“You remember when I used to sing this to you all the time?” Tre asked breaking into Mia’s thoughts.
“I remember you used to try,” she laughed.
“I see you got jokes,” he smiled. “But on to a more serious matter. You know my birthday is coming up right?”
“New Year’s Day, how can I forget?”
“What are you getting me?” He asked.
“I’m scared to ask you what you want,” she joked.
“It’s not what I want, it’s who I want,” he said looking her in the eyes.
There it was again. The flirting Tre was back. One minute he wanted to be her friend and in the next breath he wanted to be her man.
“I thought you found you somebody else to occupy your time,” Mia spat sarcastically. She instantly regretted saying it, but it was too late to take it back.
“Were you jealous when you thought I had somebody else?”
“Hell no,” Mia yelled a little too quickly.
“Yeah okay,” Tre smirked. “Just for the record, there is nobody else and there never was. I’m never giving up on us being together. I know what I want and I’ve just been giving you your space to decide if I’m really what you want too. I’m taking my counselor’s advice in becoming the person that I want to spend the rest of my life with. If I want a perfect woman then I have to become the perfect man. Honestly, I know that I already have your heart. It’s your trust that I’m working hard to regain. It’ll take some time, but it’s going to happen.”
“You’re sure of yourself, huh?” Mia laughed.
“You already….” Tre started before Mia heard what she thought was firecrackers. It didn’t take long before she realized that it was actually gunshots instead.
“Shit,” Tre hissed. “Mia get down!”
“Oh my God!” Mia cried as she unbuckled her seatbelt and dived on the floor of Tre’s car.
Tre was driving like a maniac, but she wasn’t about to complain. As long as he got them away from the chaos it was all worth it. Although Mia grew up in the projects she never experienced anything like that. She’d heard gunshots more often than she wanted to, but she’d never been shot at. Whoever it was doing the shooting must have really wanted one or both of them dead. It was broad daylight and a lot of people were outside. School kids were still standing at the bus stops, but obviously that didn’t matter.
“Fuck!” Tre yelled when his back window shattered from being blown out.
The shots weren’t coming as often as when it first started, so Mia thought it was cool to look around. Against her better judgment, she got up slowly and peeped out of the glassless back window. When she saw Ro driving behind them with a gun hanging out of the window, she quickly dropped down to the floor again.
“Ro is shooting at us,” Mia screamed and cried frantically.
She couldn’t believe it. Ro must have still be lurking around the school and saw Tre picking her up. He wanted Tre dead so bad that he didn’t even care about her being in the car with him.
“Mia stay your ass down,” Tre yelled again.
If Nascar was looking for a driver she had just the man for the job. Tre was turning corners and maneuvering his car around like a pro. The whole ordeal seemed like forever when in actuality it was only about a minute or two. Once Tre hopped on the bridge the shooting stopped and it was quiet once again. Mia’s heart felt like it was going to explode in her chest and she couldn’t stop crying even if she wanted to. She was shaking so bad that she couldn’t even get her cell phone from her purse to call anyone.
“I’m so sorry baby,” Tre kept saying over and over as he pulled out his phone and called who she assumed was Von.
Mia didn’t know why he felt the need to apologize. It wasn’t his fault that Ro’s crazy ass decided to play cops and robbers in the middle of the day. She was just happy that they’d come out of everything alive and untouched. She sure did a lot of praying and God delivered them out of a very deadly situation. She was thankful for that if nothing else. Ro had better get on his knees and start doing some praying too. Once Von and Lamar found what happened his life span was about to be cut very short.
C hapter 12
“I told you that we should have handled Ro’s punk ass months ago. Now that nigga almost killed both of our kids. You need to stop being so damn nice,” Lamar fumed as he paced back and forth in Von’s living room.
“Alright bruh, this ain’t the time for the “I told you so speech”,” Von replied just as angry.
Mia was curled up on the sofa in a fetal position just staring off into space. Tre was trying to play it cool, but he was just as shook up as she was. It was nothing short of a blessing that he and Mia walked away unharmed. His car had at least ten bullet holes in it. The back window was shattered and the rear view mirrors were barely hanging on. Getting a new car was a minor problem compared to how bad things could have been.
“Who was the other nigga in the car with him?” Lamar wanted to know.
“I don’t even know. I wasn’t paying attention to nothing, but getting me and Mia away from them clowns,” Tre said running his hand over his face.
“I saw him right before Tre picked me up. He asked if I needed a ride, and I told him no. The dude in the passenger seat was the same one that was with y’all at Jabari’s party. The red one with the bald head and gold teeth,” Mia said looking at Tre.
“Jared,” Tre responded when Mia finished talking. She described him perfectly, and he was just as grimy as Ro. Tre and Jared used to be cool, but he was always more of Ro’s friend than his.
“I don’t know the nigga, but he just signed his life away right along with Ro,” Lamar promised.
“You know them niggas probably hiding out somewhere by now,” Tre replied.
“No doubt about that, but it won’t be too hard to find them. Niggas will sell out their own mama if the price is right. I’m not waiting for Von to give me the go ahead this time. This shit just got personal,” Lamar declared.
