Southern Kings: A Gangster Love Story

by KC Mills

  “Man, fuck this shit, I’m out!” I stood and grabbed my gun off her dresser, but she jumped up and was behind me. She caught my arm and then slid her body in front of me

  “Hold on, wait.”

  “For what?”

  “Because I don't want you to go.”

  “Man, fuck this. I’m good. You don't have to worry about me anymore.”

  “Too late. It's not that easy. This is what I’d miss. What just happened is what I’d miss.”

  “Fuck you talking ’bout Reelle?”

  “You asked me if I’d miss you if you died. Well I would and I’ll miss you if you leave tonight, so don't.”

  I looked down at her and she had that damn cute ass smile on her face. Fuck am I doing?

  “You sure you want me to stay? Shit, you might curse me out later talking about that’s the only reason I came again.”

  “I won't, I promise.” She smiled at me even harder.

  “Let me run to my car real quick,” I said

  “Why?” She looked at me confused.

  “I need to get some clothes.”

  “Should I be concerned that you always have extra clothes in your car?”

  “Nah, I never know when I might chill at my brother’s spot, so I keep clothes with me. That was partially true, but it was actually just in case we had to handle somebody and I got blood on me, she didn't need to know that though.

  After I got my things, I showered and then climbed bed with her. She moved her little ass right up under me and it felt good as hell to be with her. Never in my life did I ever feel the urge to want a female to lay up with me like that. Fuck and go was all I needed, but with Reelle it felt good. She smelled sweet and her skin was so damn soft. The way she wrapped her body around mine just felt right. I closed my eyes and within minutes I was gone. Hell yeah, She was damn sure going to be trouble.

  Reelle

  “So are you going to tell me or do you want me to make up my own version of what went down?” I looked up from the message I had just gotten from Yetti, and Asha was looking at me like she was annoyed.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about the fact that you keep grinning at your phone and I swear your happy ass was skipping to class this morning, Ree. It's like that now?”

  “Like what, Asha? Why is everything with you so extra?” I offered up a smug grin and she threw a French fry at me.

  “Hoe, don't make me embarrass you in here. I’m not being extra. I’m being a good friend, which you’re clearly not being right now because you're hiding some important details about your life.”

  She was peering at me with a nasty look on her face which made me smile even more. “What makes you say that, and don't say I was skipping to class because clearly I wasn't. In fact, I was dragging because I was tired as hell this morning and almost didn't make it at all.”

  Thoughts of my activities with Yetti flashed through my mind, and I felt my body react. I was still feeling the effects of him, and it was a love hate type sensation.

  “That right there.” She threw another fry at me but like the first, I dodged it. “Why you so tired, Ree? You told me that you were going to bed early, remember? Looks like that didn't happen, did it?”

  “Okay damn, your nosy ass. I was gonna tell you but you didn't give me a chance.”

  “Whatever hoe, just start talking before I disown your sneaky ass.”

  “Please, you wouldn't know what to do without me and you know it.”

  “I’m sure I would figure it out, now talk.”

  “So, you know how Yetti has a key, right?”

  “Oh my God, I knew it! You had sex with him, didn't you? Aww, get it, Ree! How was it?”

  “Will you let me talk please, damn.” I rolled my eyes trying to buffer my smile.

  “Well hurry up and get to the good stuff.”

  “Like I was saying,” I sucked my teeth and continued. “this idiot let himself in and scared the shit outta me. He was going on and on about how he didn't know why he was there but couldn't stop thinking about me so here he was. I was pissed so we sorta had a full blown argument about it and then—”

  “And then he took that cookie. That's what I’m talking about. About damn time! Both of y'all been playing around like it wasn't obvious that you wanted each other.”

  “Shut up. I wasn't playing and just because it happened doesn't mean anything. He’s still an asshole and it's not like we’re together. It was just sex. REALLY good sex but it don't change anything.”

