Forbidden Fruit

by Nika Michelle

  "I ain't sayin' that it's goin' be all peace between ya'll and the Cues, but ya'll need to squash this bullshit for a while. Call a truce and stop hitting up each other's spot. It's not good for business and you know it. Ablo be movin' that good shit and you know it's good. You done heard about it El. If ya'll stay away from each other maybe you could get up on your shit," I winked at him. I'd hit a soft spot. The Knights were slanging, but they didn't make nearly as much money on the streets as the Cues.

  "So you sayin' I'm wastin' time beefin' and that make Ablo's profit better than mine? You trippin' shawty. On the real though. We ain't pull no wack ass shit like robbin' no damn Cues. That's some punk ass shit yo'. We would've came up blastin' some mufuckas. The Kings ain't goin' pull no faggot ass shit like that. And you don't need to warn me 'bout Ablo and the Cues, you need to warn him about me." He cleared his throat.

  I shook my head because he wasn't getting what I was trying to say. Maybe he got it, but just didn't want to hear it.

  "So your boys didn't do it?" I asked.

  "Hell no."

  "So why did they spray paint the letter L?" I asked.'

  "Oh, that's why you thought it was us? Well it wasn't and I don't give a fuck about what they spray painted. L could stand for anything. It's other crews out there that start with the letter L. Latin Knights, the Lords, and we all got our shit wit' each other. My name start with the letter E baby girl, and Kings start with a K. Get worried when you see one or the other. But anyway, you might need to warn your man for real," he said staring at me while he licked his sexy ass lips.

  "About what?" I asked with my hand on my piece.

  "It ain't no need for all that shawty," he grinned slyly. "I'm just sayin' you fine as hell."

  I blushed visibly, but shook it off. What the hell was wrong with me? I had to get out of there. There I was standing in the apartment of my man's enemy.

  "Look, you right. L could've stood for anything. I'm out," I stammered walking out of the apartment. I heard El's footsteps behind me and then his hand on my shoulder.

  "Look, just know that if Diablo fuck up I'll gladly pick up where that tired ass mufucka left off," he said.

  I yanked away and got into the car. El knew that he was a temptation of mine or he wouldn't have come off on me like that. If Ablo had known what El had said he would've cut his tongue out and stuck it up his ass. I had fucked up by going over there, because it was going to be hard to get El's fine, sexy ass out of my mind.

  * * *

  A couple days had passed and Ablo agreed that the L could've stood for a number of crews. He advised the Cues to stay on their Ps and Qs and watch out for any suspicious cats on the block. It was all peace so far and I still couldn't stop thinking about El. I decided to confide in Princess about it. We were at Lenox Square Mall.

  "D is doin' good now, but Ace got some shit wit his ass. The dick is good," Princess said. “Real damn good.”

  "I thought D’s was the bomb," I said trying on some brown Gucci sandals.

  "Yeah, but he goin' through physical therapy and shit so he can learn how to walk again. He just seem distant and we don't even talk like that no more. He did call to tell me that the police got La La yesterday. It just ain't there no more Yanna. Me and Ace, we talk. I think he likes me for real, and not just the sex. You know I puts it on that mufucka," Princess said.

  I laughed and put the shoes back in the box. "They fit. I'm gettin' em," I told the salesman.

  I paid for the sandals and we left the mall.

  "You hungry?" I asked Princess.

  "Sumthin's up wit' your ass. You been all jumpy and shit the past few days. You always gotta be out of the house lately. You and Ablo havin' problems?" Princess asked.

  I took the blunt I'd rolled out of the ashtray, lit it and started the car up. I was pushing Ablo's Mercedes. It might as well have been mine.

  "I don't know if I should even say this out loud," I said exhaling the smoke. I handed Princess the blunt and drove out of the parking lot. Princess was silent and I knew that she was waiting, so I proceeded.

