His Work Wife

by James, Sapphire

  “Chase, I haven’t been able to reach you, but I just wanted to let you know Ty has been staying with me for a week now. I don’t know what happened with him and Presley. I figured you would want to know that information.”

  Since I hadn’t met my new nephew yet, I decided today would be a great day for a meet and greet. I could go over and spend time with Presley and the boys and not have to worry about Ty being there. He would be somewhere digging in Kadeema’s nasty ass, which would work in my favor.

  After taking my shower, I put on my Aqua Di Gio cologne and deodorant for men. I already had a fresh haircut from this past weekend, so I was good on that end. I decided to wear my Jordan Grapes with my purple Nike t-shirt and the matching Jordan basketball shorts. Yeah, I stayed fresh to death at all times. Well, with the help of my ladies. Hell, I was slangin’ that dick. So if all they had to do was buy a few pairs of J’s and some outfits, then they were ecstatic to do so.

  I rolled down 59 freeway, bumping my old school Run DMC. It was a hot and beautiful day in H-Town. Tricks were out and about with hardly nothing on because of the heat. Any other time, I would be patrolling the strip, but I hadn’t seen or spoken to Presley since she went into labor. I needed to make sure she was okay. Mama had told me she and the baby were doing well, but I needed to lay eyes on her.

  I had one of my chicks purchase a lil’ sum’n for Harper. My lil’ man was going to be Jordan down just like his uncle. My chick purchased a Jordan onesie set with matching booties and knit cap. It was nice as hell. If I had a child, this is what he would be wearing.

  I stopped at the local florist around the corner from Ty and Presley’s spot. Once when they first began to date, Ty ordered purple peonies for Presley and had them delivered to her. I bought a bouquet of purple and blue. Purple because that was her favorite color and blue because she had a baby boy. After all, I had a gift for Harper, so it was only right that I bring something for Presley, especially since I was sure I was the reason she went into preterm labor.

  As I parked my Cadillac CTS, I couldn’t help but frown at how mediocre these apartment shacks they considered townhomes were. This alone should make her want to be with me. I’d just moved into a multilevel condo on 610 and Richmond. She and the boys would love it there. Besides, she would be moments from the Galleria. Hell, truth be told, that was the main reason I bought that place, so I would have access to the ultimate shopping experience.

  I approached Presley’s unit with the gift and flowers in my hand when I noticed Ty coming out of the townhouse to take the trash out. He was wearing a wife beater and his sleep pants, so it was obvious he had spent the night. Shit! What was he doing here? He was supposed to be with Kadeema! My brother was the last person I wanted to see.

  “Wassup, bro?” I put my hand out to dap him up.

  He left me hanging with an irritated look on his face.

  “What you doing here?”

  “Oh, I was just stopping by to check on Presley and finally meet Harper,” I answered.

  “The fuck you mean you were just stopping by to check on Presley and the baby?” He gritted his teeth. “Since when do you check on my damn wife? Especially since you didn’t call first!”

  “Well, after last night I honestly didn’t think you would be here,” I smirked.

  “What the hell does that mean? Where else would I be?”

  “Man, c’mon; don’t act like we not family. You called mama and told her what happened last night and then she called me.”

  “What she call you for? What are you supposed to do?”

  “Aye mane, mama just thought you might need someone to talk to, that’s all.”

  Why couldn’t he just go on back to Kadeema’s nasty ass? I was really looking forward to spending quality time with Presley and my baby, I mean nephew!

  I could sense Ty knew what was up. He’d always suspected my feelings for Presley from the very beginning. At every family get-together, I tried diligently to engage her in conversation with me, but she would keep it short and move around.

  Right now, I knew I was coming off as transparent, but I couldn’t help it. Ty was doing his own thing and I needed to do mine.

  Ty approached me, invading my personal space and warning me to take him seriously.

  “Listen, I could give two fucks about what you think you know. Chase, I see you and I know whatchu up to, but let’s not forget, Presley is my wife! She tolerates you because you’re my brother, but you know she can’t stand your whorish ways.”

