by KC Mills
I laughed and then headed to the bathroom to wash my hands so that I could head out. I was just having lunch with shorty I just met. Hopefully she wouldn't want to fuck, ’cause even though Rina only sucked my dick, I wasn't a nasty nigga. I didn't double up, but I didn't have time to go home and shower, so I was hoping she had some class about herself and wasn't just trying to get some dick.
“Yo, I’m out, Layo. You got this shit, right?”
“Yeah, I’m good Keys. We got a shipment coming in, but I talk care of it.”
“Aight bet. Hit me if you need anything.”
“I will, but I think I'm good.”
I left my shop and headed to my whip. I owned a Specialty Rim Shop. It was crazy as hell that niggas still invested money in shit like that but they did, and I made a lot of money off of it. My shop was big around here. I had two locations and each one was bringing in some serious bank.
Before I pulled off, I hit shorty to let her know I was on my way. I met her at Nic’s party the other night, and she seemed cool as hell. I was feeling her vibe and hoping that it was really her that I met and not her representative. Females had a way of doing that shit. You meet them and they're one way because it's really their damn representative. They hit you with that ‘yeah I’m in school. I work hard, I don't want a nigga to sponsor me’ and then a week later it's like ‘damn when your ass go to class, do you own any books, and you want me to buy you what?’. Fuck outta here with that shit.
They show their true colors quick as hell when they think they got you. Me being who I was, females looked at me and saw dollar signs. If I was rocking strong with a shorty she could get that from me, but I wasn't the one to be out here sponsoring random females. Not at all, and I was getting tired of not having that one special person to kick it with. I wasn't trying to wife anyone but I did want a constant in my life. I just hadn't found her yet.
I pulled up at the restaurant and hopped out. They had valet parking, but I didn't really trust people with my shit, so I parked myself. The place was expensive as hell, which I wasn't feeling. Strike one! Shorty acted the like she just had to come here, so that told me a lot about her. I had money, but I was a simple guy. Pizza, burger and fries was good with me, and a female that could rock with that was my type of girl. Not that I would mind treating her when she needed me to get my grown man on, but this shit was too much for a first fucking date.
I found her in the front waiting and she smiled when she noticed me coming her way. Shorty was cute as hell, and dressed nice. I eased up a little, but when we got to the hostess, shit went left.
“Reservations?”
I didn't say shit because this was her thing. She insisted on eating here, so I figured she handled it, but fuck no! She was looking at me like I was supposed to do something.
“Tell her your name, shorty,” I said, getting annoyed.
“I didn’t call. I figured you could get us in,” she said, looking at me and then the hostess.
“How the fuck would I do that? I’ve never been here before! I don't do shit like this!”
“She looked at me embarrassed and then moved closer. “Just pay her, she’ll find us a table.”
Strike two! Was she fucking crazy? “Yo, let’s go,” I said, pointing to the door.
She followed me with a damn attitude until we got outside.
“I don't know why you got your face all turned up. You should have fucking called if you wanted to eat here.”
“I didn't think I had to. You’re supposed to be all important. Why can't you just get us in?”
“Bitch, are you crazy? These rich ass white folks don't know me. Their kids might,l’cause they're some of our best customers but this ain't my scene.”
“Well, I guess Keys Masters doesn't live up to all the hype.”
Muthafuckin’ strike three!
“You’s a dumb bitch! Enjoy your day and lose my fucking number, but if you don't, I'll just block your ass.”
I walked away and left her standing there with her damn mouth open, looking crazy. I was mad as hell and wanted to cuss her ass out. I swear to God those females be trying me. I hopped in my whip, pissed the fuck off, and hungry as hell. I headed back to my side of town, decided to hit up Solano’s and then take my ass home. I couldn't believe that shit really just went down.
When I walked in Solano’s, it was packed as always. It was like everybody hit them up when they wanted good pizza. Solano’s was that spot, and everyone knew it. The food was good as hell, and the people were always on point. I never came here and got shitty customer service, which was important to me. If I was spending my money, you needed to at least act like you appreciated it.