  "Girl, what if you was in a relationship wit' somebody, but you can't get this other nigga outta your head?" I asked.

  "Please. You askin' the wrong bitch a question like that. You know how I feel 'bout relationships and shit Yanna. I don't believe in boundaries. I fuck whoever I want whenever I want. What's really up wit' you?"

  "Okay shit. It's this dude that I'm attracted to. I mean he make me wanna...you know...cheat on Ablo..."

  Princess shrieked excitedly and handed me the blunt. I took it graciously and took a long pull.

  "Who is it?" What the hell you waitin' for bitch? Fuck him," she said.

  "That’s the thing Princess. I ain't fucked him because of who he is."

  Princess looked at me and I couldn't help but smile one of my sly smiles.

  "No bitch," Princess laughed. "No. I know it ain't who I think it is," she shrieked.

  "Who do you think it is?" I asked.

  "Okay. No, you tell me," she said.

  "He's so fine Princess. I went to his crib to talk him into calling a truce wit' the Cues. You know...so they can all make money in peace. Why did I do that shit? He was lookin' all sexy and then he came on to me," I said staring straight ahead. I couldn't even look at Princess.

  "Who...El?" Princess asked with wide eyes.

  I hit the blunt, blew the smoke out, and passed it to her. "Yeah, but ain't shit happen. I had to leave before sumthin' did."

  "Your man's number one enemy is the other man?" Princess teased me.

  "Shut up. He ain't the other man. You know it ain't goin' be shit wit' El. You know Mann and them got robbed the other night. They thought it was the Knights and Ablo was in Florida that weekend. I knew that Ablo was down there handling some business, so I decided I was goin' talk some sense into El. They can do their thing on their own territory, leave each other alone and make paper in peace. Well after I said what I had to say he told me that the Kings didn't do it. He told me that robbin' them on the block was too soft for the Kings. Then he told me I was fine and if Ablo fuck up he'll be happy to take over. Girl, my pussy was so wet that I had to run out his apartment. I couldn't even look at that nigga. I knew that if I saw his fine ass lick those lips again I was gonna rip his clothes off and fuck him right there on the floor," I said out of breath because I was talking so fast.

  "Is that my cousin talkin'? I can't believe it," Princess said blowing smoke out of her nose.

  "Well, I haven't really experienced another man before. Ablo is all I know Princess, and I couldn't chance losin' him for El. It ain't worth it. I can't get El off my mind though. I want to fuck him so bad for some reason."

  "Well gone and fuck him then bitch. Ablo ain't gotta know. Who goin' tell him. You? Think about it Yanna. You know your shit is good as hell, 'cause Ablo whipped then a mufucka. He sprung, but he won't admit it to nobody other than you. Once you put it on El he'll keep his mouth shut. Shit, he goin' want it again, so he ain't goin' be talkin'."

  "Princess, you don't think. What if El catch feelings and threaten to tell Ablo? Or say Ablo somehow finds out and kill me and El. Or what if I fall in love wit' El?" I suggested over analyzing the situation.

  "What if I smack you for bein' so damn rational! Sex is sex! Fuck that fine ass mufucka 'cause it’s your pussy and you want his dick up in it! Fuck what happen Yanna! Think about that thick, good dick I bet he got. Shit, Ablo cheat on you." Princess handed me the blunt and I inhaled thinking about it. Maybe Princess was right, but I just didn't feel right about it. I couldn't do it. That would be the ultimate betrayal.

  Chapter 7

  "Yanna...mmm...you feel good baby," Ablo moaned as I rode him to ecstasy. Then his phone rang.

  "You goin' get it?" I asked still grinding my hips on top of him.

  "Hell no baby. Hell no," he said grabbing my ass. "Give me a kiss," he added.

  I leaned over and kissed his puckered lips. "What you up to Ablo?" I a
sked and stopped moving. His phone hadn't stopped ringing.

