Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 3

by Shvonne Latrice

  When Blaise nudged me, I said, “Honestly, I just want to know what’s going on. I’m very confused. When you showed up with your baby, I believed you, but Manny tells me that you’re lying. He says he only helps you with your son to be nice since you guys were sleeping together.”

  Jasmine laughed, which bothered me.

  “No, Jasiel is Manny’s son. I don’t have the greatest reputation, just because for a long time, I had low self-esteem. And because of that, I slept around a lot. Sleeping with different men boosted my ego for however long the sex was. Seeing them be so into me, even though it was lust, made me feel good.

  Anyway, Manny was one of those men, and others.” She looked at Blaise, I guess referring to Belly. “But we never used protection. It got to a point where I would only be fucking him solely, for weeks at a time.

  When I got pregnant, it was obvious who the father was, but he denied it, so I was alone the whole pregnancy. Then when Jasiel got here, I had a DNA test done. It came back proving Manny to be the father, but of course he didn’t want to face the fact, so he had a few done on his own. They all returned saying he was 99.9 percent the father, so he accepted it. However, because of me, he doesn’t want people knowing Jasiel is his.

  So he visits and pays for some of what Jasiel needs, but he won’t take him anywhere, won’t spend time with him outside of the house, and if we see him out, he will outright ignore him like he did that night I showed up on you guys.”

  I didn’t know what to say, so I glanced at Blaise fairly quickly.

  “D-do you mind if I see the test? The DNA?” I stammered.

  “Of course not.” Jasmine got up, went to a file cabinet and surfed for a bit before pulling out a beige colored folder. She reached in to grab the paper, then handed it to me.

  I read it over but noticed she’d given me three more, just from different medical clinics. She also had Jasiel’s birth certificate.

  “You have all the tests?” Blaise quizzed. I didn’t realize I was crying until the drop fell onto my Rolex watch.

  “Yes, I kept every one. I needed them to put Manny on child support.” She got another paper. “Here is where it shows that he was ordered to pay me eight hundred dollars a month. I’m having it increased now that he makes more.”

  “Can I take pictures?” I looked up at her, and she nodded.

  Pulling my iPhone from my purse, I snapped photos of each of the DNA tests, the birth certificate, and the child support order, before handing the papers back to Jasmine. I was ready to go after that, so I stood up, and Blaise joined me.

  “Thank you,” Blaise said, and I just smiled as best as I could before we left her house.

  When we got in the car, I just sat there, staring into space.

  “Do you believe her? I mean, she could’ve had those documents faked, right?” I looked over at Blaise. She had a worried look on her face.

  “Yeah, she could have, but she didn’t. All my papers on Jelani look just like that. Plus, she was too calm. Lying hood rats usually get mad as soon as you question them.”

  “So what do I do?” I began to cry.

  Why was it that every time I found some happiness, it got shut down? Was this a sign from God that I needed to obey my parents? It had to be.

  I’d literally gained not a damn thing since I’d been on my own. The only good thing I had was friends, and hell, I could have had them while still living under my parents’ roof and maintaining a good relationship with them.

  “Show him what you’ve found, and see what he has to say. If he still denies it, unfortunately, Alivia, you’re going to have to let him go.”

  “I just want him to be right.” I cried. “The thought of being with a man who would treat his own son that way disgusts me. Blaise, you should’ve seen the way he ignored that little boy. Remembering that was the only reason I believed him. I figured Manny was too sweet of a guy to treat a child that actually shared his blood that way.”

  “He needs help, but he’s a grown ass man and should be able to figure it out himself.”

  “I know,” I whimpered.

  Blaise hugged me until I gained some composure.

  I took her home, and before I headed to mine, I located Manny. He told me he was at the gym with Belly since he was working out, so I made my way over there.

  When I entered the boxing gym, some stalky old Black man halted me, but before I could say anything, Manny rushed up.

  “Hey, baby.” He kissed me, taking my hand to lead me into the large gym equipped with two boxing rings, a plethora of punching bags, couches, hanging punching balls, and all kinds of other workout equipment.