“Let me get a large hand tossed, onion, peppers and pepperoni.”
Vinnie’s son Sal finished my sentence with me and then nodded. “You know we got youKeys.”
I laughed a little because my order was always the same unless I was ordering shit for my brothers too. I paid, then stepped off to the side to wait. The place was packed as hell so I didn't bother taking a seat. I just stayed up front by the counter because they were usually pretty quick about getting things done,and I wasn't in the mood to be bothered. Old girl had fucked up my entire vibe with that stunt she pulled. A few people who knew me or wanted to know me, tried to run a conversation with me, but after my lack of interest in whatever the fuck they were trying to say, they caught the hint and left me the hell alone.
“Large pepperoni, onion and peppers.” I looked up when I heard my order and saw the box sitting on the counter. The girl who placed it there still had her hand on top of it, so I walked over to get it and because my eyes were on her, I didn't notice shorty who walked up at the same time I did and grabbed the box.
“Whoa, lil mama! I think you got the wrong order. This one is mine.” I looked down at her and she rolled her eyes at me, pulling the box closer to her, but I kept my hands on it.
“It most definitely isn't yours! I was here before you, placed my order before you, so if we just happened to order the same thing, then this one is mine and yours should be up next.”
Again, she pulled the box closer and tried to lift it, but I pulled it back my way, which she didn't appreciate.
I checked her out and she was cute as hell, even with that damn frown she was sporting. Lil mama was thick too. Curves everywhere, and plenty to hold onto. I was feeling that. There was something about a confident woman who knew how to present herself to the world, no matter what size she was, and baby girl definitely had that.
“So, lil mama, you were watching me then?” I kept my hands on the pizza box and delivered all thirty-two of my pearly whites.
“Watching you? Why would I be watching you?”
“You just said you were here before me and placed your order before me. How you know that if you weren't watching me.”
“Because smart ass, I was in here already, so I clearly noticed you when you walked in. That doesn't mean I was checking for you. I know you're used to that, but baby I don't sweat any man, no matter who he is, so don't flatter yourself. Now, can I have my pizza please? I have things to do.”
She yanked it again and I let it go, after which she turned to walk away but I moved with her.
“Yo, hold on, lil mama…”
She turned and rolled her eyes at me. “Would you quit calling me that? My name is Asha, and there ain't a damn thing little about me, which I’m sure you can see since you’re basically eye fucking me.”
She tried me a little with that, but I wasn't tripping off it because she was right “No disrespect, Ms. Asha, but I like what I see.”
“I know you do. Hell, I know what I’m working with.”
The fuck? She was more cocky than I was. I chuckled. “Look, I don't want to hold you up, but can I get your number or something so that we can talk later? I got some shit to do right now, but I’ll free up sometime later if you’re cool with that.”
She looked me up and down like she had to think about it, and now
I was really tripping. Shit was funny as hell.
“You can give me your number and I’ll think about it.”
“Word, it's like that?”
“Yes, baby. Like I said, I don't sweat any man, I don't care who he is. Not even you.”
“Okay, I can respect that.”
She shoved the pizza at me, which I accepted before she pulled out her phone and unlocked it. When she was ready, she looked up at me like she was impatiently waiting. I rattled off my number and then she put her phone away and grabbed her pizza.
“So what you save me as, random ass nigga, cause you damn sure didn't ask for my name?” I peered at her after I folded my arms and waited.
For the first time, she smiled. “Nope, I know who you are.”
She left my ass standing there watching her thick thighs and fat ass as she walked away. The fuck just happened? I need to get my shit together. Never in my life had I let a female come at me like that. I had to laugh at myself when I played it back in my head. Asha had just basically pulled a me on me. How did I let that shit happen?
Asha
“Guess what just happened?” I yelled into my phone as soon as Ree answered.