“I’m just as pissed as you are Lamar, but I use my head before I react. Spending eight years in prison has taught me think first. Having a hot head won’t get us nowhere, but in jail,” Von calmly stated.
“When it comes to my baby I’ll gladly take a murder charge,” he replied angrily.
Von just let him vent since he knew there was nothing that he could say to change his mind. It had been that way since they were younger. Lamar was always the one to act first before getting the entire story. Everybody was surprised when Von was the one who got locked up instead of him. His temper was ridiculous and he didn’t mind acting a fool in front of anybody. Von hated that he was on drugs because that only made things worse.
“You good Mimi?” Von asked his God daughter.
Lamar was so busy talking about revenge that he never even took the time to see how his daughter was feeling. Mia had been quiet since she got there with the exception of describing Ro’s accomplice. She was scared and Tre was too. He tried to put up a brave front, but Von could see right through it. He knew exactly how they felt having been shot at a time or two in his life.
“Yeah, I’m good. I’m just a little shook up is all,” Mia replied lowly.
“I know you are, but you don’t have anything to worry about,” Von assured her.
They all sat around and talked about a few things before Mia eventually drifted off to sleep.
***
“Happy Birthday Tre,” Mia smiled when she walked into his bedroom with a gift bag in her hand. It was New Year’s Day and she was ready to get out of the house and do something. Christmas found her sitting in her bedroom for most of the day until she headed to dinner at Von’s house later on that night. She was almost scared to go outside thinking that Ro was somewhere waiting to finish her off. Von and Tre kept telling her that Ro was a man that bled just like anyone else, but that still didn’t put her fears to rest. Tre had gotten a new truck since the incident happened and he didn’t seem to care if he was seen or no
t. Sitting inside wasn’t all bad for Mia though. Moonie and her siblings were there and they kept her very entertained. Moonie had been staying close to home just like she promised she would. Dalvin still came over, but his visits weren’t nearly as often as they used to be. Moonie was trying to back completely away from him, but he wasn’t getting the picture. She and Mitch were taking things slow, but they were in the process of rebuilding the relationship that they once had. Mia couldn’t be happier and Jabari was excited too.
“You can sit down Mia,” Tre said snapping her back to reality. “Why are you standing there like a stranger?”
“Nah, this bed is still off limits to me. I just came to bring you your gift,” Mia replied.
“Seriously Mia?” Tre questioned. “I can’t believe you’re still on that same stuff after all these months.”
“Well believe it. You could never sit me on a bed where you fucked another bitch,” she spat right before she walked out of the room.
Tre just shook his head and opened up the gift that she had just given him. Mia knew him so well and the Gucci loafers and matching button down was proof of that. He’d been wracking his brains for weeks trying to find something to wear and Mia had just unknowingly helped him out. A pair of jeans or slacks was all that he needed to make his birthday outfit complete. Well, that and Mia agreeing to spend the day with him. It wasn’t out of the question since Duke and Brandis would be coming along as well. Von wasn’t home, so it was a perfect time to ask her.
“What are you getting into tonight?” Tre asked Mia when he entered the kitchen. She was sitting at the island texting on her phone when he walked in.
“I don’t know, I might have a date. Why, what’s up?”
“A date with who?” He snapped unintentionally.
“That’s none of your business,” Mia replied.
“It is my business. It’s my birthday and you’re trying to spend it with another nigga.”
“I already gave you your birthday gift. I spent damn near every dime in my savings just to get it. What more do you want?” Mia asked with her hands thrown up in the air.
“I want you!” He yelled back angrily. “One day Mia, that’s all I’m asking for. You can see ole boy any day, but at least give me my birthday.”
“I don’t get you sometimes Tre. You had me and didn’t do right by me and now you want me to feel sorry for you just because it’s your birthday.”
“I know I messed up Mia, but damn. I’m just asking you to spend my birthday with me, that’s all.”
“Okay fine, what are you trying to do today?”
“I just wanted to hit up the French Quarters. Brandis and Duke are coming too.”
“Okay, I need to go home and take a shower,” Mia agreed making him smile like a kid in a candy store.
“Alright, let’s leave around eight. Is that cool with you,” Tre asked.
“Yeah, that’s cool. I’ll see you later,” she replied before leaving him alone to get himself together.
***
Paige was fuming on the inside, but she kept her cool as best as she could. She thought she was tripping when she saw Tre, Duke, Brandis and Mia walking along in the French Quarters without a care in the world. When she saw Tre holding Mia’s hand it took everything in her not to snap and start swinging. The Quarters was always crowded and even more so now because it was New Year’s. It also happened to be Tre’s birthday which explained why he was out having a good time. What wasn’t explained was why he was happy and holding hands with someone who he swore he wasn’t in a relationship with. It pissed Paige off to know that he’d been lying to her for so long. It also hurt her to see how he looked at Mia in a way that he never looked at her. Paige couldn’t deny the fact that the lil bitch was bad though. She was fine as hell with her own little swag. Her cream colored sweater dress hugged her curves perfectly while her brown open toe booties showcased her perfectly toned legs. Tre wasn’t slacking with is Gucci outfit either. He looked even better than the last time Paige saw him, making her damn near drool at the mouth. Brandis and Duke were with them and they all seemed to be having a good time.
