by Jade Jones
Romeo’s words cut deep, and he instantly thought about Destiny. Suddenly, his compassion turned to hatred.
“Man, you a ole’ mark ass nigga!” Desmond yelled, shoving Romeo forcefully.
Acting on instinct, Romeo threw a devastating punch that connected with Desmond’s jaw. Together the two tussled in the office of their warehouse, knocking over furniture and decorative items.
Lifting him off his feet, Desmond slammed Romeo onto the nearby oak desk before delivering a couple body shots.
Romeo ate those harsh blows before hitting Desmond with a violent right jab. The force was so powerful that it sent him stumbling backwards.
As soon as he regained his footing, Desmond made a move towards Romeo. But his friend was much faster on the draw.
Snatching out his chrome tool, Romeo pointed the barrel directly at Desmond. He had no intentions on pulling the trigger. He just wanted Dez to fall the fuck back before he seriously hurt him.
“Like that?” Desmond asked in disbelief. “You’d pull a strap on me though?”
Romeo slowly put away his burner. A $500 Givenchy tee was now ripped and ruined. “Man, ain’t nobody finna shoot yo’ ass. Just cut me my last check and keep it pushin’, bruh. My ship’ll sail with or without ya ass.”
***
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Desmond pounded on the huge wooden doors to Ava’s mansion as he impatiently waited for her to answer. He’d driven so erratically to her house that he’d almost gotten in two car wrecks.
After what felt like an eternity, Ava finally opened the door wearing nothing but a white terry cloth towel. Her skin was still damp and her hair was wet. It was obvious she’d just gotten out the shower when Desmond decided to show up uninvited.
“Hey, what’s up?” Ava greeted with a confused expression. It wasn’t like him to pop up unannounced. Luckily, she didn’t have company.
Desmond rudely barged inside and went on a rampage. “Man, can you believe this mufucka?!” he yelled at no one in particular. “Bargin’ up in the office talkin’ ‘bout he droppin’ out! Man, this fool trippin’! He fuckin’ losin’ it, man!”
“Who are you talking about?” Ava asked, clearly perplexed.
“First, Dana’s crazy bullshit, then da mess with Kim, now Romeo—”
“I’m in love with you,” Ava blurted out.
Desmond ceased his tirade long enough to turn and look at her. He wasn’t expecting to hear her say that. Lately, it seemed like everyone was dropping bombs on him. Yet that one had totally caught him off guard.
For several seconds, Desmond stalled with a response. In the end, all he could come up with was, “How long?”
Ava smiled bashfully before running a hand through her long hair. “Since the first time I ever saw you,” she answered honestly.
There was a long uncomfortable silence as the two stared at each other. Desmond was at a total loss for words. Up until then, he’d always looked at Ava like a little sister. Now she was telling him that she had always possessed feelings for him. His luck with women was ultimately his curse.
“Say something…,” Ava whispered.
Desmond chuckled nervously before running a hand over his waves. “I…What do you want me to say?”
Ava offered a flirtatious smile before unloosening her towel. In silence, Desmond watched as it dropped loosely around her ankles.
Immediately, his eyes took in everything his best friend had to show. Ava’s perky C-cup breasts were full and supple. Her kitty was shaved low, and the sight of it alone made Desmond’s mouth water.
“The real question is…what are you gonna do?”
29
Desmond abandoned all morals when he walked up to Ava and kissed her. If he didn’t get the pussy, he’d feel like a pussy later on. Besides, a real nigga would fuck a friend.
Wrapping her toned arms and legs around Desmond, Ava eagerly submitted. Any possible consequences seemed nonexistent as he carried her to the master bedroom. Gently placing her down on the mattress, Desmond’s head screamed no while the other said yes.
Ava anxiously undid his jeans in excitement. After snatching them down his athletic legs, she slipped his curved 10-inch dick inside her mouth.
“Mmm,” Desmond moaned. Grabbing a handful of her hair, he guided Ava’s head up and down his shaft.
She sucked his dick with so much intensity and devotion. Almost as if she didn’t want another bitch to matter.
