She Used to Be the Sweetest Girl

by Briann Danae

  “You out of here nigga?” Jerome asked, pulling his little brother in for a hug.

  “Yeah. Gotta go pick my lady up from work,” he replied proudly.

  “She got a friend or something? Damn. She got you round this mufucka on cloud nine,” Jerome asked.

  “Nah. She ain’t got no damn friends,” Pierre spat. He hadn’t talked to Carissa since the day she left his house, and his saltiness was evident. She had blocked his number on some childish shit and he was trying to keep his cool. He didn’t think he would miss her like this, but he did and it was all his fault.

  “Damn nigga. You big mad or little mad?” Fatz asked, making all of them burst out laughing.

  “Man, fuck y’all,” Pierre said, chuckling.

  “She got one other friend, besides Pierre’s chick, but I think she got a man,” Mel answered.

  “And you know how I feel about those,” he said smirking. Jerome didn’t care at all about a female and her so called boyfriend. To him, relationships didn’t mean shit until you got married. Until then, he was coming for every nigga’s chick.

  “Nah man, she loyal,” Shemel told him.

  “These hoes ain’t loyal!” Ricky yelled out. He was high as shit, playing the game. The so-called baby his chick was trying pin on him, turned out not to be his. It was some nigga that lived in her apartment complex.

  “Awww, you need a hug Ricky,” Fatz said, leaning over on him. All the brothers jumped on the couch and hugged him, while cracking up.

  “Man gone. You niggas gay,” Ricky said, finally able to breathe. Fatz had mashed his face into the couch with his big ass.

  Shemel gave everybody dap, then headed to his car. As he was pulling away from the warehouse, his phone began to ring. Looking at the screen, he saw it was Reilyn calling and ignored it. He had sexed her a few times since that morning she came over, but hadn’t really talked to her since then. She would text him and he would reply, but it was always when he was busy or with Brix. Although he and Brix weren’t together, he still respected her time while with her. He didn’t work hard to get her, just to give someone else attention. Turning his music up, he cruised to her job, blasting his own tunes.

  Pulling into her job parking lot, he backed into a spot and waited for Brix to call him. This was his second time dropping her off at work, but even if he hadn’t, she would still call him. Brix usually called Carissa, Lex, or her mama, but Shemel had quickly taken their spot. Right at five, his phone rang.

  “I’m outside, Brix,” Shemel chuckled.

  “Okay. I’ll be out there in a second,” she smiled on the other end.

  Ten minutes later, Brix walked out bundled up with her scarf covering her face. Hopping in the car, she removed her gloves and scarf.

  “Dang, it’s cold. Hey! How was your day?” she asked, while leaning over to kiss his cheek.

  “It was straight. How was yours though? You have to cuss anybody out today?”

  “Thank goodness no. I didn’t work the drive thru, so the customers who did decide to come in were cool. This cold weather has people tripping,” she chuckled, buckling her seat belt.

  “You don’t trust me?” he asked.

  “Huh? Why you ask that?”

  “You be in such a hurry to put your seat belt on like a nigga can’t drive,” Mel asked, chuckling. Brix didn’t find anything funny. Swallowing the lump in her throat and blinking tears back, she looked at him.

  “Please Shemel, promise me to always wear your seat belt. It’s here for a reason. I’d hate to lose you too.”

  Shemel didn’t know why she had gotten so emotional, but decided not to get all in her business. Hearing the sincerity and hurt in her voice was enough to make him grab the belt quick. Hearing the click, Brix smiled weakly at him.

  “We good to go now?”

  “Yes, thank you,” she said.

  On the drive to her house, they discussed plans for the weekend and Shemel’s important meetings he had coming up. A couple record labels had been in his manager’s email, wanting to meet up with the up and coming rap star. Mel was all for it. The only issue was that they were all out of town and he’d more than likely be gone for a week or two. He didn’t want to leave the streets for that long, and Brix either. He wanted to take her with him, but didn’t want her taking off from work. Mel would never fuck with her money like that. Even though he could pay her triple the amount she was making, he liked that she was on her grind, just like him.