  “Humph,” I cracked a smile. “Aren’t you the pot calling the kettle a hoe? Let me tell you something, little brother. I don’t know what you are implying, but as usual, you are dead wrong!”

  “Really, Chase? Well, why show up here unannounced knowing we don’t rock like that?”

  Still holding Harper’s gift and Presley’s flowers, I looked over his shoulders, hoping Presley would come to the door.

  “You’re funny.” Ty laughed, looking behind him. “You looking for Presley? She had a long night. You see, after I had picked her up from her mom’s house, I stayed the night. Yeah, I ate that pussy the entire time. She glazed my face so good I need to go by Shipley’s and see if they needed some extra glaze! So, I am sure she will be sleep for most of the day. I’ll tell her you stopped by though. Are those flowers for her?” he pointed.

  “Yeah,” I handed him the flowers. “It’s just a lil’ sum’n I picked up for her and my nephew.”

  “Peonies. These are her favorite flower, but I’m sure you knew that already.” He glared at me.

  I was trying to keep my cool, but I won’t lie, the information he just fed me struck a nerve. I wanted to smash on his ass like I used to back when we were younger. However, Ty was no longer the short, skinny kid I bullied when mom and dad were gone. He was actually a bit taller than me and had more muscles. Ty was a gym freak since high school. I left things the way they were because I couldn’t guarantee that I would be the champ of the fight if I took it there. Hell, he might have beat the shit out me to vindicate all of the shit I put him through when we were tykes. I would never be able to live that down if that happened.

  “Yeah, I remembered you said she liked those. I just wanted to do something nice for her since I was bringing Harper’s gift. No big deal.”

  “A’ight. Well, I’ll let her know they were from you. See you later.”

  Unfortunately, that was my cue to leave. This wasn’t how today was supposed to go down. I was tempted to drive around the block until Ty left. I knew he couldn’t stay with Presley and the boys all day since he was staying with Kadeema now. He would have to leave eventually, but I knew my brother. There was no way he would go anywhere now that I had showed up out of the blue like this. It was all good. There was always next time!

  Chapter Twenty-two: Kadeema

  A month had passed since Presley showed up at my house and I had not seen Ty since then. He dropped me off at the hospital and told me he had to go check on his kids and make sure she was okay! What about me? That bitch came to my house and beat the shit out of me and his only concern was for her? Hurt no longer described how I felt. I was scarred…mentally and physically.

  My face looked like I walked into an eighteen-wheeler. As the result of that night, I had two black eyes, a busted lip, a dislocated nose, and twelve stitches above my right eye, and ten on my left cheek. As I massaged my face, I realized I didn’t recognize the stranger looking back at me.

  Everything happened so quickly that night, but for me it felt like it was moving in slow motion. All I could remember was stepping in front of her, thinking she was about to attack Ty and the rest was a blur. I wish there was an excuse as to why I wasn’t a match for Presley, but that bitch was quick on her feet. Truth be told, my brother used to fight my battles for me when we were kids. I never had to worry about shit like that. So the cause and effect here was that I never learned how to fight and that night I’d gotten my ass handed to me on a platter. Moving forward I would def
initely need to stay two steps ahead of her.

  I was truly in a bad place. Out of the kindness of my heart and because I loved him, I quit my job at Donovan Tools and Supply to help Ty get his business off the ground. There was no way I was going to see the light of day with my face still looking disfigured. Now I truly had nothing.

  Ty had called to check on me here and there, but he had not physically been over to see me. In the back of my mind, my insecurities were getting the best of me. Was he done with me? Ty had never stayed away from this damn long and I needed to know he still wanted me. I needed to know that he still loved me and only me.

  Just as I began to shed warm tears, a text came through from Ty.

  I know I’ve been MIA, but I need to see you. I miss you.

  ~Ty~

  Yes! I jumped for joy! My baby wanted to see me! Oh my god! This was just what I needed to rescue me from the wave of destruction I was headed for. This meeting was long overdue. I shaved, showered and attempted to fix my face, but I still had a little bruising.

