Where My Loyalties Lie 3

by K. C. Mills

  Nova hesitated for a minute before she opened her door and got out. She left to go pack a few things for her and the twins, and an hour later they were at Nate's house. The twins were sleeping peacefully in one of his guest rooms while Nate showered and she walked around his house getting familiar with it.

  His house was decent size, nothing over the top, but nice. A lot nicer that what Nova was used to, and it made her feel insecure to be there. She couldn't understand what on earth he was doing with her. Nate clearly had things together and could have anyone he wanted. He was successful, had money, a nice house, was sexy as hell, basically the perfect catch. Nova had looks, there was no question about that, but at this point in her life that was all she could offer.

  Standing at his sliding door staring out at his backyard, Nova surveyed her surroundings. The lights from the pool created a warm glow that made her want to jump in it.

  “What you thinking about?” Nate’s body pressed against Nova’s from behind while his arms moved around her waist and his lips grazed the side of her face.

  “How come you’re single?” she asked.

  Nate knew the question was deeper than it appeared, so he turned her to face him and planted a kiss on her lips

  “How come I’m single or how come I chose you?”

  Nova frowned a little, not liking the fact that she was so readable.

  He smiled, took her hand, and led her to the living room where he sat down, pulling her with him. Sitting Indian style, while she waited for his answer.

  “I work all the time. In fact, the night I met you, my boy damn near threatened me to go out. I had just finished a deal where I was in the office and meetings for damn near two weeks straight 24/7. It was his birthday, so I agreed. My job takes a lot of time, and the women I usually meet care more about my bottom line than who I am. They have no problem taking, but it's the giving that they struggle with. I’m simple, I want someone honest, who’s willing to be themselves no matter what the situation, and are happy just to be with me. That’s you. You are who you are. You’re not perfect. Hell, neither am I, but we fit, or at least I think so. I like who I am with you.”

  “I don't need anyone to save me, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  He laughed. “Why the fuck would I need to save you, and from what? You seem very capable of doing whatever is necessary to survive. Do I want to make your life easier? Hell yeah, but that’s not about saving you. That’s just about me sharing my privileges with you. I work hard for all this, and for what? To sit around and look at it, alone? What’s the point if I can’t share it with somebody? Be that somebody. It's that simple.”

  Nova couldn't hide the smile that formed. Yes, Nate was different. She knew that from their first conversation, but sitting there right now and listening to him explain how he felt definitely confirmed that he was exactly what she needed. There were no guarantees, but she was definitely going to give them a chance.

  -13-

  “Your ass got some explaining to do,” Najah said when she walked through Nova’s bedroom door and flopped down on her bed.

  “Man, bye, mind your business, Nah Nah.” Nova rolled her eyes and continued folding the load of clothes that sat on her bed.

  Najah had just finished her last class for the day and had decided to stop by and get the 411 on Nova and Nate. It shocked the hell out of her and everybody else when she showed up with him at their family dinner.

  “Hoe, please. Your business is my business, so spill. I shouldn't even have to be here asking you this because it's your job to keep me informed anyway,” Najah said after she grabbed one of Nova’s towels and threw it at her.

  “Did I show up at your house unannounced, digging all into your personal business about Gotti?”

  Najah looked at her cousin with a smirk. “No, hoe, you called me and grilled me instead, but I felt like making a house call, so spill.”

  Nova laughed and gave in. “We’re just chillin’. It's nothing major.”

  “Mmmhmm, if it's nothing major then why was he all up in my mama’s house, and why weren't you at yours last night?”

  “How do you know I wasn't at home?” Nova’s face scrunched up.

  “I didn't, but you just told on yourself,” Najah said with a sly grin.

  “Man, I hate your ass sometimes, I swear.” Nova rolled her eyes and lifted the stack of towels she had just folded before heading to the hall closet to put them away. When she returned to her room, she snatched her phone from her cousin’s hand and then fell out on her bed. “Damn, you’re nosey.”

