“Look, I can’t get mad at you for defending yourself but you’re too pretty to be out in these streets fighting. I would be doing a life sentence in prison happily if someone was to be grimy and hurt you and I mean that,” Deonte said.
“I know. I’m good, I promise.” Synai smiled.
“You better be,” Deonte said as he ruffled up her hair. As crazy as it sounded, he was happy that his mom had disappeared after she gave birth to Synai. He would rather her be with him and well taken care of than to be living with a junkie and there would be no telling what would have happened to her.
5
Kaison was irritated and annoyed. Mesha had been blowing up his phone and calling him nonstop, hollering she was pregnant. He wasn’t falling for her shit though because he hadn’t fucked Mesha in months so if she was pregnant, he knew it wasn’t his. He was trying his hardest not to beat her ass but it was like she got a thrill out of testing him.
He needed to clear his mind and he knew exactly who he wanted to see. He knew since Kaiah was on crutches that his pops was running things at the mansion, so he headed that way. He pulled up to the mansion and pulled out his phone. “Come outside,” he said into the phone before hanging up.
He laid his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. The passenger door opened, “What’s wrong?” Angel asked. “You alright? Kaiah okay?”
“She straight, I’m just stressed out,” he said with his eyes still closed.
“Why?”
He took a deep breath before answering her. “Mesha keep blowing up my damn phone claiming she pregnant and shit.”
Angel just sat there stuck. She didn’t know how to take this news. Ever since her party, she and Kaison had sort of become a couple even though they never really put a label on it. She knew she should have never gotten her hopes up because she knew they would never work in the first place. He had a girl and she was basically considered a hoe.
“Don’t do that, Angel,” Kaison said.
“What?” she whispered without looking at him.
He reached over the middle console of his truck and pulled her onto his lap. He took her face gently in his hand and made her look at him. “Don’t start second-guessing this, second-guessing us.”
“I can’t help it,” she shrugged. “I mean, like seriously, do you really think this shit will work? I don’t want you to feel like you have to be with me because you feel sorry for me. I know I get paid to sleep with men. It’s not right, but it’s basically what I had to do to survive. I told you I would leave it alone just for you, but I don’t want you to ever feel like you can’t trust me.”
“Why do you always do that, Angel?” Kaison asked. “Matter of fact, don’t answer that. Sit over there and put ya seatbelt on,” he said as he started the car up.
Angel didn’t protest, she just did as she was told. Ten minutes later, they were pulling up to Deonte and Kaiah’s house. Kaison knew if there was anyone that could get through to Angel, it was his sister. They got out and walked to the front door and he knocked. Usually he would have a key and just walk right in, but he put an end to that when Kaiah got married and moved in with Deonte. He respected their space and their relationship too much just to be walking in on them.
“Hey Kaison and Angel,” Synai said as she opened the door, hugging them both.
“What’s up, lil bit?” Kaison asked. They walked in to the house to find Kaiah and Deonte sitting on the couch hugged up like they were the couple of the year. And Kasey was chilling, looking like the OG he was. Kaison was happy that his sister and his boy decided to work things out and stay together. He really believed that Deonte was good for his sister. “No wonder yo ass ain’t been answering the phone. Got that ass on lockdown.”
“She made me turn my phone off. Happy wife means a happy life nigga.” Deonte smiled.
“That’s right,” Kasey agreed.
“What’s up Angel?” Kaiah spoke. “How my daddy over there treating y’all?”
“I swear y’all act just alike. He had to put Casha in her place a couple of times but other than that, everything’s been cool,” answered Angel.
“So what brings you two by?” Deonte asked.
“Kay Kay, I need you to talk to ya girl over here. She tripping,” Kaison said.
“You two,” Kaiah pointed at Deonte and Kaison. “Get out.”
“Ain’t that some shit, I’m getting kicked out my own living room after she threatened me to watch this shit with her.” Deonte shook his head.
Kaiah looked over at her Uncle and he gave her a look letting her know he wasn’t taking his ass anywhere. Kaiah chuckled and patted the seat next to her and Angel sat down. “So what’s up? Talk to me.”
