When A Hood Legend Claims It All

by Belleza

  Sharita looked back at me and then stepped around Trina who rolled her eyes hard. They were the two closest women to me and they only got along off the strength of me. Rita did a better job than Trina at playing it cool of course.

  “What’s up?” I asked her closing my door behind me.

  “You’ve been acting weird all day. Is there something you’re hiding?”

  “No,” I lied right away because it wasn’t her concern. Trina was like family but I knew she couldn’t hold water in a cup. She was the true definition of an around the way chick. If there was something you needed to know, she was the one you went to get all the tea. Not minding her business and having so much mouth landed her in so many fights you would think she would’ve learned to whoop someone’s ass by now. That’s why Rita paid her no mind because she knew Trina was no match for her.

  Sucking her teeth, she stormed off catching a bitch fit per usual.

  Back in the day we were so close my mother would call us Frick and Frack. Her family was fucked up to the point where she ain’t even want to be around them, but all those negative traits she grew into no matter how much love and care she received in my household. My mother and I didn’t have much, but we welcomed her with open arms and made it work for the three of us.

  As we got older she started to change and wanted to hang with a crowd I didn’t fit in. I was more so focused on helping my mom and getting out of school to make some real money, while she skipped school to run the streets. I didn’t want to sit in a classroom no more than what she did, but I understood it was needed for me to get where I wanted to be.

  Trina was lazy and thought the world owed her everything. Just like my mother I had a big heart and once I was on I made sure everyone in my corner was winning. Trina wasn’t good at a lot of things when it came to school, but she was the bomb at doing hair, so I gave her a chair to rent at my salon despite the fact she didn’t have her license. She made good money too, but that wasn’t motivation enough for her to come in on time and ready for her appointments. It made her lose a lot of clients as to where she was once booked from open to close everyday to only having a few appointments a week.

  Sharita always told me I shouldn’t mix family with business and I hated to admit that it was true. I was getting sick of feeling like I was babysitting when it came to Trina.

  Making my way to the front of the shop, I went to the register where a man stood with a woman waiting behind a customer Rita was assisting.

  Since I was big on customer service and wait times, I went and took care of them.

  “Welcome to Polish Me Pretty how may we service you today?” I asked focusing on the young lady. She was about the same height as me with wild jet-black natural hair that complimented her dark complexion. She gave me the warmest smile and sat the hot pink nail polish on the counter.

  “I was thinking about getting the deluxe spa pedicure along with a gel manicure. That’s if you have the matching gel to go with this polish.”

  I lifted the polish and saw that it was our nail lacquer from our Rich Girl collection. It was a popular nail care line everyone raved about. I always made sure to stay stocked with their products.

  “Yes we do. Let me go get the water started for your pedicure. Would you like a glass of wine? Fruit and cheese?”

  “She came to get her nails done, not have a five-course meal,” the guy spoke snatching my attention from the girl.

  She threw her elbow into his stomach. “Really, Amare?!”

  Amare?

  That name sounded so familiar.

  When our eyes locked my mind went blank. I had a witty come back for the rude nigga that was sadly her man, but finally focusing to put a face to the name and the smart-ass comment, I recognized who he was.

  I wasn’t a social butterfly but there was no way I couldn’t know who Amare Davis was back in highschool. Everyone raved about him since he was the star player of our basketball team Olney high wasn’t the best school, but those three years he actually played they dominated the season and won every championship.

  For him to be extremely popular, Amare was laid back and seemed like he never wanted to be bothered with anyone, yet it never stopped anyone from crowding his space. It didn’t help that he was extremely handsome, so the girls were magnetized to him. Even I couldn’t deny my attraction, but I kept my distance being fully aware of all the drama that came with being connected to him.

  He had a smooth coco brown complexion, kissable lips and a face full of facial hair that aged him a couple years. His head was crowned by a black mass of coils that was precisely lined up and faded on the sides and back. In a rugged way, he was gorgeous.

  Amare wore some of the flyest clothes putting everybody to shame. There were rumors that he made money off the street games he played and then there were rumors that he was hustling. As appealing as he was that was enough for me to not entertain the idea of being with him. There were two things I didn’t want in a man: a womanizer and a dope boy. In my mind he was already that.

  Who would’ve known with all the years that passed I’d be face to face with him with butterflies invading my stomach like a teenage girl?

  “I’m sure you would like your lady to enjoy her experience here,” I shot back forcing a smile because I wanted so badly to give him the same energy he was giving me. I don’t know if he was being smart because he recognized me or he grew into a bigger nonchalant asshole than he already was back in High School.

  A tiny smirk appeared on his face as he eyed me before it disappeared and focused back on his phone that was going off in his hand.

  “Don’t mind him,” the girl told me as she pushed him back. “He probably haven’t had his daily dose of pussy.”

  My frown dropped in confusion, but I quickly recovered from her comment and told her to follow me. As I walked to the one open chair I felt his eyes on me and it had me self-conscious wondering if I was walking weird.

  After starting up her water and adding our foot soak, I turned on the massager on her chair and went to go get her glass of wine.

