We went to the men’s locker room and showered. I hated washing up at the gym, but there was no way I was getting my sweaty ass into the ’Cedes. Stephon felt the same way about his BMW, so we hung around in the locker room catching up on women talk.
“So, you still fucking Felicia, huh?” I asked.
“Yeah, man. Just hit that last night. Actually, be hitting that about three, fo’, five times a week. She is wild.”
“Trust me, I know. That freak is something else. Puzzles the hell out of me why you still fucking with her though.”
“Negro, please. You kicked it with her for damn near four years and you don’t know why.”
I tapped my finger against my temple as if I were in deep thought. “Okay, you got me. She is good at swallowing a brotha correctly, ain’t she?” We gave each other five and laughed.
“So, uh, enough about me,” Stephon said. “Any new ladies on the agenda, or are you sticking it to anybody I know?”
“Naw, man, I ain’t been screwing Nokea, if that’s what you’re asking. However, the opportunity has presented itself. Other than that, you know the usual... Brashaney, Scorpio, and Heather. A lil’ dick sucking here and there. Condoms on and off . . . you know how I do it.”
“Heather, huh. Heather who?”
“This, uh . . . chick I met several weeks ago,” I said, trying not to reveal her identity.
“Where did you meet her?”
“She was a damsel in distress and her car was stuck on the side of the road. I pulled over to help her.”
“So you pulling them from the streets now, huh?”
“Naw, nothing like that. Woman needed some help, so I helped.”
“Get it right, fool. Woman wanted to get fucked and you fucked her.”
“Yep, and that I did. Very well, I might say. So well, that she sent two dozen red roses to my house the next day, thanking me for my good dick. I threw them in the trash, but the thought was nice.”
“Heather... and she sent roses the next day? This ain’t no sista we’re talking about, is it?”
I laughed. “Naw man, she’s Caucasian. Bad-ass white gal too,” I said, licking my lips.
“No, no, no! Haven’t I taught you anything? You know we don’t go there, man. Besides, you’re the one who made that rule up. If I remember correctly, rule number two, right?”
“I know, man, but shit just happened so fast, I couldn’t believe it myself. Got a little oil in my system and one thing led to another.”
“So?”
“So, what?”
“How was it?”
“It was wild, dog. Straight-up wild. Fucked her outside in the rain. We rolled around in the mud, and I laid that pussy out. Her stuff was so tight, it had a serious choke on my dick.”
Stephon and I cracked up. “You know, for a wannabe clean Negro like yourself, that does sound pretty wild. So, what’s up with it? You still working with it or what?”
“Nope. The experience was cool, but I like the sistas man. Something about the way they be shaking a brotha down just make me wanna holla.”
“Well, Scorpio ain’t no full-blown sista. And seems like she’s been shaking a brotha down pretty damn good.”
“Scorpio’s got African American blood running through her veins. She might not be all black, but she got sista genes flowing through her body.”
“You are crazy, man. But you know what we need to do? Let’s go out this weekend. I seriously think it’ll be good for the both of us. Some of the fellas at the shop been hyping up The Loft, so let’s go check it out. “
“We’ll see. You know I have my kids on the weekend. If I feel up to it I’ll let Nanny B see about them and I’ll make arrangements to go. Call me ahead of time, though, ’cause I might be making plans to get into something else, you know what I mean?”
“There will be plenty to get into at the club. You’ll see.”
“Yeah, there always is. I could probably use a new collection of women in my life any damn way.”
“Cool. Just let me know and it’s on.”
I told Stephon I’d holla at him before the weekend, and we left the gym on a good note. I’d figured we wouldn’t be mad at each other for long, but I’d also had to let him know it wasn’t cool for him to have sex with Nokea, lie to me about LJ being his baby, and asking Nokea to marry him.
When I got home, there was a card stuck in the front door. It read:
Can’t stop thinking about the other night. Hubby’s out of town on business again, and it sure would be nice to see you.
