Married to the Game

by Chunichi

  CHAPTER 10

  MY BABY DADDY

  GINA

  “Shit!” I yelled as I checked the pregnancy test. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew that having unprotected sex could result in an unwanted pregnancy, but I guess I just never thought it could happen to someone like me.

  It had been days since the fight with BJ, but the stab wounds I received while fighting with her still hadn’t quite healed. The streaking pain I felt with each motion was a constant reminder of the revenge I owed her. I hadn’t come up with the perfect plan, but I was definitely going to get her back. Now that I realized she could’ve made me lose my unborn child, I was furious.

  The only real thing that was keeping me off BJ’s ass was her cousin. If I didn’t love Ray-Ray so much, I would have sent bitches to her house that same day. But mark my word—her day would come. Even if it took me months to get her, I knew my revenge on BJ was coming. At the moment, I had more important things to worry about, like the fact that my period hadn’t come in a month, and that I was sitting staring at a colored cotton tip of an exposed pregnancy test.

  I was in a sad state of denial, so I reached under the bathroom counter to retrieve the extra test I’d purchased. I slowly removed the wrapper and sat on the toilet, placing the open end of the test-tube under the flow of my urine. Once it was soaked, I replaced the cap.

  Now the waiting game, I thought as I set the test on the bathroom counter and went to watch a little TV. I hoped Dave Chappelle’s antics would make the time pass, but my stomach ached with fear as I waited the minutes that seemed to take hours. I reflected on the first test and thought that perhaps there had been a defect in it. After all, most of those over-the-counter pregnancy tests were only ninety-nine percent positive.

  Two commercials later, the time was up, and I hesitantly returned to the bathroom. I almost hit the floor when I saw that plus sign in bright pink.

  Oh, shit, then it must be true. I’m pregnant! I nearly broke my neck as I rushed through the house, jumping over chairs and running up the stairs to get my phone to call Ray-Ray.

  “Happy birthday, baby!” Ray-Ray yelled into the phone as soon as he picked up. Although his greeting was a beautiful notion, I had a tough time accepting it at the moment. “Fuck a birthday!” I yelled. “You and me got some issues.”

  “Damn, what’s up with you? I guess that’s the attitude of a black birthday girl, huh?” Ray-Ray said in an attempt to ease the tension.

  “Nah, this is the attitude of a black pregnant birthday girl! This damn pregnancy test is what’s up, nigga!” I yelled into the phone.

  Since Duke and I were no longer an item, Ray-Ray hadn’t been using protection. One night he came over after a long night of gambling and drinking at the bootlegger’s, drunk and horny. We engaged in passionate sex and he failed to pull out. I knew I was going to end up pregnant the night it happened, but I hoped for a different outcome.

  “What? You pregnant?” he asked with little emotion. “So, what you gonna do?” He continued to speak like the whole ordeal was nothing.

  “What am I going to do? Did I get pregnant alone, nigga? What are you going to do?” I yelled at him.

  “Okay, Gina. What are we going to do? Ain’t no need in all this drama you giving me now,” he responded, still with little emotion.

  His lack of compassion was really starting to annoy me, so I fought back with words I didn’t know I’d come to regret.

  “I want an abortion!” I yelled like my mind was bad. I was sure that statement would get his attention, but I ended up with my face cracked, instead. Either Ray-Ray didn’t know how to take the hint of a cry for attention, or he just didn’t care like I thought he would.

  “A’ight. Cool. Just let me know how much it cost. You know I got you,” he said before hanging up the phone in my ear.

  I sat on my bed, sobbing as I thought about all the recent events in my life.

  How did I get in this situation?

  Normally, this would be a time when I would call BJ and ask for her support, but not this time. She had betrayed me, and I hated her for it. Duke had betrayed me, and I hated him as well. So had my mother, her boyfriend, and now Ray-Ray too. I had to wonder how one person could be let down so many times. At that moment, it seemed as if I was the only person in the world who had ever been betrayed by just about all the important people in her life.

