Finding Sweetness 3

by Lewis, Rika

  Channing

  Channing sat quietly Simone Carmichale’s grave. It had been a few years since he’d been there last. He took his hand and swept off the leaves that had fallen and hiding her name then cleaned out the withered flowers and replaced them with fresh ones. I’m sorry it’s been a long time since I’ve been here Simone but there hasn’t been a day that I hadn’t thought about you. A tear spilled from his eye. Every time I think of you, joy fills my heart but it also saddens me. I wish I had you back baby just for a little while, just to sit and talk like we used to do. You knew me so well. You always meant so very much to me and the fact that you’re no longer here will always cause me pain, but you will always and forever be in my heart until we meet again baby. I miss you so much and I am so sorry for what happened to you. I don’t know if this’ll matter much but I’ve been watching over your cousin Yaz and I promise I won’t let anything happen to her. God she looks so much like you Simone and she is my one connection I have left to you. My friend Alton thinks I have crush on but he has no idea that every time I look at her I see you and it eases the pain I feel. If Yaz ever found out that, it was my father who killed you I’m terrified she will hate me and I’m terrified I will lose my friend Alton as well. I know I don’t deserve a damn thing but could you please send me a sign just to let me know that you are still with me. I need you so much baby.

  Channing placed a kiss on Simone’s headstone and allowed his tears to fall freely. He was no pussy but if this is what it took to cleanse his soul he would cry like a baby every time. He always felt responsible for what happened to her. If only he could have just stayed away from her maybe she would’ve still been alive today. As he walked to his truck, he glanced back at her headstone, Simone had been the most beautiful mocha skinned black woman he had ever seen and he was head over heels in love with her. She would’ve been the mother of his children. He hadn’t been in love with another woman since her. Sure, he’d dated but not one of them did he ever love nor did he give himself or the other woman a chance. He always felt too guilty and too afraid that the same thing what happened to them so he went ended every relationship before it got to where it was beginning to get serious.

  He had always wanted the one woman he couldn’t have and now she was dead and he couldn’t bring himself to go through another relationship that might ultimately lead to their death as well. He took a deep breath, opened the trunk door slid in, and drove away from the cemetery. He was about to do one last job that he and his boys will be doing for the brotherhood and he couldn’t wait to fucking get it over with. He’d had enough and he wanted out and maybe… just maybe he could begin to live his life the way he intended it to be if Simone had still been alive. He wanted some kind of peace and happiness and he still wanted children one day but if he stayed in the brotherhood that wouldn’t happen. If he had to kill a few a few of his AB brothers to get out then that’s exactly what the fuck he would do!

  Azaria & Erica

  Raindrops splattered the windows of Erica’s car. The grey gloominess of the seemingly never-ending day matched her mood. Erica was in a funk, and she had been for some time. She was tired of being alone even though her job as a caseworker kept her busy she wanted a nice, strong, loving man at night to hold her and keep her warm. Her thoughts drifted as she listened to Azaria babble on about meeting Alton’s racist friends. Yaz had called them and filled them in on everything that had happened in the past 3 days and had asked if they could come up a little earlier than planned. Of course she and Azaria packed as quick as they could and now they were hightailing it down I-24 as quick as they could to get to their friend but if Azaria didn’t shut the hell up she was going to go fucking insane!

  Erica, are you listening to me? “I can’t believe Alton’s ass had the audacity to rear his head after eight fucking years!”

  Erica stared straight forward trying her best to tune her best friend the hell out. “Keep calm Erica we are almost there,” she said to herself, gripping the stirring wheel tighter. She loved Azaria but she could only take her in small doses at a time.

  “I mean what if he just up and leaves her again?” “I promise you Erica I will fuck him up if he hurts her again Azaria yelled! Damn, I was hoping that Yaz would meet a fine as stud that would rock her world so good that it would wipe Alton ass off the face of the earth!

  We’re going up here to support our best friend Zari. She found the man that she loves and we should be happy for her. Hell, look at our situations with the men we’ve had in our lives. I can only wish that one day we’ll find love like that. So calm your nerves down and try to be supportive of our friend and can you please try to control that mouth of yours while we’re here please?

  “I can’t promise you I won’t cuss his ass out when I finally see his racist ass!” Hell, as far as I’m concerned he owes us a fucking apology! We suffered right along with Yaz as she went through a breakdown over his pompous, good for nothing, racist ass!

  See, that’s what I’m talking about… that mouth of your is going to get your ass in trouble one day. Look, this is about Yaz and we’re going up here to see to it that our friend comes home safely okay. So promise me Zari that you will behave while we’re there!

  “Ugh, all right Erica Simone!”

  Erica laughed a little. The only time Azaria called her Simone is when she was really mad. She glanced over at her best friend to see an annoyed look on her face.