  I waited for Ty all day. I wondered what was taking him so long. Especially, since he texted me at eight o’clock in the damn morning! Hell, I was so revved up I had to pull out my favorite pet rabbit to take the edge off since he was taking so long.

  However, by twelve o’clock, I still hadn’t heard from him. I called. I texted. I left messages, but no replies. My nerves were beginning to get the best of me. Why hadn’t he called me? Was he okay? Had something happened? Was he at home with Presley?

  As I began to pace back and forth by the front door, I heard Ty outside on the phone. Who was he talking to? I placed my ear on the door so I could listen.

  “Okay, cool! See tomorrow at the closing. Thanks for all of your help. She is going to love it.”

  Who was gonna love what? Who was he talking to and about what? Did he just say they would be closing tomorrow? Oh, I know damn well this bastard ain’t bought this bitch a house, I thought as I snatched the front door open.

  “Uhh, hey, bae. Why you open the door like that?” he asked.

  “Who were you talking to? What are you closing on tomorrow? I KNOW you ain’t bought her ass a house after all I have done for you!”

  “Kadeema, I don’t know what to say right now,” he sighed.

  “How about the truth? Are you or are you not buying a house for her after you’ve been promising to leave her?” I belted.

  “Okay,” Ty admitted. “I am buying a house out in Lake Olympia for her and the boys.”

  “Really, right now? Are you fucking serious? You asked me if I could live anywhere in Houston where would that be and I told your ass Lake Olympia! You promised me that when we got married that was where you and I would live! Now you’re telling me you and your family will take my dream from me?!” I cried out.

  In that moment, Ty’s expression went from sympathetic to stoic. This was the first time he had made me feel insignificant. I didn’t get it. We had our entire future planned out. He was going to leave Presley, marry me, start a family, live in Lake Olympia and live happily ever after. What changed?

  “Man, listen,” he sucked his teeth. “Not that I owe you any explanations, but after looking in that area I decided it is a nice place for the boys and the schools are exemplary. I’m just trying to make sure they are good before I leave. I told you I am never going to leave Presley and the boys high and dry. Besides, after all of the shit I put her through; the least I can do is buy her house and let that be one less thing she has to worry about in my absence.”

  He had to be kidding me! In all of the time we had been together, he never showed any type of concern for her. Now he wanted to play the damn perfect husband to this bitch and act like he was father of the year to those three ingrates!

  I shook my head in disbelief. “How can you do me like this? I’m the one you run to when Presley is going upside your head and putting you out! I’m the one who allows you bust in the back of my throat because your lil’ goody-two-shoes wife thinks it’s nasty! I’m the one with hemorrhoids because I allow you to fuck me in the ass! And have I ever told you how much that shit hurts because your dick is huge? Well, it hurts like a son a bitch! I do all of that and SHE gets the fucking house?!”

  An expressionless Ty just stood there, his attitude cold and aloof. He was different. This person, I had never met before. This stranger didn’t give a damn about the fact that I gave him all of me and all I received in return was a box of empty promises.

  “Kadeema, I ain’t got time for this shit with you. I came over here to spend some time with you and make sure you were okay since the fight, but if you gonna stress me out I can go home for that!”

  Stress him out? Stress him out? How dare he say that shit to me? I was the one who comforted him whenever and however he needed it!

  “Look at my fucking face! YOUR wife did this shit to me and you just stood by and let her do it! I’ve taken a back seat while you claimed to get your shit together and now I’m the one stressing you out?” I laughed hysterically.

  A bomb inside of me went off and I was no longer in control of my emotions or my actions. I flopped down on the sofa Ty had purchased for me, but quickly jumped up as I remembered the many times we’d made love all over it. A fire was brewing inside of me. My ability to focus had deserted me and I was afraid of what might happen next.

  Adrenaline coursed through my veins as my body twitched in preparation for a mental breakdown. Ty backed himself into a corner at the foot of the stairs as I began to throw various objects at him.

