by Belleza
“I didn’t throw myself on her.”
“I know you, nigga. You're used to getting shit your way with little effort. Try my approach, you’ll get a text back at least.”
I sighed and ran my hands down my face. It sounded like too much work. I was shocked I was willing to give it a try.
“Let me see what you were saying to her.”
“No!” I shot back.
“I’m trying to help you, not hurt you.”
I passed him my phone, and he started cracking up. “I wouldn’t text your ass back either. You damn near threatening her to text you.”
“You just sweet and probably text KeKe poetry and shit.”
“Maybe when I was trying to bag, but I got that shit on lock I can say whatever I want,” he shrugged. “Not that I do, but she’ll text me back.”
I snatched my phone out of his hand and locked it because he wasn’t helping my mood. We were sitting in Johan’s driveway waiting for him to bring his ass out. We had shit to do, and I rather be somewhere else than running the streets with my brothers. By the time we finished the blunt, he finally emerged and slipped into the back seat.
“Took you long enough. You and Tab were working on baby number four?” I asked starting up my car.
“Chill… I had to make sure the boys were straight.”
“Where she at?”
“Went to go get her nails and shit done.”
“Female shit.”
“Check this, when we get there, don’t start cutting the fuck up. I know you Asahd. We’re there to only talk. A fair warning, if they don’t take heed, then we’ll exhaust all other options.”
I grunted not really caring to talk. That was all Burge was doing for the past few weeks. He has been mad he had to hustle for us and now that I popped his brother, and the nigga had to eat out a straw he was in his feelings.
“It’s going through one ear and out the other,” Zayne told him with a chuckle.
“Nah, that little nigga listening.” I shot Johan a look through the rearview mirror and he returned a stern one.
“You ain’t my pop, nigga. We all don’t have a father remember?”
“Doesn’t matter,” he replied.
“I’m good over here. We’re just talking,” I told him with a snide grin and continued to drive my truck to the other side of town. Burge and his posse were posted up despite the frigid temperature outside. They stood around in a circle shooting dice, and a slew of bills was littered around their feet. They thought they were untouchable. Someone from the group noticed us getting out of the car and they got his attention. He turned towards us and blew into his hands meeting us halfway.
“What I do to deserve this visit from the infamous Moseley brothers?” he asked with a sly grin. He looked at all three of us and then focused on me.
“You should've known we were coming,” Johan said crossing his arms. “What’s going on? I’m hearing a lot of things, and I’d rather get it from the horse's mouth. I ain’t with the he said she said shit.”
“What you hearing?” Burge asked back.
I laughed because this was testing my patience. He wanted to try this run around shit. I laughed and ran my hands down my face eager to pull my Glock from my waistband and send a bullet through his leg as well. I bet he will start talking.
“I ain’t for the games Burge,” Johan warned him in an icy tone and the smile vanished from Burge’s face.
“What with all these rules and stipulations. We just out here trying to eat but we can’t do that if we ain’t paying you. That shit ain’t fair.”
“No rules, no order,” Johan stated.
“So you saying we gotta continue to cop work off y’all and not do what we want with the work. That's some bullshit. After we buy it, we should be able to cut it how we want.”
“And give us a bad name? Everyone knows the shit we have is cut and still pure. Shit changed, nobody wants that stepped on bullshit y’all doing to stretch a dollar.”
I stood not saying shit eyeing him and his crew. I was waiting for the right moment to pull my shit out.
“You making money right?” Johan questioned him, and he nodded his head.
“Lots of it.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“You right,” Burge said in agreeance although his jaw muscle was twitching.
“Good, I don’t like hearing talk about niggas looking for other suppliers when only our work is hitting these streets.”
“I know the rules,” he said even though we were fully aware he was willing to break them.
“Good. So we shouldn’t have any issues.”
“Not that, but you heard about my brother? That shit fucked up man.”
“What’s fucked up is that nigga gotta take pussy,” I finally spoke up. “All these bitches giving it away for a nick and he trying to rape someone.”
“That’s what happened?” Burge asked looking my way.
“You heard what I just said,” I spat.
We stared each other down, and he was smart because he ain’t say shit. The three of us walked back to my truck and got inside.
“That nigga gonna be a problem,” Johan stated.
“He been one, but I don’t have a problem fixing it,” I said calmly looking his way and offering a snide grin. Him and his brother can get it.
***
The second Camille saw me she scoffed and rolled her eyes and kept it pushing towards her car. I sighed and then jogged up to her with the box of Venus Forever Roses in my hand. I had to pull so many strings to get this shit sent to me the next day. Her mean ass was going to take these expensive ass roses. I was ready to curse Zayne out for this idea too because if she ain’t want them, he was going to give me back my $500.
“Can you wait up?! You move quick as shit to have some short ass legs.”
“What do you want Asahd?”
I extended the box out, and she looked at it and then back up at me.
“You gonna take these roses or not?”
She snatched the box out my hand and opened it up and smiled when she saw the perfect painted gold roses. Keira came through with the vital information, and I could tell I was getting somewhere. Shit, maybe I owed her and Zayne a few dollars for the help. This courting shit was something new for me.