  “Girl, it changes everything. Don't sit there acting like it doesn't matter to you because it does. All that right there is telling me it does.” She circled her finger in the air outlining my face. “You’re feeling him, Ree, so don't down play it just because you're not sure about what’s next.”

  Sad thing was that she was right. No matter how much I kept telling myself that it wasn't a big deal, it really was. I let my guard down with him when I said I wasn't going to and if last night ended up being all we had then I knew it was going to be hard for me. I didn't know what I wanted but I knew I wanted more than just sex. I wanted him.

  “I’m not, Asha. It's just that I can't make him be something he’s not.”

  “It's not about making him something he’s not, but everybody can commit if it's what they really want.”

  “Exactly, but I don't know what he wants.”

  “So what did he say?” Asha pushed her plate to the side before she lowered her elbow onto the table, balled her fist up, flipped her wrist back and lowered her chin onto it. This was too much.

  “Why are you looking like that? It's really not that serious.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the look she was giving me.

  “Hoe, yes it is! This is super serious. I need to know if I’m gonna have to cut that fool, because if I do I’ll have to figure out what I’m going to tell Keys about it after it’s done. You know they’re tight as hell, Ree.” Asha grinned at me. “So what did he say?”

  “He didn't say much. We didn't do a lot of talking.” Again memories flooded my mind and I was cheesing my ass off.

  “Reelle, get your mind out of the dickmatized daze that you’re in and get serious, boo.”

  “You need to stop. I’m serious, we didn't do much talking. We just went to sleep and then this morning, he was up before me, he got dressed and then kissed me on the forehead before he left. He told me he’d catch up with me later.”

  “So that’s him, right?” She pointed at my phone.

  “Yeah, why?”

  “What did he say, Ree?”

  “Nothing, he just asked me where I was, and now I’m waiting.”

  “I can't take this. This is some high school shit.”

  “See, that’s why I didn't want to tell you because I knew you were going to be all over the place. I'll figure it out.”

  “I’ll say this and then I’ll let it go. I like him, Ree. He’s a little flawed, but I think there’s a reason for that. I mean, he could just be a natural born asshole, anything is possible.” She shrugged and then laughed. “But I think it's deeper than that. It really doesn't matter though, because if he can't see who you are and how great you are then he ain't the one, boo. I don't want to go to jail, but I will if he don't act right, so just make sure it's good for you and not just good for him.”

  I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Can you pick a lane? First you tell me he's the one now you saying you’re going to hurt the man. I love you, but you’re confused as hell, Asha.”

  “Kiss my ass, Ree! You know what I mean. I ride for mine and you’re mine, boo, so either he treats you right or he’s got me to worry about.”

  I knew exactly what she meant, and I was just messing with her. You couldn't put a price on true friends, and Asha was exactly that. For now, I was going to just see how it played out and if he couldn't get his act together then I would let her cut him for me. We finished our lunch and then I decided to head home. I needed to get some school work
done and it seemed like I had time to do it but the second I was walking in the door, my phone was going off. My entire body was smiling when I realized it was Yetti.

  “Yo, where you at?”

  “Just got home?’

  “Aight, bet.”

  “Yo, I’m out.” Yetti yelled into the background and then was back to me. “I’ll see you in a few.”

  “Wait, you're coming here?”

  “Yeah, damn. I just said I’ll see you in a few.” He sounded annoyed, which pissed me off.

  “You can relax that attitude a little, and you really should learn how to ask questions. I might be busy.”

  Of course his arrogant ass laughed. “You’re done with classes Reelle, and you don't have a job. Keys is on the phone with Asha, so how the fuck you busy? I’m on my way. We need to talk.”

  He hung up on me and I looked at my phone like it was somehow going to change the fact that he was no longer on it. Yeah we needed to talk because I had a few things I needed to get straight with him.