  This was supposed to be our small little vacation, but oh, no… we’re going to “Yee-doggie-it-up” with a bunch of racist rednecks Azaria said, glancing back at Erica. I’ll try to be on my best behavior for you and especially for Yaz. ”I hate it when you try to be the voice of reason, she said sticking her tongue out at her best friend, but you’re right Erica, we could only hope to find true love like Yaz and I’m happy for her… actually… I’m down right jealous.

  It’ll happen for us one day Zari, I haven’t lost hope yet, we just need to be patient is all Erica said, winking at her friend as she turned into the Rocking E Ranch’s Parking lot. They both were in awe of the ranch, which was nestled in one hundred and fifty acres of nature, and surrounded by beautiful lush greenery. Hey, call Yaz and let her know that we’re here.

  Azaria speed dialed Yaz and told her they’d arrived however Azaria wasn’t happy about who was coming to greet them though. Alton was sending two of his friends to come, get them, and drive them up to the cabin.

  Erica looked at her and asked, “What was wrong?

  Azaria thought about their conversation on the way and she adjusted her tone before stating calmly that, Alton was sending his two friends to come and get them. He wants us to leave the car parked here in the parking lot.

  Well, okay that’s fine. Did he say what they looked like so we’d know who to look for?

  Gritting her teeth Azaria said, “Yaz showed them a picture of us so they’d know what we look like.”

  Ah, okay well, do you have to pee before we go up Erica said, reaching for her purse?

  Yea, I guess I’d better go before Billy Bob and Jethro show up.

  “Will you stop Zari,” Erica squeaked. Remember why we’re here?

  “Ugh… okay,” Azaria reached for her purse and they sauntered inside the ranch lobby. She hoped that the cabin had enough bedrooms. She would need her own space while she was there to bang her head on the wall in private for agreeing to get involved in this racist bullshit, like her life wasn’t fucked up enough.

  They quickly used the restroom and headed back towards the car but as they approached, they both pulled up short and stared at the two men that were leaning against Erica’s car. The men were both well over six foot-four inches tall, both had strong looking jaws, broad shoulders and abs that looked like they worked out every damn day, with narrow waists to boot. One had dark hair whereas the other had blond hair cut very low to their heads. Just by looking at them, they looked like sexy badass white boys. Erica and Azaria looked at each other but both knew exactly what the ot
her was thinking. Neither one of the men looked like Aryans. They were downright fine as hell! As they approached Erica’s car the men turned around and gave a warm welcoming smile.

  You two beautiful ladies wouldn’t happen to be friends of Yaz Carmichael would you? Erica smiled and said, “Yes we are,” as she introduced herself and Azaria. They held out their hands to shake theirs. Erica’s breath hitched as she slid her hand into the fine green-eyed hunks hand.

  Channing took the beautiful bronzed skinned woman named Erica hand in his and introduced himself and Gabe. Damn, she was sexy as hell and her friend was too. He turned to look at Gabe shaking her friend’s hand. Gabe was already checking out the woman’s high heel shoes she had on as well as her body. Channing would never understand Gabe’s fascination with women’s shoes. Channing shook his head at his boy. It’s a pleasure to meet the both of you. My trucks parked a little ways down. Umm… do the both of you have bags you would like to take up?

  Oh, yea Erica said, pulling the keys out of her pocket to open her trunk. We have two suitcases a piece. Gabe and Channing reached in, grabbed the women’s suitcases, and headed over to put them in the truck. Then helped them both inside and drove them up towards the cabin.

  Erica and Azaria were amazed at the view on the way up the mountain. A myriad of brilliant trees and the tranquil sound of water from a nearby creek welcomed them. It was just as Yaz had described it. Erica wished that they were here to have fun and relax as planned but it was obvious that they weren’t going to get the rest and relaxation they’d hoped for. She peeked at the green-eyed adonis and her libido kicked into overdrive. Her sex clinched and she had to tighten her legs together to stop the pulsing sensations from growing stronger. It had been a year since the last time she’d been with a man, and to be honest she shouldn’t be thinking about any man right now. Her last boyfriend of two years had cheated on her with his next-door neighbor and turned her world upside down. She needed a year to find herself again. She needed to stay focus on herself and get back to what her goals and dreams were before she’d met Stefan.

  Azaria bumped her arm and grinned at her cocking her eyebrow.

  Erica rolled her eyes and turned her head away from her friend. Azaria knew she was checking Channing out. Hell, she had done the same thing to Gabe. The truck finally came to a stop and the men helped them out grabbed their luggage and walked them inside. They heard a yelp and they all turned around to see Yaz running up to them. They held out their arms for her and the women all embraced each other.

  Did you have a hard time finding the ranch Yaz asked? No, thanks to my navigation system we made it just fine Erica said. “Are you okay?”

  I feel much better now that my girls are here. Oh, and guess who else is here?

  Who Erica asked?

  Aspin’s here, she’ll be over soon. She in the cabin down the hill a little ways.

  What the hell Azaria said, how did she get here before us? I know you didn’t invite her before you invited us… right?

