“This shop is about to go down like the Titanic.” Gavin frowned. A few months ago he would have been happy with Nas owning the shop. Now, it just seemed like a slap in the face.
“I won’t say all that. I just hope they don’t try to go up on our booth rent again. Nas said that they’re not but his brother might be a problem,” Carlton noted.
“Fuck both of them niggas. I’m about to get up out of here,” Gavin replied.
He had a milk crate with all of his supplies locked up inside his work station. He didn’t have to pack much because the crate contained everything that he needed. He didn’t care if he had to cut hair on the go, he was not about to stay there and deal with Nas and Remo calling all the shots.
“Damn bruh, the fuck happened like that? I thought you and Nas were cool,” Carlton spoke up.
“Well, you thought wrong,” Gavin replied angrily. He was about to gather his things to leave when Nas and Remo came strolling to the front. Nas’ face held a blank expression while Remo’s wore a smirk.
“What’s up lil bitch? Don’t you have some work to do? I’m the boss now nigga. Ain’t no more slacking on the job,” Remo said when he looked at Gavin.
“Fuck you bruh, straight up,” Gavin said, feeling fed up with being disrespected.
“That’s all I needed to hear. Now I have to fire you for insubordination,” Remo smirked.
“Chill out bro,” Nas said as he touched Remo’s arm.
Shit happened that Nas couldn’t take back and he really wasn’t trying to. At the same time, he wasn’t trying to rub salt in Gavin’s freshly opened wounds either. Nas knew that he could be a coldhearted ass nigga but he wasn’t all that bad. Not once did he try to get with Stori while she was with Gavin, even though his brother encouraged him to. Remo just didn’t give a fuck. Once he got it in his head that he didn’t like you, it was over from there. Nas thought it was childish to rub his relationship with Stori in Gavin’s face, but Remo was petty.
“I’m good bro, but I can’t have the employees talking to me any kind of way. What kind of boss would I be if I allowed that?” Remo asked with a sly smile.
“You can’t fire a nigga who already quit,” Gavin replied as he grabbed his belongings and made sure that he had everything.
He took the key to his work station off of his ring and threw it on the counter. There was no one that he cared enough to say goodbye to, so he walked out of the shop without bothering to look back. As soon as he opened the door, Gavin almost ran into someone. He almost dropped his crate but the other man caught it before it hit the ground.
“Damn bruh, you quitting?” Corey asked when he saw Gavin leaving with his clippers and all of his supplies.
“Fucking right!” Gavin barked angrily.
“I know it’s not because you’re not making any money. This shop stay jumping,” Corey noted.
“Fuck this shop and the niggas who own it,” Gavin said as he walked to his car. He didn’t know why the other man was following him because he wasn’t in the mood to be friendly.
“You got beef with Mr. Herbert?” Corey asked.
“Nah, that nigga don’t own the shop no more. He sold it to Nas and his punk ass brother,” Gavin gritted.
“I thought you and ole boy were cool,” Corey said.
“Why would I be cool with a nigga that got my wife pregnant? Fuck that dude,” Gavin spat furiously.
“Damn man. Now I see why you’re so upset. That’s fucked up. But, if you’re looking for another shop, my boy got one in Gretna. I can put in a good word for you. I can see that you’re nice with the clippers and he can use the help,” Corey said.
“Yeah? That’s what’s up. Let me give you my number,” Gavin said as he reached into the crate and grabbed one of his cards.
“I got you, fam,” Corey replied as he watched him walk away with a sneaky grin on his face.
Gavin had made friends with the enemy and didn’t even know it. Corey had been wanting to find out some info on Nas for a minute. Nas and Gavin obviously weren’t friends anymore and he was the best person to fill in a few blanks. Corey was shocked to hear that Stori was having his baby though. He never knew his ex to be on no hoe shit but obviously, things had changed.
“I know you see me calling your dog ass Naseem!” Milan yelled into the phone before she hung up on him.