“What? Damn! It better be good because I swear you just ruptured my eardrum, yelling like you don't have no dang sense.”
“Girl, bye with all that. Ain't nothing wrong with your damn ear, so shut up and listen. Okay, so I just left Solano’s to get a pizza and guess who was there?”
“Reelle!” I yelled Ree’s name when she didn't answer. I knew she wouldn't because she hated stuff like that. She’d rather just wait for me to tell her.
“Stop with all that and just tell me. I’m trying to study for a test.”
“Keys,” I said it as calmly as possible but I really wanted to scream that too but I knew that she would probably hang up on me.
“Keys?”
“Yes, Keys Masters! Your man’s brother.”
“First of all, I don't have a man, and I guess that’s a good thing?”
“Hoe, please, Yetti is most definitely your man, whether you know it or not, and hell yeah that’s a good thing. That nigga is not slap yo mamma fine, but knock that hoe out fine and he got more bank than I could spend in a lifetime. On top of that, he kicked it to me and I walked away like I wasn't in the least bit interested, when I really wanted to bend over for him right there at the counter. I played it cool, boo, you know how I do. Anyway, he tried to get my number but I made him give me his and then walked out like a boss. I know he was like what the fuck? You know them niggas used to women selling their souls just to spend one night with them, so I pulled a power move and I know I got his head spinning.”
Ree burst out laughing. “Girl, you need to stop. Now what if when you walked away he was like fuck her. You don't know what he was thinking, but if it works I’m happy for you. Just don't go getting any ideas of us being one big happy family because I’m not feeling Yetti at all. He needs a personality make-over. I swear dude thinks that the world owes him something, and I can't get with that.”
“So you’re not feeling him at all? Not even a little bit?” I knew this heifer had to be feeling something. She spent all morning with him and didn't object, and it wasn't like he held a gun to her head.
“I mean he’s aight, but not my type. I'm not kissing anybody’s ass, especially after Burke. Men that think they have it all, do not understand loyalty, so I’ll take a hard pass on that. I hope it works for you, though.”
“Ree, really? Yetti is not Burke. In fact, Burke is a bus pass and Yetti is a Bentley. Not even comparable. He's a little rough around the edges and maybe even a little touched, but he’s so got damn fine, Ree, and obviously he's interested. How cute would it be for us to lock down brothers, and not just any brothers, but the Masters brothers? Do you know how many bitches would be hating on us? Oh my God! I’m smiling just thinking about it, Ree.”
“That's because you live for drama, boo. I don't. I just want to stay under the radar and focus on my classes. I don't need a man right now.”
“Saying shit like that lets me know that you need a man. I get that you want to focus on your classes, hell! I do too and I am, but you have to live too, baby, and if you don't get some dick soon, I’m gonna stop being around you. I see the way you be looking at my ass, Ree. I know I’m fine and everything, but damn.” I couldn’t even finish my sentence before I was laughing.
“Hoe, get a life! I don't want no parts of your ass or anything you have to offer.”
“Girl, I'm just playing, but we’re going to Odyssey tonight because I know they’ll be there. I need to flaunt my stuff and play hard to get before I let Keys taste this rainbow.”
“I’m not going to Odyssey. Didn't I just tell you I had a test to study for?”
“And didn't you just tell me you’re studying now? It's early as fuck, Ree. Study now and I’ll see you at nine! Dress cute for your man cause you know he’s gonna be checking for you.”
I hung up before she could say anything and then dropped my phone on the table. After I opened the box and grabbed a slice, I shoved it in my mouth and took a huge bite before I went to opened a soda. My mind was on Keys. I couldn't wait to see his sexy ass, and I knew he would be there. If my plan worked, he'd be all on me trying to figure out why I didn't hit him up, and I’d have him right where I want him.