“I’m scared Kaiah, like it’s something in my gut that’s telling me to leave Kaison alone and that we’re not going to work. Then on top of that, he just told me that his ex is hollering pregnant. I just don’t want him to be looked down on or talked about for trying to turn a hoe into a housewife,” Angel answered honestly.
“Do you wanna be with him?” Kaiah asked.
“Yes, you know that.”
“Do you love him?”
“Duh, Kaiah.”
Kaiah lightly hit Angel. “Then what the hell are you worrying for? As long as you love him and he loves you, then that’s all that matters. Kaison has always been a damn rebel and did things no one else would do and wouldn’t give a fuck what nobody has to say and this is no different. Who gives a fuck what anyone has to say? Just do y’all and say fuck the world,” Kaiah said.
Kasey nodded his head in agreement to everything his niece was saying. He was the type of nigga that was quick to say ‘fuck the world’ and do his own thing.
Kaison and Deonte were eavesdropping on the conversation and they smiled to each other. Kaison knew his sister would come through for him. She was telling Angel what he had been trying to tell her for the longest.
Angel sighed. “You’re right Kaiah, I just don’t want him to ever think that he can’t trust me because of my track record.”
“Angel, you didn’t chose that life. You did what you had to do to survive. We all know that. You’re one of the most loyal females I know. If he couldn’t trust you, he wouldn’t want to be with you. Quit doubting shit and just be happy.” Kaiah smiled. “Ain’t that right Kaison? With ya ear hustling ass!”
Kaison and Deonte walked back into the living room looking busted. “I wasn’t even listening to y’all,” Kaison lied with a smirk.
“Yea alright, tell that to somebody who don’t know you,” Kaiah laughed.
* * *
Carlos and Kaily pulled up to the airport in search of his cousin. His cousin Sherae had called him late last night telling him that she had to get away from her boyfriend because he was starting to get abusive and he was either going to kill her or she was going to kill him. Carlos bought a plane ticket to get from Cali to Florida.
“What she look like Carlos?” Kaily asked.
“Shit, I’ll just get out and look for her. You stay right here,” Carlos said as he got out the truck. Kaily sat back in her seat and texted Kaiah to see how things were going. Shauntez was supposed to be getting released from the hospital today and Kaiah insisted on cooking him a big welcome home dinner. Kaily didn’t know how she would do that while on crutches but knowing her, she would make it work.
Carlos walked through the doors of the airport and ran right into his cousin. “Hey big head,” she said, hugging him tightly. “I was just about to call you.”
“I figured. That’s why I got out to come get you.”
Carlos and Sherae used to be like brother and sister until she turned seventeen and his aunt and uncle got a divorce. His aunt moved to Cali and took Sherae with her. They would talk every once in a while and Carlos made it very clear to her that he would be there for her whenever she needed him which is why she called him.
“Come on, I want you to meet somebody,” he said as he took her bags from her. He knew how Kaily
could be when it came to meeting new people, particularly females. She could be a little hard sometimes; she could take one look at you and decide if she like you or not instantly. He just hoped that she played it cool today.
When they reached the truck, Kaily took one look at Sherae and instantaneously got a funny vibe from her. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it but she knew it would hit her eventually. For now she decided to play cool.
“Butterfly, this is Sherae, Sherae this is my baby, Kaily,” Carlos introduced the two.
“Hello,” Sherae spoke.
“Hi,” Kaily said with a forced smile. “Baby we gotta stop by Kay Kay’s. She cooking a big dinner and said we better have our asses there,” she said, turning her attention to Carlos.
Carlos was about to protest but he thought against it. He dialed Deonte’s number as he pulled out of the parking space but his phone went straight to voicemail. Oh shit.
* * *
Kaiah was sitting on one of the high barstools in front of the stove cooking with Synai helping her. she was excited that her little brother was coming him so she cooked a big meal for him to welcome him home since he bragged about how much he loved her cooking.