  No, I didn’t invite her at all but, she’s in a little bit of a bind herself right now, she’s here with one of Alton’s friends.

  Don’t tell me she’s in the same boat you’re in Azaria scoffed, and how the hell did she get mixed up with an Aryan of all people in that nice, rich ass neighborhood she’s living in. Rolling her eyes she said, “You would think the brotherhood would want to live somewhere low-key and not in a rich ass neighborhood where you know the cops would get there quick, fast and in a hurry for the rich folk.

  Erica nudged Azaria in her side, reminding her of their conversation in the car.

  Damn, all right already I’m closing my mouth now before someone gets offended.

  Alton walked out of the bedroom from dressing; he wasn’t overly excited about seeing the women that threatened to castrate him when he was in high school. He remembered that day as if it were yesterday and he cringed at the thought of them castrating him for hurting Yaz. The women were still hugging each other as he walked up behind Yaz and waited patiently for the squawking women to stop. He glanced over towards Gabe and Channing grinned and nodded his head. They knew what it meant for them…payback was a bitch!

  Once the women settled down, they turned and slanted their eyes towards Alton. Yaz slid her hand inside of his for support because she knew her girls wanted to rip into Alton but she’d asked them to go easy on him before they came up.

  Alton took a deep breath and smiled. It’s good to see the both of you again he said, gripping Yaz’s hand a little bit tighter thankful for the support. He was no pussy but these women made him want to cup his balls for protection. “I don’t suppose you ladies would consider a peaceful surrender from me would you?”

  The women both shook their heads with a facial expression pasted on their faces that promised retribution later. Not on your life dickhead mumbled Azaria, “Ouch!” Erica jabbed her friend in her side and said,

  “It’s nice to see you again too Alton.” Azaria on the other hand glared at him but otherwise remained quiet. Alton couldn’t blame them for wanting to kick his ass. He’d hurt their best friend and they had to watch Yaz go through that. Taking a deep breath Alton said, “I didn’t think so. I’m sure we’ll talk one-on-one soon but for now if you ladies would like to go unpack your bags and get settled in, Gabe and Channing will show you to your rooms before we eat breakfast. Come on Simone Azaria gritted out as she turned and walked towards Gabe. Erica followed suit walking behind Channing.

  Yaz turned and stood on her tiptoes, kissed Alton’s cheek, and whispered, “Give them some time they’ll come around.”

  Alton pulled her firmly to him and kissed her lips. “I understand them being upset at me.” They have every right to be. “I’m going to make this right though, I promise you sweetness.”

  Are we still going to talk about what happened Alton? Nodding his head Alton popped Yaz off her feet and carried her into the kitchen. “I promise we’ll talk about it soon okay. Just let me take care of some business tonight then we’ll talk. He kissed her lips as he placed her on her feet and swatted her ass as she turned to open the fridge.

  I need to make a quick phone call sweetness I’ll be right back. Glancing down at his watch it was time to call Yaz’s dad and have a long overdue talk one on one with him. Walking out on the deck, he whipped his phone out and dialed a number that he hadn’t called in years.

  Ebin Carmichael

  Ebin Carmichael sipped his coffee as he watched the morning news when his cell phone rang. He glanced down to see a name and number that he hadn’t heard from in a long time. Grinning he answered the phone with no preamble. “It’s been a long time since I’ve heard from you.”

  “Yes it has Alton replied.”

  “How long has it been?”

  “Too long sir…too long.”

  So… how can I help you Ebin said, knowing damn well the boy was calling.

  “I need your help Mr. Carmichael,” but first did you know your daughter is here?

  Yes, I pointed her in your direction. And for the last time call me Ebin.

  Alton almost lost his temper as he gritted out “Why Mr… Ebin?” You know what could happen to her!

  I’m tired of my daughter being miserable without you. She needs peace in her life and in order for that to happen; she needed you son. The two of you were meant to be together from the start. I knew that the first night she brought you to our house.

  With all due respect, do you know what kind of danger you may have put her in Ebin?

  Don’t think for one minute I don’t have eyes on my daughter, I’ve known her every move since she left; now tell me what’s up on your end?

  Well… we may need to go into hiding for a while.

  “Who’s we?”

  That would be myself, along with three other friends of mine. We also have Yaz and three other women that will need to stay out of sight as well.

  Ebin closed his eyes, trying to formulate a plan in his head. It only took him a few
seconds to come up with everything they needed to do. Okay Alton listen up and listen carefully. The first thing you and your boys are going to do is change your mailing addresses to a PO box just in case the AB come looking for ya’ll, it will send their asses on a wild goose chase making them waste their damn time looking in the wrong damn places. Next, all of you will need to disappear off the grid without incurring a bigger headache than the one ya’ll will be running away from, this will take some careful planning though. After that all of you will need to cut off all contact with nearly everyone you know and son… let me tell you, disappearing means beginning a game of chase with the AB because they will want to find you when you’re no longer accessible to them.