Men like Keys weren't used to women standing their ground. I wasn't really about games, but this one time it was necessary. Once we clicked, I’d be upfront, but I needed him to know that I could take him or leave him. I wasn't out for just dick. I wanted something bigger than that, and I knew that many had tried and none had succeeded in locking down a Masters brother. Well except for Hayes, but word was that he had been with his girl since high school. Yetti and Keys were hoeish, so nobody was changing that. Well not until me and my girl Ree decided to try.
Ree needed to get her mind right. Not only was Yetti the one who went after her, but he was doing it strong. That wasn't his thing, so he had to be feeling her. I just hope she'd let go of the whole Burke thing and give him a chance.
Whether she did or not, I had plans for Keys. I had been checking for him for a while, but I meant what I told him about me not being the type to chase a man. I never have been and I wasn't about to start. So, while all the women I knew were throwing themselves at Keys, Yetti and Hayes. I just watched, waited and listened. If it was meant to be, it was going to happen.
Most females look at me and think, she’ll never get a man like that, but honey, size don't matter. Confidence is the key, and even with my size, I was still fine as hell. I kept myself in shape, and was always fly. I just wasn’t meant to be a skinny ninny, and I was cool with that. It didn't stop my hustle one bit. I had a history of fine men who I fucked with to prove it too.
I wasn't going to settle just because society said I wasn't supposed to have a man like Keys Masters. Who the fuck are they? They could kiss my big luscious ass. I was smart, sexy, and had a good heart. Any smart man could see that, so I wasn't worried, and it showed.
After I finished eating, I put the rest in the refrigerator for later. I was regretting the fact that I didn't just buy a few slices, but it was cheaper to just get a whole pizza. I decided to get some work done because like it or not, me and Ree were hitting up Odyssey tonight. I couldn't wait to link up with Keys and watch mouths hit the floor.
I made my way to my room and dumped my books out of my book bag. I was currently studying graphic design. I had plans to design websites and things like that when I graduate. I could see myself owning my own business. All internet based, and I could work from home. I wasn't about to be punching someone’s clock on a nine to five. I was too smart to make somebody else's pockets fat. Mama didn't raise no fool, so my goal was to have my own, be my own boss, and do it like a boss.
I was creative as hell, and I knew that I could make it work, so I wasn't taking anything less that owning my own. It was going to happen no matter what, and the
first step was to get a degree. A young educated woman was a deadly thing, and I planned to make sure I had every advantage available to me.
*****
“Damn, it's crowded in here. Is there something going on?” Ree asked, looking around.
“Yeah, boo, it's Friday, and everyone just got paid. They’ll all be broke by the time they turn the lights on in a few hours.” I looked around at all the bottles in the air and drinks in hand. Once my eyes hit VIP, I amended my statement. “Well, everyone except them.”
Ree looked in the direction that I was pointing and she and I both checked out the ballers area. It was evident who had money in there, and who was getting their cars repo’d in the next few days because they were blowing their payments on overpriced drinks.
Yetti, Keys, and Hayes were with their crew, and the other two areas next to them were filled with money also. I wasn't really worried about them; my eyes were set on Keys. Dressed to impressed, I was rocking a pair of skintight jeans and a crop top. I had a little pudge around my midsection, but it wasn't over the top, so I didn't have a problem exposing it. Shit, I wouldn't have cared if I had a damn tire showing, I was still gonna do me. Love it or hate it, I did my own thing and no opinion mattered but mine.
“I need a drink,” Ree said after she scanned the crowd.
I did the same and laid eyes on Burke. He was watching her, licking his damn lips and nodding while his so called girl was right next to him. Trifling ass.
“Girl, forget him. He ain't nobody.” I rolled my eyes and pulled her arm, heading toward the bar.
“I’m not worried about him. I just need a drink.” I nodded, but I knew she was feeling some type of way about him being there.
When we reached the bar and the bartender approached, I ordered us both two shots. Ree took hers down like they were water and I laughed. She wasn't much of a drinker, so I knew she was about to be lit the fuck up. After I downed mine, I pulled her with me to the dance floor.
“Let's dance, Ree. I’m feeling good tonight.”