  “I’m so proud of you, Melly. That’s amazing foreal. Are you nervous?” she asked, smiling. Brix was genuinely happy for Shemel and loved that he was making such big moves. He did let her know that he sold drugs, which she already knew, so she felt like with this music thing he could focus more on being legal.

  Chuckling, Shemel responded, “You and this nickname, but thank you. I’m a little nervous, but not as much as I thought I would be. It’s more exciting than anything. I thank God for giving me this opportunity, for real ma. You don’t know how hard a nigga been grinding.”

  “I do though. That’s what it’s all about. Nothing in this world is free and if you want something, you have to get out here and get it. That’s why I salute any hustle. No, some may not be legal, but they’re making ends meet and you can’t help but to respect it.”

  Shemel grinned wide as hell. A few weeks ago, Brix wouldn’t be caught dead saying she supported something illegal. Shemel had put her ass up on game quick about people’s lifestyles and her perspective had changed.

  “I done got you hip, huh? You sounding like you know a little something,” he said, chuckling.

  “Hush. Thanks to you, I do know a little something now,” she said, hitting his arm.

  Pulling up on her block, their conversation came to a halt. Sitting, well more like leaning in her driveway, was her car. From a distance, Brix could immediately tell the tires were flattened.

  “Yo. Who the fuck did this shit?” Mel spat, putting the car in park and hopping out. Brix sat in shock with hurt written all over her face. Unstrapping her seat belt, she finally climbed out and inspected the car. All the tires had been flattened. Her back windshield had a brick in it. Whoever did this keyed the entire car, including the hood, but the worst part was the spray paint. In big, bright red letters, “SHEMEL IS MINE” was plastered on the side of the car.

  “Why would someone do this? We’re not even in a relationship,” Brix asked with tears streaming down her face. She didn’t care about the words. What hurt her was the fact that someone would maliciously damage the car her father purchased for her. Mr. McQueen bought Brix her 2012 Camry for her 21st birthday as a surprise. He was so proud of his baby girl for going to college he had to award her. Walking around to the other side of the car, Shemel gripped his gun tightly. He didn’t see the damage when he first pulled in, but seeing it now had him ready to beat somebody’s ass.

  “Don’t cry man. I’ll cop you a new one,” Mel said, pulling Brix in for a hug. She started crying even harder.

  “I don’t want a new one Shemel! My daddy bought me this car. I just want my car,” Brix replied, squeezing him tightly. Her feelings were beyond hurt. She couldn’t believe someone would go this far, simply because she was talking to Shemel. Brix hadn’t let Mel in on that personal detail of her life yet, and Mel hadn’t asked.

  At the end of the street, Rei sat parked with a smile plastered over here face. She was proud of her handy work and knew Brix would be miserable. After finding out where she worked, she basically stalked Brix for the last few weeks. She had followed her home once and saved the address to her phone for this special day. She didn’t plan on executing her plan today, but this morning when she rode by and saw Brix’s car parked, she waited about an hour for some movement, before going in on the car. When she saw Mel’s vehicle pull up, she got even more excited.

  He had been blowing her off and she had only called him today to give him a heads up about her little deed. He didn’t answer, and that was his fault. Seeing Shemel hug
Brix had her hot. She was contemplating on causing a scene, but then the blame would definitely be pointed at her. Pushing her seat up, Rei backed out of the street and sent Mel a smiley face. If he didn’t know who damaged Brix’s car, the smile should definitely give him a hint.

  “You got insurance, right?” Shemel asked as they walked in the house. Brix couldn’t stand to look at her baby like that any longer.

  “Yes, of course. My mama is going to be so upset,” Brix said, shaking her head.

  “It’s all good man. We gone put you in something fly. Don’t even trip.” Shemel felt like whoever was behind the scandalous act only did it because he was kicking it with Brix. The fact that they had come to her crib really bothered him the most though. That meant they had been following her to know where she was resting her head.

  “Who are we Shemel? Ugh, see. It’s only been three weeks and it’s already some drama with you,” Brix said, pulling her phone out to call Carissa.

  “What you saying though? You think this shit my fault?” he asked, getting upset.