  I had been gone since this morning, walking around campus and lunch with Asha so I figured I’d take a quick shower and change. I decided on a jean shorts and a razor back tank top. Once I was dressed, I brushed my teeth and pulled my hair into a ponytail, letting it fall freely down the back of my neck. While I waited for Yetti, I stripped my bed, removing my sheets and replaced them with new ones before I started a load of clothes. About an hour later someone was knocking at my door which I assumed couldn't be Yetti because he had a key which he didn't seem to have a problem using, but to my surprise it was actually him.

  “You ready?”

  I frowned checking him out while he paid attention to his phone instead of me. Damn, he looked good as hell and was only wearing gray Nike shorts and a plain t-shirt that only had the word Nike printed across the front. Of course his feet were in a pair of expensive shoes that matched his clothes. In fact, everything he wore, matched, even down to the ankle shocks he wore that were gray with a blue Nike logo on them the same color of his shirt and the blue in his sneakers. It all fit together perfectly and fit his body just as nicely.

  “Ready for what?” I asked and this time he looked up at me. He appeared to be annoyed, but it was hard to tell if he really was because honestly he always looked like that.

  “I need you to take a ride with me real quick.”

  “You need me to or you would like for me to?

  This time he smiled. “Both, so come on.”

  In classic Yetti fashion, he walked off but stopped at the top of the stairs that led to the parking lot. He leaned against the rail, like he was waiting on me and I shook my head and stepped back into my apartment. I got my purse and keys, shut off everything and then locked up. When I was next to Yetti, he let me lead and then followed me down the stairs.

  Once we hit the parking lot, he nodded at his truck. “I’ll drive.”

  He unlocked the door and then went straight to the driver’s side. For some reason I knew better than to expect him to open my door, but when I was about to pull the handle, he leaned across and got to it before I could.

  “My bad, Ree. It's usually just my brothers riding with me, and I damn sure ain't opening the doors for them niggas.” He half smiled and I got in. At least he knew the right thing to do.

  When he pulled out he turned the radio up but didn't say much. He would occasionally look over at me but kept quiet.

  “Where we going?”

  “I need to go check out a building real quick.”

  “A building for what?”

  “I’ll tell you when we get there. You look good though even though those shorts too got damn little. I can see I'm gon’ have to take you shopping real soon.”

  I didn't know why that was funny to me, so I burst out laughing and he cut his eyes at me.

  “That's funny?”

  “Yeah it is. I’m grown, Yetti. I can wear what I want.”

  He chuckled and then glanced at me again but didn't say anything else about it and I relaxed while we rode the rest of the way in silence until we were downtown. He pulled into small lot that sat adjacent to a tall brick building which I assumed was where we were heading. After he parked, I was about to open my door, but he stopped me.

  “Hold up, I got it.” He hopped out and was at my door opening it for me.

  Once I was next to him, he shut it and hit the locks before he nodded to the building and then stepped behind me to let me lead. When I got to the door I stepped aside and he pulled a set of keys out of his pocket, unlocked it and then pulled it open. Once I was inside he followed but I moved to the center of the empty room and he went to the wall and flipped the switch.

  “You like it?” I watched as his eyes moved around the room. It was empty, no furniture and the smell of fresh paint was really strong. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to like.

  “What is it?”

  “I’m thinking about turning this into a tattoo shop.” He didn't smile or show any emotion. In fact I couldn't tell what he was thinking at all.

  “Tattoos?”

  I tilted my head and looked at him for a minute and then looked around again trying to visualize.

  “What do you know about tattoos other than the fact that you have a lot of them?”

  “I know shit, Ree.”

  “Okay, so tell me.”

  He pulled his phone out scrolled through it and then handed it over. There were pictures of sketches. Some of which I recognized from his body.

  “You did this? These are yours?”

  “Yeah, why. You think an asshole can't draw?” This time he smiled and I laughed.

  “Apparently they can. These are really good. So you know how to do tattoos?”

  Yetti laughed. “Hell no, but I can draw my ass off, so I figured it shouldn't be that hard to learn. Until I do, I’ll hire people, so tell me what you think?”