  How could Ray-Ray have so openly agreed to an abortion? How could he just hang up on me like that without making sure I was okay? Didn’t he understand that I loved him? Didn’t he know that this child was a part of us both? Tears welled up in my eyes as I continued to think. Maybe this baby was all I got. Maybe this was the only person I could truly trust and love, who would love me the same, no matter the weather.

  I sat on my bed weeping until I fell asleep, but my afternoon nap was interrupted by the sound of gunshots. I’d heard gunshots nearby before, but for some reason, these shots seemed eerie. My heart was beating uncontrollably, and I could hardly catch my breath. I looked out the window to see where the shots were coming from, but the neighborhood was as peaceful as an April shower. I figured the shots must have been part of a bad dream, and that being suddenly awakened added to the rapid beat of my heart.

  Since I was awake, I decided to call Ray-Ray back and tell him there had been a change of plans. I had decided to keep my baby and there was nothing he could do to stop me. His phone rang, but he didn’t answer. I called a few more times after that and someone picked up, but no one said anything. I listened carefully. I heard music in the background and faint breathing. Ray-Ray was listening to our song, “Lovers and Friends” by Lil Jon, Luda, and Usher. For a moment I thought about the countless times we made love to that song, but that moment of reminiscing was cut short when I heard the whisper of someone’s voice. I listened attentively. I could hear someone trying to force words out, but I wasn’t sure exactly what they were saying. I put my volume up as loud as possible and listened a little harder. And that’s when I heard the faint words between gasps of breath, “I ... I ... love ... you ...”

  I dropped the phone on the floor as my brain began to register what had just happened. Immediately, all sorts of images flashed through my head. The worst image of all was my man sexing someone else. I hung up the phone in disbelief. I began sobbing even worse than before.

  How could he do this to me? I’m pregnant—and on my birthday!

  I was devastated. My tears quickly turned to anger the more I thought about Ray-Ray with someone else. That made it official. I was alone. Everyone I loved had truly betrayed me. There was no longer need for doubt. I decided to call him back as the reality set in. I planned to tell him how he hurt me and how I hated him for it. But this time when I called, the phone went straight to voice mail. He must have discovered the terrible mistake he’d made. I decided to leave a message.

  “What’s up, this Ray. Leave a message.”

  Beep!

  “Ray-Ray, this is Gina. I’m sure you’re busy at the celebrity bash handling your business right now, and that’s why your phone is off. But what I have to say needs no conversation anyway. I was just calling to tell you that one, it’s over, two, I’m keeping the baby, and three ... thanks for such a wonderful birthday. And as for as the bitch you’re with, I hope she was worth it.”

  Click!

  I hung up the phone confident I had made the right decision. I turned on some music to calm my nerves. But the more I sat, the more the vision of Ray-Ray and another woman stuck in my head. I began to think of who it might be. The first person who came to mind was that conniving bitch BJ. She probably set him up with another chick just to get at me. With that in mind, the anger soon became overwhelming and I could no longer keep my composure.

  I jumped up in a panic and threw on my shoes and grabbed my purse. I headed for the door with my mom’s car keys in hand, but not before grabbing the gun Ray-Ray kept at my house for backup protection. I was going to find their asses and when I did, it wou
ld be a terrible sight. Somebody was gon’ die, and I didn’t plan for it to be me. I jumped in the car and tried starting it up. Tears welled up in my eyes once again, as I struggled to get the car started.

  “Come on, you stupid car!” I yelled hysterically.

  I tried and tried turning the ignition, but nothing—not a sound. Not even a stutter. The car wouldn’t start. Frustrated and exhausted, I just sat in the car and cried. I lit a blunt as I often did in situations that were stressful, in an attempt to relieve some tension. After about ten minutes of sobbing and smoking, I actually felt a little better. I got myself together, got out of the car, and headed back to the house. Once in my bedroom I undressed and lay down. I didn’t even bother calling Ray-Ray’s sorry ass again. Within moments, the tension lifted from my body and I was sound asleep.

