by KR Bankston
Turning into the complex where Layla lived, Blue pulled into a parking spot as King Diesel spoke once more.
“I shouldn’t be long,” he told him as Blue grunted and watched him get out of the truck.
“This shit cannot be over soon enough,” he mumbled aloud as he coldly watched his employer the earlier words still ringing in his mind.
28
Jaleesa was melancholy returning to Atlanta after all the turmoil. On the one hand she was super excited being this close to her sons and her mother. On the other she was depressed that she couldn’t see them or let them know she was still alive. Jacoury had been super supportive all morning since they arrived and checked into their hotel, telling her how much he loved her, promising to take her shopping, anything he thought to say to try and get a smile from her. She did actually smile thinking about him and how lucky she was to have him. Jaleesa also thought about the visit from his first love a couple weeks back. They’d all met when she and Jacoury went over to Ramell and Sam’s for dinner at their invitation. Jacoury had been upfront and open about Necie being there and what their history was. Jaleesa wasn’t threatened by the woman, especially after Jacoury told her there were no feelings other than friendship on his end. The one thing she’d learned about her man over their time together, when he was done with something or someone, he was done. Jaleesa could tell the woman wasn’t all that keen to meet her, but she didn’t let it show. She also chuckled recalling the look of envy on the woman’s face as Jacoury hugged and kissed her off and on all night.
Giggling aloud now, Jaleesa refocused her energy picking up her cell and making a call.
“Wassup chick,” Tae threw out amiably, giggling as well.
Jaleesa smiled broadly and returned the greeting telling her to hold on while she got Kim on the line.
“Hey girl,” Kim greeted, seeing Jaleesa’s number.
“Wassup girl,” both she and Tae threw out.
“You talked to CiCi, everything still good for tonight,” Jaleesa asked as Kim assured them that both women would be in attendance.
“Cool, that’s great news,” Tae told her as they laughed again.
“Yeah, but we’re going to have to be discreet as hell,” Kim warned.
“Why, what’s up,” Jaleesa asked, catching the tone.
Kim sighed deeply, then told them she overheard Mook and Shells talking.
“Damn, he told him didn’t he,” Tae asked as Kim said yes.
“So you know they are going to be watching to make sure you don’t trip Tae,” Kim told her as Tae sucked her teeth.
“Still not a problem,” Jaleesa told them.
Kim was curious, so she asked why not. Jaleesa explained that they knew Tae was upset, but as far as anyone else knew she hadn’t shared the information. Both Kim and Tae began to chuckle following her line of logic.
“So, we just make sure we get miss thang in the right place, Tae knows how to bob and weave staying out of their line of sight, and we take care of business,” Jaleesa explained as they all laughed again before going over each of their parts in the plan.
Tomorrow night Tae was going to get some payback on little miss man chaser and her girls had her back.
“Everybody got outfits and stuff,” Tae asked as Jaleesa told her no and she needed to hit the malls.
Kim told them she had something but she wanted something new.
“Well hell sounds like a shopping trip to me,” Tae threw out as they all laughed again.
“Who’s picking me up,” Jaleesa asked as Tae told her she would swing through and get here and they could scoop Kim soon after.
“Cool, let me get dressed then,” Kim returned as they told her okay and she disconnected leaving the two women on the phone.
“You gonna cut her ass,” Jaleesa asked Tae knowing her very well.
“I don’t know what I’ma do to that bitch just yet,” she replied honestly. “I do know she won’t try anymore of our men after I get done with her, that much I do know,” she added as Jaleesa gave her a resounding Amen.
“I knew her slick ass was trouble,” Jaleesa told Tae going on to enlighten her about the conversation she’d had when they first met.
“So that bitch just bold huh,” Tae returned as Jaleesa told her no, just stupid.
Tae burst into laughter at that point and she Jaleesa chatted a while longer before hanging up with Tae giving her thirty minutes to get ready.
