Hakeem & Tasia 3: A Brick City Love Story

by K. C. Mills

  “I love you more and won’t be too many more of those idiots.”

  “Bye Brit, thank you for letting me vent.”

  “What are you going do?”

  “I don’t know, but you’re right… like it or not, he’s my life and I can’t blame him for something he didn’t have a say in. I just don’t know if I can handle the baby mama drama thing. I don't know if I have it in me.”

  “Don’t worry ‘bout all that right now. You don't know what’s going to happen.”

  “Easy for you to day. Jaysyn doesn't have mystery kids.”

  “He better not, or we're going to have some problems.”

  “See, how can you tell me not to trip when that’s exactly what you would do?”

  “I’m not you Tay, and you’re not me. You and Keem are on a whole other level, so it’s not the same.

  “Yeah, whatever. Tell Mom and Dad I said hi, and I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “I will, and give it a chance, Tay.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  I ended my call with Brit, let my head fall back and closed my eyes. I guess I would have to make some decisions and soon, but not before Keem and I had a real conversation about the situation.

  -5-

  Mason

  “She doing any better?” I asked the nurse on duty when I went by to check on Sky. She was basically in a coma and hadn’t woken up yet. I needed her to wake up so that she could help me figure out who put her here.

  “Nope, still the same. Where’s your partner tonight?” she asked grinning at me.

  “He had some paperwork to catch up on.”

  “So you’re alone then?” Her smile quickly went from friendly to seductive, and I knew exactly what she was getting at. My tongue glided across my bottom lip, before I locked eyes with her. If she was willing, I was willing. No sense in passing up on an opportunity.

  “I was about to go in and check on her if you want to join me,” she said, and then lifted her clipboard from off the counter in front of her.

  “Yeah, I can do that. You never know, maybe something has changed.”

  “Maybe,” she said as she moved from around the counter. I followed her to Sky’s room and she pushed the door open. I glanced up and down the hall, before I followed her inside and then locked the door behind us.

  My eyes fell on Sky, as Hope grabbed my hand and guided me to the bathroom. I shut the door while she stepped out of her running shoes she was wearing, and her pants hit the floor.

  “It’s like that, no small talk? We just getting straight to it, huh baby girl?”

  A grin spread across her face as she moved towards me and began unbuckling my belt and then my jeans. While she handled that, I reached in my pocket for a condom and placed it on the sink behind me.

  “Hi, I’m Hope,” she said as she pushed my jeans and boxers down my thighs. “Is that enough small talk for you?”

  She glanced down and seemed satisfied with what she saw, so I pulled her into my chest and kissed her on the neck. She let out a soft moan as I slid two fingers inside her, which made her try to kiss me, but that was a no go. I might fuck other bitches, but it was just that. No intimacy. As crazy as it sounded, I saved that for Janelle. She had my heart and even though I fucked around from time to time, I never made the misstate of having emotional connections with anyone else but her. She was about to be my wife and we were about to be a family.

  “Turn around,” I said as I grabbed the condom and ripped it open. Hope did as instructed and turned her back to me. Once I had the condom on, I bent her over and she grabbed the railing that lined the wall, before I slammed into her with so much force that her head almost made contact with the wall.

  “Oh fuck, I could tell from looking at you that I wasn't going to be disappointed,” she said.

  “Don’t fucking talk, I don’t want to hear your voice,” I said.

  “Fine, whatever you want, just work that shit out for me,” she said.

  I grabbed the ponytail she wore and wrapped my hand around, it yanking her head back.

  “Your ass is hard headed. Shut the fuck up!”

  She just laughed but didn’t say another word, and I closed my eyes and focused on my strokes. It didn’t take long for me to reach my orgasm and lucky for her, she hit hers right before mine. Either way I didn't really give fuck, because it wasn’t about her, it was about me.

  I pulled away and removed my condom, flushing it down the toilet. She pressed her back against the wall and just watched me, as I cleaned up and then adjusted my clothes.