She heard the front door close and she immediately caught butterflies in her stomach. No matter how long she and Deonte had been together, she always got them whenever he came around her. Shauntez walked into the kitchen with Deonte following behind him.
“I know for a fact my big sis loves me. She got her crippled ass in the kitchen cooking for a nigga.” Shauntez laughed.
“Only for my little brother,” she said as he walked over to her and hugged her. She kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly. “I missed you, knucklehead.”
“Hold the hell up, don’t be giving my damn kisses away. What type of shit is that?” Deonte joked.
“Awww, you jealous baby? Come here.” Kaiah smirked.
“That’s my cue to leave, y’all are too nasty for me,” Synai said as she walked out of the kitchen.
“I’m with you on that one,” Shauntez said as he followed her out.
“Haters!” Deonte yelled as he walked over to Kaiah and bent down to kiss her. She pecked him lightly and tried to move away but he pulled her in close and stuck his tongue in her mouth. They went at it up until they heard Carlos’ voice.
“Cut that shit out, we got company.”
Deonte wiped Kaiah’s mouth before he turned to Carlos and his eyes damn near bucked out of his head when he noticed Sherae standing there. Kaiah and Kaily both noticed the look but chose not to speak on it. He sent Carlos a look letting him know that they needed to speak later on; in private.
“Yo ass acting like this nigga ain’t ate in years.” Carlos laughed as he walked over to see what Kaiah cooked. He reached in one pot and Kaiah slapped his hand away.
“Move punk,” Kaiah said. “Are you going to introduce me to your guest?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Kaiah this is my cousin Sherae, Sherae this is Kaiah,” Carlos introduced quickly and nervously. Shauntez walked back into the kitchen and looked between Kaiah and Sherae.
“Hey Tez, long time no see,” Sherae spoke. Shauntez just hit her with a head nod and walked over to Kaiah. “Let me holla at you real quick, in another room,” he whispered in her ear before handing her the crutches. She nodded her head and climbed down off the stool and followed him to the guest room.
“What’s wrong?” Kaiah asked.
“A lot, but I want you to watch her ass and I want you to watch her real good. I really want to elaborate but as far as Imma go is you definitely need to watch her around my brother,” he said before walking out of the room. Kaiah didn’t need to hear anything else. She knew if she wanted any more information, she would get it from Deonte and she knew just how to get it out of him.
As she was leaving the room, Kasey was walking out of his room. He looked at his niece and winked.
“Why you stay in that room all day, Sneaky?” Kaiah laughed as she called him by his nickname.
“Because I be doing some sneaky shit.” He smiled as they walked back to the kitchen.
Everyone got quiet when Kaiah walked back into the room. Kaily was on the other side of the kitchen looking annoyed. “What’s wrong with you, Butterfly?”
“I’m good, you need to go sit down. Let me take over,” Kaily said.
“She ain’t sat still since she been home, I be trynna tell her but she hardheaded,” Deonte said.
“Yall know me better than that. Ain’t no crutches and little concussion gon slow me down,” Kaiah said.
“Yea, she was out there trying to fight, talking about she would knock somebody out with her crutch. I swear I would have paid to see that.” Synai laughed as she walked into the kitchen.
“Oh, that ain’t nothing. I remember this one time when we were in high school and these boys were trying to fight Kaison,” Kaily started her story but Kaiah cut it off.
“This story is not necessary to tell right now, Kaily.”
“Like hell.” Kaily rolled her eyes. “So Kaiah had always been short her whole life. So it was two boys trying to jump Kaison. Kaiah gon walk her little self outside and step toe to toe with one of the boys talking about, ‘If you touch my brother, I’ll fuck you up.’ This boy had to be like 5’8 and Kaiah was barely 5’0 at the time. Before anyone knew what was happening, Kaiah punched the dude in his throat.” Everyone in the kitchen started cracking up.
“You damn right, that’s my twin so you know if he swinging, I’m swinging right along with him. Between me, Kaison and Kaily, daddy stayed up at the school. It was all his fault though. He the one who said if you don’t whoop they ass, Imma whoop you,” Kaiah defended herself. “But Kaison and Kaily were always dragging me into their fights.”
