by Tiece
“Calm down, baby.” Luke said with a slight smile in hopes of lightening the situation. “She called and asked me if I’d go by and pick up a pizza that she’d ordered from one of our stores, because she had a flat tire.”
“She conveniently had a flat tire, huh? Don’t sound right to me.” Scarlett said, feeling very skeptical when it came down to anything that involved April.
“I wasn’t gonna even go over there, but she said that she had called a couple of folks before even calling me. I ain’t gonna lie. I felt bad for her, so I picked up the pizza and dropped it off since I was in the vicinity.”
Scarlett rolled her eyes up in her head. “You must be the perfect gentleman.” She said unenthused with his show of sportsmanship. “Well, did she have a flat tire when you got there? And don’t lie, either.”
Luke frowned. “When have you ever known me to be a liar?” He questioned.
Scarlett came down a few notches off of her angry horse. “Well, never,” she softly whispered.
“She did have a flat tire, since you must know.”
“Well, I hope she called to get that fixed so she doesn’t keep using that as an excuse to call you over.”
“I changed it while I was there,” Luke said, opening up his dresser drawer and pulling out a pair of boxers then putting them on.
“You changed it?” Scarlett quickly asked with a jerk of the neck. “Why’d you change it? Jay works at an auto shop, he should’ve changed it.”
“Well, Jay wasn’t around.” He responded then got in the bed next to her. “It was nothing, babe. Can we just leave that alone, please?”
“We sure can. I actually wished I wouldn’t have said anything.” She said.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” He asked, already sensing that the attitude wasn’t going to go away no time soon.
“Just meaning that it would’ve been nice to hear it from you first,” she said. “I hate sounding jealous and just then I was.”
“You have nothing to be jealous about. I only want you.” He said. “Now can I have my cell phone?”
She passed him the cell phone, but quickly thought about the text from the chick name Tasha. “Oh and who is this Tasha girl, talking about she misses you with that nasty ass, hairy ass pussy picture that needs waxing.”
Luke laughed a little. “You know it’s cute when you’re acting all jealous and shit.”
“Well,” she said, not thinking that it was funny.
“That’s an old late night booty call. She was way before your time and hasn’t ever been during your time, so no worries.” He answered. “Are you satisfied?”
“Maybe,” she said with a pout.
“Quit acting like that.” He commented, leaning over and kissing her. Anytime he touched her, she’d melt in his arms. He just had that sex appeal and was seriously in tune with what she wanted and needed.
“I’m just already under so much strain with thoughts about this baby. I can’t handle any more news like you possibly having another baby by somebody else.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.” He said. “If this baby isn’t mine, I’ll be just as happy as you. Then the baby that I will be having will be by you.”
Scarlett mustered up a smile. “That would be nice.” She said as those thoughts made her feel some type of way. She knew that Luke wanted kids, but how could she ever give them to him?
“I love you and I want this to work.” He kissed her softly on the forehead. “Come on and lay down and relax.” He pulled her next to him. Scarlett snuggled closely with her back facing him as he cupped his arm around her waist then kissed the back of her head. No sooner than she could close her eyes from thoughts floating crazily in her head… Her phone alerted her of an incoming text message.
Scarlett sat up. “It’s probably Nina this time of the night.” She said, grabbing her phone off of the nightstand next to the bed then opening up the unread message.
I buried my cousin today and the only thoughts that make me feel better are those of you. Troy
Scarlett smiled inside. This man was sincere and real. It was refreshing to be the center of his attention even though they hadn’t officially spent any time together. She wanted to respond as she held the phone for a moment.
“Do I need to read that message since you feel so free to go through my phone?” Luke asked as he watched her read the message.
“It’s just Nina.” She lied. “She’s tripping about Rick. I’m just gonna tell her that we’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“No, call her back; talk to her. You’re not giving me anymore tonight, anyway.” He teased.
“Mind if I step in the bathroom for a moment. You know talking to Nina can get loud.”
“Tell me about it.” He said, knowing that the two of them could get riled up really quickly. “And no, I definitely don’t mind. You know I have a long day tomorrow.” He said, trying to get comfortable, because he was already tired from busting three of the best nuts a nigga could ever have, just hours earlier with her.
Scarlett walked inside the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She sat on top of the closed toilet seat. “What the fuck am I doing?” she whispered then dialed Troy’s number.
The phone rang, it seemed like several times, and then when she was about to hang up…
He answered. “What’s up dream girl?”
It felt strange the way his voice touched her soul. “Hey you,” she spoke barely above a whisper. “I just wanted to say again that I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin. I know that today must’ve been hard.” Her words were sincere and they made him feel better to know that she was there to talk to him.
“Thanks,” he commented. “I wanna see you.”