  “I like it. I don't know anything about tattoos but I think it's cute in here.”

  “The fuck Ree. Cute?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  He smiled. “Nah I know what you said and this shit ain't cute Reelle.”

  “Whatever. I like it.”

  “Yeah me too but we can talk about it more later, let’s go!”

  Yetti and I left, he locked up and we were in his truck again.

  “So you good? I mean are we good after last night.”

  It was cute because I could tell he was uncomfortable. This really wasn’t his thing. “What’s good Yetti?”

  “Shit I don’t know. Like you’re not mad or anything are you?”

  “Why would I be mad?”

  A big ass grin spread across his face before he looked over at me. “’Cause you always mad ‘bout something I did. You was mad as fuck last night before I shut that down.”

  “You really suck at this.”

  “At what?”

  “This.” I pointed at me and then him.

  “The fuck you expect? How am I supposed to be good at some shit I’ve never done before? I’m here though so don’t trip. You’re quick to call me an asshole but I’m here right? I could have really been one and never called you again.”

  I didn’t know why but that really hit me wrong. “Please don’t do me any favors. I was good before you and I’ll be good after you. Trust that.”

  “Yo, calm the fuck down. I didn't mean it like that. I’m just saying I’m giving what I know how to give, which is me being here so don't complicate shit.”

  “Wow, okay I won't COMPLICATE shit!”

  He gave me the most hateful stare before he yanked the steering wheel causing my body to hit the passenger side door, while he pulled over to the side of the road and slammed on brakes.

  His eyes were on me again and he just stared at me for a few moments before he spoke. His voice was slightly elevated but controlled and his face showed no emotion.

  “You got a smart ass mouth Reelle and I’m not feeling that shit, but let me make something real cle
ar before it becomes a problem. I’m not Burke or any of those other pussy ass niggas that you’re used to dealing with. You’re not gon’ talk to me any kind of way, aight? And what I mean by complicate shit is that right now, I don't know what this is. Whether you know me like that or not, you know that I don't do shit like this. So don't complicate it.”

  “And you’re not gonna talk to me any kind of way either. I’m not one of those dumb ass, low self-esteem hoes, you’re used to dealing with, but don't worry, I won't complicate it. I’ll make it real simple. Just take me home.”

  I lifted my phone and was about to unlock it but he snatched it out of my hand and threw it to the back of his truck. “Why the fuck you gotta be so difficult all the time, Reelle?”

  “Why the hell do you have to be so hard all the time. I don't know what’s got your head so messed up but you need to figure it out and deal with it like normal people do.”

  He laughed arrogantly and then gave me the most hateful stare. “I ain't normal and trust me, you don't want to know anything about that.”

  After that, he pulled off again like he was lost in his own world and it really had me questioning if I wanted to deal with someone like him. Something wasn't right with him. When I noticed that we weren't going anywhere near my house I turned and looked at him burning a hole in the side of his face. He eventually laid eyes on me with that damn death stare again.

  “What?”

  “I said take me home.”

  “Nah, not yet. We’re going to my brother’s house. Your girl will be there, so you’ll be straight.”

  This fool is insane. Something wasn't clicking right with him. “I don't care who's gonna there because I won't. I said you can just take me home!”

  Yetti only glanced at me but didn't say anything. I rolled my eyes, leaned back and a few minutes later I heard his voice.

  “I knew fucking with you was gon’ be trouble.”

  “Then don't,” I shot back. He was really pissing me off.

  His eyes were on me and he looked just as annoyed as I was.

  “It ain't that simple. If it was, you wouldn't be here right now.”

  Understanding the man that he was, those simple words meant a lot. For some reason I was smiling inside. It was his ass backwards way of telling me how he felt. He might have thought that dealing with me was trouble for him but I knew that me dealing with him was going to mean heartache for me. As much as I could see it coming he was right about one thing and that was it damn sure wasn't simple.