When Desmond could no longer stand the foreplay, he flipped Ava over onto her stomach. “Put dat ass up,” he demanded.
Desmond didn’t bother returning the oral pleasure as he spat in his palm. Lathering his mandingo, he slid deep inside Ava. Grabbing a fistful of her locks, he pounded into her like he hated her ass. And in a way he did. Deep down inside, Desmond didn’t want to take shit there, but she made it hard for a nigga to refuse.
Anger and resentment brewed in Desmond’s heart as he fucked harder. Gripping the bed sheets, Ava tried her best to take the aggressive strokes. “Aaaah, shit!” she yelped. “Slow down, Dez.”
“You wanted the D, now take it,” he said in total disregard.
Handling Ava like a ragdoll, Desmond flipped her over onto her back. “Spread dem legs.”
When he slid inside, Ava leaned up to kiss him but he turned his head away. There was a total disconnection.
So many thoughts ran through Desmond’s mind as he pounded into Ava. She had no idea he’d be taking his frustrations out on her after offering herself to him.
Wrapping a hand around her slender throat, Desmond fucked Ava into euphoria. With her legs quivering, she secreted all over him. Her orgasm was so powerful that it sent her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
After pumping Ava a few more good times, Desmond snatched out and skeeted on her thigh. The moment he collapsed beside her he felt instant regret. As incredible as the hate sex was, it also left Desmond feeling numb on the inside. His heart wasn’t with Ava.
So why I fuck her?
Ava rolled over so she could look at Desmond. He was unusually quiet, and she knew something was up. “How do you feel…?” she asked timidly.
Ava knew how much Desmond valued their friendship; and she hoped the sex wouldn’t complicate things. But she also knew if she didn’t take a chance by telling him how she felt, she’d always wonder what if.
Ava waited on pins and needles for a response. However, she was totally crushed when Desmond said, “I feel like I love somebody else…”
Ava’s entire world came crushing down after his statement. As a matter of fact, it felt like a slap in the face. She’d tossed all her cards on the table by proclaiming her love—and now he was telling her she wasn’t good enough for him.
“Are you serious?” Ava asked, sitting up in bed. “I finally open up to you and that’s how you do me—”
“I didn’t ask you to. Quite frankly, you could’ve kept it to yaself if you ain’t want your feelings hurt.” Desmond was heartless with his response, but nonetheless real. Of course, Ava didn’t want to hear that shit.
“Fuck you, Desmond! Get the fuck out my bed!”
“Really?”
“I’m not playing! Get the fuck out!”
Ava’s entire face was beet red with embarrassment and anger. She’d never felt so humiliated and betrayed. For years, Ava had imagined him declaring his love back, but apparently he wasn’t feeling her the way she was him. That realization hurt like hell.
“What the hell is yo’ problem?!”
“You are!” Ava cried. “I told you that I loved you! And in turn you fucked me like I was some prostitute before telling me you have feelings for another bitch! You could’ve kept that shit!”
“And you could’ve kept that towel on,” Desmond retaliated. “But you didn’t. Just like I didn’t promise I’d fall in love with yo’ ass after we fucked.”
If there was a gun within reach, Ava would’ve shot his ass point blank.
They were supposed to be friends, but Desmond was treating her like she was one of his jump offs.
Tossing a pillow at his head, Ava screamed for him to leave. Desmond couldn’t dress fast enough. “Look, it’s nothin’ personal. Hit me up when you get out yo’ feelings,” he said on his way out.
After hearing the front door close, Ava hopped out her bed and began trashing the room. She knocked over and broke anything she could get her hands on. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks when she pushed her LED TV over.
The drugs coupled with a wounded pride had Ava spazzing out. “Fuck him!” she screamed. “I hate him! I hate him! I hate his ass!”
After tuckering herself out, Ava dropped onto the floor in the middle of her room. She was so upset and hurt that all she wanted to do was make Desmond suffer the same way she was.
Suddenly, an idea popped into Ava’s mind. Grabbing her iPhone she dialed a dear friend’s number. When he answered on the fourth ring, she wasted no time, “I think I gotta proposition for you.”
