by K NICOLE
“That’s fine and then we can put some food in your belly and then I can take you to go see your boyfriend,” she smiled warmly at me.
“See him? Is he…”
I blinked back the tears.
“He just got out of surgery not too long ago. He was beat up pretty badly, but he is now stable.”
She helped me out of the bed as I looked up to the ceiling thanking God. I really thought Zeus was dead. The way he was unresponsive in the car. I just remembered him leaning over onto the wheel, blood covered his face. I still couldn’t believe we had been in a car accident. I miss Wes but I wasn’t trying to join him that fast.
I used the bathroom and now she was wheeling me down the hallway. We went up two flights in the elevator and then we were outside of his room door. I took a few breaths, preparing myself for seeing him all banged up. The nurse whose name was Beth, wheeled me in after opening the door and my heart damn near stopped. There were so many tubes entering his body, I had to turn my head for a moment. My Superman was laying here on this bed.
“Are you okay?” Beth whispered, and I nodded.
“Wheel me closer please,” I begged her in a small voice. Beth wheeled me closer to Zeus and I reached out to put his hand in mine. He didn’t squeeze my hand back. There was a neck brace around his neck and his face was bandaged. “Why… why did he have surgery?” I asked Beth, who was still standing beside me.
“A piece of glass was inches away from a main artery and it had to be carefully removed,” she answered me, and my hand shot up to my own heart. “Is he in a coma or is he just sleeping?” He couldn’t just be sleep because why wasn't he responding to my touch? To my voice?
“He is in a coma.”
The door opened and Roman flew in along with their mother behind him.
“Mercy,” his mom gasped, seeing her son laying on the hospital bed in the condition he was in.
“Damn,” was what Roman said. His eyes met mine. “You good?”
Was he asking me was I good? I thought to myself. I just nodded because my jaw was on the floor. Did he even care?
His mom came rushing over to me and touching on my head, my back, and then my stomach. It was weird having her touch me after me and her damn near came to blows because she was trying to talk all wreckless to me.
“How are you dear? How is the baby?” she asked me, and I could tell she was genuinely concerned. Her eyes danced around as she waited for my answer. I glanced down and the small pudge was still there.
“We’re fine,” I spoke. “I just want Zeus to wake up.”
When I glanced back at Zeus, Roman was leaning over him with his head on his chest. He was crying. I’ve never seen Roman cry. Ever. His shoulders were heaving and I felt bad that they had to see him like this in this state. Even though they had been at odds lately, you could still see the love Roman had for his younger brother.
“I need to leave please,” I cried out, eyes tearing away from the scene before me. Beth wheeled me out and back into my room. When I was back in my bed, I buried my face in the pillow and curled up in a fetal position. I just wanted everything to go back to normal.
DIAH
Wheeew this man was something else. I forgot how it felt for a man to compliment and attend to my every fucking need. Marco did just that in the little time we spent together that night and the next day. A bitch was skipping all over the place, happy ‘n shit.
Me and Marco spent all day in his comfortable ass king sized bed watching TV. We watched Lifetime movies and basketball games. He had food delivered to us and I didn’t have to lift a finger today. If felt good being in the presence of a real nigga. Not a nigga, excuse me. A man!
I was back home, getting ready to travel to Louisiana to be with my family on the last day of the reunion. I was going at first because I needed a damn break, but I did want to be around family. It’s not often that we get together, so I could spend time with them for a day.
While I was straightening up my house before leaving, there was a knock on my door. More like beating. Frowning, I sauntered to the front to see who I was gonna have to fucking taze. I was shocked to see Roman on my porch because I never told him where I lived, but knowing him, he finally thought to track my phone. I swear I hated technology sometimes. Unlocking the door, I was prepared to go off on his ass. The only thing that stopped me from hurting his feelings was the fact that they already looked hurt.
“You blocked me?” was the first thing he asked.
“No, why?”