  "Yanna, why you stop? Fuck that phone baby," he said and turned it off. He swatted my ass gently. "C'mon boo, let me get back up in that pussy."

  "Who the fuck callin' you at four in the fuckin' mornin' Ablo?" I yelled lifting myself up off him. I sat down on the side of the bed. "I can't even fuck you in peace!"

  Diablo sighed and pushed the cover off his body. He leaned over, picked his phone up from the nightstand and turned it off. "Look at that baby. It's all for you. I'm still hard and the phone is off. That's all the peace we need. Yanna, how the fuck you goin' be ridin' me all good and then stop? Baby, you was feelin' so fuckin' wet and soft. C'mon," he begged.

  "I'm goin' cut your ass if you don't start tellin' the fuckin' truth! Nigga you think I'm playin' games wit' you? Keep tryin' to play me for a fuckin' fool! Keep on Ablo, and I'm goin' show you how it feel!" I yelled with my pointer finger in his face.

  Diablo grabbed my wrist and twisted it. "Show me how it feel huh?” He asked. "I don't believe in beatin' on women, but if I find out you done gave my pussy away I'm goin' whoop your red ass."

  "Stop Ablo!" I yelled trying to get out of his grasp.

  He looked at me and released his grip.

  "Sorry baby. For twistin' your wrist, not for sayin' what I said. I meant that shit. I'll whoop your ass then I’ll kill that mufucka."

  "You done lost your fuckin' mind!" I yelled. "What the fuck is wrong wit' you? First you got bitches callin' your fuckin' phone at four in the mornin'! Then you goin' try and fuckin' break my wrist. On top of all that you goin' threaten me. Fuck you Ablo!" I jumped up, grabbed the blanket and a pillow and left the room. I made sure that I slammed the door nice and hard. Once I was in the living room I made the couch up all comfy like and turned the TV on. I heard the bedroom door open.

  "C'mon back to bed. Please. I'm sorry Yanna. I'm really sorry. You know I won't put my hands on you for real. I don't care what you do. And yo', that won't no broad callin' me. I swear baby. Come back to bed ok. I ain't even goin' try to have sex wit' you. I just wanna feel your soft skin against mine. C'mon," he said.

  The truth was I'd really stopped because I just wasn't into it. Two months had passed since I went to talk to El, and he still possessed my thoughts. Of course Ablo didn't know that I'd been to see him. Every time I made love to Diablo I saw El's face. The cell phone ringing was my excuse to stop, and it had come just in time.

  "Ablo, I'm sleepin' out here," I said.

  He walked over to the couch and sat down beside me. He cuddled up next to me and spread the cover over us. "I love you baby, and I apologize for every bad thing I ever did to you."

  Tears stung my eyes and I felt so guilty. I blinked the tears away. Ablo had done so much for me, but he'd done a lot of foul things to hurt me. I still loved him, so why was I so set on El? I guess I was just curious about what else was out there. El seemed to be the only man who was brave enough to come on to me. Ablo had already dibbled and dabbled out there, but I didn't have the courage to cheat or to call it quits. I felt obligated to him.

  "I love you too," I sniffed letting the tears fall.

  "You okay lil’ ma?" Diablo asked.

  "Yeah, I'm sorry Ablo," I cried and buried my face in his chest. I inhaled the scent of his cologne and relaxed as he rubbed my back.

  "It's okay baby. It's okay," he soothed me. "Why you cryin'?"

  "So many reasons," I whispered. What would he do if I fucked El and he found out about it? He would try to kill El, but I didn't know what he'd do to me. It would probably be like the R.Kelly 'Down Low' video.

  "Like what baby? You bein' all sensitive and shit. You pregnant or sumthin'?" He asked.

  "No Ablo, I take my pills."

  "You need to stop takin' 'em and give me some babies," he said.

  "That's all you talk about now. I ain't thinkin' 'bout havin' no kids right now Ablo! My daddy's dyin' and my mom's a drug addict who's depressed as hell and all you can think about is makin' babies! Like I don't have enough shit on my plate!" I yelled.