Misty walked into the room and shook her head at how pathetic her sister looked. All Milan did was eat, sleep and smoke. She acted as if she was losing her mind behind Nas and it was pathetic. She refused to work and her money had to be running low. Misty had started dancing at another club and she was stacking her dollars. She had already made the decision to go back home but she didn’t want to go back broke. She was trying to get enough money for an apartment and some furniture. Truthfully, she already had enough but she wanted to pay her rent up for a few months and have a nice savings, just in case she needed it. Misty was a licensed real estate agent and she wanted to see about getting her old job back. Following behind Milan had her doing stupid shit and she was tired of it. Their mother was disappointed in them both because she raised them better than that. Misty was happy that nobody back in Texas knew what she had been doing. That would make things a lot easier for her when she returned.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Misty asked her sister.
“Nas must think it’s a fucking game. Look at this shit,” Milan fumed as she handed Misty her phone.
Misty gasped when she saw that Nas had posted a date saying that he couldn’t wait for the arrival of his first child. He had a pink and blue heart there saying that he was anxious to find out what his girl was having. Misty wasn’t even surprised when she saw that Milan had left a bunch of comments cursing him out and acting a fool. She was always going on his page to see what he was doing. Then, she would act a fool when she saw something that she didn’t like. Misty checked Stori’s page a few times but she only posted pictures of hairstyles that she did or pictures of Toi. Misty smiled when she saw that Toi had turned fifteen and Stori had a spa styled sleepover for her. Misty hated her but she had to admit that Stori was a great big sister.
“Who’s having his baby?” Misty questioned.
“How would I know?” Milan snapped angrily.
“Forget him. You need to do what mama said and come back home with me and Summer,” Misty replied.
“And do what? I couldn’t see myself going back to answering phones for a living. You were always her favorite so she won’t miss me. My husband is here and this is where I’m staying,” Milan snapped, as Misty shook her head in pity.
Milan was always the wild one or the problem child as their mother put it. She loved fast money and even faster men. She always had to have the most popular man but things never worked out for her. The men that she fell for didn’t normally like to have just one woman. Nas made a mistake when he married her because that was something that Milan had always wanted. She was a receptionist at a car dealership back in Texas and she was dating one of the general managers. When he broke things off, Milan almost lost it and began to stalk him and his new woman. They had to get a restraining order on her and she ended up losing her job.
“What are you going to do for money, Milan?” Misty asked her.
“Get it from my husband like I’ve been doing. That nigga doesn’t just work at the barber shop anymore. He owns that bitch now,” Milan replied.
She was shocked when she saw the picture of Nas and Remo on Instagram announcing themselves as the new owners of the barber shop. Nas was doing the damn thing and Milan was entitled to whatever he made. She didn’t care that he filed for divorce. She was still legally his wife.
“Well, I’m going get ready for work,” Misty said as she walked away.
She was so thankful to Gavin’s parents for the help that they gave her. His mother was still a bitch but she was trying to get better. She let Misty drop Summer off to her now so that Gavin didn’t have to. She even gave Misty her phone number since Gavin d
idn’t live there anymore. Gavin spent time with Summer as well and that was all that Misty ever wanted. He still blamed her for ruining his marriage but he was just as much to blame as she was.
“I’ll be back,” Milan said as she grabbed her keys and walked out of the house.
Nas had just posted a photo of his last customer, saying that he was done cutting hair for the night. Milan hopped in her car and sped all the way to the barber shop. As soon as she got there, she saw Nas as he was pulling off.
“I got that ass.” Milan smiled as she followed right behind him.
For months, she had wondered where Nas was living. Now, she was finally about to find out. She followed him as he got on and off of the bridge. She wasn’t surprised when he stopped at the daiquiri shop because Thursday was long island iced tea day. They were too strong for her but Nas and Remo loved them. They always added more liquor in theirs to make it even stronger. When Nas started driving again, she let two cars get in between them before she continued to follow him. She knew the area that he was going to very well and she became even more curious. When he pulled up to Stori’s house, he opened the garage and drove his car inside.