“They’re my favorite color.”
“I know,” I cheese and she gave me a narrowed glare. “Tell Keira I’ma kill her.”
“How you know she told me?”
“Because you can’t just know things like this. You may be able to pull information about me on the internet, but my favorite color won’t be there.”
“Give me an A for effort. I never gave a female roses before.”
“I’m sure,” she responded.
I smirked and closed in the space between us and leaned down and unexpectedly covered her lips with mine. She didn’t resist, so I slipped my tongue in her mouth. I don’t know what overcame me. I never kissed a female, but I was locking lips with her. When I finally backed away, she looked as if she was in a daze.
“Don’t do that again, I don’t know where your lips have been,” she said even though she looked as if she wanted me to do it again.
“Trust me, I never put these lips on anyone but you. Come take this ride with me.”
“No,” she said quickly.
“Why you gotta give me a hard time? I’m trying to spend some time with you. Let’s go out to eat or something. My treat.”
She stared at me looking like she wanted to say no, but she didn’t respond at all which lead me to believe she wanted to go out and eat with me. At this point, it wasn’t even about fucking her. I was drawn to her, and I wanted her around me, even if she ain’t want to talk to me, I was cool with that.
“We can go somewhere to eat, but I’m picking.”
“Nah, I got this. I’m the man let me take the lead, baby,” I said winking at her and taking her gloved hand in mine. She released a deep breath as if she was annoyed
. I was happy as fuck that I was finally getting through to her.
Keira told me her favorite restaurant was Friday’s so we took the ride up to the one on City Line. It’s been a minute since I’ve been out to eat. I was a sit at home order out type of dude if my aunt ain’t cook. Times I was nice enough to treat someone to something to eat they wanted to get all fancy and go to Del Frisco’s, Devon’s or a steakhouse. No matter how much money I had, I was a hood nigga. The only steak I ate was a cheesesteak. Give me a good burger with fries, and I was straight.
It was refreshing to be with a girl that was simple. I think that was the main reason I was so attracted to Camille. She possessed an innocence that was so pure, I felt she was the missing piece to me. As we talked and I got to know her, she loosened up, and I was grateful to see her laugh without rolling her eyes at me. Zayne’s words played in my head like a tape recorder, and it actually worked like a charm.
“I’m stuffed,” Camille said sitting back in her chair and rubbing on her stomach.
“Me too. I haven’t been here in a while.”
“I can’t tell. The way everyone stopped to speak makes me believe you come here often.”
I shook my head and wiped my mouth off with my napkin. “Nah, Philly ain’t that big. Everyone knows of me. That’s all to it.
“I appreciate the dinner.”
“It ain’t nothing. What you doing once I take you back to your car?”
“Nothing much but go home and study and get ready for work, which reminds me. I’m still getting paid from the club. Is something wrong?”
“Nah, my brother is paying you for doing inventory. You want to work for free?”
“But I thought… never mind,” she said. The waiter came up and tried to place the bill on the table, but I handed him a few bills and told him to keep the tip.
Once we left Friday’s, I took her back to her car and this time she ain’t have no problem giving me a hug and kiss. I watched her pull off and then got back in my ride feeling like a new man. This shit wasn’t too bad after all.
KEKE
“Let’s go shopping,” I heard Za’naa suggest to her father as we sat at the table eating. I’ve been spending more time with the both of them and I enjoyed watching him cater to his daughter. He was the best father I knew hands down and I was really shocked to learn there was another side of him. He was nice to me, sometimes, but I can tell Za’naa had him wrapped around her little fingers.
She was the most adorable chocolate drop ever. Last night he washed her hair and he allowed it to air dry allowing her springy curls to bounce freely. Today she had it held back by a pink headband.
I’ve been trying my best to pick apart her features and see what she obtained from him and the only thing I can decipher was the deep brown complexion. Other than that she was her own little person with the cutest dimples that were always on display because she was forever smiling.
Lord, if I had a baby I would want them to be like her. She was very bright and happy. Little girls her age were grown as hell and I loved the fact that even though Zayne treated her like a big girl she remained a child playing with toys and watching her little shows on TV.
It was the weekend, so I came over and we watched TV and I played with Za’naa until she got hungry. Zayne made us lunch which was pretty healthy compared to what I considered lunch. He made broccoli and steamed shrimp since she requested it. It was pretty good too.
“Where you want to go shopping?” he asked her finishing up his plate of food.
“Toys R Us, and then I figured we can go to Children's place,” she responded back with a deep smile that had me giggling because mama’s was laying it on thick.
“Sounds like it’s all about you today baby girl,” he responded.
“Just for today.Oh yeah… and maybe KeKe and I can get our nails done.”
“That sounds like a great idea. I can actually use a new polish,” I agreed and winked my eye at Za’naa.
“So y’all planned this?” he questioned pointing at us.
“How when you heard her just ask?” I laughed.
“Yeah, ok,” Zayne replied gathering up our plates.