  Belly was dripping in sweat, doing some sort of strenuous exercise circuit with his shirt off, as his trainer Victor directed and coached him. It surely didn’t seem like he’d been shot up. He was ripped as hell, and I was sure if I punched his stomach, my hand would break.

  “Does he eat abs for breakfast?” I asked Manny who began laughing. “And why is there security?”

  “When Belly trains here, the gym has to be empty. The gym signed a contract with Carson saying so.” Manny sat down on one of the tables and pulled me into him. “You missed me, so you had to come see me?”

  I half smiled, tossing my arms around his neck, while gazing into his eyes. He smirked back, licking his lips.

  “I went to visit Jasmine today.”

  “What?” His brows furrowed. “For what?”

  “I wanted to talk to her myself without you being there.” Manny immediately let my body go, pushing me away from him slightly.

  “You my girl or hers? The fuck you need to talk to that lying ass bitch for? I told you what it was!”

  “Except she’s not lying, Manuel. She showed me the DNA tests, both the one she took and the ones you took. I saw the child support agreement and the birth certificate that you signed.”

  “Alivia, all that shit is fake she’s—”

  “You’re telling me some hood rat, as you like to call her, would go through all of those changes? She has the time, patience, and computer smarts to pull that off? All for you? I mean, yes, you’re handsome and you make good money, amongst other qualities, but you’re not President Obama, Manny. I can’t see her doing all of this just to pin a baby on you.”

  “Well she did, because that ain’t my kid.”

  “And this is why you and I will never work.”

  “We do work, and we will work! We’re working right fucking now!” He hopped up from the table.

  “No.” I shook my head. “We’re not. I don’t know what woman would want you knowing the way you treat your own son. I would never marry you or have your baby, seeing how you are as a father.”

  “Baby, I am not a father.” He grabbed my hands.

  “Take a DNA test then. I’ll go with you, me and Jasmine. I can be right there to see the results.”

  For a few moments, Manny just looked at me, before letting out an exasperated sigh and running his hands down his face.

  “Aight.” His voice was so low that I almost didn’t catch it.

  “Aight, what?”

  “I’ll have a test done to show you.”

  That surprised me because I thought he’d admit that he was lying. Maybe he was telling the truth. Fuck! I didn’t know!

  “Don’t call me or come see me until the appointment date.”

  With that said, I left out, unsure of my personal life.

  Belly

  “Okay, Mr. Khalil. It looks like your wounds are healing well despite you going against my orders not to train and to cancel the fight. How has training been?”

  “Perfect.” I half smiled as Victor shook his head.

  “There have been a few occasions where the pain gets to him, especially because he won’t take the pain medicine, but other than that, he’s been doing surprisingly well. He’s still fast and focused.” Victor nodded after saying his piece to Dr. Scott.

  “Good, good. I do suggest that anytime you’re not training,
you get as much rest as you can. We don’t want this fight to be your last, Khalil.”

  “It won’t be.” I got down off of the examination table, grabbing my t-shirt to put back on.

  Dr. Scott gave me all my papers with my recent blood work and all the other shit he wanted me to have. As soon as we left the room, I pressed the stack of papers against Victor’s chest, making him chuckle and shake his head as he took them.

  “Since we’re not working out today, you take a rest day, and tomorrow morning at 3 a.m., I’ll meet you for a six-mile run before we start training.”

  “Aight.”

  When I got to my car, I started it then checked my phone. I had a few texts, calls, and a bunch of other shit, so I replied to Blaise first.

  As I sifted through the slew of DM’s, I saw Five-Star’s baby mama Liza had messaged me yet again. Her ass had been in my DM’s for the past three days with dumb shit. She wasn’t on no flirty tip, but I could tell she was trying to ease her way in since I let her know I wasn’t fucking with her ass back at that restaurant.

  LadyLiza: Hey I may show up to the shoe event this evening!

  I didn’t respond as I closed the app then locked my phone.

  I headed to my new spot, where I was still having furniture and shit put in. I brought all my old shit, but there were spots that I needed to have new shit to fill in.