“The fuck!” Milan bellowed as her mouth opened in awe.
She thought back to the conversation that she’d had with Misty not too long ago. Pinky told her that Nas and Stori had stayed in the office at the club for a while before they came back out. She didn’t want to believe it but the truth was staring her right in the face. Nas was fucking Stori and her blood was boiling at the revelation. Milan sat there deep in thought, trying to come up with a game plan. When the barrel of a gun was pressed to her head, she raised her hands in surrender and fear.
“Stupid ass bitch. I’m a street nigga before anything else. I saw your dumb ass following me ever since I left the barber shop,” Nas gritted angrily.
“I’m sorry Nas but I just wanted you to talk to me,” Milan said as tears spilled from her eyes. Nas yanked her door open and pulled her out of the car.
“This is my last time saying this, so listen up. Don’t call me, follow me or come to any of my businesses. If you do, I’m emptying the clip on your hoe ass and they’ll never find your body. Don’t come around my girl and stay the fuck away from our house,” Nas said through clenched teeth.
“Your girl? Since when Naseem? How could you do this to me, with Stori of all people? That bitch used to do my hair. She’s married to your fucking friend!” Milan screamed as the porch light came on. When the door opened and Stori stepped outside, Milan’s heart broke even more. Stori had on some leggings with a fitted tank top. Her perfectly round stomach was all the confirmation that Milan needed. That bitch was having her husband’s baby.
“Naseem, come inside. Don’t cause a scene and get yourself into any trouble,” Stori said as she looked around the quiet neighborhood. Nas told her what was up before he even went outside to confront Milan. She heard the other woman yelling and she didn’t want her neighbors to call the police. She knew that their relationship couldn’t stay a secret forever. She didn’t owe Milan an explanation because she was never her friend.
“I’m coming love. Just go back inside and relax,” Nas said as he looked over at her and smiled. His entire attitude had switched up and Milan was infuriated.
“You shady ass bitch!” Milan yelled as she charged at Stori. She didn’t get very far before Nas grabbed her by her neck. Stori didn’t even flinch and she had no reason to. Nas wasn’t letting Milan or anyone else get too close to her.
“Go back inside baby. I got it,” Nas assured her. He waited until Stori went back into the house before he turned his attention to Milan.
“Let me go Naseem. I can’t breathe,” Milan choked out as she clawed at his hands.
“Fuck your oxygen bitch. I tried to leave peacefully, but I see that I can’t be nice to some of you hoes. Move on and let me be, Milan. Don’t awaken the beast in me because you know you won’t like it. Don’t commit suicide by fucking with me,” Nas hissed as he let her go and watched her fall to the ground and inhale some much needed air.
He was tired of playing games with Milan’s stupid ass. He let it slide when she tagged him in bullshit on social media. He even let it go when she left all those childish ass comments under all his posts. It didn’t even bother him as much when she constantly played on his phone. Following him home was something that he just wasn’t going to tolerate though. If she even thought about coming for Stori, pregnant or not, she was gonna get dealt with.
“Why are you doing this to me, Naseem? I’ve never loved a man as much as I love you,” Milan cried as she stood to her feet.
“And I told you that the feelings were never mutual. I never lied to you about shit and I’m not about to start,” Nas replied.
“What about all the promises that you made to me? We were supposed to buy a house and start a family Naseem. Our future was planned out and you ruined it,” Milan cried.
“I didn’t ruin shit. How can you plan for tomorrow when I’m telling you that I don’t want your ass today? Get out of your head and your feelings and move the fuck on. Stop testing me, Milan. You already know what I’m capable of,” Nas threatened.
“I love you, Naseem,” Milan sniffled. Nas cocked his gun in response and she immediately got the hint. Milan hurriedly got into her car and sped away from Stori’s house.