Roman entered my house without me inviting him inside. Rolling my eyes, I closed the door and followed him to the living room area. He was taking everything in by the way his head darted from side to side as he walked.
“I’ve been calling and texting you,” he grunted, and I snorted because I listened to the voicemails he had left me on the way home. I guess he got news that I left the club with Marco and he thought he was going to check me behind it. That was the funniest shit ever.
“Yeah, I got the voicemail. What I do isn’t your business,” I said, busting his bubble.
Roman grilled me.
“I’m about to leave the house to drive to Louisiana. Is there something else you need to get off your chest because I would really like to get on the road.” I crossed my arms over my chest as I waited.
“You fucked another nigga?”
I started laughing hysterically.
“You have no right,” I screeched. “Please leave.”
Roman looked to the side and licked his lips. If I was still in love with this man, that would have turned me on. But it didn’t. I didn’t feel anything for his ass anymore.
“Zeus in the hospital. Him and Perri were in a car accident. I went to see him…” his voice trailed off as tears fell from his eyes. My eyes widened seeing my kid’s father breaking down before my eyes. I slowly stepped to him and brought him into a hug. The car accident must have been pretty bad for him to be crying like this. I mean his body was shaking uncontrollably.
“Are they okay?”
Even though I didn’t really care for Perri, I could tell Zeus really loved the girl, plus she was carrying his first child.
“She is good I guess, but Zeus.... man seeing him all bandaged up and he had all these tubes going in his body. Fuuuuuck!”
“Zeus is strong. He’ll be back together in no time. You know how he is,” I chuckled softly. I pulled back and let Roman go. I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea.
Roman grabbed the top of his shirt and used it to wipe his eyes. “Yeah,” he nodded, agreeing with me. “You fucking another nigga, D?”
I looked at this man as if he had five heads. “Roman, that isn’t your business if I was. Sign those damn divorce papers and make it easier on yourself because I’m not going back to you. You lost out on me and I will be damned if I go backwards.”
His hand was around my neck in no time as he backed me up roughly against my wall. My eyes were bulging. He had never. This was a whooole ‘notha Roman.
“Roman… I can’t breathe!” I scratched at his hands until he let me go. I fell to the floor, angry that he would put his hands on me. I started yelling at him. “What the fuck is wrong with you putting your fucking hands on me like that? Get out! Get out! Get the fuck out!”
Roman stood there in awe that he did that. His hand went to his head and he began to back up. I stood and rushed him, beating on his chest.
“I’m the mother of allll your fucking kids. How dare you do that to me! Get out! Don’t come back!”
“I’m sorry bae. Damn, I’m sorry!” he had the nerves to muster out, but I wasn’t trying to hear any of it. I just wanted him to get the fuck out.
“I’m not your damn bae. Get out and sign them damn papers!” I screamed.
Roman opened the door and stepped out of the house. I slammed my door and locked it. I grabbed my neck and started crying hysterically. I hated that man. For the life of me, I hated him.
ROMAN
I
fucked up. What the fuck!
I was going crazy. Never in all the years I’ve been with Diah, have I put my hands on her. Visioning another man fucking her made me do it. The fact that she wouldn’t even tell me if she was fucking someone else angered me. I was livid!
Yeah, I had no room to be mad because I fucked plenty of bitches while married, but the thought of another man sliding in and out of what was supposed to have been mine had me seeing nothing but red! It was true. men couldn’t handle what women dish out. That shit hits hard!
Hopping back into my truck, I didn’t know where I was going to go. As I backed out of her driveway, I decided to go back to the hospital to check on Zeus. All that shit with Perri went out the window seeing my little bro laying on that hospital bed unresponsive ‘n shit. Hit a nigga right in the heart. I was the older brother. If I could take his pain, man I swear I would.
It took me twenty minutes to get back to the hospital. I was zoned out as I drove and it surprised me that I made it in one piece. What surprised me more was Zeus' eyes being open when I entered his room. His tired eyes met mine.