  “Well, if you would just tell me what’s up, I wouldn't have to be all up in your phone.”

  “There’s nothing to tell. I said we're just chillin’,” Nova said, rolling over onto her back and scrolling through her texts with a grin plastered all over her face while she reread their recent conversation.

  “Man, are you really going to act like that? Nova, just tell me,” Najah whined.

  “You’re so damn extra. He’s cool, I like him.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “He’s sexy as fuck, Nova. Details girl.”

  Nova frowned. “There are no details. I’m not going there with him yet. I need to be sure first.”

  “Damn, Nova. You and Gotti both are getting on my damn nerves. I can't get none from him, so the least you can do is let me live vicariously through you.”

  Nova burst out laughing. “Damn, Najah, he still holding out on you?”

  “Hell yeah. He claims I need to get my head right, but I swear he be on some shit. How you gone have me half naked licking and sucking damn near every inch of my body, but won't let me get the full package?”

  “Just take it. I guarantee if you pull that package out and sit on it, all that get your mind right stuff will be dead. Just like that.”

  “Girl, I tried. I swear he has control for days.” Najah was damn near pouting.

  “Well, I don't. It's killing me, but sex makes me stupid and I don't wanna mess this up, so I’m just chillin’ right now,” Nova admitted. She really wanted things to work with Nate, and sex confused things.

  “So you stayed with him, at his house, in his bed, and you didn't give him any?” Najah looked at Nova like she didn't believe her.

  “Yes, I did, and no I didn't. It almost killed me because he was all up under me, all damn night, looking good and smelling even better, but I kept my damn legs tight. He knew he was breaking me, though.”

  “Girl, you better than me. You doing anything right now?” Najah ask looking down at her nails, which were in desperate need of a manicure.

  “Yeah, nothing, and that ain't about to change, so whatever you're about to ask me the answer is no,” Nova said.

  She had a few hours before she had to pick the twins up from school, and she had no plans to leave her house.

  “Nova, please, come go to Lola's with me. I’ll even pay for you to get yours done,” Najah begged.

  Nova rolled her eyes. She was not in the mood to deal with any of the fake, shit talking females that she knew would be up in Lola's. It was the cheapest spot to get a bomb ass manicure. The problem was the fact that it was in their neighborhood, which meant that everybody she and Najah knew would be there and ready to be all up in their business. Especially now, since Logic was back in charge, and all the thirsty chicks looking for a come up would be in their faces trying to find a way to get to him through them. It was annoying as hell, and Nova and Najah both hated it.

  “Why we gotta go to Lola’s? You know them chicks in there be on some shit, and I’m having a good day. I’m not in the mood to lay hands on anybody.” Nova sat up with a frown on her face.

  “Girl, bye, you know them hoes ain't stupid enough to come at us like that. Besides, Charmaine is the business and you know it. She be having my shit on point. Come on, Nova, go with me, please. In and out, I promise.” Najah jumped up and waited for Nova, who rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse.

  “
You’re paying, so don't get in there acting crazy when it’s time to leave.”

  “Girl, I got you. Let's go.”

  Najah decided to drive, and when she pulled up in front of Lola’s and parked, her good day went tragically wrong. The first thing she noticed was Gotti’s car parked right in front of the building with him leaning against it like he didn't have a care in the world. Some trick was standing in front of him, looking like she was in a damn daze.

  “You don't know what that’s about, so don't go up there acting crazy,” Nova said, praying that she wasn't about to have to help her cousin lay this chick out.

  “What I know is I sent his ass three texts before we left your house, which he hasn't responded to, but he got time to be up here entertaining that bitch,” Najah said, pointing toward where Gotti and his friend were standing.

  His back was to them, so he had no idea they were in the parking lot until Najah and Nova made it to where they were. Najah stood on the sidewalk about a foot behind the chick that was standing in front of Gotti who was a little too close to him for her liking. They weren't actually touching, but the hoe was definitely in his personal space.