  It was weird as fuck having my own nice house and not having to do some illegal shit to get it like with my first apartment. My last house was mine, and legit, but the shit was raggedy as fuck on the outside. The hoes didn’t mind though.

  I pulled up into my driveway about an hour later because in LA, it took you forever to get any fucking where between 8 and 10 a.m. or 12 and 9 p.m. It was now around 3 p.m., and I had to hurry up to get showered and dressed for this signing at this shoe place out near Beverly Hills.

  My manager didn’t want me doing another signing because of what happened at the last one and shit, but fuck that. Mason, and whatever other muthafucka that wanted to come for me, would learn that it’d take more than a few bullets to stop this fucking show.

  About an hour later, I was dressed down in some Givenchy track pants, a black t-shirt, and some Off-White brand Nikes. I wasn’t dressing up, because the event was chill where people could come shop for sneakers but also meet me. So I wasn’t about to be stuffing my muthafuckin’ ass into some uncomfortable shit.

  I got to the store about an hour later, via the driver Carson sent. Just as we pulled up, I saw Blaise had texted me.

  Wifey: Gonna be there soon baby!

  Me: Don’t rush. And let me see what you’re wearing, because if a nigga gets frisky even with his eyes I’m shooting him.

  Only about two seconds later, my phone was ringing, and I saw Blaise was trying to FaceTime. When I answered, she was standing in the mirror with the camera turned to the back so that I could see.

  After staring for a minute, I leaned in with my eyes squinted for a better look.

  “I can see yo’ panties. Take that shit off.”

  “Cortez! How can you see my panties when I can’t?”

  “Because yo’ ass needs glasses. I don’t even wanna see yo’ ankles tonight, Blaise. It’s cold anyway. My son don’t like cold shit, and you’re trying to freeze the fuck out of him.”

  Laughing heartily while I stayed frowning, Blaise replied, “Fine. I have a backup outfit.”

  “Thank you, fine ass. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Put the camera in yo’ panties.”

  Click.

  I laughed when she hung up, then tapped the driver’s seat as I pocketed my phone to let him know he could come let me out. As soon as he pulled the door open, I stepped down onto the curb and saw a bunch of people outside and inside.

  A big rotund muthafucka rushed up, along with a nigga about an Oreo cookie smaller than him, and parted everybody so I could walk through without any bullshit. I told the manager of the store up front that if anybody bumped me, stepped on my shoes, or did any bullshit I didn’t like, I was shooting his shit up. I guess he heeded to my warnings.

  As I made my way through, I spotted Liza and a group of other bitches dressed like hoes. I saw my ContraBandz Gang, Will, and Rocko were already here. As soon as Will’s eyes landed on me, he began snapping photos. That weird ass nigga was always on the money and could take the hell out of some pictures.

  In a Wraith, on the day… I hit his bitch, bitch, I'm the one he hate…

  The deejay was spinning “Spray” by Sneakk, as the security muthafuckas led me to where I’d be signing shit and taking pictures. I knew I had fans and shit, but I didn’t expect the store to be packed the fuck out like this, especially on a fucking weekday.

  Only ten minutes later, Blaise texted me that she was here, so I got up to go get her.

  “Mr. Khalil, it’s best you stay inside.” One of the guards stopped me.

  “Nah, my girl is here, and I’m about to get her. And don’t touch me,” I told his big ass.

  “We can get her.”

  “Nah, y’all can’t. I’m the only muthafucka responsible for her.” I started out, but I knew that nigga was following me, keeping people at bay.

  When I saw Blaise’s car, I headed over and tugged on the driver’s side so she could unlock it.

  “Thank you.” She half smiled as I helped her down and out. She had on some sleeveless shirt that conveniently got looser around the abdomen, jeans, and some red boots with the highest and skinniest heel I’d ever seen. I loved how well dressed she always was. Of course her nails and shit were done, right along with her hair. She smelled like heaven too.