  I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Trina in Amare’s face. It annoyed me instantly. I don’t know how many times I had to tell her not to be too friendly with male customers. It brought unnecessary drama, especially if they were in our shop with a partner.

  I gave the young lady her glass and she happily accepted oblivious to the fact that my best friend was seconds from possibly bending over for her man.

  Taking one more glance at Amare who was also focused on me, I quickly looked away and headed to my office with my whole body burning under his scrutiny. I needed something to take my mind off of him, but too bad my own man couldn’t be the remedy for that. Thinking about Pitt reminded me that I needed to get in contact with him about this crap he had going on.

  After taking a seat at my desk, I lifted my phone and unlocked my phone to dial Pitt's number. It rang once before it went to voicemail which was weird. I tried calling twice more and got the same result, so I started to text him.

  We need to talk.

  As soon as I pressed send, my door flew open and Trina waltzed in with a happy go lucky smile on her face.

  “You know who that is, right?”

  “Who?” I questioned her, feigning ignorance. She walked up to my desk and planted her behind on the edge knowing I hated when she did that shit.

  “Mar. Amare Davis from Olney.”

  “And he’s here with his girl and you didn’t hesitate to jump in his face. I told you about that, Trina. What if that girl wanted to fight you?” I asked back. “I don’t need that kind of crap in my shop. Lord knows I have enough going on.”

  “Like what?”

  Waving my hand, I shook my head. “Never mind all that. Stay away from my clients’ men.”

  “Well let’s not act like Mar wasn’t eye fucking you,” she shot back with a smirk. “Oh yeah I peeped game. So you just better make sure his girl ain’t out there ready to go upside his head because he
can’t control his eyes. Or better yet, Pitt walk up in here and shut shit down.”

  The mention of his name had my eyes rolling.

  “Where is this conversation going?” I huffed standing to my feet.

  She shrugged. “I just wanted to know if I can shoot my shot. He was looking at you but if you don’t want him, I’ll take him.”

  “I’m taken. And from the looks of it he is too. So I guess you won’t be making that play.”

  “Boss lady, you have a customer ready to pay and they specifically asked for you,” Sharita walked in thankfully shutting Trina’s thirsty ass up. The look on Sharita’s face had me cutting my eyes at her skeptically.

  I was more concerned about the customer that specifically wanted me and was surprised it was Amare still standing at the front counter. His eyes were on me as I exited my office all the way until I reached him.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?” I questioned him swallowing the lump in my throat.

  Inhaling his masculine cologne, my body quickly reacted causing me to shift from one side to the next to stop the throb in between my legs. The smirk that tugged at his juicy top lip didn’t help either.

  “So you really gonna sit here and act like you don’t know me, Corryn?”

  “So you’re really gonna sit here and act like that in front of your girlfriend?”

  “Who said that’s my girl?” he asked back.

  “Oh, my bad. She’s somebody in rotation. I never took you to be that kind of guy to trick on a female though.”

  He released a throaty chortle before pocketing his phone and crossing his arms over his broad chest putting his sculpted tattooed arms on full display.

  “I don’t.”

  I smacked my lips. “It doesn’t matter. You were ready to pay now, correct?”

  “I got time to pay. I just wanted you out here with me.”

  “So disrespectful.” I shook my head hoping his girlfriend wasn’t paying him any mind.

  “How? I can do whatever the hell I want. I don’t gotta answer to nobody.”

  “Well just because your cocky ass have the option of picking and choosing who you want to slang pipe with, I am taken. I’m not here to entertain you. Just servicing one of the special women in your life.”

  “Who’s the lucky guy?”

  I watched as he licked his thick lips and then focused back on his dreamy eyes that were a shade lighter than his complexion.

  “Pitt.”

  “Word?” It sound like he was shocked, but the way his face was emotionless I wasn’t sure how to take it.

  I reared my head back from his response. “What’s that supposed to mean? You know him?”

  Mar shook his head before laughing which had me now looking at him sideways. Despite my unpleasant stare he continued to peer at me with this hungry look in his eyes sending a rush through my body that had the seat of my panties drenched.

  “I don’t think she will like the way you’re looking at me.”

  “My sister don’t give a fuck.”

  Sister? Shit!

  Noticing the salty look on my face he actually smiled showing off his bright white teeth.

  “Well, I guess Trina is more than welcomed to have you.”

  “Nah. I’m good on her. I like a little chase, not to be chased. That’s ya friend and all, therefore I know you know her better than me. She couldn’t pay me to suck my dick.”

  My mouth opened and closed before I spoke. She did get around and normally men that wanted a quick nut didn’t care either. “That’s not nice. And like you said that’s my friend, so watch it,” I warned him.

  “I call a spade a spade.”

  “Well I told you I’m with Pitt.”

  “So Mar, where have you been?” Trina asked trying her best to get his attention but he was occupied in a stare down with me.

  This is the most conversation Amare and I ever had. Back in high school we never spoke and he walked past me as if I didn’t exist, but would make sure he would sit behind me in the only class we shared. I thought nothing of it all the times it happened but looking back at it now, it may have been his way to let me know he was interested. It was childish now that I was able to sit and think of it.