  “No, not completely. But this would have never happened if I wasn’t talking to you. I don’t have this type of drama in my life.”

  “This is what comes with fucking with a nigga like me Brix. You either gone fold under pressure or you gone boss the fuck up. This shit ain’t my fault. Bitches are gone hate for the rest of their lives. I told you I’d buy you a new whip.”

  “And I told you I don’t want a new whip. Hello? Rissa, why did some female mess my car up,” Brix whined into the phone. She began running down the damages and how upset Mrs. Carla was going to be. Mel looked on, shaking his head. He couldn’t believe she was sitting up here blaming him. Yeah, his name was literally written all over it, but still. It wasn't like he knew who did it. It could have been anybody. Brix put Carissa on speaker and she started going off on Mel.

  “Listen here, Shemel; my best friend does not need this shit. You better find out who fucked her car up before I do, or we gone have some problems!”

  “You ain’t punking me girl. I don’t know who did this, but I’ma find out,” he replied, pulling his phone from his pocket.

  “You sure better! Bitches out here thinking shit all sweet when they can really get touched. Oooh, I’m pissed! Brix, I’m on my way there, okay boo? Shemel, you better have something by the time I get there,” Carissa said, disconnecting the call. This shit had her hot. Unlocking his phone, Mel saw he had a few text messages from Rei.

  Reilyn: (smiley face emoji)

  Reilyn: Do I have your attention now?

  “What the fuck,” he said under his breath, but loud enough for Brix to hear him.

  “What’d you say?”

  “Nothing man. I’ma holla at you later, alright? Give me a hug,” he told her, while standing up from the couch.

  “Um okay.” Standing up, Brix wrapped her arms around Shemel. Squeezing her tight, he whispered in her ear that he was sorry. Brix didn’t know what he was apologizing for. It wasn’t his fault and she felt bad for taking her frustrations out on him. Kissing her forehead, Shemel told her he’d slide through later on to check on her.

  Walking to his car, Shemel dialed Reilyn's phone, but it went straight to voicemail. Dialing her number again, she answered.

  “Yes darling,” she said sweetly.

  “Stop fucking playing with me, Rei. Did you do that to Brix’s car?” he spat, not trying to entertain her little game.

  “Is that her name? Brix?” Reilyn laughed like she had no clue.

  “Yeah, okay. Yo ass laughing now. Meet me at my house, now!” he yelled into the phone.

  “Okay, daddy,” Reilyn said, grinning. She had him just where she wanted him.

  Shaking his head, he hung up the phone and sped to his house. He didn’t know what possessed her to do some grimy shit like that, but she was definitely about to pay for it.

  Eight

  Pulling up to his house, Shemel saw Reilyn’s car already parked in the driveway. Seeing him hop out of his truck, Reilyn stepped out of her car with a grin on her face. She was happy about more than a few things. One, being her plan went through successfully, and the other being that Shemel had actually shown up. He wasn’t big on taking orders from many people and she knew that. Walking up to him, Reilyn tried to give him a hug and Shemel pushed her into his passenger door.

  “Why you do that grimy shit huh! You that salty, you gone go fuck up her car?” he asked enraged.

  “Are you serious right now?” Reilyn asked calmly. Too calm in Shemel’s opinion. She was playing cool like the stunt she just pulled was an everyday thing for her. Running her hand down Shemel’s chest, Reilyn pulled him in closer.

  “You know I like it when you get rough.”

  Pushing her back once more, Shemel turned and walked toward the front door. If all Reilyn wanted was a little attention, she definitely had received it. Following behind him, Reilyn closed the door once they made it inside. Removing her jacket, she walked toward the living room and took a seat. She came over here for one thing and one thing only.

  Some dick.

  Sure she enjoyed him coming to her beck and call over his sweet little Brix, but she knew Brix wasn’t giving up the goods. At least not yet anyway. Reilyn played that to her advantage.

  “What you getting all comfortable for man? I’m not fucking with you.”

  “But you are though. That’s what you don’t understand,” Reilyn said smirking.

  “Why’d you do that to her car? Answer that.”

