeks but I’m into you. Once I invest my feelings I’m all in, so forgive me if I come off a little too strong with the questions. How can I get to know you so we can take things to the next level if you have a wall up?”

  Taking in a deep breath, I placed the martini glass down. “You’re right. I don’t really trust people and like I said I’ve been let down by many people that were close to me. I let them in for them to hurt me, so I’m guarded.”

  “You can trust me.”

  I offered him a weak smile, just wanting to enjoy our night out. I didn’t want to think about Amare, Wesley, or Jake for that matter so I changed the subject.

  We ate and had a little conversation and it was exactly what I needed to take everything that I had off my mind. After paying the bill we waited outside of the restaurant hand-in-hand for the Valet to bring our vehicles. Mine ended up coming before his, so I gave him a hug and he pulled me in closer pressing his lips against mine taking me by surprise.

  His lips were so soft. The longer he kissed me, it knocked down my inhibitions and I got relaxed against his body.

  “I hate for this night to end,” he murmured once he pulled away and peered into my eyes.

  “Honestly, I do too,” I responded.

  “We can always go back to your place…”

  “Nah… it’s kind of late and too soon for that.” Disappointment covered his face and I almost felt bad, but then again like I said, it was too soon. I wasn’t that type of girl. I made Jake wait an entire year before we did anything sexual. The only person I gave into so soon was Wesley and in my head he was an exception because I knew him damn near all my life.

  “I respect it. Enjoy your night and make sure you text me once you make it home.”

  He kissed my lips one last time before he paid the Valet and I got inside of my car.

  I was only around the corner when my phone rung in my purse. Stopping at the red light I got it out of my clutch and smiled w
hen I saw it was Trey.

  “You said text you once I get in,” I answered the phone and placed it back in my cup holder.

  “I couldn’t help myself. Plus like you said, it’s late. I gotta make sure you get home safely.”

  “Such a gentleman,” I cooed.

  I heard him laughing. “I told you I was.”

  Trey was applying pressure when it came to getting close to me. As bad as I wanted to feel suspicious about that, it was a different feeling knowing that someone really wanted me with no strings attached.

  Once I got home, I pushed the security code in to let me into the gate and drove inside. Trey had me cracking up the whole time, but when I saw Wesley sitting on my steps my smile dropped and my stomach twisted.

  “Oh my God.”

  “Is everything okay?” Trey questioned me.

  Taking my eyes off Wesley who was quickly making his way towards me, I focused back on the screen. “Yes. I’m home now. I will talk to you tomorrow. Thank you for dinner.”

  I ended the call and cut off my engine. Just as I swung the door open Wesley was there and got hit.

  It only made him look ten times madder than what he already did. Served him right. “What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be home rubbing Kesha’s belly?” I stepped out of my car and slammed the door.

  He grabbed my elbow and spun me up so fast I almost twisted my ankle in the heels I had on.

  “Where the fuck you coming from? I’ve been calling you all week.”

  “Ummm. I know you ain’t stupid if you call someone and they don’t answer, better yet, if you can’t get through, that obviously means they don’t want to talk to you. Now get the hell off my property before I let your baby mother know you’re here.”

  I snatched my hand out of his grip and proceeded to my door. I thought I was over Wesley but the way my entire body yearned for him it was apparent I wasn’t.

  Officer Eileen Cloak

  Lifting the small plastic baggy to my face, I held one nostril and inhaled some of the contents deeply. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head back and waited for the effect to take over. What I expected was numbness, but only got a quick blur and a mere tingle.