  His eyes fell on Najah but his expression didn't change as he spoke to her like he didn't have some other bitch in his face.

  “Hold up, ma, give me a minute,” he said to Najah before he focused on the chick in front of him again.

  The girl’s expression was far from neutral as she mugged Najah hard as hell and then turned to Gotti, pointing a finger over her shoulder toward Najah, but keeping her eyes on him.

  “Who the fuck is that?” she asked with an undeniable attitude that rubbed Najah the wrong way.

  She was seconds away from addressing her, but rethought her decision when Gotti gave her a look that dared her to. She bit the inside of her mouth, remembering the conversation they had about her being able to handle certain situations. When she had agreed, she had no idea how hard it would be to actually keep her mouth shut.

  Nova looked at Gotti and the chick first and then Najah, confused about why her cousin was so calm because it was totally out of character for her.

  “Nick, don't make me embarrass you out here. She is none of your damn business. Did you hear anything I just told your ass? There ain't shit between me and you anymore, so don't stand here acting like you have the right to question me about who the fuck my girl is.”

  “Your girl?” Nick turned and eyed Najah, searching her body from head to toe with a scowl on her face. “Since when do you have a girl? I thought you didn't do commitment.”

  Najah’s foot was tapping and she had her jaw clenched to keep from saying anything, but it was damn near killing her.

  Nova was amused by the whole situation.

  “I never said that, what I said was I wasn't wifing your ass.” Gotti pointed at Nick before he pulled a freshly rolled blunt from behind his ear.

  He kept his eyes on Najah, knowing that it was taking every ounce of control she had not to say something. He really wanted to laugh at her, but he kept it cool. Nick wasn't anybody important. In fact, she was the last of his females that he was cutting things off with so that he could lock shit down with Najah. The fact that she just happened to roll up on him while he was doing it was inconvenient, but it didn't move him one way or the other.

  “You know what? Fuck you, Gotti. You dealing with little kids anyway.” She glanced at Najah. “So I don't need this shit.”

  Gotti lit his blunt and looked right at Najah, knowing that she wanted to lay hands on Nick, but she kept her cool, which is exactly what he wanted. He couldn’t have any female he was serious about in the streets on some ratchet shit. Besides, she didn't have a damn thing to worry about, and he would make sure she knew that.

  He waved his hand in the air, dismissing Nick. “The fuck you still standing here for then?”

  Gotti stepped away from his car and grabbed Najah around the waist, leaned down and kissed her while Nick grilled both of them and then stormed off.

  “Yo, what up, Nova?” Gotti glanced at her and then looked down at Najah.

  “Your little ass is about to explode,” he said with a cocky grin.

  Najah rolled her eyes.

  “I’m going inside so you guys can talk,” Nova said.

  He looked up and searched the parking lot. When he noticed Najah’s car, he looked down at her again. “Yo, give her your keys. Come take a ride with me.”

  “No, I need to get my nails done.” Najah rolled her eyes at him and held her hand up for him to see.

  “And she has to pay for mine,” Nova added.

  Gotti let out a frustrated sigh. “Man, I’ll bring your ass back later to get that shit done.” He reached in his pocket, pulled out a fold of cash and pulled off a few bills, which he extended to Nova. She gladly accepted.

  “’Preciate it,” she said with a grin.

  “Give her your damn keys,” he said, looking at Najah again.

  Nova snatched the keys from her before she had a chance to object, and Najah rolled her eyes at both them.

  “Bye, cuz,” Nova said over her shoulder as she headed to the door.

  Gotti took Najah’s hand in his and damn near dragged her to his car. He opened the passenger side door and she sucked her teeth before falling into the seat. He chuckled because he knew she was mad, but she didn't really have a reason to be. Instead of addressing it, he decided to let her have her moment.

  Najah pouted the entire drive to his apartment, but Gotti kept his thoughts about it to himself until he parked and turned the car off.