“Damn bro, How do you feel? I mean, I know that’s a dumb question…”
“I’m aight. Where is Perri?” he asked.
That fucked me up. Here I was checking on him and he was asking for a bitch. I used my thumb to swipe at my nose. I tried to not show how hurt I was.
“I don’t know. Didn’t know you wanted me to keep up with her.”
“I don’t. I appreciate you coming to see about me even though we aren’t on the best terms, but I really need to see Perri. Can you get the doctor or do I have to press this button?” He picked up the remote that was attached to the bed. I rubbed my face out of annoyance.
“I’ll go get a nurse.”
I left his room and ambled right up to the nurse’s station. A fine ass girl was sitting there and I almost forgot about my brother’s request. She smiled up at me showing dimples in both cheeks. She was a brown skinned chick with a curly afro. Big brown doe eyes bore mine.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
My dick bricked up. Yeah, I had a fucking problem.
“Um...shit. My bad,” I nervously snickered. “My bro in room 344 would like his um...girlfriend that is also admitted here to visit him. He just woke up.”
She nodded and started tapping her little fingers on the keyboard. While she did that, I decided to pick for some details on her. She appeared young but if she was legal, I’ll take my chance on asking her out.
“How old are you?” I asked, showing her my charming smile. Crazy because I was just acting a fool at Diah’s crib. Here I was smiling now.
“Um… I’m twenty-three,” she replied, not looking up. “Okay. What is his girlfriend’s name?”
I gave her Perri’s name.
“You single?” I pressed. She squirmed in her chair. I glanced at her badge. “Kayla.”
“No, I’m actually not. I’ll get someone to wheel her to his room.” She shut me down. Damn.
I slapped the counter. “Lucky man,” I told her, walking off.
Today had been a draining fucking day. At this point, I just needed the stress sucked out of my dick.
ZEUS
It felt like a ton of bricks were placed on my body. If I moved an inch, I was in pain. Seeing Roman enter my room, worried about me, I was thankful and everything because we weren’t speaking to one another, but the main person that I wanted to lay eyes on was Perri. She was in the car with me and I needed to make sure her and our child were straight. It seemed years passed by when the door opened again, and she was being wheeled in. My eyes shot to her stomach and I couldn’t tell if the pudge was still there from the oversized hospital gown. My heart started beating faster as she was wheeled closer.
“The baby is still baking,” she spoke, reading me. I was able to relax somewhat.
“Why are you in a wheelchair?”
The nurse that brought her in left. Perri stood and climbed in the bed with me, being careful. I winced when she touched me, but I wanted her close to me.
“They just feel like I should be wheeled instead of walking. I’m okay though. I just had a few cuts from the glass. The car hit you on your side. We spun out of control. It was bad. I looked at you and… and…”
Perri began to cry and through the pain, I lifted my arm to wrap around her. I kissed the side of her head.
“It’s okay babe. I’m breathing. I’m alive,” I whispered, lips to her head.
We sat in the bed like that until the nurse came back for her. we both would be able to go home tomorrow. They kept Perri to monitor the baby. I felt like shit and asked for some pain meds that would knock me out. I just wanted to sleep until the next day because I knew we would be going home. I needed to get all my energy back because I was now sitting at a much bigger table and I’d be damned if I got knocked off my throne.
__________
“I like this house,” Perri pointed and my eyes drifted to the laptop screen. “No, I love it.” She clicked on each picture and every single one I approved of.
We were home in the bed where I had to be locked down in until my body healed. Every now and then, I would get up and walk around the room slowly, trying to push myself to heal faster. I was determined to not be bedridden longer than I had to be.
“It’s your world bae. I’m just in it. Make the call and give them my card.”
A big smile spread on her lips. That’s what I loved to see.
“Wait… we need to check it out first. I can wait until you’re better. Too many people scamming these days,” she said. Perri focused on the laptop, top lip tucked in as she focused on looking at each room again over and over.
