“What ex? Dude that she was with before you?” Nas asked.
“Yeah, that fuck boy was talking sporty because he wears a badge now.” Remo frowned.
“What’s his name?” Nas asked.
“How the fuck should I know? I wanted his girl and I got her. I never asked the nigga his name because I didn’t give a fuck,” Remo replied.
“What parish does he work in?” Nas inquired.
“Jefferson,” Remo answered as he remembered the kind of uniform that the other man had on.
“I need a name. Even if it’s just a first or a last. I need something,” Nas said.
“I’ll ask Kalani when we get home tonight,” Remo noted.
“Nah, don’t ask her nothing. I’ll figure it out,” Nas assured him.
“I was worried when you didn’t answer the phone. That’s the only reason why her and that nigga got a pass. She was standing there smiling in the nigga face like I won’t put her ass in a wheelchair,” Remo fussed.
“Fuck that nigga. You know Kalani ain’t going nowhere,” Nas said, waving him off.
“Man listen, you just don’t know how happy I am. We’re having muthafucking twins!” Remo yelled out.
“Yeah man, but I think my baby is in shock. She wasn’t expecting to hear that shit and neither was I,” Nas laughed.
“I think we may have traumatized Jarvis. That nigga is shook,” Remo said.
“His stupid ass is the one who got her to crying and shit. He was telling her all that shit that we did when we were younger and now she’s scared to death. I can’t let Stori be on no soft shit with my sons though, bro. They gotta be tough just like daddy had us,” Nas replied.
“Damn right,” Remo nodded, right as Jarvis opened the front door. He and Latrice were preparing to leave and bring their girls to the movies.
“Stori is calm now Kareem. Make sure she stays that way,” Latrice warned.
“I got you sis,” Remo replied.
“Two more of these muthafuckers on the way. I need a damn drink,” Jarvis mumbled, as Remo and Nas laughed.
“You need a hug bro? Come here and let’s hug this shit out,” Nas said as he opened his arms wide.
“Fuck you!” Jarvis yelled right before he got into his car and pulled off.
“What you and Kalani got going on for the rest of the day?” Nas asked his brother.
“We ain’t doing shit. Why? What’s up?” Remo inquired.
“Let’s go somewhere and eat,” Nas suggested.
“I’m good with that.” Remo shrugged as he followed his brother back into the house.
Stori was smiling as Toi animatedly dominated the conversation. She was looking at something on her phone that she kept showing to Stori.
“Nas, I found some names for the babies. Well, one of the babies since the first one out will be named after you,” Toi said.
She was so smart to be fifteen years old and that always amazed Nas. He couldn’t believe that Gavin was so jealous of a child. Nas loved her and Stori’s relationship and that shit was just ridiculous. He had a niece Toi’s age and he was hoping that they could link up sometimes.
“I don’t know about that second name Stanka.” Stori frowned.
“I think it’s cute,” Kalani spoke up.
“So do I. What do you think about Naseem and Nakeem?” Toi asked.
“They sound too identical,” Stori noted.
“Duh Stori. You’re having twins,” Kalani noted.
“Don’t even remind me,” Stori said as she rubbed her big belly.
“I like it.” Nas smiled.
“Yeah, that’s straight.” Remo nodded in agreement.
“Well, it’s settled. We’re going with the names that Toi picked.” Nas smiled as he winked at her.
“Yes! I can’t wait to tell everybody that I named the babies,” Toi cheered.
“Do you have homework baby?” Stori asked her.
“No,” Toi replied while shaking her head.
“Good, let’s go somewhere and eat,” Nas said.
“Can I go in my uniform Stori? I don’t feel like changing,” Toi said.
“You don’t have to change,” Nas replied, right before Toi ran upstairs to put her backpack away.
“Let me run to the bathroom before we go,” Stori said as Nas helped her up from the sofa.
“My poor friend,” Kalani said once Stori wobbled away.
“If you don’t know nothing else, just know that I got her, my kids and Toi too,” Nas replied.