*****
Horse carefully rose from bed as Sapphire still slept. He smiled looking back over his shoulder at her. Being with her had been everything he imagined and more. Horse was glad Sapphire had given him a chance to show her how wonderful he could make her life with him in it. He’d been spending the night regularly, but not fully moving in. Rising he headed into the living room and checked his cell. Sa’Cari had called and left him a voicemail. Checking it, Horse smiled. He was only calling to check on him as well as his mother telling Horse he hoped he had finally leveled with his mother about his feelings. He was also asking about buying a diamond and the things he should look for, the price, size, clarity etc. Horse sighed softly knowing the young man’s mind was fully set on the girl he’d brought home and there was no unmaking it. He knew Cartier would have approved of her. She was a good girl in every sense of the word and Sa’Cari adored her. Sighing softly he returned the call getting Sa’Cari on the fourth ring.
“Hey Horse,” he greeted.
“I got your message,” Horse told him after exchanging pleasantries.
“Oh okay cool,” Sa’Cari returned. “I can’t really talk about it right now though,” he added as Horse chuckled slightly knowing that Ashlyn was within hearing distance.
“How’s mama,” he asked as Horse assured him Sapphire was fine.
“Mmhm,” Sa’Cari replied. “And how are the two of you, together,” he fired off as Horse chuckled at his bluntness.
“We’re fine,” he replied simply as Sa’Cari pressed again.
“Did you tell her Horse, are you two at least talking about it,” he asked another time. Horse took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
“Yes, we talked, we’re good,” Horse told him evasively.
He didn’t want to admit to Sa’Cari that he and Sapphire had been intimate. She was still his mother. He heard the young man chuckling before speaking.
“Uh yeah,” Sa’Cari returned his tone mischievous.
“My mama can still have babies, ya’ll need to use protection,” he told Horse bursting into laughter at the end of his statement.
Horse, at first thrown by his bluntness, smiled and told him to watch it; he wasn’t too old for his mama to whip his butt. Sa’Cari laughed even harder at the statement before calming himself and returning to his conversation.
“Horse, man it’s cool, I told you that,” Sa’Cari told him earnestly. “I’m glad she’s not alone anymore and I know you got her back come what may,” he added as Horse assured him that was truth spoken.
“Tell her I’ll call her later this weekend,” Sa’Cari told him as Horse grunted his understanding. “And when I’m by myself I’ll call you back about my message and we can talk,” he added as Horse assured him it was fine and disconnected.
He chuckled to himself at the young man’s statement before realizing he was right. I better get some condoms, Horse thought praying it wasn’t already too late.
*****
“What do you think about this one,” Layla asked as she tried on yet another dress.
This one was sparkling silver, shimmery and form fitting. It stopped mid-thigh, spaghetti strapped, v-cut.
“It’s cute, but what accessories would you wear with it,” CiCi asked taking her in.
“Red, maybe or royal blue,” Layla returned still looking at herself in the triple mirrors.
She knew Saturday was going to be quite the night to remember, far more than CiCi, Tariq or any of his crew suspected. King Diesel had come and seen her this morning and they’d of course had
sex. He gave her the final payment and told her the when and where of her role. Glancing at her bestfriend in the mirror, Layla had a temporary flash of guilt; until she thought of the crisp bills lining her suitcase in the condo. After everything was said and done tomorrow night she was blowing this city, hell the country, hopping a flight for someplace warm and tropical.
“Yeah that would be cute,” Cyiarra spoke breaking her thought and returning her to now.
Layla nodded her agreement telling her she would get this one and asking about shoes.
“We passed a couple shops on the way up,” Cyiarra replied.
She’d already selected an Ocean Blue strapless number, knowing Blue was Tariq’s favorite color. She was wearing the blue diamonds that Tariq bought her when they first starting dating. Sighing softly Cyiarra was praying that she could convince him to at least spend the night with her. A good time, lots of liquor, he should be agreeable, she thought almost desperate to get him back in her bed.
“OK, lemme pay for this and then we’re headed to the shoe store,” Layla told her breezing out of the stall and heading to the cashier.
Cyiarra rose and followed her friend’s good mood rubbing off on her and she soon found herself smiling and looking excitedly forward to tomorrow night.
“We need to go to the hairdresser too,” Cyiarra reminded as Layla told her she was right.