  CHAPTER 11

  BEEF ON THE STREETS

  SNAKE

  Shit was really starting to get hectic around here. These stripping bitches were getting out of control. Ceazia’s pussy was getting better by the day, my girl was going mad, my little nigga, Duke, had beef, and I thought I might have picked up a little personal beef of my own.

  After that trick at the beauty salon busted my girl in the head, I went ballistic. I went up to that shop and threatened to shut the shit down unless somebody told me what the fuck happened that day. Of course, it didn’t take long for them to start squealing. I walked in calmly with my gun in hand and locked the door behind me. I stood at the door and asked DeeDee what was up. She didn’t have much to say, so I asked the assistant. She didn’t have much to say, either. So, in order to get the information I needed, I had to start making threats. I didn’t want to do that because DeeDee is my man’s old lady, but shit, my girl was involved and I had to do what I had to do. After the threats, those bitches started singing. I found out it was a trick that goes by the name of Cherry at one of the local strip joints. I paid her a visit that same night. As soon as I hit the door, it was as though an alarm had been hit, ’cause every bitch in there came running from the back.

  “Nah, baby, I ain’t here for that tonight.” I dissed one of my regular chicks I would normally holla at.

  She’d approached me with the usual enticement. Normally, this would have caught my attention, but not tonight. I was on a mission and I had no time for chatting, flirting, or any bullshit. It didn’t take long for me to spot Cherry in a dark corner turning her normal tricks. I walked right up behind her tricking ass and grabbed that bitch by her weave.

  “Aaaahh! What the fuck is going on?” she squealed as I dragged her from the gentlemen she was entertaining and into the men’s bathroom.

  “Bitch, you done lost your muthafucking mind?” I asked while choking Cherry against the bathroom wall.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I ain’t know that was your girl.” She began to beg off the jump.

  That grimy bitch already knew she’d fucked up.

  “Bitch ... don’t ... you ever ... come near my girl or anybody that got anything to do with me again.” I said while smacking her between words.

  “Okay, okay. Please just don’t hit me anymore, Snake, please. Whatever you want, baby, please.” She continued to beg.

  By this time, security was rushing the bathroom. “Yo, what the fuck is going on?” I could hear one security guard yell.

  I turned around so he could get a look at my face. I figured he must didn’t know who I was to rush in talking shit like that.

  “Oh, Snake. You a’ight?” he asked in a totally different tone.

  “Yeah, I’m straight,” I said then directed my attention back to Cherry, who was now standing up confidently.

  “Bitch, this ain’t over,” I said to her then pushed her in the face.

  I straightened my clothes then walked out of the men’s restroom calmly. I stopped at the bar, drank a shot of Patron then exited the club. As I rode home, I was confident that the next time Cherry saw Danielle, her attitude would be a lot better.

  Now that the situation was dealt with, I began to think about my li’l soldier, Duke. It seemed like he’s caught beef behind some little hot-ass female. I had to school him on that shit. It was getting harder and harder to school that li’l nigga these days. Seemed like I noticed a change in him every day.

  My brain jumped from one issue to another. As if my issues with Cherry and Duke wasn’t enough, now Danielle had been tripping too. I didn’t know what was up with her. Seemed like she was changing daily, just like Duke. All I could say was, “Thank God my game is tight.” She’d been following me, checking my text messages and phone, and even searching through my pockets. I didn’t make a fuss, though. I just played along and watched my steps. She was starting to scare me. I was not trying to end up like my brother, Vegas.

  The other night, I went to the strip club to pick up Ceazia, and Danielle was following me. I didn’t realize she was following me until I was on the interstate and almost to the oceanfront. Now, the average nigga would have panicked, but instead, I started to plot. I knew Danielle didn’t know what Ceazia looked like, so that wasn’t a worry. But she did know where my spot was on the oceanfront.

  She knew I would be headed to one place, the Crown Grand Suites. Five minutes from the destination, I received a phone call from her. I played it cool, and the lies just rolled off my tongue. I came off on top. Danielle’s whole attitude switched. Instead of me being the bad one, she felt guilty for accusing me.

  Now, let’s chat about Ceazia. That bitch was venomous. I knew it before I even fucked her, but she was so irresistible. It was taking all I could to stay away, but she kept reeling me in. I was about to switch it up on her to keep me in the safe zone.