  “Aye! What the fuck is wrong with you?” he yelled.

  “You got me fucked up! You not just about to act like I never meant anything to you!”

  Ty pushed me away from him grabbed me by my neck. This was a side of him I’d never seen before. I’ve never known him to be aggressive in any manner. Well, except for in the bedroom. Had it not been for the fact that I was on the brink of passing out, I might have been extremely turned on.

  “You crazy bitch! All you had to do was keep it cool, but naw… yo ass had to catch feelings and shit. I was never going to leave my family for your stupid ass. I thought you would have figured that out on your own by now, but since you didn’t, let me be clear. Yeah, you swallowed my nut, let me fuck you in the ass and all of the other freaky shit you let me do. However, a chick like you is good for that one good thing! Presley doesn’t do any of that shit because she’s my wife! She doesn’t have to do all of that. But don’t get it twisted; Presley can hold her own in the bedroom and I am pretty sure if I allowed her to be truly freaky, she would have no problem!”

  Ty’s words cut me like a machete. If she was so perfect then why had he just spent the last year with me? I refused to believe that it was just sex. I would never accept that.

  “If that is the case then why are you here right now?” I massage my neck where he held me.

  “Exactly! Bye, bitch!” he snarled as he turned his back toward me to walk out.

  Klonk! Ty lay unconscious on the floor. He would not be able to degrade me and get away with it. I hit him in the head with a candleholder.

  I was tired of men messing over me and throwing me away like trash. I deserved to be loved just as much as the next chick. Men had left me to fend for myself for as long as I could remember, including my daddy. Well, not this damn time!

  I had a plan and I would need some assistance. I knew just who to call, my brother Carl. He was a big black, six foot, three hundred pound booty-loving nigga from the streets. That was right; my brother had been different since I knew there was a word for that shit. It didn’t matter to me because he was always down for me. His sexual preference had nothing to do with him being my brother. I dialed him up.

  “What up wit’ it?” Carl answered.

  “Hey, I have a job for you.”

  “How much?” he asked.

  “Twenty-five hundred.”

  “Oh, word? That’s wassup? Whatchu need, tho?”

  I knew once
I gave him a dollar amount he would be more than willing.

  “I’ll tell you when you get here. Hurry up.”

  “A’ight, I’m on my way.”

  Ty was still out cold as I placed zip ties around his wrists and ankles. Without thinking, I put on my black hoodie and matching sweatpants. I needed to be incognito to execute my plan.

  Carl tapped on the door three times as I’d requested. By now, a couple of hours had gone by and I was becoming more irrational with each passing minute.

  A text message scrolled across Ty’s phone. Since I had his phone in my hand, I reserved the right to check it.

  Wifey: Hey bae, I’m going to Memorial City Mall for a little retail therapy. See you when I get home. Love you. P.S.: I have your credit card!

  Humph! I’ll be sure to address that shit later, I thought.

  “What’s going, sis?”

  “Well, this is Ty,” I explained. “He’s been a bad boy. So I need you to help me with some shit. I need you to grab his wife from Memorial City Mall. Here’s a picture of her so you know what she looks like. That’s just step one.”

  “Aww snap! This is the infamous Ty Chambers? Mmm, he fine as hell, but I told you he wasn’t about shit.”

  “I know, but I’mma be the last bitch he plays with like this,” I bragged.

  As I stood over Ty’s helpless body, his eyes opened slightly. Once he saw me wearing the black hoodie and matching sweatpants, his suspicions were confirmed. I was the one who attacked Presley back in December.

  Ty attempted to free himself from the zip ties, but his movements only made them tightened their grip.

  “Oh, what?” I kneeled in front of him. “Oh, the hoodie and the sweat pants? Yeah, it was me. But I was just tryna help yo’ ass out since you said you never wanted another child by her. Me being the loving girlfriend, I figured I would fix that shit for you. Now do you see how ungrateful you are being?”