Zeke straightened up at that comment. Marion smirked and said, “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”
“Look.” Scott continued to pitch his spiel. “Sixty-forty sounds like a lot but you’ll still be making almost double what you and Forever was pullin’ in. You’ll have more clientele than you can handle. Nigga, you gettin’ ready to get paid up in this bitch. But I need to know because we gotta move fast before Forever makes his move. We ain’t the only muhfuckas in uniform up in here tryna eat, we just smarter and a little higher up on the food chain.”
“It’s a win-win situation, man.” Marion tried to appease Zeke.
“Let me make a phone call first,” Zeke requested. “But I need to know how much can y’all move?”
“I told you, double what you and Forever was doing. I’m serious, man. I gotta get on my grind. My girl left me a copy of the latest issue of Robb Report on my dresser. The shit they got up in there is sickening. Nothing that can be indulged in on a lieutenant’s salary. That’s fo’sho’. Just say you in and you know I got you, dude,” Scott said.
“I need to make that call now and y’all niggas need to step the fuck out,” Zeke ordered.
Scott sighed and looked over at Marion.
“Let him use that wall jack,” Marion suggested. “That would be better.”
“Hell naw, I want to use this desk phone right here. The same one y’all make your personal calls on.”
“So we got a deal?” Scott asked, with Marion hanging on to their every word.
“Let me make this call and I’ll let you know.”
“I can give you five minutes.” Scott and Marion stood up at the same time. Scott handed Zeke the phone, then he followed Marion out the door.
Shan stood in line, waiting patiently for her turn to go through the metal detector. She was here at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Milan, Michigan. This was the first day of orientation and she counted a total of eleven new jacks, including herself. She still had butterflies in her stomach and knew it was because she was far away from home, living with Briggen of all people and getting ready to start a new job at yet another prison. She had been up to her shoulders in shit at the last prison but was determined to do it right this go-round. And definitely no more Forevers. He was the biggest mistake of all.
It was finally her turn to go through the metal detector.
“Good morning, can I help you?” the brother asked flirtatiously, licking his lips while looking her in the eyes and flashing a million-dollar smile.
Oh God. Temptation everywhere I go. Maybe I need to work at an elementary school instead of a prison. Niggas galore. “I’m here for orientation.”
“Well, I’m Officer Hooks.” He was looking at her as if she were a biscuit and he was ready to sop her up.
She couldn’t deny it. He was a cutie at around six feet two, two hundred thirty pounds, rich caramel complexion with a low fade. And a wonderful body.
“You don’t strike me as the officer type,” he mused.
“Actually, I’m in education. I’ll be teaching the computer classes.”
He grinned. “Okay, but you still don’t strike me as the prison type.”
Damn, what a smile that dude has. It reminded her of the last time she was going through a F.E.D.S. magazine and she read that article on Alpo, the snitch. Hooks was giving Alpo a run for his money with that smile.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Shan. Shan McKee.”
“Is that Miss or Mrs.?” He was looking for a ring.
“It’s Ms. McKee.”
“Well, Ms. McKee, I’m Rob Hooks and if you ever need anything, anything at all, just holla. This quarter I’m on first shift. Aiight?”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Good, we need a beautiful sista like you around here. You might be able to tame some of these wild-ass men in here. You know they always act calm and smooth around a pretty sista such as yourself.”
“Oh, you’re really piling it on, aren’t you? Anyways, what’s the first day of orientation like here? What can I expect?” she asked to change the subject.
He flashed that beautiful smile again. “A pretty lady that’s not afraid to change the direction of a conversation. I like that. You want to keep it business, right? I got you. All of y’all are going to get a physical and the rest depends on who’s scheduled to lead the orientation for the day. Let me warn you now. They’re not consistent around here. So just go with the flow.”
“I see, and thanks for your welcoming speech.” Shan grinned at him and went to catch up with the rest of the group.
“I told you, anytime.”
By 3:45 Shan was walking to her car like a zombie. After the physical examination the rest of the orientation was a total blur. When her physical examination revealed that she was pregnant she felt as if she had been slammed by a Mack truck.