“Kaison did what now?” Kaison asked as he walked into the kitchen with Angel.
“Speak of the devil.” Kaiah smiled as she hugged Angel.
“We’re just reminiscing on how much trouble you and Kaiah used to get into,” Kaily said.
“It was y’all fault. Y’all used to act like y’all could never fight girls. Why, I don’t know. You always had to fight boys and you know I wasn’t about to let a nigga put they hands on my girls,” Kaison said as he ruffled Kaily’s hair. “But enough about that, where’s the food?”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Deonte agreed. He was trying to hurry up and get away from Kaiah and Sherae. He was feeling really uncomfortable. “As a matter of fact, Carlos and Kaison come holla at me,” he said as he walked out on the patio in the backyard.
When the men left, the kitchen got quiet and all eyes were on Sherae. Angel looked from Kaily to Kaiah to see if they would introduce her but neither did.
“Kay Kay, I’m about to go holla at ya daddy, but I’ll be back later,” Kasey said.
“Alright, I’ll fix you a plate,” Kaiah said.
“Thanks baby and be good,” he said, giving her a knowing look.
“Always.” Kaiah winked.
When the men reached the patio, Deonte slapped Carlos upside his head. “Here? You brought her here?” he asked.
“Look man, when I picked her up, Kaily told me to head straight here. I didn’t know how to get rid of her without raising any suspicions.” Carlos shrugged.
“Who is she?” Kaison asked.
“Please don’t ask,” Deonte whispered.
“Oh, Sherae? That would be my cousin and this nigga over here first love.” Carlos laughed.
“Oh hell naw, I don’t wanna hear anymore. Kay Kay already gon kill me when she find out I knew about Naomi, I don’t wanna be a part of this one,” Kaison said as he walked back towards the door but Deonte pulled him back.
“Chill out, ain’t nothing about to go down. That shit was when I was sixteen or seventeen years old. This is my first time seeing her since then,” Deonte explained.
“Kaiah gon kill her…and you!” Kaison shook his head. “Ya’ll just got back together and now th
is shit?”
“See, now you’re reading too far into it. I haven’t seen that girl in years!” Deonte exclaimed.
“So my question is, who’s going to break the news to Kaiah about who Sherae really is?” Carlos asked as his and Deonte’s eyes traveled to Kaison.
“What the fu...aw hell naw! I’m not doing it. You better put ya big nigga boxers on and tell her yourself.” Kaison shook his head. “I will not be getting in this one.”
“Getting in what?” Kaily asked from the patio door, scaring them.
“Nothing, nothing at all,” Kaison said.
Kaily looked at all three of them and could tell that they were hiding something but she wasn’t going to press it; yet. “Yea, alright, but Kaiah said come eat.”
During dinner, Deonte kept his head down and kept the conversation between himself and everybody to a minimum. He was feeling very awkward for some reason. He didn’t like the fact that his first love and current lover were in the same room. He felt Kaiah staring in hole in him but he chose to ignore it. Every time Sherae tried to make conversation with Kaiah, she would shut it down quickly.
6
Kaily sat in the cafeteria of the hospital nervously. She had called Stacy out of the blue and said she needed to meet with her immediately. She had some questions that she needed answers to and she knew Stacy was the only one who could answer them for her.
“Sorry I’m late, I had to find one of my patients’ meds,” Stacy said as she sat at the table with Kaily.
“You’re fine. I shouldn’t have called on such short notice.”
“I told you I would be ready whenever you wanted to talk,” Stacy said.
“I know, I just had some questions that were really bothering me. I know you said you were basically forced to give me over but my question is, what were you on the run for anyways?” Kaily asked.
Stacy took a deep breath before she answered, she knew that eventually she would have to speak on the matter and she didn’t want to keep anything else from Kaily if she planned on building a relationship with her. “I killed my stepfather. He was abusive and would beat me and my mother whenever he felt like it. I was tired of taking the abuse and tired of my mom not leaving him. If not for herself, at least for me and my safety,” Stacy explained.
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