“I know you do and that’s the only thing that makes me feel better,” Kalani noted.
Once they ate, Nas, Stori and Toi went to his grandmother’s house to tell her and Mr. Herbert about the twins. Everybody offered their assistance and that seemed to make Stori feel better. Her grandmother and aunties were excited too but nobody was happier than Lady. She’d always wanted a son but she was getting two grandsons instead. Her mother was a twin, but it skipped a generation and fell on Stori. She was trying to hurry her husband along with their move to New Orleans. She already knew the area that she wanted to live in and she wanted to make it happen before her grandsons came. She had already contacted an event planner to do the baby shower and she was about to go crazy with her husband’s money.
“My mama is too excited. She fucked up with me and Toi, so maybe she’s trying to be a better grandmother,” Stori said as she and Nas laid in the bed that night.
“Yeah, I saw how happy she was. I know you’re nervous baby but you don’t have a reason to be. We got this,” Nas assured her.
“I know we do. I just know that a lot of things are going to change,” Stori said.
“Change is a good thing. Look at how much I’ve changed since I got with you,” Nas replied.
“Boy bye. You might do things a little differently but you haven’t changed,” Stori said.
“Girl, I’m faithful as fuck. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t deal with more than one woman. Shit, I don’t think I ever have. So yeah, a nigga made some serious changes,” Nas replied.
“Nigga, you better be faithful. Pregnant or not, you can still get it,” Stori threatened, making him laugh.
Stori didn’t mind poppin’ off, so he believed her. She didn’t have to ever worry about him going astray though. She was everything that he ever wanted in a woman and she was about to give him, not one, but two kids. Nas was ready to settle down long before they got together. Having the woman that he’d always wanted only made things better. Stori was his soulmate and her having his kids only confirmed what he already knew.
“ Did you eat baby?” Nas asked as he talked on the phone with Stori.
“One of my clients got me something when I finished her hair. I only had five people today but they all wanted a sew-in,” Stori replied.
She wasn’t complaining because she had made over a thousand dollars in just a few hours. Nas got her some comfortable clothes and shoes and she was good to go. She limited her clients to five a day because he didn’t want her to overdo it.
“I told you that you don’t even have to work no more if you don’t want to. You can just chill at home,” Nas said.
“And do what Naseem? Sit around the house all day and get fat. I need to stay as active as I can. I cut down on the number of people I take like you asked me to but I’m not ready to stop working yet,” Stori replied.
“See, that’s why I love you, baby. You out here grinding with your man trying to get this money. I’m trying to buy us a house in the next few months,” Nas said.
“I already have a house,” Stori pointed out.
“Fuck that house. I want us to make some new memories in a new spot. Besides, I’m not feeling the idea of laying my head in the same place where you run your business. That’s not a good look,” Nas said.
“I guess. Did you eat anything?” Stori asked him while changing the subject.
“No and I’m hungry as fuck. I’m in the office now but we still got a few niggas waiting to
get cut,” Nas replied.
“Okay boo. Well, I’ll have something cooked for you by the time you’re done. My auntie is picking Toi up from school. It’s her daughter’s birthday and she’s taking them all out to eat,” Stori said.
“Alright baby. Let me go help them knock this crowd down and I’ll be there when I’m done,” Nas replied before they disconnected.
When he walked back to the front of the shop, all of the barbers were hard at work. He didn’t know what was up but it was kind of crowded to say it was a Thursday. They had six men waiting, so Nas called whoever was next over to his chair. Eric was busy sweeping the floor and making sure the bathrooms stayed clean. The dude who Nas and Remo had hired was almost done putting the finishing touches on the hair salon side of the shop. He’d replaced the four shampoo bowls and put down a new floor. Nas got some new chairs for the customers and Latrice hung some pictures on the walls. Everything else looked almost new and Nas was ready to start advertising for stylists.