  . “Around,” he responded to Trina with his eyes still on me. He dug in his pocket to retrieve his phone before walking away from the counter and out of the door.

  “I thought you were taken?” Trina asked with her hands on her hips and her eyebrows raised.

  “Don’t start with me,” I told her leaving her to stand and wait around for a man that clearly wasn’t paying her any mind. Although she was being annoying she had a point. I was someone else’s woman and had no business with another man on my mind.

  If only getting him out of my head was that easy!

  Amena “Mena” Davis

  “If I had it my way, I would like for you to be with the dark skinned girl. Not the one who couldn’t stay out your face.”

  I was staring at Amare who was busy pecking away at his phone. He had two. A personal line and a business line which he switched up damn near every few weeks. It was the business one he was on, so I was mentally prepared for him to depart to go handle whatever was taking most of his time.

  When he was done. He cut his eyes at me and continued to his car.

  “The hell you talking about.”

  “I saw the way you were looking at that girl. Her name is CoCo and she owns the salon. She’s twenty-five. Doesn’t have kids and clearly have her own money which is a plus,” I rambled proudly because I had all the tea.

  Amare tried to fight back a smirk which was a clear indication that this CoCo girl he was feeling and I was all for it.

  “I knew it!” I squealed with excitement. “Did you at least get her number?”

  “Aye… quit with the matchmaker shit.”

  “I’m just trying to help you out. I can tell you like her.”

  “How you figure?” he questioned me offering his full attention.

  “You’re my brother, jackass. I see how you treat these bitches. The one that couldn’t stay out ya face you barely looked at her twice but no matter where CoCo was at in the shop you couldn’t peel your eyes off her.”

  Amare shook his head instead of responding because he knew I was right.

  I looked over at Amare who was his usual cool, calm and collected self. Even when he was upset he was pretty chill which was the scary part. You ain’t know what to expect from him.

  “You can’t mind your business to save ya life,” he spoke up hitting the button on his key fob to unlock his bright white Charger SRT. He could have any car he wanted but he was so simple in everything he did. He always told me he didn’t need material possessions to define who he was. In other words we were hood rich and he ain’t care for people to know.

  “You are my business, Mar. You’re all I got.”

  He nodded his head, but didn’t respond, so I smacked my lips.

  “Where we headed now?” he questioned me finally slipping his phone in his pocket.

  I bared my teeth down . “About that… Jake wanted to go out to eat so we can talk.”

  It wasn’t the best excuse I had, but it was worth a shot, so I could get away. It was cool hanging out with Mar, but this was just another way to keep tabs on me. I was dying and wanted to take advantage of this window of opportunity to see who I really wanted to be with. Jake been begging me to talk since the incident, but I was running him in circles. I don’t think I had it in me to ever forgive him, but he was my scapegoat since I didn’t have any real friends to lie for me.

  “How you gonna cut our time off?” he complained. “I thought you weren’t fucking with him because he was kissing some girl.”

  “He was giving her CPR,” I rolled my eyes and he mushed me in my head.

  “Those eyes gonna get you hurt.”

  “Please Mar. I know this shit was killing you and the way you’re phone going off you have things or someone to do.”<
br />
  “Stay in a child’s place, Mena,” he joked and I shot him the bird. Amare was set in his way. He was a laid-back guy that was all for me and his money. It was a shame the way he had females in a daze and going crazy. That man had tunnel vision and I’m sure if they had his attention it was only for one reason.

  “I’ll drop you off.”

  “No!” I shot back loudly making him look at me funny. “Um… since, we agreed to meet at a restaurant I was thinking for you to take me home and let me get my car. I don’t want to hold you up.”

  Still eyeing me suspiciously, he agreed to take me back to my house giving me a long ass speech about not settling for less. If only he knew I could careless for Jake he wouldn’t have wasted his breath to tell me something I didn’t need to hear.

  ***

  “Took you long enough,” I smiled against his lips. He pecked me one time as he peered down at me causing my heart to thump so fast that it threatened to shatter in my chest.

  My hands were clasped around his inked biceps as I tried to steady my breathing. Wesley easily became the highlight of my day. I never been on drugs, but he was the most sweetest addiction. I couldn’t stop thinking about him all night and yearned to savor him again. I just wished he stopped holding back. I was grown. I had sex plenty of times before. Granted it was with one person, but I obviously knew what I was doing the way I had him melting like putty in my mouth.

  “How did you manage to get away?” he asked me palming my ass.

  “I told him Jake and I were going out to eat.”

  Wesley didn’t say anything, but his body gone rigid. I didn’t understand how he didn’t want me with no one else but he had Kesha and every other bitch. Our time was limited, so instead of arguing I kissed him once more to ease the tension. Especially since that was all that I was getting from him.

  “I gotta go,” he said pecking my lips again.

  “No you don’t,” I whined. I left Amare to be in is presence for five damn minutes in the parking lot of a store. This shit was becoming sickening.