“You sure this time?” She said, knowing that he had stood her up the last time even though he called like a gentleman and canceled their plans of meeting up.
“I need to see you,” he said, feeling like her presence would lighten his mood if nothing else.
“Well, uh,” she hesitated.
“You’re having a situation right now aren’t you?” He asked with a slight grin.
“How do you know?” She asked, wanting to laugh for some reason, too as she bit the tip of her fingernail like she was nervous.
“Maybe, because you’re speaking really low in the phone as if you’re hiding out or something,” he responded.
“Yeah, something like that,” she admitted with a smirk.
“Don’t let me hold you. I’m just glad you called, though.” He said.
“Me too,” she added.
“Can I see my dream girl tomorrow evening?”
“Possibly,” she answered with a blushing smile. He could see it through the phone as he smiled back.
“Call me when you’re available.”
“Will do,” she stated. “Oh and have a good night.”
“Will do,” he responded then ended their call.
Scarlett pressed her phone up against her chest.
What are you doing, girl? She questioned herself then walked out of the bathroom as if nothing happened.
Luke peeked open his eyes as he looked at her. “You okay? Is Nina okay?”
“Yeah,” she quickly said. “Yeah, she’s good.” She put her phone back on the nightstand then lay back down next to Luke as he wrapped his arm around her waist and soundly fell asleep. Scarlett stayed woke a little longer with uncertain thoughts about the two men in her life that had her attention. Both of them had benefits, good and bad. One thing for sure was that it felt good to have options, being that in her past she didn’t have any.
____________________
Troy rolled over as he looked at the alarm clock on his night stand. It was almost one o’clock in the morning and thoughts of his conversation with Scarlett had him gone. He was definitely feeling her. He appreciated her honesty about her current situation, but nevertheless, it was a situation and he wanted something official.
“Damn, could she be the
one?” He questioned himself as he tossed and turned until he fell asleep.
Chapter 10
The next day, Scarlett sat on Nina’s front porch waiting for her to come back outside and join her. Nina had been preoccupied since Stephen was back in the picture. Even though Scarlett was very happy about Stephen being back, she still needed some time with her bestie for a listening ear.
Nina scrolled outside on the porch. “Damn,” she said, looking over at her bestie as she sat down in one of the chairs next to her. “You’ve had a lot going on, lately.”
“Tell me about it. I don’t know if I’m coming or going at times.” Scarlett said, feeling pressure coming from all ends. “Can you believe that last night I was laying in the bed with Luke and Troy text me?” Nina’s eyes widened. “I read the message and lied to Luke saying that it was you.”
“Well, damn. What did he say? Did you even text back?” Nina nosily pondered.
“Girl, I asked if I could be excused, so I could talk in private.”
“Hush your mouth, Red.” She said in disbelief.
“Well, technically I was calling you crazy lady. Luke would’ve had a fit if I was asking to be excused to call a nigga back.” She shook her head at Nina, rolling her eyes up in her head.
“You are indeed one brave ass,” Nina commented.
“Anyways,” she ignored her comment. “I called him back since he’d had a rough day yesterday.”
“That’s right, they buried Slim yesterday.” Nina remembered.
“Yep, they did and I feel so bad for him.” Scarlett sadly said. “I just don’t know what I can do to make things right for him.”
“I can only imagine how you feel, girl.” Nina felt sorry for her bestie as Scarlett sat there lost in thought trying to figure things out.
“I’m sending Anton’s ass off to Kirkwood College where he can get his diploma. He needs to get his shit together. Hopefully, while he’s gone I can come up with a plan to clear him in this mess. I know that he didn’t pull the trigger, but he was there. I don’t ever need that to come out. Nothing good can come from that if it does. He’ll either go to jail for accessory after the fact or if Troy finds out first, no telling what his goons will do to him.”
“I don’t even wanna think about it.” Nina commented.
“He seems harmless, but you never know. They didn’t just take his money and drugs. That could’ve been overlooked if given back somehow, but killing his cousin? Even I’m tryna recover from that blow. Troy is beyond hurt over that and I know he wants some get back.”
“The more I think about it, the more I feel that you should definitely get up-close and personal with him. You need to see where his head is.”
“I can agree,” Scarlett responded then stared down the street at a car that favored the rental that Sheila was driving. “Damn, is that Sheila?”
Nina took a quick glance down the street, too. “Yep, and she’s about to pull up in your driveway,” she said.
“Damnit man,” Scarlett irritably stated. “I’ve been dodging her ass since that shit happened Friday at the hotel with Greg. Anytime she mentions what her mama was telling her about the incident, gets under my skin. I feel embarrassed, mad, and foolish for allowing myself to even get caught up in that crazy shit. That woman could’ve found me out, then what?”