“Can I get a lining Nas? I don’t want a cut because I’m trying to let my hair grow out. I think I want a mohawk,” Eric said once he finally took a seat in one of the chairs against the wall. Nas was busy with a customer but he was almost done. Only two men were waiting to be cut now and Nas was thankful that no one else had walked in.
“I got you,” Nas replied, right as he heard the front door chime.
He was tired as hell but he had a business to run. Even if all the other barbers left, he would still have to stay and take the last person. That alone let Nas know that he was maturing or at least trying to. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have cared about nothing like that. He had Stori and his sons to think about now and that had him moving smarter.
“Damn, she fine as hell,” one of the barbers said, making Nas look up to see who he was referring to. He had to do a double take when he saw his ex-girlfriend, Alissa, walking his way. Nas couldn’t even front, Alissa was still fine and her face was just as pretty as he remembered.
“Hey stranger.” Alissa smiled while walking over to Nas.
“Shit, I’m not the one who up and disappeared. You’re the stranger,” Nas replied.
“You know I travel a lot Naseem but you didn’t give me a reason to stay,” Alissa said.
“What’s been up with you?” Nas asked as he continued to cut his customer’s hair.
“Nothing much. Just working and enjoying life. Being a traveling nurse lets me see the world on somebody else’s dime. I see you’ve been very busy though. Twins huh?” Alissa asked.
“I see you’ve been keeping up with a nigga,” Nas smirked.
“I always keep up with the ones I love.” Alissa smiled seductively.
Nas looked even better than she remembered. It had been over a year since she’d seen him and time had definitely been good to him. She kept up with everything via Instagram and Nas always did post a lot. He had a business so that wasn’t surprising. What did surprise her was when he announced that he was going to be a father. Alissa was sick to her stomach to think that Milan was going to be the mother of his child. After all, he’d cheated on her with the other woman and married her too. The big shocker came when he posted his new woman and she saw who it was. Alissa had been to Gavin and Stori’s house with Nas before and she was shocked to know that they were together now. She hadn’t been gone that long but it was obviously long enough. Nas had Stori on yachts and was showing her off like she was a prize. Although she had a man now, Alissa wouldn’t turn Nas down if he wanted another chance with her.
“How long are you in town for?” Nas asked as he finished with his customer and collected his payment.
He took a seat in the chair when his customer got up. He was happy that the other barbers took the remaining men who were waiting because he wasn’t in the mood.
“Why? Are you trying to take me somewhere?” Alissa asked as she walked over to him.
She was trying to stand in between his legs, but Nas turned the chair around and put his feet up on his work station. He wasn’t trying to be rude but he didn’t want to send her mixed messages either. He was good on other women and that included Alissa. Before he got with Stori, he would have had her bent over the desk in his office. Now, he had too much to lose to even risk it.
“Nah sweetheart. I’m already taken,” Nas said.
“That never stopped you before,” Alissa noted.
“I’ve never been in love before.” Nas shrugged.
“Are you trying to hurt my feelings Naseem?” Alissa asked.
“Not at all, I’m just being honest,” Nas replied.
“So, you were never in love with me?” Alissa asked.
“No but I came close. I guess I wasn’t ready to settle down back then,” he answered truthfully.
“I asked you once before if you were attracted to Stori and you said no. Gavin might have been oblivious but I paid attention to the way you looked at her. You lied to me,” Alissa accused.
“No, I spared your feelings. That alone should let you know that I cared,” Nas said.
“Do you still care?” Alissa asked.
“Yeah, about Stori,” Nas replied honestly.
“How did that even happen with you two?” Alissa asked.
“It just did.” Nas shrugged, not caring to elaborate.
“What did she do to make you want to be faithful? Why her?” Alissa wanted to know.
“She’s the one Alissa. I can’t explain it and I won’t even try,” Nas replied.
“You’ve changed Naseem. Even your appearance. I love what you’ve done with your hair,” Alissa flirted as she ran her hand through his mohawk.
“Aye, Nas,” Eric called out to him.