“I think I’m going to get some color,” she told Cyiarra. “Maybe just some highlights in the front, something to make them say, wow, ya know,” Layla laughed as Cyiarra chuckled as well.
“You’re sure Tariq isn’t bringing his slut to the party,” she threw at her bestfriend as Cyiarra frowned slightly.
“I asked Kim that same thing and she told me he wouldn’t, said it wasn’t his style,” she told Layla who grunted slightly.
She was glad to know that much, the plan was very specific and they didn’t need any extra players.
“Well that much is good, I know you got a serious outfit planned,” she baited as Cyiarra chuckled and shared the details with her.
“Oooh, sounds like a good choice girl,” Layla told her. “And once Tariq gets a few hits of champagne and that damned yak he likes to drink, you should be able to get all the dick he has to offer,” Layla told her crudely as they both burst into laughter.
“You are so damned stupid,” Cyiarra laughed as they grabbed smoothies after leaving the shoe store and headed out of the mall to the hairdresser.
*****
Tariq looked at his phone after it vibrated, smiling as he read Kaitlyn’s message. She was here. Can’t wait to go and spend some time with her, he thought sighing softly. That would be much later however, as he texted and let her know. Tariq had a full day of making sure everything was in place for the opening. He had last minute deliveries today as well as minor remodels and fixes to various issues he’d found when he and Mook did their walk through late last night. Still, knowing she was in the city, within arms reach and waiting for him, made his day flow much smoother. Tariq wished she could be at the opening but he knew that was impossible. He did however know Cyiarra would be there and that brought a shadow of frown to his face. He didn’t dislike the woman, but she was still trying to hang on; still trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents. Tariq sighed deeply and pushed the thoughts away. He only planned to be at the opening for the first three hours anyway. Then he was going to the hotel and climb in bed with his baby, making love to her until the wee hours of the morning, falling asleep with her in his arms.
How long are you going to be able to deal with the hit and miss, Tariq’s mind kicked up. He seldom let himself think of him and Kaitlyn long term, knowing it only served to either piss him off or make him melancholy. Tariq sighed deeply. Even if he could get her to divorce Ian, the man would make their lives hell. Tariq was sure he would vindictively try and take the children from her and not let her see them. For Kaitlyn that was a price too high and he would never put her in the position of having to choose. You could just put a bullet in his skull, his mind pushed once more. Tariq dismissed that just as quickly. If he killed Ice all hell would break loose and there would be bloodshed no end. Kaitlyn would also never forgive him for taking her children’s father from them. No, he would have to either learn to accept the affiliation for what it was or give her up, the latter Tariq wouldn’t even consider. His cell buzzed again and he saw the message from Mook and Shells letting him know they were at the club. Grabbing his keys and wallet Tariq headed out the door to his truck. He continued to think about Kaitlyn as he drove. He couldn’t explain the feelings for her or why his heart just refused to let her go. Tariq replayed all the hell they’d endured, the loss of their daughter, the breakup of their marriage. All because of Ice and his damned obsession, he thought becoming angry. Tariq was almost positive the one and only reason, other than the girls, that she stayed with Ian was because of him. Tariq knew Kaitlyn would never forgive herself if she felt that she had been the cause of him getting hurt, or worse. Arriving at the club he pushed the thoughts aside and concentrated on the club for now. Today was strictly business, tonight was all pleasure.
*****
Sa’Cari and Ashlyn were enjoying their music as they rode, heading for the barbershop and beauty salon respectively.
“I’m going to drop you off and come back and get you,” Sa’Cari told her as Ashlyn nodded.
“What’s wrong baby, you’ve been really quiet,” he asked seeing that something was on her mind. “You’re not chickening out on me are you,” he teased as she smiled slightly.
“No, I’m still going,” Ashlyn returned as he grunted and again pressed her about what was going on.
“Just stuff with my parents,” she told him as Sa’Cari told her okay and waited for her to share.
Ashlyn told him she just felt like they didn’t trust her judgment or treat her like an adult.
“I mean, I’m eighteen now, almost nineteen,” Ashlyn told him as Sa’Cari commiserated with her.
