Complicated 3

by Chenell Parker

  “Oh well, I guess I won’t be seeing you dance then,” Mekhi shrugged as he headed for the door.

  “Are you coming back later?”

  “I don’t know. I have to meet up with Tommy to look at some buildings. I’ll call you,” Mekhi promised.

  Brandy only rolled her eyes and slammed the door behind him once he left. Mekhi had been promising her that he was going to come to the club to check her out, but he never made good on his promise. Brandy had been dancing for almost six months now, and she loved it. She would have been doing it longer if Zyra hadn’t talked her out of it when they were friends. She’d worked a few low budget jobs since then, but none of them paid her as well as dancing did.

  “Oh well,” Brandy mumbled as she made her way to the shower. She needed to take a nap and get to the club early. She had a few regulars coming to see her, and she needed to be prepared. Hopefully, she could avoid being around Nicole’s crazy ass. She was starting to wild out, and Brandy really didn’t want to be bothered.

  Chapter 5

  Janice groaned inwardly when she pulled up to Carolyn’s house for the second time that day. Being Mekhi’s family’s personal Uber driver had become a second job for her. A job that she was not being paid for. Her weekends were her only days off, and they always seemed to have something to do. Of course, Mekhi was always too busy to do anything, so she had become their go-to person. Janice was flattered when Mekhi first introduced her to his family. That feeling quickly changed to regret once she got to know them. They were a bunch of needy users, and she could do without being in their company. She still ran every time they called because she hoped that it would bring her closer to Mekhi. She had developed strong feelings for him, and she was hoping that he felt the same way. He never expressed his feelings to her, so she really didn’t know. A part of her knew that he was still in love with his ex-wife, but she had remarried and was expecting twins. Janice was happy to know that Mekhi and Rylee getting back together would never happen because of those facts.

  “Janice, I need you to run me to the store and the water company. I need to get an extension on the water bill before they cut it off,” Carolyn said when she slid into the front passenger’s seat.

  “Hello to you too Carolyn,” Janice spoke with sarcasm dripping from her voice. Carolyn was rude as hell to get into her car without even speaking first. She was too busy barking out demands just like she always did.

  “I’m sorry honey. How are you?” Carolyn spoke.

  “Fine,” Janice smiled right before she pulled away from the curb.

  “Can you take me to the water company first? I don’t want these people to turn my water off. Kendrick claimed he don’t have no money to help me out, and Mena’s lil paycheck went on the light and phone bills. I hope Kendra get enough tips to put up the rest of the rent money. I don’t know what we’re going to do if she can’t,” Carolyn ranted.

  Both Kendra and Mena had gone out and gotten jobs, but Carolyn’s lazy ass wasn’t budging. Although their jobs didn’t pay much, at least they were trying. Just like she did with her sons, Carolyn depended on her daughters to take care of her and every bill in the house.

  “Have you ever thought about getting a job to help them out, Carolyn? With the three of y’all working, the bills would definitely get paid on time,” Janice suggested.

  The look on Carolyn’s face spoke volumes about how she felt about working. She wasn’t having it, and there was no debating that. She was a healthy, able-bodied woman, so she had no excuse as to why.

  “I keep my grandkids while their mama’s work,” she snapped in her own defense. That was a piss poor excuse, and Janice didn’t let up on her.

  “But they’re in school. You can get something in the mornings. I’m sure there’s a way that y’all can figure it out. I can even look into free child care for you if it’s needed.”

  “No, things are fine just the way they are,” Carolyn replied right as they pulled up to their first destination.

  She quickly hopped out of the car and rushed into the building. Janice knew that she was happy to be away from her, but she really didn’t care. She’d been working since she was sixteen years old and she despised lazy people. Carolyn was a poor excuse for a woman and Janice vowed that she was done helping her. She already felt like she was Mekhi’s doormat. She refused to lie down and let his mother walk all over her too.

  “Two damn days. That’s all that they’re giving me,” Carolyn fumed when she got back into the car.

  “Maybe Mekhi can help you out. Have you called him yet?”

  “Yeah, but all of his money is tied up into getting his new business. You know he’s opening up another bar right?” Carolyn asked.

  “It’s more of a night club, but yeah, I know.”

  “And Kendrick is a selfish bastard just like his daddy. He got a lil job and now he thinks he’s better than everybody. He can’t pay me to believe that he don’t have no money. He just got a new car and everything. He’s probably letting that girl take all of his money,” Carolyn assumed.

  “But didn’t she take care of him for years before he got a job?” Janice asked. “She deserves everything that he gives her.”

  Although she tried to hide it, Janice saw the frown that appeared on Carolyn’s face. She didn’t like to be wrong, but she definitely was. Janice was sick of her and couldn’t wait to drop her selfish ass back home. She didn’t care if it meant losing Mekhi, she was done with his mother.

  “Are you coming in?” Carolyn asked her when they pulled up in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Janice would have declined any other time, but she did need a few items for her house.

  “Yeah, but I can’t be in here long Carolyn. I have to meet up with Mekhi later,” Janice answered.

  “Okay. I just need to pick up a few things to cook for next week. I got my food stamps this morning,” Carolyn replied making Janice look at her in disgust.