  “I don't know what you sitting there looking crazy for,” he said with a grin that pissed Najah off even more.

  She gave him the nastiest look before folding her arms across her chest. “Why are we here?”

  He chuckled. “Because we need to talk. Now come on.”

  Gotti opened his door and got out, but Najah didn't move. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying her best not to tell him what she was really thinking. When Gotti realized she wasn't moving, he walked to her door and opened it for her. After resting his arm on the roof, he leaned down and looked at her.

  “Would you come on? I’m really not in the mood.”

  Najah looked up at him like he was crazy. “Not in the mood?” She sucked her teeth. “Maybe I wasn't in the mood to see you with some trick in your face.”

  Gotti smiled and grabbed her arm, forcing her out the car. She didn't resist, so it really didn't take much effort. He hit the locks and then used his key to get in his apartment, shutting and locking the door behind him. Najah stood in the center of the living room with her arms folded across her chest while he was on his way to his bedroom, not really moved by the fact that she wasn't behind him.

  Najah stood there for a minute, waiting for what, she didn't know. Eventually, she gave in and made her way to his bedroom, where she found him sitting on the foot of his bed facing the door, waiting with a grin on his face.

  “Well?” Najah asked from the door where she had stopped and stood.

  Gotti laughed at how petty she was being. He thought her little attitude was cute.

  “What you mad for?”

  “Because—”

  “Because you rolled up on me unannounced, while I was cutting shit off with someone who is totally irrelevant to you or me.” He stopped her from talking before she had a chance to say something crazy.

  “Who was that?” Najah asked, feeling silly because he was right, and she didn't know what else to say.

  “My past. Now do you want to stand there questioning me about shit that don't matter, or you wanna come join me?”

  “Is she the only one?” Najah asked.

  Gotti smiled. “You know the answer to that, but the bigger question is, did I disrespect you in any way or did I make it clear that YOU were my priority?” He pointed at her.

  Najah tried to hold in her smile, but it was forcing its way through anyway.

  “The fuck you smili
ng for now? You had your ass on your shoulders for the last twenty minutes over some bullshit.” Gotti looked at her with a cocky smirk.

  “At least I didn't put my hands on that hoe, like I really wanted to,” Najah said, which made him chuckle.

  “You better be glad you didn't, or you wouldn't be here right now. I told you I don't play that shit. You don't need to put your hands on somebody over me, ever. If it's some shit I need to handle, I will, and I will never let anyone be disrespectful to you, but you have to trust me on that. I appreciate you trusting me on that today, so stop being stubborn so I can show you just how much I appreciate it.”

  Najah stood there grinning, but finally gave in and made her way over to him. She stood between his legs while he looked up at her, not moving for a minute, just holding a stare with her.

  “You with me, Najah?” Gotti asked as he pulled her shirt over her head and then tossed it across the room.

  She bit her bottom lip and nodded.

  “You ready for this?” he asked, sliding his hand into her leggings while he kept his eyes on her.

  Again, she nodded.

  “You better be, because there’s no turning back.”

  Najah leaned in and kissed him to further confirm that she had no doubts. She had been waiting and wasn't about to back down, so she stepped out of her Nikes while Gotti worked her leggings down her body.

  He was about to make things official in a way that would wipe out any doubts that she could possibly have.

  -14-

  “Would you quit looking at me like that?” Joy asked, grinning at Logic who was across from her on his sofa. She had her iPad in her hands, swiping through photos of yet another house she wanted to check out. They had three lined up to see the next day, and she still couldn't stop looking.

  Logic’s eyes traced Joy’s body as he started calculating in his head. He was trying to remember the last time that Joy had her period, and kept coming back to the same thing. The week after they visited his lake house. That was almost a month and a half ago, so she had to be pregnant. He scrunched up his face, trying to decide if she knew and wasn't telling him or if she hadn't really paid much attention to it.