“It’ll be okay Ashlyn,” he said sweetly, kissing her hand as she smiled.
“You are so sweet,” Ashlyn told him looking into his eyes lovingly.
She had fallen really hard for her man and he seemed to feel the same way about her.
“Sa’Cari,” she began tentatively.
“Yeah baby, what’s up,” he threw back turning onto another surface street.
“Did your mom like me, I mean honestly,” she asked as he gave her a quizzical look.
“Yeah girl, why would you ask that,” Sa’Cari threw back watching her closely.
“I just wanted to be sure, nothing big,” she replied as he pulled the car over into the shopping plaza they were passing, parking in front of the Coldstone Creamery and giving her his full attention.
“Ashlyn, baby, what’s eating you,” Sa’Cari asked as her eyes welled.
“I don’t want to lose you,” she said quietly as he looked at her quizzically again.
“Why would you even be thinking craziness like that,” Sa’Cari questioned, lifting her head and making her look into his eyes.
“Did your parents say something,” he questioned his eyes narrowing.
Ashlyn swallowed hard before she spoke.
“My sister,” she corrected.
“Tae,” Sa’Cari questioned momentarily forgetting her other sister.
“No, she’s the only one who doesn’t dump on me,” Ashlyn corrected. “My oldest sister Prissy,” she told him.
“What did she say Ashlyn,” he questioned trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
It pissed him off to see Ashlyn hurting, especially over something he was pretty sure was stupid.
“She said that I was just a college fling for you and once you graduated or found someone else, I’d be a distant memory, so I shouldn’t get all wrapped up into you,” Ashlyn haltingly managed to tell him.
Sa’Cari was furious but he couldn’t blow a fuse. He had to handle this delicately, thinking her sister had actu
ally given him the opening he needed.
“Ashlyn, you know better than that,” Sa’Cari tried sweetly, still looking into her eyes. “Girl, I am straight crazy about you,” he added as the tear rolled down her cheek.
“I mean, Sa’Cari, I know that --,” she started and faltered.
“Ashlyn Rajiya Russell I need you to stop trippin’ on me,” Sa’Cari told her using her full name as his tone became a bit sterner.
“I love you, there is that how plain you need me to say it,” Sa’Cari questioned as Ashlyn smiled slightly.
“I absolutely love you, with my whole heart,” he told her gently now, kissing her lips. “I love you so much Ashlyn, that I want to make you my wife,” Sa’Cari told her as her eyes grew big.
“So, will you marry me,” he asked again as Ashlyn continued to watch him, eyes big, mouth open.
“Baby, you kinda have to answer the question for me to know,” Sa’Cari teased as she finally blinked and closed her mouth, leaning over and hugging him tightly.
“Is that a yes,” he teased as she began saying yes again and again.
Still holding her, Sa’Cari began kissing her deeply. When they parted he began speaking again.
“We’re going to the jewelers after our appointments so I can get your ring,” he told her as Ashlyn nodded, not trusting her voice.
Sa’Cari asked if all her fears were settled now and she excitedly told him yes as he started the car and they once again headed for their respective hair appointments.
*****
Kaitlyn chuckled at the return text from Tariq shaking her head as she went into the bathroom wanting to brush her teeth. She was going out and enjoy the city for a little while, do some shopping, see some sights. Ian hadn’t checked in this morning which was a bit odd, but she didn’t worry about it. He was more than likely extremely busy with the business he’d gone to the Bayou to handle. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she asked herself what she was doing. You have to break it off with him this weekend, stay strong and do this, her mind told her as Kaitlyn sighed softly. That was so much easier said than done. First of all she loved him, so that was a huge chasm all its own. Then there was the fact that Tariq was more stubborn than a mule and he wouldn’t take no for an answer or let her walk away without one huge fight on his part. Still Kaitlyn knew she owed it to the man to cut the ties and let him live his life. You tried that remember, her mind brought back. He’d gotten involved with Cyiarra and had a child. Yeah then came looking for you, her mind again pestered. Kaitlyn heard the suite door open and smiled. Turning, she walked out of the bathroom into the sitting room sure Tariq was there waiting.