  She lived for anything free, so her being on food stamps was no surprise. After finding a parking spot, both women got out and walked towards the door. Janice grabbed a basket and proceeded to walk away to get the items that she needed. She was hoping that Carolyn didn’t try to follow her, but she wasn’t so lucky. She was damn near running trying her best to keep up. Janice refused to let this trip to Wal-Mart be a repeat of the last. She took Carolyn to the store once before only for her to throw things in the basket that she didn’t even have money to buy. Janice was pissed when her total came up to over one hundred dollars. Especially since she only had a few items in the basket that actually belonged to her. Janice got heated once again when she saw Carolyn picking up non-food items. She wasn’t about to play the fool again, so she hurriedly spoke up.

  “Look Carolyn, I only have a few dollars on me, so I hope you have money to pay for what you’re grabbing,” Janice said while staring at her.

  Carolyn looked offended, but she wasn’t stupid. She took the six pack of paper towels and ten pack of soap out of her basket. She rolled her eyes to the sky, but Janice didn’t care. She kept going and picked up the things that she needed. Carolyn had disappeared on one of the grocery aisles, but they met up with each other not too long after. Janice needed to pick up a few things for her Sunday dinner, so she and Carolyn ended up on the same aisle. She continued to do her shopping, ignoring her, until she said something that got her attention.

  “Rylee,” Carolyn called out to a group of women who had just turned on the aisle. Janice snapped her head around and saw an older white woman with two other women with her. There was no mistaking who Rylee was. Her stomach was almost knocking things off of the shelves it was so huge.

  “Carolyn,” Rylee replied dryly.

  “Oh my God. Your stomach is huge. I guess congratulations are in order,” Carolyn smiled.

  Janice could only stand there and stare because she was in a state of shock. Rylee was absolutely beautiful, and Mekhi still cheated on her. Janice didn’t stand a chance if that was the case. She already felt self-consci
ous just by being in the other woman’s presence.

  “It ain’t like you mean it, but thanks,” Rylee answered as she turned her back to look at something on the shelf. She and Zyra took her grandmother to the store to pick up a few items that she needed. Running into Carolyn was definitely not on Rylee’s agenda.

  “What’s with the attitude? You’re the one who divorced my son. There’s no need to be bitter,” Carolyn spat making Rylee stop and turn to face her.

  “You wait one minute you trifling freeloader…,” Sara started before Rylee stopped her.

  “No grandma, it’s cool,” Rylee assured her right before Sara angrily walked away.

  “Come on Rylee. Don’t even stress my niece and nephew out over this bullshit,” Zyra said.

  “No, I need to address this, just so we don’t have any confusion,” Rylee said as she turned to Carolyn and went in on her.

  “Bitter is for bitches who can’t let go. The minute I found out that your son was no good for me, I let his ass go and didn’t look back. And look at how God works. He sent me a real man who really knows how to be a husband and soon to be father.”

  “You’re not bitter, but you went after the houses and his business, though,” Carolyn smirked.

  “First of all, that was our business, not his. And I didn’t want any of that shit. I told Mekhi that from day one. Bitter is that bitch ass son that you raised. All he had to do was sign the divorce papers, and he could have kept everything. He wanted to drag things out and play dirty. Dumb ass nigga tried to go behind my back and buy a business that I didn’t even want. Unlike you and your daughters, I ain’t hurting for no money. But I’m happy that things played out the way that they did. It was about time for you to fend for yourself instead of depending on everybody else. It’s called a job. Find your lazy ass one,” Rylee replied making Zyra laugh.

  “Since when did you become this disrespectful?” Carolyn had the nerve to ask.

  “Since you and your daughters decided to help your son hide a baby from me for over two years. Respect is earned, and I lost that for you a long time ago.”

  “Mekhi didn’t hide his daughter from you. That girl trapped him with that baby, and he didn’t know how you tell you. Now I see why he felt the way he did.”

  “You sound stupid as hell right now. Mekhi was a married man. If he wouldn’t have cheated, he wouldn’t have gotten trapped to begin with. But all of that is irrelevant. My husband makes me so happy that I almost forgot that your son even existed. I don’t even tell people that I was married before. Aside from Kendrick, I’ve completely erased your entire family from my memory,” Rylee smiled.

  “Oh, and while we’re on the subject of my son, this is Janice, Mekhi’s girlfriend,” Carolyn smirked.

  “You’re in my prayers honey,” Rylee laughed as her eyes connected with Janice’s.

  She knew just by looking at her that Janice was not Mekhi’s type. She had the body, but that was it. More than likely she was doing something for him outside of the bedroom. Mekhi would use anybody to get what he wanted. He was just like his mama and sisters. Janice, on the other hand, was baffled by the introduction. Not even Mekhi had ever referred to her as his girlfriend. Aside from fucking her three to four times a week, there was nothing else that indicated that they were in a relationship. She already felt like the ugly duckling in Rylee’s presence and Carolyn only made it worse. She’d only heard negative things about Mekhi’s ex-wife, but she didn’t seem like the person he tried to make her out to be. Janice wished Carolyn wasn’t around because she would have loved to pick Rylee’s brain about Mekhi. Over the past few months, Janice had caught him in several lies. He swore to her that Shay didn’t want him to be a part of his daughter’s life, but she found out that wasn’t entirely true. His sister Kendra told her the real story and Rylee just pretty much confirmed it. It wasn’t Shay that was keeping his daughter away. He was a deadbeat father who didn’t assume his responsibilities. That only scared Janice even more.