“Check this out,” Paige said to her brother’s girlfriend Michelle. She and Shad had only been kicking it for a few months, but Paige really liked her new sister-in-law. She didn’t mind getting down and dirty and Paige loved that even more.
“That’s your ex-boyfriend right?” Michelle asked.
“Yep and that’s Moonie’s daughter Mia. That’s the one I was telling you about.”
“She looks just like her mama,” Michelle replied.
“She’s a hoe just like her too,” Paige frowned.
“Alright, so what’s up? I can already see that you’re feeling some kind of way about seeing them together. We can drop her just like we dropped her mama. You already know I’m down like four flat tires,” Michelle said making her laugh.
“Nah, it ain’t that simple. Her mama just got caught slipping, but it’s four of them against the two of us. I already know that nigga gon’ go crazy if we try to jump her. You must have forgotten about what he did to my nieces,” Paige replied.
“Oh yeah, I forgot about what he did to my girls. In that case he needs to be dealt with too,” Michelle exclaimed.
“Girl you must be crazy!” Paige yelled. “Tank can fight his ass off.”
“I’m not talking about fighting that nigga,” Michelle replied while pulling out a can of mace and showing it to Paige. She looked at Paige and smiled wickedly before handing the can of substance over to her.
“I’ll have to mace all four of their asses. If I don’t the other ones will be coming after me. Hell, with the shoulder to shoulder crowd out here a few innocent people might get it too,” Paige observed.
“I don’t give a damn and I’m sure you don’t either. Let’s follow close behind to see where they end up,” Michelle suggested.
Paige nodded in agreement as she and Michelle walked behind the four people that she had her sights set on. They both agreed to take of the heels they were wearing just so they would be able to run right after the act was complete. The area was so crowded that they would probably be long gone by the time anybody found out what was up. The crime in the French Quarters had gotten out of control, so she was hoping that they got away before the police got involved. With all of the people hanging around that probably wouldn’t be a problem. When Paige saw them all walk into The Tropical Isle Bar on Bourbon, she waited with a crowd of people to see when they would come out. The Tropical Isle was known for their famous hand grenade drinks and that was probably the only reason why they stopped in there in the first place.
“This is the perfect time to catch their asses. Handle your business as soon as they come out,” Michelle instructed.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Paige agreed.
When she saw them sit down and start looking over the menu she got mad that she would have to wait even longer. She was ready to abort the mission and bring her ass home, but Michelle was hyped. She was standing there with her arms folded like she would wait forever if she hand to. Paige was about to tell her that they would catch up with them another time, but she never got a chance to.
“Just the bitch I’ve been waiting to see,” an all too familiar male voice boomed. Paige would know that voice from anywhere, but now was not the time or the place that she wanted to hear it.
“Shit!” She yelled and tried to run away. Unfortunately she didn’t get very far before Dalvin pulled her back by the twenty-eight inch weave that she was rocking.
She didn’t think that her son’s father and one-time best friend would hit her, but she was dead wrong about that. Dalvin’s closed fist hit her so hard in the face that she swore that she was seeing double. Forget seeing stars, Paige was straight up seeing the sun and the moon every time his fist connected with a part of her face. She knew without a doubt that something was broken just by the amount of pain that she was in. His brother, cousin and a few of his friends were wit
h him, but nobody make a move to stop him. A few men in the crowd remarked about it being sad that he was hitting a woman like that, but none of them intervened. The thick crowd gasped each time he hit her, but no one did a thing to help.
“Get off of her,” Michelle screamed while jumping on his back.
She was beating Dalvin’s back with the heel of her shoe until one of his friends pulled her off. Dalvin turned around and hit her one good time, knocking her to the ground. She tried to get back up, but she was staggering like a drunk woman. Michelle was literally shaking, and Paige’s face felt like it was on fire. That still didn’t stop Dalvin from accomplishing his mission. His brother eventually tried to pull him away, but he shook him off and kept hitting Paige in her face and body. He was yelling about her killing his first baby and some other stuff that she didn’t understand. Here she was lying in wait to attack Mia and Tre, and she ended up getting attacked instead.
“Let’s go, Dee, you’re calling too much attention to yourself,” Dalvin’s brother yelled while pulling him away again.
Paige was thanking God and whoever else in heaven for answering her prayers. Going to war with Moonie wasn’t even worth how she was feeling at the moment. Michelle was finally stable enough to help her to her feet, but she felt played by the beat down that was just delivered by her ex. Not to mention all of the witnesses who probably recorded the entire incident from beginning to end. Social media was going to be buzzing once that got around. Even Mia and Tre had come outside to see what all of the commotion was about. Paige was so embarrassed when she locked eyes with her ex and his new woman. Mia actually had a smirk on her face as if something was really funny. Paige should have listened to her first mind and walked away, but her pride wouldn’t let her go without having the last word. Against her better judgment, she limped over to Dalvin and his crew.
Creepin' 2: A New Orleans Love Story Page 11