  “Because I wanted to and it was so easy. You know how I get when I don’t get my way.”

  “Yeah. You get cut the fuck off. You paying for them damages too straight up.” Mel said sitting across from her on the sectional.

  “Excuse me? What the hell do I look like?”

  “You looking like somebody who about to come up off some bread,” Shemel said, rubbing his fingers together.

  “What is that for? I’m not giving you no money for that bitch car. Fuck outta here,” Reilyn said, sucking her teeth.

  “You gone run me a few stacks to keep your little secret or they, meaning Brix and her girls gone catch wind of this,” he replied shrugging his shoulders.

  “Ah. So what you a snitch now?”

  “Never. I ain’t no snitching ass nigga. I’d make you tell them.”

  Reilyn burst out laughing. The fact that he was taking up for Brix had already pissed her off. Now Shemel was basically blackmailing her for money. She shook her head and folded her arms.

  “Let’s make a deal.”

  “Shoot.” Shemel said, giving her his undivided attention.

  “Since I’m basically getting blackmailed here,” she said rolling her eyes. “I get something out of the deal as well.”

  “Something like what?”

  “You.”

  Shemel let out a chuckle then licked his lips. “Me? You already had me and you fucked that up. Next.”

  “No. I’m saying I want you whenever I ask and whenever I don’t ask. I want the dick whenever and wherever regardless of who you with or what you doing. Well, unless it’s music wise. We can discuss that at a future date,” she said seriously.

  “You dead ass right now?” Shemel asked with confusion written all over his face. This was by far the craziest shit he has ever heard her say.

  “Dead serious. You seem like you pretty serious about this Brix girl or whatever. So if you want me to give you money so that I stay quiet about her car, you have to agree to what I just said.”

  Leaning his head back against the couch, Shemel let out a low groan. This is not what he expected to happen. The initial plan was to talk some sense into Reilyn’s ass, let her know her place, then send her on her way. She wasn’t going for it though. As always, she had a trick up her sleeve. On one hand, Shemel considered telling Brix who damaged her car, but that would fuck up his chances of ever being with her. On the other hand, he would have that guilty conscious and Reilyn constantly breathing dow
n his back, or more like his dick.

  “Fuck man,” he spat, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.

  “Who you calling?” Reilyn asked, standing up from her seat.

  “I’ll just tell her. I don’t got time to have you clocking my every move like you my chick. That shit is for the birds yo.”

  Getting on her knees, Reilyn crouched down between Shemel’s legs. Running her hands up his Nike joggers, she traced the imprint of his dick and gave it a squeeze. Using her other hand, she took his phone from his embrace and sat it next to her on the carpet.

  “Man, what is you doing?” Shemel asked, running his hand over his face. Reilyn knew he was a sucker for some bomb head, and she was about to have him like putty in her hands.

  “Why would you call her, when you can be getting all this,” she asked, while gripping his erect penis even harder. Running her hands up and back down his chest, Reilyn tugged on the seam of his sweats. Without even thinking twice, Shemel lifted up some so she could do her thang. As bad as he wanted to call Brix and tell her what had went down, the treatment he was about to receive sounded so much better. His little head was doing all the thinking at this point, and it was telling Shemel to get out his feelings and catch this nut. Fuck the sentimental shit.

  Scooting his Ethika boxers down, Shemel stood up. He knew Reilyn was about to get straight nasty on him and the last thing he wanted was stains to get on his couch. Plus, he loved gripping her head while he fucked her throat. Smiling up at Shemel, Reilyn licked the head before taking him deeply into her mouth. Knowing how Shemel liked it, she spit all over his dick before going in.

  “Shit girl,” he hissed, throwing his head back.

  Slightly smirking, Reilyn kept going. Massaging her clit through the leggings she wore, she hummed on his head, letting out a satisfied moan. Gripping the back of her head Shemel pummeled her mouth with force. He was trying to shove his dick down her throat. Using no hands, Reilyn sucked his dick like the pro she was. From years of practicing on her white boyfriends her father insisted on her dating, her head game was superb. So good, she had grown men running from her.