  “Girl run and run fast. I didn’t like that nigga from the first day I laid eyes on him. I only tolerated his ass because of my friend. I don’t even know you, but I know that you deserve better than Mekhi,” Zyra said pulling Janice away from her thoughts.

  “You don’t know shit about my son, so I suggest you keep your comments to yourself,” Carolyn spat.

  “Did Rylee ever tell you that I offered to whip your old ass if she ever needed me to? Just know that the offer still stands. Old hoes can get it too,” Zyra warned.

  “Girl come on and let’s go,” Rylee laughed while grabbing her sister-in-law’s arm.

  “Don’t lend her no money Janice. You’ll never see your shit again if you do,” Zyra yelled while she was being pulled away.

  Janice was ready to go after that little episode. She was embarrassed and for some reason, she felt stupid. It was like she was being laughed at behind her back by Mekhi and his family.

  “I’m going to the register, and I’ll meet you at the car,” Janice told Carolyn.

  She didn’t even wait for her to reply before she walked away. She needed answers, and she needed them right away. Janice hated herself for always catching feelings for the wrong man. This time, it was different, though. She had a lot to think over as it pertained to her future with or without Mekhi.

  Chapter 6

  “Can you make it happen or not?” Mekhi asked while looking over at Janice.

  They were relaxing in her king sized bed, still naked from their hour long sex session that had just ended a few minutes ago. Janice lived for any kind of affection and Mekhi knew that. Having sex with her was for business and nothing more.

  “I don’t know Mekhi. I’m sure that Tommy will want his lawyers to look over the documents first,” Janice said skeptically.

  “No, he won’t. We’ve already decided to let you draw up a contract that both of us will sign. This is for our records only. The property will be paid in full, but I need you to make sure it says that I have more ownership than he does. Just an extra percent or two. I want something that will hold up in a court of law if I need it.”

  “I thought Tommy was your friend. I’ve never met him personally, but he seemed cool when we spoke over the phone,” Janice replied.

  “It’s not about him being cool. Rylee was my wife, and you saw how that turned out. I’ll never go in half on another business with anyone again. I need fifty-one percent or more. That way, I’ll have the controlling interest, and I can buy my partner out if I want to. If I own more than half, there’s nothing that he can do about it,” Mekhi informed her.

  “I know the law Mekhi. It just seems so shady,” Janice acknowledged.

  “You can call it whatever you want. After damn near losing everything, I don’t trust too many people when it comes to business.”

  “So, you want me to draw up some paperwork that gives you more controlling interest of your night club than Tommy?” Janice asked just to be sure.

  “Exactly. That way, if things don’t work out between us, I can pay him off and be the sole owner of the business. I’ve done my research so I know it can happen. It’s a personal business venture, so we don’t have a board of directors to answer to,” he explained.

  “I know all of that Mekhi. I just don’t feel right about it. You’re basically getting him to sign a contract under false pretenses. And I’ve known you long enough to know how you operate. Once your business gets established, and the money starts rolling in, you’re not going to want a partner anymore. You’re comparing him to Rylee, and that’s not fair.”

  “Please Janice,” Mekhi said as he slipped his hands underneath the covers to massage her breasts.

  “I don’t know,” Janice moaned. She arched her back and closed her eyes when he slipped his hand into her dripping wet lower lips.

  “I promise it’s not what you think. It’ll just be like an extra insurance policy if I need it,” Mekhi swore. “Damn, you’re wet. That’s why the sex has been so good lately.”
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  “Really?” Janice questioned excitedly. She always feared that she wasn’t pleasing Mekhi sexually. But hearing him say that he’d been enjoying it was music to her ears.

  “Hell yeah. Why do you think I’m always over here trying to get some,” Mekhi said laying it on thick.

  He smiled when Janice made a hissing sound when he kissed her neck. Making a trail of kisses down her body, Mekhi stopped right when he got to her honey pot. Rylee was the only woman that Mekhi had ever pleasured orally, but he wasn’t opposed to doing it again. He wasn’t feeling Janice like that, but he was on a mission. If it meant getting what he wanted from her, he would put on a baby’s bib and dive right on in.

  “There’s a good reason for that you know,” Janice said interrupting his thoughts of oral seduction.

  “A good reason for what?” Mekhi asked confused.

  “The good sex that you can get enough of,” Janice chuckled.

  “What reason is that?” Mekhi asked as he flicked his tongue around her belly button.

  “I’m pregnant,” Janice blurted out knocking all of the wind from Mekhi’s lungs.

  All movements ceased as he tried hard to digest the bomb that was just dropped on him. His luck couldn’t possibly be that shitty. There was no way in hell that something like that was happening to him yet again.