First, it fucked me up that Heather even knew where I lived. I didn’t tell her, so it was obvious she’d done her homework. Second, I had no intention on going there with her again. The card and flowers were cool, but there just wasn’t enough of me to go around with all these lonely-ass women in my life. Everybody wanted to get fucked. I was flattered, but damn, dick could use a little down time. I tore up Heather’s card and threw it in the trashcan just like I’d done the roses.
Later that day, I changed clothes and drove to the Galleria to find LJ something for his birthday. Chesterfield Mall and Plaza Frontenac were closer, but sometimes I just felt like going where I could fit in.
I roamed the mall, and stopped at a bookstore to buy a cookbook for Scorpio. She seriously needed all the help she could get with her cooking, so I was sure she would appreciate it.
I always stopped in at Victoria’s Secret to buy the ladies in my life something sexy to wear. I bought four pieces of lingerie and two thongs that I envisioned Scorpio’s naked ass in. There wasn’t no telling when I was coming back to the mall again, so I picked up an extra pair to give to Nokea on her birthday. The sales associate wrapped everything neatly for me and joked about the different sizes. She gave me extra boxes for the gifts and invited me to come back soon.
Nanny B had fired up some juicy and succulent baby-back ribs, so we sat at the kitchen table and grubbed. It was very convenient having her around. I was happier than ever, now that I had her to help out with the kids. I think she was glad too, because she had gotten just as attached to LJ and Mackenzie as I was.
After dinner, I went to my room to relax. I called Scorpio to tell her about the cookbook and thongs, but she wasn’t at home. She was probably somewhere with her new mystery man I admit, I was a little jealous.
I lay across the chaise and thought about him fucking her, possibly doing a better job than me. What if they were somewhere at dinner and he was making her smile? The thoughts bothered me, so I showered and changed clothes. I told Nanny B I’d be back later, and jetted.
I found myself parked in Heather’s driveway. I went to the door with one of the Victoria’s Secret bags in my hand. I stuffed some pink tissue paper inside, so she wouldn’t see what I had for her. After I rang the doorbell, I leaned beside the door and held up the bag with one finger.
Heather opened the door and displayed her pearly whites. “I’m so glad to see you, and thank you so much for thinking about me,” she said, taking the bag from my hand.
“Anytime.” I stepped into her house. “I want you to go slide into it, right now.”
She removed the tissue paper and looked inside. “Darling, there’s nothing inside the bag.”
“I know. That’s what I want you to slide on for me. Nothing.”
“Duh, stupid me. Awesome thought, though, really it is.”
She walked upstairs and I followed behind her. We went into her room and wasted no time having sex again. It wasn’t like the pussy was all that, but it was the new experience that sent me back to her again. Heather, actually, was a slow rider—too slow, but I was a good teacher. I thought that maybe I should stick with it and see if she’d be able to shake a brotha down just how I wanted her to. Besides, she swallowed me a little differently from the others, so I didn’t trip.
I got home around one o’clock in the morning and was careful not to wake Nanny B. But when I looked in her room, she was awake watching The Jamie Foxx Show. I let her kn
ow I was back, then called Scorpio to see if she had made it home yet. When her answering machine came on, I left a message for her to call me.
Scorpio didn’t return my call until early Friday morning while I was at work. I wanted to curse her out, but I kept my cool.
“Sorry, but I’ve been busy, Jaylin. I was at home when you called the other night, but I was studying,” she exclaimed.
“Alone?” I asked.
“Yes, alone. And why are you asking me if I was alone? What if I wasn’t?”
“No biggie, I just asked. Ain’t like I care. I just don’t want no naked brotha flaunting his ass around in front of Mackenzie.”
“Well, don’t worry because that’s not going to happen. He has a nice studio apartment I can go to if I decide to get down like that.”
“Ah . . . So, you’ve been to his place?”
“As a matter of fact, I haven’t. I’ve seen some lovely pictures, though. So, is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“Nope. And like I said before, it really ain’t my business. Anytime you don’t feel like answering my questions, don’t. The reason for my call the other night was to tell you that I bought you a cookbook. Thought it might help you out, since you be whipping up those messed-up dishes all the time.”