  Ring, ring ...

  I knew it wouldn’t be long before Ceazia called. That gave me the perfect opportunity to switch up on her.

  “Yo!”

  “What’s up, baby? Are we meeting up tonight at the usual spot?” she asked in her signature sexy voice.

  As bad as I wanted to get with her, I knew I couldn’t, but by the same token, I had to lead her on. I wanted to back off, but I needed to keep her on the offense at the same time. That way she would be constantly trying to get at me.

  “Yeah, I’ll hit you up around ten. Keep your phone on.”

  “Okay,” she readily agreed.

  “A’ight, sweetheart. I’ll talk to you later.” I hung up and headed out the way to holla at Duke.

  We had a full weekend ahead of us. It was the Annual Seven Cities Celebrity Weekend Bash. All the hottest entertainers, athletes, and ballers were sure to attend. Everyone looked forward to this event each year. It was the time for us to shine.

  “What up, Unc?” Duke said as he hopped in the truck.

  “What’s up with you, nigga? Word on the street is you got beef. Care to fill me in on that shit?”

  “Oh really, ’cause word on the street is you’re in that same boat,” Duke snapped back.

  I hated when Duke got sarcastic. He was growing up fast, and the fear I used to put in his heart was no longer there. I was beginning to see at some point he was going to challenge me. And each incident like this just confirmed that day was getting closer.

  “I can handle my shit, young buck. Can you say the same?” I said while punching him in the chest as a reminder that I was still the boss.

  “Man, that ain’t no beef for real. That nigga, Ray-Ray, is just a little upset about a little tousle we had at Gina’s crib on Valentines Day. That is old.”

  “Ray-Ray? Ain’t you knocking his little cousin off?”

  Duke was really getting himself in a fucked up position. He didn’t know when that nigga might pop up. Ray-Ray could be around when he was going to scoop shortie or anything. I tried to explain the danger of what he was doing.

  “Man, I’m good. I got this shit together.”

  Needless to say, his head was big, and I couldn’t tell him nothing. I ended the conversation there.

  “A’ight, Li’l Soldier. Handle your handle,” I sai
d as we pulled up to the Quick Shop on the corner.

  I ran in the store to buy a box of blunts. I could see the chickens flocking around the truck, trying to holla at Duke.

  I gotta teach that nigga to have a low profile, I thought. I was sure we had already been over that shit, but I guess it didn’t sink in. By the time I arrived back to the truck, Duke was standing outside the door, hugging on some hood-rat chick.

  “Yo, Duke. Come on, nigga.”

  “A’ight, mami,” Duke said to the chick as he smacked her ass before hopping in the truck.

  “A’ight, young fuck,” she said, winking.

  That nigga had absolutely no standards. I had to straighten him on that shit immediately!

  “Duke! What the fuck you doing, man? You just can’t be knocking any old bitch off. You gotta make it a privilege to fuck. Otherwise, the top-notch bitches not gonna be trying to fuck.”

  “Man, that’s an old head. How many niggas my age hitting old heads? Why you think she calls me her young fuck? I don’t give a damn about these young chicks no more, man. I got some shit in store. I’m ’bout to knock off a couple of real bomb-ass top-notch bitches.”

  I was afraid to even inquire. That nigga, Duke, was really feeling himself. Who knew what he was planning to do?

  Thirty minutes later, we were at the Hampton Coliseum. We pulled up and parked front and center. I knew niggas wouldn’t be ready for my truck. It’s events like these I looked forward to. Niggas was dizzy by the spin of the 24-inch Stop and Go’s on the Range. I copped it especially for this event. Me and Duke hopped out of the truck to holla at a few people.

  “What up, Snake?” Martinez was the first to greet me. He had an odd look on his face.

  “What’s good, man?” I returned the greeting.

  “Not too much, man. It’s a lot of envy out here today. As matter of fact, I’ve heard whispers of your name.”

  I knew something was up. I know that nigga, Martinez, like the back of my hand.