Once his back was turned Za’naa held up a thumbs up to me and I shot her one back. I couldn’t fit a thing in Children's Place or played with toys, but we needed to get out the house.
Za’naa wanted to change her clothes, so while her dad cleaned up the kitchen I took her to her room and we looked for a cute outfit for her.
“Which one?” I asked her waving my hand over the two assembles I picked out.
Za’naa carefully looked them over and looked at me. “Can I wear what you’re wearing?”
“I have on a sweat suit and sneakers.”
“I have one that’s the same. Give me on sec,” she told me and shot inside of her humongous walk in closet. I placed the clothes back in her dresser and she came out holding a grey Nike sweat suit and grey and black Nike 95’s. My entire outfit didn’t even cost as much as her little sneakers. “We can match.” She smiled.
“You are one fly little girl. I wish I had Nike’s when I was a kid,” I piped her up. I gave her her privacy to get dressed and then fluffed up her hair before we met Zayne down stairs.
When he saw us he bust out laughing.
“Y’all look like twins,” he told her.
“That’s what I was going for,” Za’naa beamed proudly rocking her expensive outfit.
Zayne gave us both our coats that were hung up in the closet and we were on our way to shop until we dropped.
***
“I want this color!” Za’naa said excitedly after we scanned the small shelves of OPI polishes. She didn’t know what color she wanted being as though she had about five favorite colors. When I told her my favorite color was yellow she added it onto her list making it six favorite colors. “Daddy,” she turned towards her father. “May we get a design or is that too much money?”
Her father had a lot of money and I’m sure the array of toys and clothes he purchased today didn’t put a dent in his wallet. After getting the toys and clothes she wanted we got a snack from a pretzel cart and then made out way to the nailery.
“Yeah we good, baby girl.”
Za’naa quickly snatched up the yellow polish and told me that was the color we were getting. Once we were seated, the Asian lady went right to work on us. Za’naa was going on and on talking about wanting to go home and play with her toys. I was listening until I heard a conversation happening behind me and noticed Zayne was talking to some woman. She looked older, about in her late 30’s or early 40’s. She was dressed nice and had a booty I sure wasn’t hers. Either way old head was doing her thing, but she was flaunting her shit in front of the wrong nigga.
When she looked at me she frowned, I snatched my hands away from the nail technician and made my way to her. I knew how Zayne felt about his daughter, but I wasn’t taking disrespect from anyone. The bitch was talking to my nigga and was acting like she had a problem.
“Is there a problem?” I questioned her.
“No, there isn’t no problem. Just catching up with an old friend.” I watched as she brushed her hand on his arm and I scowled at her subtle act.
“Friend?” I shot back.
“Yes, friend. I know Zayne very well. Probably as much as you know him.”
“A’ight, that’s enough Ebony. Go on about your business. My daughter is here and I don’t want my girl to fuck you up in front of her,” he cut her off and she reared her head back.
“That’s funny. She’s around your daughter. The one you never let me come around and you know she’s as ghetto as they come.”
I swung on her and Zayne grabbed me just in time before I landed my fist in her face.
“Daddy!” Za’naa called out to him.
“Not right now!” he said through clenched teeth in my ear squeezing me tightly in a bear hug. I calmed down just because I head Za’naa and it sounded like she was crying.
“Le
t her go, Zayne. If she lay a hand on me I will see to it that she’s arrested.”
“All that mouth but you can’t back it the fuck up!” I shot back at her.
She laughed and blew Zayne a kiss. “I’ll see you around boo.”
Zayne didn’t let me go until he figured she was gone. The second he released me I stormed out nailery hoping she was waiting to get fucked up.
I was so hot, I kept pacing outside to cool off. Eventually Zayne came out the nailery with Za’naa. He was holding her hand and she reached out for mine. I took hers and we walked to the car in silence. Zayne turned on the radio and we rode back to his house listening to the music.
I knew Zayne was pissed and I felt bad for even blowing up in front of Za’naa. I helped her put her things away and apologized to her explaining I was upset and I should’ve handled it differently. Za’naa just wanted to know who the woman was and that was a question only her father can answer.
After I drew her a bath, I went to go look for Zayne and he was sitting on the steps outside smoking a blunt. I sat down next to him and blew out a deep breath of air.
“Who’s the bitch?” spewed out my mouth although I told myself I was going to be nice about it. I couldn't help that some woman was able to throw him in my face. I wanted answers and if he was fucking her still we will have huge issues.
“I use to mess with Ebony off and on. I haven’t seen her in three months.”
My stomach got tight just thinking about him fucking her. No, we weren’t official but still. All that talk about him being angry because I talked to other men and he was slinging dick to other women. Talk about double standards.
“That’s fucked up.”
“I have no reason to lie to you. What’s fucked up is how you reacted. She know about you and is salty as fuck I always chose you over her. She wanted to get a reaction out of you and you gave it to her. You gotta tighten up Keira. Everything doesn’t deserve a reaction and fighting won’t solve most problems.
“Yeah but…”
“It ain't’t no fucking buts yo. Just chill out. I got you and I will check Ebony once I cool the fuck off.”