“For your information, Mr. Criticizer, I can cook.”
“Shiiit. Woman, don’t go lying to yourself like that, please.”
She laughed. “Whatever, but thanks. Thanks for at least thinking about me.”
“I always think about you, baby. And right before you called, I was sitting here thinking about how scrumptious you’re going to look tonight in one of the thongs I bought for you too.”
“Damn, baby, you’re being awfully nice to me. It wouldn’t have anything to do with us not having sex for almost a week now, would it?”
“Six days, Scorpio, seven hours, thirty-seven minutes, and fifteen...sixteen seconds, and I’m still counting. It’s been that long since I’ve been sexually satisfied. Tonight, you got yourself a date with the Ding-Dong man.”
“Uh-uh. I got plans tonight, Mr. Ding-Dong man.”
“Plans with who?”
“Plans with this oh, so fine, sexy, aggressive, juicy-lipped, long fat dick, thick-headed, muscular tight-ass Investment Broker that be sliding that thang deep into a sista’s pussy and having it dripping we—”
“Okay, baby, that’s enough. I’m at work now. You gon’ have me running out of the motherfucker trying to get to your ass. So, don’t talk like that no more.”
Scorpio laughed. “I won’t. As long as you remember our routine, no matter what happens between us. Three times minimum, per week. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.”
“Bet, Ms. Porn Star. You know you should get yourself a 900-number talking shit like that. And because you had my ass over here about to explode, that’s going to cost you big time tonight.”
“Damn, I can’t wait... but, uh, getting our minds out of the gutter, and back to the real reason for my call ...I need you to meet me at Mackenzie’s pre-school around one o’clock today. Her teacher called earlier and said that she wanted to talk to us.”
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I have a lunch meeting with one of my clients today.”
“Well, cancel it.”
“I guess I’ll just have to. Did her teacher say what she wanted?”
“No, she just said she’ll talk to us when we get there.”
“Okay, I’ll meet you there at one.”
When I got off the phone with Scorpio, I called my client to reschedule. I chowed down on the Chinese food Angela ordered for lunch, then left the office to go to Mackenzie’s pre-school.
Scorpio’s Corvette was parked outside already, and I pulled up next to it. I went inside and saw Mackenzie reading some flashcards. She ran up to give me a squeezing tight hug.
“Hi, Daddy. What are you doing here? Am I going home with you today?”
“I’m here to talk to your teacher. And yes, if you want to, I’ll pick you up when I get off work.” She gave me a kiss and ran back to the other kids.
I interrupted Scorpio talking to Mackenzie’s teacher in her office. “Hello, Mr. Rogers,” Ms. Franklin said, standing up, and shaking my hand. “Have a seat, please.” I sat next to Scorpio and looked at her. She turned her head away like she was mad about something.
“So, what’s this all about?”
“Mr. Rogers, don’t be alarmed. I just wanted to talk to you and Mrs. Rogers about Mackenzie’s behavior.”
“Let me correct you,” I said, feeling the bullshit getting ready to go down. I pointed to Scorpio. “This is Ms. Valentino. We are not married, and what in the hell do you mean by Mackenzie’s behavior?”
“Well, she has a problem getting along with the other children. She’s very bossy and quite controlling—”
“What do you mean by bossy and controlling?”
She let out a deep sigh and clinched her hands together. “I mean, she doesn’t share with the other children, she tells them what to do, and when they don’t, she gets angry.”
Scorpio looked over at me again and rolled her eyes.
“So,” I said, shrugging my shoulders. “She’s supposed to have her way. And she doesn’t have to share shit with anybody unless she wants to. As for telling them what to do, that’s all about leadership. She’s a leader, not a follower.”
“Mr. Rogers, I don’t think you understand—”
“No, Ma’am, I don’t think you understand. I pay this school fifteen hundred dollars a month, and if you have to put up with a little attitude from my daughter, so damn what. Do it! Personally, I think you got a problem with the color of her skin. I’m sure you’re not calling any of these white parents in here with this bullshit.”