30
That evening, Shayla and Romeo enjoyed a candlelit dinner at Bacchanalia, an Italian 4-star restaurant in the heart of midtown. With a quiet and modern ambience, delicious food, and hospitable staff, it was a gem to experience. However, Shayla’s only issue was the fact that Dexter and Nina were coincidentally dining there as well.
Romeo didn’t miss the irritation on Shayla’s face. But he would be damned if he allowed an ex to ruin his evening—especially when he had a big surprise in store.
“Man, fuck dat clown. You with yo’ nigga. He irrelevant,” Romeo said. Every so often he noticed her glance in Dexter’s direction and it was starting to annoy him.
“I know, I know,” Shayla agreed. “But you’d think outta all the restaurants in Atlanta he could go eat somewhere else.”
“Shayla…? You wanna invite the mufucka over to join us?”
Shayla looked repulsed. “No! Of course not.”
“Aight then. Drop it. They asses ain’t fazed by us so why you sweatin’ him?”
Shayla could tell she was irritating Romeo so she decided to chill. He’d gone out his way to make reservations and she didn’t want to let a small misfortune ruin his effort.
“Aye, I got’chu somethin’,” Romeo said, changing his tone.
Shayla’s eyes instantly lit up when he placed a navy suede box on the table. “What is it?” she asked excitedly. Romeo had been spoiling her nonstop since they’d been kicking it, and the presents were only getting better.
No one knew it, but there was once a time when Shayla was envious of the way Cool spoiled Kim. Now it was her time to shine.
“Open it,” Romeo urged.
Shayla took her time lifting the lid. A sharp gasp instantly escaped her lips at the sight of a sparkling 10 ct. ring. “Oh, my…Romeo—I—what is this?” she stuttered. Shayla was flabbergasted at the sight of the ring. She had no idea what it meant.
Romeo chuckled lightly. “What’chu think it is? I’m tryin’ to do right with you,” he told her. “Wassup? You wit’ it or not?”
Shayla’s smile slowly vanished. Romeo’s delivery was all wrong, and it was far too early. She also felt like he was asking out of obligation. On top of it all, the setting was horrible considering Dexter was seven feet away. “I’m…uh…” Shayla paused as she carefully thought about her response. “I’m gonna put the ring on…but I don’t know if it’s quite a yes yet…”
Romeo immediately looked offended. He wasn’t used to women turning him away. It took a lot of courage for him to pop the big question, and she didn’t even want to give him an honest answer. “Nah, gimme my mufuckin’ ring back then. It don’t work like that,” he said.
“Why do I have to give it back? I didn’t say no. I just don’t think you’re fully ready for something like this.”
“Why can’t I be?”
“You barely can keep your eyes off waitresses still. But you ready to spend a life with me? Boy, stop it.”
Suddenly, Romeo regretted the decision to give up his hustle for Shayla. It was obvious that she wasn’t taking a nigga seriously. “You know what? I done lost my appetite,” he said. “On some real shit, I’m ready to dip.”
Although she wasn’t prepared to leave, Shayla did as he asked. Romeo could be so petty when he didn’t get his way, and that was something she was unsure if she could get over. As they prepared to leave, Dexter glanced over at their section. Shayla half-expected him to do or say something. Yet she wasn’t surprised when he reached over and placed his hand over Nina’s. After finding out Shayla was having another nigga’s baby, Dexter had to force himself to move on.
“You see the way you’re acting?” Shayla said on their way out. “That right there lets me know you ain’t ready.”
“Man, whatever. Just get in the fuckin’ car.”
Shayla quickly stopped in her tracks. She was pissed that Romeo was even behaving so childishly. “I’m straight. I’ll catch a cab,” she told him, walking in the opposite direction.
“Shayla, get in the car, man! I ain’t finna play these baby games.”
Shayla ignored Romeo as she walked away while fishing through her purse for her cell. When it was obvious that she wouldn’t conform, Romeo hopped in his Porsche and skirted off. No bitch was worth chasing in his opinion. If Shayla wanted to play head games she’d have to solo. He had already given her all of him, and if she couldn’t see the sincerity it wasn’t worth it anyway.