“If they want their life, it’ll be their best bet not to scam me,” I mumbled, eyeing the movie that was on TV.
“It was weird seeing Roman. I wanted to throw up in my mouth knowing he had sex with my mom,” Perri revealed. “I really want to know what he was thinking.”
“Why do you care?” I found myself asking.
Perri’s head rose as she eyed me.
“I don’t necessarily care. I just want to know if he knew that was my mom. Put yourself in my shoes,” she stated and I shrugged.
“I would rather not. I don’t care about that shit.”
I felt Perri’s eyes burning holes in the side of my face.
“Do you have an attitude?” she asked me.
“Gone Perri. Stop trying to start shit because you ain’t gone do nothing but end up mad,” I warned her. “I ain’t got no damn attitude. I just don’t want to talk about Roman digging your mama’s back out.” I said the last part to annoy her and it worked. It hurt to laugh when I saw the way her face contorted.
“You lucky your body is sore. I’d push you down,” smacked Perri.
“You lucky,” I said, laying my head back and closing my eyes. I ain’t never been down on my dick like this. This shit was foreign to me but I was determined to get back on my shit in a few weeks.
I had to call Draco and tell him I would be out of commission until I heal and would need Roman to handle shit until it happens. For some reason he was hesitant, but told me if I felt like Roman could handle it, then he would roll with it. It bothered me that he didn’t trust my brother for some reason when me and Roman jumped in the game together. I needed to ask Draco what was up with that because even running shit when he stepped down, I was still gon bring my brother with me. He was still gon eat wit’ me.
“Ima call to have a chef come cook for us,” Perri stated, interrupting my thinking.
“Aight, that’s cool. I’m hungry and you need to eat too.”
“Is there a certain one I need to ask for. A bitch that doesn't want my man?”
I snickered. “Girl gone. Just know I don’t want them. I just want some good ass food and if I could dive in your pussy tonight, I would.”
That caused Perri to blush and shut her mouth. My phone rang and she picked it up off the bed, of course
glancing at the screen. They took the neck brace off my neck, but I still couldn’t move it fast enough.
“Sis is calling,” she said.
“Diah. Put it on speaker for me.” Perri did as I asked. “Yo!” I answered.
“Hey. Roman told me what happened and I was just calling to check on you.”
“Damn, I don’t even deserve that from you but I appreciate it. How are you and the kids? Rome needs me to hang his little ass upside down?” That made Diah giggle.
“Nah he good. We all are good. Roman found out where I lived by tracking my phone and he had popped up. Trying to check me for… for leaving the club with another nigga,” Diah spoke, causing my eyes to buck. I knew that hurt Roman’s ass because he wasn’t expecting her to move on fast. Hell, I didn’t know she had it in her.
“How did that go?”
Diah sighed and I assumed it was some shit.
“He put his hands around my throat and pushed me up against the wall. Roman had never put his hands on me, Zeus. It scared me.”
I bit back on my back teeth. Roman was getting out of hand. First he put his hands on Perri back in Miami and now Diah.
“Damn D. Ima get on his ass once I get some strength. That’s fucked up. I don’t know what the fuck he was thinking do that shit.” This time it was my turn to sigh. “I’m sorry D, for real.”
“You don’t have to keep apologizing for your brother, Zeus. He is a grown ass man. Anyway, get better.” Diah ended the call.
Perri was quiet but hopped up when the doorbell rang. I picked up my phone and saw it was a chef. It wasn’t Iris and that was a good thing. I didn’t no shit to pop off while I was in this state. I closed my eyes and just tried to figure out what the fuck was going on with my brother.
PERRI
A month later…
Zeus was back to his normal self and I couldn’t be anymore happier. Seeing him in pain on some days and having to dope him up was something I couldn’t handle. I would sit with him in the bed and carefully massage his body and help him walk to the bathroom. I would bathe him and do whatever he needed me to do. I didn’t mind it one bit because I knew when this baby came, I would need my man to be there for me.