  “You’re a strange one, Detective Howard.”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “So is this a one-time deal?” she asked as she made her way to the sink to clean up.

  “Depends, if you’re a good girl then I might find time for you.”

  She looked at me and smiled. “I think I just proved how good I am.”

  She stepped into her scrubs, and then sat on the toilet to slide her running shoes back on.

  “Maybe,” I said and winked at her before I left the bathroom.

  I stood there watching Sky for a few minutes until Hope joined me.

  “Oh I forgot, she had a visitor. He’s a model. I’ve seen his ads, Jace Bradford. He actually came a few times and seemed real interested in whether or not she was going to get any better.”

  “Oh yeah?” It seemed like Hope had just given me a lead. Maybe she would get the dick again.

  “Yeah, I can call you next time he shows if you want.”

  “That’s not necessary.” I knew that was her way of trying to make something out of nothing. I didn’t need her blowing up my phone. She had severed her purpose. I took one last look at Sky, and she looked so peaceful lying there. She was beautiful, and I couldn't help but think about what it would be like to fuck her. The least I could do was to find out who did this to her, and make them pay. I left the hospital en route to the station. I had a few things to check on and then I was heading home. Hope was my warm up, and now Janelle was about to be my workout. I got my first nut out the way so I was ready to go all night.

  *****

  “Hey Josh, I see you initiated a warrant on Hakeem Williams. What's the deal with that?” I sat on the edge of Detective Josh Bradford’s desk, as he leaned back and folded his arms, peering at me.

  “It came up empty. No record and his place was clean. How do you know about that?” he asked giving me a strange look.

  “I ran his name through the system and it came up. So he’s into something? Did you get a tip?”

  Josh looked at me like he was attempting to figure out what he wanted to say, but then played it cool.

  “Yeah, we received information that he was into some illegal activity, but it came up empty. My partner and his guys didn’t find anything, so it was a bust.”

  “So you secured the warrant but your partner did the search?” That seemed odd to me.

  “Yeah, I had some other things that I was working on so he handled it, and why are you running his name?”

  “He’s connected with a case I’m working. Sky Livingston. She was attacked in her home and isn’t doing so well. She worked for Williams’ girlfriend, so I was just trying to connect the dots to see if there was anything there. You never know.”

  “Look, I know you're new, and I don’t know how things worked in Chicago but here, we don’t go running names without just cause. You can get yourself in a lot of trouble like that. We like to follow procedure around here.”

  I chuckled, “I feel you. Your last name’s Bradford, any relation to Jace Bradford?”

  Josh looked at me like he had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, which I found to be strange.

  “My nephew, why?”

  “He visited my vic a few times at the hospital. Any idea how I can get in touch with him?”

  “I’ll have him give you a call. We’re not that close, but I can reach out to his dad.”

  “I’d appreciate that
,” I said and then stood.

  “Well you seem busy, so I’ll let you get back to it. Thanks for your time and I appreciate your advice,” I said in reference to the Hakeem situation, even though it wasn't going to stop me. Fuck rules and procedures. I did things however the fuck I wanted, as long as I got the results I was looking for.

  “Yeah, no problem.” He leaned forward as I walked away and began pecking away on his keyboard. I made a mental note to see what secrets Bradford was hiding because based on his reaction, there was something going on with him.

  *****

  “She sleep?” I asked when Janelle met me at the door.

  “Yes, finally. She was fussy tonight,” Janelle said as she slid her arms around my waist and trying to hug me, but I pushed her away. That bullshit with Hakeem had me heated, and I needed her to know that she had fucked up. She needed to suffer a little and then I was going to fuck her brains out.

  “Are you mad at me?” she asked, moving behind me as I made my way to the kitchen to grab a beer.

  I turned to face her once I had it in my hand. “The fuck you think, Jay? You had me looking like a fucking bitch in front of that nigga. The only reason why I didn’t fuck him up was because of Riley, but trust me, that will be the last time he disrespects me and damn sure the last time you let him.”