“Oh, Mr. Rogers, I’m not like that. I really like Mackenzie. I’m just—”
I quickly stood up and looked at Scorpio. “Come on, baby. Let’s get the fuck out of here before I snatch her ass from behind that desk.”
Scorpio shook her head in disgust. “Jaylin, look, calm down. Ms. Franklin is just trying to tell us about Mackenzie. You act like you—”
“I don’t need nobody telling me shit! And I can’t believe you’re sitting here listening to this nonsense.” I gave Scorpio and Ms. Franklin a hard stare, then pushed the chair out of my way and walked out. I grabbed Mackenzie and left. Scorpio stayed behind to continue talking to Ms. Franklin.
By the time I got home, I was furious from thinking about the whole damn ordeal. I couldn’t even go back to work, or return any of my clients’ phone calls because I was raging mad. When I slammed my keys on the kitchen counter, Nanny B came in.
“What’s the problem, Jaylin? Tell me, what’s going on?”
I sat at the table and folded my leg across my knee. “Mackenzie, go upstairs to your room and let your Daddy and Nanny B have some privacy.” She left and didn’t say a word. I took a deep breath, “Ms. Franklin, her pre-school teacher, had a talk with Scorpio and me today. She started talking all this bullshit about Mackenzie being bossy, controlling, and even selfish. She pissed me off and I cursed her ass out.”
Nanny B pulled a chair next to me and held my hands together with hers. “Jaylin, I know you don’t want to hear this, but Mackenzie is the spitting image of you. I’ve noticed it myself, but it’s not my place to tell anyone how to raise their children.”
“But—”
“But nothing. Just listen, please. You need to call that woman and apologize to her. It’s not that she’s trying to tell you how to raise your child, but it is her job to let you know when something isn’t right. Mackenzie is spoiled, rotten to the core, and she has you to thank for that. You’re not a bad father, but material things just don’t get it all the time. She needs for you to tell her when she’s wrong, tell her when she can’t have her way, and not let her run over you like she does. If she believes that she can have her way with you, then she’s going to feel the same way about others. I know you want t
o give her everything because you had a rough upbringing. But giving her what you didn’t have isn’t the answer, okay?” She let go of my hands and folded her arms.
“Have you been talking to my deceased mother or something? That just sounded like something she would say to me. I know you’re right, but some things are hard for me to swallow.”
“No, I haven’t been talking to your mother, but God puts people in your life for a reason. Good people, bad people, and ugly people. I just hope I can be of some good.”
“And that you are.” I kissed Nanny B on the cheek and thanked her. I told her I would call Ms. Franklin to apologize, and then make it perfectly clear to her that Mackenzie wasn’t coming back any time soon.
I was taking a shower when Scorpio came into the bathroom screaming and hollering about how I embarrassed her.
“I can’t believe you reacted that way, Jaylin. You were way out of line.”
“And I can’t believe you didn’t have the decency or courage to stand up for your own damn daughter.” I turned off the water, and covered myself with a towel as I stepped into my bedroom.
As I sat on the bed, she stood in front of me and folded her arms. “What in the hell has gotten into you? Your attitude is horrible. And now your little fucked-up ways have rubbed off on my daughter. I’m not having this shit, Jaylin, I mean it. “
I felt myself about to go off on her, but instead, I reached for the bag with her cookbook in it and calmly asked her to leave.
“Fine, I’ll leave. But please call Ms. Franklin and apologize to her.”
“I am, and not because you’re asking me to, but because I know it’s the right thing to do.” I removed the towel from around me and pulled the covers back to get in bed.
“Either way, thank you. And now that we’ve cleared that up,” Scorpio said, getting under the covers with me. “I thought we had plans tonight, Mr. Ding-Dong man?”
“We did, however, I just canceled them until you learn how to stand up for the ones you love. Until then, Ms. Porn Star, get the fuck off my bed so I can go to sleep—alone.”
Naughty 2: My Way or the Highway Page 9