“Chill out Alissa. I promise, I ain’t got nothing for you,” Nas said.
“Yo, Nas,” Eric said, once again trying to get his attention.
“Stop acting like you don’t miss me,” Alissa purred.
“Naseem!” Eric yelled nervously.
“What!” Nas yelled back but it was too late. Stori was already right there in his face. Nas was about to explain but a left, then a right hook to his face, made him lose his voice.
“Oh shit!” one of the barbers yelled out.
“Baby, chill out,” Nas said as he jumped up and grabbed Stori’s hands. His eye was burning and watering up from her licks. Alissa jumped back and got ready, just in case she was next.
“Fuck you, Naseem! Nigga, let me go! I’m going get my gun out of my car and shoot you and that hoe,” Stori yelled angrily.
She was acting like she wasn’t pregnant with two babies and Nas was having a hard time controlling her. Stori felt bad that he hadn’t eaten and she wasn’t in the mood to cook. She took a shower and decided to bring him something to eat instead. What she didn’t expect was to see his ex-girlfriend standing there running her fingers through his curly hair. Eric tried to warn him, but he was too busy smiling up in her face to care.
“Miss, you better leave. She really will shoot you,” Eric said as he looked at Alissa.
Eric had only met Stori a few times, but Nas was always saying that she had a lot of guns. She was always nice to him but that didn’t mean a thing. Stori looked like she would do exactly what she said. He didn’t have to tell Alissa twice. She rushed out of the shop right as Nas carried Stori to the office in the back. She had a career to think about and he wasn’t even worth it.
“The fuck you always acting crazy for Stori? I didn’t even do shit,” Nas said once they were alone.
“I saw that bitch running her fingers through your hair and shit. And your stupid ass sat there and let her,” Stori fussed as she mushed his head.
“Man, fuck that bitch. Do I need to grab the black tape and throw her ass in the trunk too? I haven’t seen that damn girl in over a year,” Nas swore.
“I don’t give a fuck. You shouldn’t have let that hoe touch you. Bitch playing in your hair and shit,” Stori fumed.
“The fuck Stori! You want me to cut the shit off?
Will that make you happy? You be going crazy for nothing,” Nas replied.
“Fuck you nigga and I hope you choke on your food,” Stori fumed as she tried to walk away.
“I love you, baby. I swear on my mama’s grave that I didn’t do shit. I got your pictures all over my Instagram. I didn’t even have to tell her nothing about us because she already know what’s up,” Nas said as he tried to calm her down.
He hugged Stori from behind and rubbed her stomach. The babies were moving like crazy, just like always. Stori relaxed in his embrace and allowed him to comfort her.
“I’m fine Naseem. You don’t have to hold me. I’m not trying to swing on your stupid ass no more. Go eat your food before it gets cold,” Stori said.
“My damn eye is throbbing. You better stop putting your hands on me girl,” Nas fussed.
“Or what nigga?” Stori challenged as she turned around to face him.
“Why you gotta be so damn sexy?” Nas asked as he pulled her close and kissed her.
He picked Stori up and sat her on top of his desk. Their kisses became more aggressive as she rushed to remove his shirt. Stori lifted up her dress and Nas pulled her underwear off. They both moaned when he held her legs in the crook of his arms and entered her. They didn’t care about the few people who were left in the shop. They stayed in his office for over an hour and Eric was the only one in the shop by the time they came out. He was almost done cleaning up and Nas gave him a lining soon after. Once he locked up for the night, he dropped Eric off home and rushed back to Stori to finish what they had started.
“You look so handsome boo.” Stori smiled as she looked over at Nas.
“Yeah, okay,” he blushed as she ran her hand across his freshly cut hair.
He was only joking when he asked Stori if she wanted him to cut his hair. She was still pissed about seeing Alissa touching him and she told him that she did. Nas got up early that Sunday morning and made it happen. Toi held the mirror for him while he gave himself the best fade ever. He had a full beard and he was liking the lower, wavy cut.
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