  "See, it's that shit right there. That fuckin' attitude of yours. I'm out there on the grind all fuckin' day and this what the fuck I get when I come to the crib. I can't take it no more Yanna," he said.

  "Well, what the fuck you goin' do Ablo? Dump me?" I asked. Maybe if I gave him a reason to dump me I could get out of the relationship. He wouldn't dump me though. It didn't seem to matter how mad I made him, he would never break up with me. When I dumped him he would always run back to me begging and looking all sad. I couldn't help but take him back, but if he dumped me it would be different.

  Ablo looked at me and shook his head. "What the fuck is your problem Yanna? What's up baby? What? You feelin' neglected? What? You want some money? Want some jewels? Want some Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana? Whatever make you happy baby. I'll pick up some fits for you tomorrow and shit. I gotta go get a fresh cut for the Jay -Z concert. You know I gotta go see Hov perform. I'll pick up some fly shit for my baby," he said.

  I was pissed because he thought money could fix everything.

  "Fuck it Ablo. You are so fuckin' simple minded sometimes! Fuck the money. This ain't 'bout no damn money. I got Gucci and all that shit already and I'm still a bitch when you piss me off. What the fuck is some money and some clothes goin' do to fix this relationship?" I asked.

  Diablo looked at me and rubbed his hands together. "You really pissin' me the fuck off right now," he said. His face was creased with frustration.

  I gave him a look of pure hatred. I wanted him to break up with me. If he dumped me I could feed my desire to fuck with El. I felt so bad for fantasizing about another man; especially since he was my man's enemy.

  "Leave me alone Ablo. Just go in the bedroom and let me sleep out here."

  "Baby, what's wrong? What the fuck did I do?" He asked.

  "Ablo, baby please okay. Just go," I said calmly. I was tired of yelling at him for one night.

  "Okay, but I'm goin' wake up in a lil' bit and check on you."

  "Ablo, don't worry 'bout me okay. I'm straight. I just need to be by myself."

  He gave me the saddest puppy dog face in the world and I almost broke down and followed him into the bedroom. He turned to face me again before he walked into the bedroom.

  "You goin' be okay in the mornin' baby. Whatever it is it'll be okay, because I love you," he said.

  "Goodnight Ablo," I said firmly. He was making shit so hard. I felt like shit already.

  When I woke up he was gone and there was a stack of money wrapped in a rubber band on the glass coffee table. There was a note on top of it that read.

  Spend baby. Luv u.

  Your man

  I had no problem doing that. Daren and Teji met me at the mall. I loved to shop with them.

  "Oh, so he goin' to the concert huh?" Teji asked. I told them about what happened the night before.

  "Yeah. You know Ablo love some Jay Z. My boo left me some cash, although it's been a while since he took me anywhere. It's all good," I said.

  "So why didn't you wanna get down wit' your man?" Daren asked checking out some Coach bags in the Coach store.

  "I kinda had my mind on other shit," I said admiring a brown, leather bag.

  "Now, that's hot," Daren said.

  I put the bag down. "I got enough Coach bags. I need a new Prada bag," I said leading the way to Macy's.

  "It was hot as hell though Yanna," Daren said.

  Teji smiled at me. "You had your mind on other shit? Other shit huh? Like what?" She asked.

  I laughed and continued checking out the pocketbooks.

  "Oh shit, this yellow Fendi bag will set off that dress I bought last week," I said changing the subject. "And I got a Fendi belt to match."

  Teji's smiled faded, and she looked at me accusingly. "You ain't slick ho! You got your eye on some other nigga."

  "What?" Daren asked looking shocked as hell. "Not Ablo's girl."

  "Don't you li
sten to Teji. She don't know shit." I tried to keep a straight face, but a smile broke through. I giggled as I checked out the price tag on the Fendi bag.