  “I didn’t know it would turn out like that,” she said, looking at me like a nervous child, her beautiful chocolate face showing signs of stress because she knew I was unhappy. My eyes traced her body and I admired her thick hips, full breasts and flat stomach. She was dressed in only a pair of lace panties and a fitted tee, which showed me all the things I loved about her. I tried to hide the excitement in my eyes; I could feel a swell happening in my jeans.

  “So you mean to tell me you have a child with that nigga and you don’t know him? You didn’t know he was going to show up acting like a common thug?”

  I pointed at her to get my point across. “You’re not stupid Jay, far from it. Your ass has a fucking master’s degree, so I know you’re not stupid.”

  “I’ve never seen him act like that before, and I didn’t see what he big deal was. He was there to see Riley, so why would it matter that you were there?”

  I laughed and then moved past her, brushing against her body, before I made my way to the sofa.

  “You kept his child from him for two years, and then show up with her like it’s nothing. Not only that, but you didn’t tell him that I was raising her. I’m her father Jay, not that muthafucka, but even with all that, you didn’t know that he wouldn’t handle that shit well? Yeah aight, like I said last time.”

  “All he wants is to see her. You are her father. I know that and you know that, but I have to let him see her. If we play nice, then it shouldn’t be a problem getting him to sign her over, so that you can officially adopt her once we’re married. He’s in a relationship so there’s no way he wants to ruin that with an outside child. Just trust me. He’ll do the right thing.”

  “You better hope so. This is my family; you are mine and so is Riley. That nigga will not fuck that up, you hear me?”

  Janelle nodded before she slid onto my lap and took my beer out of my hand. Her hand went across my erection before she began unbuckling my jeans and then moving to the floor. I looked down into her eyes, as her hands gripped my shaft, stroking it just the way I like. Without notice I felt her mouth, so my eyes closed and my head hit the back of the sofa. I let go of the conversation for now, but it definitely wasn’t over.

  -6-

  Hakeem

  “So are we going to talk about this?” I had been watching Tasia move around our apartment for the last two hours, not really saying anything to me. I called Mika to let her know I wouldn’t be at the club tonight, and she was cool with it. I needed to figure this shit out with Tay, which meant that I had to be home.

  Tasia didn’t say anything, she just walked past where I was standing in the kitchen, headed straight to the sink. She turned on the water and rinsed the plate she was holding, before she set it down. Once she had the water off and dried her hands, she tried to leave the kitchen, but I grabbed her arm and pinned her against the counter, using my body as a barrier.

  “Tay, I know you hear me. You walking around here ignoring me will not change shit, so we can either talk about this like adults or I can take you not talking to me as your answer to this situation, but either way a decision has to be made.

  “What do you want me to say, Keem?”

  “It’s not what I want you to say, it’s what you feel like you need to say?”

  She looked me right in the eyes and I could see a world of emotions brewing behind them. She was sad, hurt, and angry, but the love she had for me was there too. I just hoped she still felt what I saw.

  “Can I have some space, please.” She placed her hands on my chest but waited for me to move on my own. Once our bodies separated, she walked into the living room and fell into the corner of the sofa, pulling her legs into her chest and lowering her chin onto her knees.

  I followed, but positioned myself on the coffee table across from her and waited. After what seemed like forever, her eyes finally met mine and she spoke.

  “I know that you didn’t know and I can’t really blame you for that, but I want to. I’m angry because it changes everything.”

  “It doesn't change anything, Tay.”

  “But it does, it changes everything. She’s your daughter, yours and Janelle. That’s your family. What makes you so sure that you won’t just wake up one day and decide that’s what you really want and not me? It’s just us Keem, but she gave you a daughter.”