“The only bad thing I can see is her making sure that you lose your job and if that happens then you just keep fucking her husband. Hell, it’s always better to get paid under the table, anyway. That’s tax free money, girl.” Scarlett laughed as she watched Sheila step out of the car. “May as well call her over unless you’re going home,” Nina said.
Scarlett smacked her lips, but stood up to call Sheila. “Aye,” she yelled out. Sheila looked around hearing Scarlett’s voice. “Aye, girl, I’m down here,” she said waving. Sheila smiled then started walking through the neighbor’s yards as she headed their way.
“Le’me see what High Yellow is talking about.” Nina teased as they sneak dissed her under their breath while watching her get closer and closer to them.
“Hey Y’all,” she spoke as she got within a few feet of them.
“Hey girl,” they spoke in unison with fake smiles plastered across their face; Nina’s much more faker than Scarlett’s.
“What y’all doing out here?” She asked, making conversation as she made her way up the front steps of Nina’s house. She hugged Scarlett then Nina. “Mind if I have a seat?”
“No, girl, by all means sit down. I know that walk must’ve tired you out.” Nina smirked, trying to be funny, because crossing over two yards was nothing, but to Sheila it could’ve been a lot with her bougie ass.
“Girl,” Sheila laughed. “That was nothing. I run two miles on the treadmill every afternoon when I get off of work.”
Nina casually grinned as if she gave fuck. “I could’ve figured that.”
Scarlett immediately stepped in, because Nina’s slick tone could definitely cause Sheila to go back in her shell of an asshole and all she wanted to do was keep the peace. “So, what brings you over this way?” She asked.
“My mama,” Sheila quickly responded.
Scarlett and Nina both frowned as they looked in Sheila’s face. “What you mean by that?” Scarlett nervously asked.
“I’m trying to get away from her. She has been hounding the hell out of me since she left Daddy.”
“She left him?” Nina asked before she knew it.
“So, I guess Scarlett told you, huh?” Sheila coolly asked.
“Uh, I-” Scarlett attempted to explain.
“Don’t worry about it, girl. Nina is your bestie just as I am, so it’s all good.” Sheila said as Nina eyes widened while checking out Sheila’s new attitude. That was definitely something that she’d have to come to grips with. She certainly seemed different, but Nina’s radar was always going to be up no matter what if Sheila was involved. “Anyways, yes she left my Daddy and has moved in with me, but she gotta go y’all. I can’t take the nagging and the constant reminder that she caught Daddy with some woman at a hotel.”
“Well damn, that’s fucked up,” Nina said, acting surprised as if she didn’t know the full story.
“What’s fucked up is that she didn’t see anyone. I can’t say that my Daddy was there alone, but if she didn’t see anyone then what can she prove?”
“Nothing, if you ask me,” Nina blurted out. Scarlett sat quiet as she looked off in a daze. She felt bad that she’d possibly broken up a marriage. She didn’t care for Mrs. Grand, but it didn’t make her feel good that she was the culprit in their separation.
“I just don’t know what to say about her. She’s been acting really crazy lately, even before that incident. The investigator that she started to hire put her on game. So, when Daddy leaves the house she calls our Onstar services to find out the location of his vehicle.”
“Whaaaaat, they can do that?” Nina asked in disbelief.
“Yep,” Sheila confirmed. “It’s called Family Link or something.”
“So, your mama called Onstar and they told her where his vehicle was and she went there?” Scarlett asked, finally getting involved in the conversation. She didn’t want to seem too quiet just sitting there.
“That’s exactly what she did,” Sheila stated. “Then when she got to the hotel she paid the front desk receptionist five hundred dollars to slip her the room key.”
“Damn,” Scarlett said, not knowing that part of the story since she’d been dodging Sheila about as bad as she was dodging her mama.
“Yeah, she wanted that key bad, didn’t she?” She asked while standing up and looking down the street. “Damn, is that my mama?” She asked.
Scarlett peeked around her to take a look also. “Damn, sure is.” She said as her heart dropped.
“What the hell?” Sheila asked. “How the hell did she know that I was over here?” She asked as Mrs. Grand pulled up behind Sheila’s car.
“Looks like we’re about to have a fa
mily reunion,” Nina teased with a grin.
“Hush Nina,” Scarlett said, rolling her eyes. They sat there quietly as they watched Mrs. Grand get out of her car. Nobody wanted to say anything, but Mrs. Grand kept looking down there way. What they didn’t know was that she was looking past them and at Stephen’s truck parked across the grass.
Sheila thought that she was looking at them so she called out to her. “Ma, I’m down here to Nina’s house.” Mrs. Grand didn’t waste any time heading that way. “Damn, she is really wildn’. I don’t know what she could want that she had to come find me.”