***
Kim peered out her large bay window for the seventh time that evening. Strangely, she hadn’t seen a cop drive past in three hours. Usually, they were consistent but it was obvious they’d gotten lax.
Kimberlyn had put Jordan to bed an hour ago, and while he slept soundlessly she kept an alert. After Rita’s passing and rekindling with Desmond, he had offered to move her in but she didn’t want the messiness. Instead, she opted to take their time with each other and see where things went.
There was no denying the chemistry with Desmond. Kimberlyn just wasn’t ready to jump back in something so quickly—especially while she was vulnerable.
“Where are these motherfuckers?” she asked herself. Chalking their absence up to a temporary break, Kim headed back to the living room. She was halfway there when she heard a knock on her front door.
Kimberlyn instantly froze in place. She knew it was trouble without even having to look through the peephole.
“Kimmy, it’s me…,” Cool called out. “Listen, I know I fucked up…but I need you. Open the door fuh me.”
Though he sounded sincere and apologetic, Kim would be a fool to let him back in. He had caused more than enough grief to last a lifetime. Padding barefoot to the door, she pressed her body against it and spoke. “Cool…The police are doing rounds every hour looking for you,” Kim began. “If I were you, I’d leave.”
“I can’t leave without you,” he told her.
There was a long period of silence afterwards.
Kim longed to open the door and hold him, but there was also a part of her that was scared of him. And love couldn’t co-exist with fear.
Cool sniffled and wiped his nose. He was high out his mind at that very moment, but it was the only way he could get the courage to visit Kim. “Look, bay…I’m plannin’ somethin’ big tonight. Somethin’ that could set me straight for a lil’ while.”
Kimberlyn remained silent as she listened to him.
“When I’m done, I wanna take you and Jordan and get the fuck up outta here,” Cool said. “I need to get ghost ASAP…but I can’t bounce without my fam. And in spite of all da shit dat happened between us, you always gon’ be dat, K. You the mother of my son, yo.”
Tears streamed down Kimberlyn’s cheeks. Even with all the chaos he had caused, there was no denying she still loved Cool. Letting him go permanently hurt like hell. But ultimately, time healed all wounds.
“I’m sorry, Cool. But if you don’t leave I’m calling the police.”
Angered by her st
ubbornness, he instantly went off the deep end. “Open this mothafuckin’ door, Kim!”
Flinching at his thunderous tone, she quickly backed away from the door.
“OPEN THIS FUCKIN’ DOOR!”
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
31
Desmond had been driving around the last half an hour clearing his mind when Kimberlyn called. Turning the music down to his Jeezy CD, he answered immediately. “Wassup? Everything good?”
Desmond could barely make out what Kim was saying since she was talking so frantically. But at the mention of Cool’s name, he did an automatic U-turn in the road and headed her way.
Halfway there, his cellphone rang again. Thinking it was Kimberlyn calling back, Desmond answered without even looking at the caller ID.
“Yo.”
“Hey, babe. You busy?”
Desmond growled in frustration. “Not right now, Dana.”
“Then when?” she whined.
“Fuck off, Dana! Now ain’t the time, man!”
“So it’s like that?” she asked. “You really gon’ toss me to the side while you entertain some other hoe? I’m fam, remember?”
“You the mother of my chill, Dana. That’s it…”
Dana paused as she allowed Desmond’s hurtful words to sink in. “So I ain’t yo’ bitch no more?”
CLICK!
Desmond didn’t have time to go back and forth with his baby mama. He had a situation to tend to that was much more important. It took him less than ten minutes to pull up on Kimberlyn. As expected, he found Cool’s crazy ass banging on the front door like Fred Flintstone.
This nigga.
Desmond shook his head in disgust at the sight of it all. He was a real fucking problem that Dez was tempted to get rid of. Had it not been for Cool being Kim’s baby daddy, he would’ve had his ass clapped, end of story.
Inside, Kimberlyn and Jordan were locked in his bedroom with a loaded gun. She had called Desmond instead of the police, because as much as she hated Cool she still didn’t want to see him rot. Kim was hoping Desmond could talk him down without things escalating to violence.