  After kissing her lips a few times, I led her inside with that security nigga leading the way. I already had a seat next to me for her to be in, and when I looked up, I noticed Liza watching hard as fuck. I was praying Blaise’s crazy ass didn’t see.

  “Be chill, aight?” I gave Blaise a look.

  “Why you say that?”

  “Because it’s bitches here, and some of the shit they say, they don’t mean no fucking harm. So don’t be hopping yo’ ass up trying to fight, especially with my kid in there.”

  “They’d just better play nice.” She stuffed one of the cookies on the table into her mouth.

  Shaking my head, I let the organizer know I was ready since the place was full as a muthafucka. Some people were looking at shoes, some dancing, some staring, and others waiting impatiently as fuck to meet me.

  Niggas and females started lining up for me to sign whatever the fuck they wanted and take pictures.

  “Hi, Blaise. Y’all are so cute together, but I am in love with your man! I’ve never liked boxing until him.” Some cute dark-skinned bitch smiled.

  I took Blaise’s hand in mine, kissing the back of it while chuckling. I could see all in her face that she wanted to talk shit.

  “You can be a fan all day. I don’t mind,” Blaise replied with a fake smile.

  I just laughed as I signed the t-shirt.

  About an hour later, I was almost finished, but I saw Liza was still floating around, being low-key.

  “You should go now, and I will see you tonight,” I whispered to Blaise.

  “At your house?”

  “Nah, yours.”

  “Why won’t you let me come over to the new place yet, Cortez?” She frowned, searching my eyes with hers.

  Planting a deep kiss on her lips, I responded, “Go home. I will see you later.”

  Twisting her mouth up in anger, Blaise snatched her red Chanel bag up, and switched out with her fine ass. I hopped up to escort her after telling Carson to give me a second, and once I had Blaise in her whip and pulling off, I went back in to finish up.

  As I got ready to leave, Liza walked up on me, smiling hard as hell with a drink in her hand.

  “I thought she was gonna be on your hip all night, that’s why I didn’t come over. Can you sign my jacket?” She placed one of my Hood’s Champ hoodies ont
o the table. Smirking, I signed it with my silver marker, replaced the cap, and then came from behind the desk.

  A few women were surrounding me, trying to get my attention by either just standing there dressed in little to nothing, asking mundane ass questions, or smiling at a nigga. These bitches didn’t give a fuck that I just had my girl in here next to me.

  “Thank you. I’m about to wear it right now.” Liza slipped the hoodie over her head, just as I got the information I needed in my DM’s.

  “You wanna come somewhere with me?” I inquired, and it was comical seeing her eyes light the fuck up.

  “Shit, can I come too?... Me too, Belly…” A couple of females interjected, as a few others were being entertained by the homies.

  “Yes, I wanna come with you. I thought you’d never ask.” Liza grinned.

  I started toward the exit, shaking my head as all the camera flashes went off, catching the fact that these bitches were following me out like puppy dogs. I knew Blaise was gon’ be hot, but as long as I didn’t fuck around, she couldn’t say shit or leave me.

  Liza and I got into the back of the truck that had driven me here as I chucked the deuces to some of the fans still hanging, and the homies. I gave the driver an address, before he pulled off, heading straight there.

  “I know we got off on the wrong foot the first time we met, but I’m happy things changed.”

  “Yup.” I nodded.

  “And I know about everybody, so I’m fine.”

  “There ain’t no everybody; it’s just me and Blaise.”

  “Right, okay. Well I’ve shared with Blaise before.” She giggled. “Well, she was more of a little side thing for my baby daddy, so we didn’t exactly share, but you know what I mean.”

  “Blaise could never be a side thing to any nigga with some sense. I think you know that though.”

  Liza looked away, shrugging her shoulders. She ran her mouth the entire ride, and when we pulled up at the mansion, I told her ass to get out with me.

  You could hear the music blasting from the backyard, so I slipped right through the side gate with Liza behind me. The pool area in the back was live as a muthafucka, with people everywhere and cameras since it was a video shoot. When I spotted Five-Star, bumping his fucking gums to some nigga, I headed over, gripping Liza’s bicep.