  “Man, chill with that shit Tay. Yeah she’s my daughter and Janelle is her mother, but that’s as far as that shit goes. I will never choose Janelle over you. That isn’t gonna happen. The only thing I need from her is to be a good mother to Riley and other than that, she doesn’t exist to me. I need you to trust me on that.”

  “What if that’s not all she wants from you, then what? I don’t know if I can deal with that. I don’t want to feel like I’m constantly in competition with the mother of your child, Keem. I know you don’t get that but I-”

  “The fuck you mean, Tay? You will never be in competition with anyone, and I put that on everything. If you don’t know that by now, then I don’t know how else to make you believe that. I’m not perfect, and yeah I fuck up from time to time, but this is all you. I’m all you. There is and never will be a time when you will ever have to compete for something that belongs to you, and will ever only belong to you.”

  She just stared blankly at nothing in particular, which was pissing me off. She knew my heart, she knew me. I leaned forward and gently grabbed her chin to force her to look at me.

  “Tay, I’m not me without you, so there’s nothing to doubt. You and me, that’s it. That’s all there’s ever gonna be.”

  She stared at me for a few minutes more, before she nodded. I stood and pulled her to her feet and enclosed her in my arms, breathing a little easier.

  “I hate this,” she mumbled against my chest.

  “We’ll figure it out Tay, but I need you with me on this.” I leaned back slightly and kissed her. That was all I could offer right now, but it meant everything.

  *****

  “You and Ken are coming tonight right?” I walked into the closet and Tay was on the phone with who appeared to be Liyah. I pressed my body against hers and started kissing and biting her neck.

  “Would you stop it?” Tay leaned her head to the side and looked up at me.

  “No, your aggravating brother.”

  “Oh, so I’m aggravating?” I said with a smirk before I took the phone out of her hands.

  “Tay has to go Liyah. She’ll call you back later.”

  I could hear my sister say my name as I ended the call, and then slid Tay’s phone in my pocket.

  “Really, you’re so childish,” Tay said rolling her eyes at me.

  “I’m far from childis
h. Grown fucking man right here, do I need to prove that to you?” I grabbed Tay around the waist and pulled her into me again.

  She just looked at me and grinned before I leaned down and kissed her. “Come talk to me for a minute.” I let her go, taking her hand and leading her out the closet. After I sat down on the bed, I pulled her into my lap and secured my arms around her body.

  “How do you feel about going to meet Riley with me today?” I knew I was asking a lot, but I needed her there. Aside from Angel, I didn’t know a damn thing about kids, and with Angel it was easy. I had been around her from day one, so she just naturally took to me, but with Riley it was different. She didn’t know me, and I didn’t know her. The first time she ever laid eyes on me, was a fucked up situation, so I needed Tay there just in case shit didn’t go well.

  “Do you think that’s a good idea? I mean, she doesn’t know me.”

  “She don’t know me either, and besides, she needs to get to know you. I just want you there.”

  Tay looked at me and a smile formed on her face. “You’re sacred of a little girl Keem?”

  “I’m not scared Tay, I just don’t know shit about kids. So will you come?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.” She kissed me and then got up. “I need to head to my office and finish up a few things first,” she said over her shoulder as she walked back into the closet.

  “That works because I need to check on a few things for tonight. Liyah coming?” I asked as I stood to finish getting dressed.

  “I don’t know, you hung up on her, remember?” Tay walked over to me, slid her hand in my pocket to get her phone, while making sure that she made contact with something.

  “Keep that shit up and neither one of us will be leaving anytime soon.” Tay just laughed and scrolled through her phone to call my sister back. I knew better than to even go there, or she was about to be bent over something.

  *****

  “So you can bring her but you don’t want me to bring Mason,” Janelle said the second we walked in and she laid eyes on Tay.

  “Don’t start with that fuck shit, where is she?” Janelle glared at me, before her eyes moved to the kiddie area we were standing next to. My eyes fell on Riley and I couldn't help but smile. She was crawling through one of the miniature plastic mazes.