“Are you okay boo?” Stori asked when Nas walked back into the house.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m sorry about that baby. These hoes out here losing their minds,” Nas sighed as he laid down on the sofa with her.
“I wonder why,” Stori laughed as she grabbed his manhood through his pants and squeezed it.
“That’s a wrap on them other hoes. This dick got your name written all over it,” Nas laughed.
“It better,” Stori replied as he rubbed her belly.
She had just entered her fourth month and they would know the sex of the baby when she went back to the clinic the following month. Stori’s stomach had gotten big but her doctor told her that everything was fine. Her appetite was ridiculous and that was probably why. Thanks to the prenatal vitamins that he’d prescribed for her, morning sickness was no longer an issue.
“I’m ready to start shopping for my lil man,” Nas said as he stroked her belly lovingly.
“It’s a girl. My grandma said that she can tell just by the way I’m carrying. She said that I’m big for four months just like she was with all her girls,” Stori replied.
“Man, I don’t want to have to kill none of these lil niggas out here for playing with my daughter,” Nas sighed.
“You’ll be fine. Girls are much easier. Look at Toi,” Stori noted.
“You and Toi are just naturally sweet. My baby might be on some bullshit like her daddy though,” Nas laughed.
“Don’t say that Naseem. Me and Latrice have been praying on the phone every night,” Stori replied.
“Why are y’all praying over a nigga seed like it’s the spawn of satan and shit?” Nas laughed.
“According to Jarvis, it is,” Stori giggled.
“That nigga is just soft. Me and Remo weren’t all that bad. Jarvis is too damn paranoid. He’s scared that he’s gonna lose us the same way we lost our mama and daddy,” Nas said.
“He said that you and Remo act just like your father used to,” Stori replied.
“I don’t remember him as good as Jarvis does but I know he didn’t play. He was a different person at home than he was in the streets though. He used to sit down and talk to me and Remo for hours every day. I remember how much he loved my mama too. Kind of like the same way that I love you,” Nas said as he looked at her and smiled.
Stori didn’t know it but he’d loved her from a distance for as long as he could remember. He knew her way better than she knew him but that was cool. He knew her favorite color and what foods she liked to eat. Stori slept wild as hell and he knew that long before they started sleeping in the same bed. He even knew things about Toi and
that’s what made it easier for him to bond with her. She was the sweetest little girl in the world to him and that was all Stori’s doing. He was proud to call her the mother of his child and his brothers were happy too.
“I love you too baby and don’t take that lightly. Besides Toi and Kalani, I can’t remember the last time I said that to anyone else,” Stori replied.
Gavin told her that he loved her all the time, but Stori rarely said it back. He never pressured her and he really didn’t care if she said it or not. The only time he ever complained about it was when he was upset or he heard her say it to Toi. For some reason, saying that she loved him always seemed like a lie.
“Damn man. I guess I gotta get ready for sleepovers and all that other girly shit. Toi and her friends almost drove a nigga crazy,” Nas laughed.
Toi had a sleepover when she turned fifteen and Stori had a house full of girls. They had Nas at the nail shop and a few other girly places that they wanted to go to. He had fun with them but he was happy when they all went home. He spent over six hundred dollars on them in one day but he didn’t mind. Toi was happy and that was all that he and Stori wanted. Stori’s birthday was coming up soon and he wanted to do something nice for her too.
“Don’t worry about it boo. You’ll get used to it,” Stori said as she pecked his lips.
They laid on the sofa and watched a movie until Stori fell asleep. Nas carried her upstairs and put her in the bed before lying down next to her and drifting off soon after.
S tori was a professional and she always behaved as such. Even though she wanted to take the woman who was in her chair and lay her the fuck out, she remained calm as she curled her hair. The woman was there with her friend and Stori had already cut and flat ironed the other woman’s hair. Both women had done a consultation two days before to let Stori look at the nappy shit that was on top of their heads. They were her last two customers of the day and she was happy for that. She had to work her wrist something serious to even make their shit straight.
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