“Why they tryna stick me for my paper?” Skye and his baby brother, Melky, spat along with the Notorious B.I.G. It was Saturday night and they were chillin’ in Melky’s Range Rover. It was handicapped-equipped and he was handlin’ the wheel. Skye was ridin’ shotgun, enjoying downtime with his little brother. The music went low as the car phone started ringing. Melky hit the speaker button. “Who dat?”
“It’s me, boy, whatchu up to?” the sultry voice asked. She had that country accent. Melky was lovin’ the country girls.
“Who is this?” Melky winked at Skye.
“Damn, you got that many bitches, nigga?” She smacked her lips and was very much offended.
“You know I got hoes for days,” he jokingly stated.
“Oh, so you got jokes now, huh? You sound like you in your truck. You by yo’self?”
“Look, what’s up? And I need to know who this is. And what can a nigga do you for?”
She smacked her lips again. “Nigga, you wasn’t askin’ who is this when you was eatin’ my pussy or after I had to damn near practically carry yo’ drunk ass in the house and up the stairs!” she snapped.
That piece of info jogged his memory. “Oh, my bad, Taylor, what’s up, boo?”
“You have that many bitches over that shit is just one big fucking blur, huh?”
“C’mon, Miss Lady, it’s not even like that.” He looked over at Skye, who appeared to be enjoying watching his brother, the crippled mack daddy, squirm. He recalled Melky talking about this chick Taylor and how bad she was. Just then he looked up and saw something.
“Yo, follow that Denali right there,” Skye ordered, the smirk leaving his face.
“Taylor, let me get with you later. You caught me in the middle of something.”
“Fall back a little, man.” Skye was now wishing that he were driving.
“I got this, nigga,” Melky assured him.
She heard Skye’s voice and freaked. “Oh my God! I thought you was by yo’self. Oh my God! I’m so embarrassed. You just put me out there like that?”
“Damn, all of these buttons, nigga, I thought you hung up on that bitch,” Skye said.
“Who you callin’ a bitch?” she snapped.
“Girl, I’ll holla back. That ain’t nobody but my brother.” Melky tried to smooth things over.
“What’s up, Taylor? Don’t act like that, Ma.” Skye wanted to make her feel even more embarrassed. Click. The dial tone was loud and clear.
Both of the brothers started laughing.
“Who is the mark?” Melky was getting excited. It had been a while since he had some action. Melky automatically reached under the seat and placed his burner on his lap.
“Chill out, baby bruh. It ain’t that kinda party.” The Denali pulled into an Applebee’s on Union as Melky rode into the Chili’s next door to it and turned around.
“You want me to pull into the Applebee’s?”
“Yeah.”
“Good lookin’, bruh. I thought we was going to get our party on, not do some work. This is like old times.” Melky was hyped, still not learning from the incident that put him in t
he wheelchair.
Skye pulled out a spliff and passed it to his brother. “The plan was to just kick it. But this cat is wanted by a couple of peoples and I need to have first dibs.”
“Who is he?”
“This cat named Peanut.” Melky swiftly pulled into the Applebee’s lot. He parked and shut the engine off.
“Well what the fuck is he doing? Counting his money?”
“He probably blazin’ up just like we about to do,” Skye stated.
“Nah, nigga. He got a shorty in there he all up on, where your glasses, yo?” Melky teased.
“Nigga, I don’t need glasses. I was mainly keeping an eye on the truck. Fuck the shorty. I’m after the nigga.”
“Here they go now.”
Melky sparked up the spliff as they watched Peanut get out and then go around to the passenger’s side, where he opened the door. Out stepped Nyla.
“Aww hell nah. Hell to the muthafuckin’ nah. Ain’t this some shit!” Skye was beside himself.
“Nigga, what the fuck is yo’ problem? You trippin’ real hard.” Melky took another pull on the spliff.
“Forever, man. That’s Forever’s wife. This shit is real ugly, yo.”
Melky looked at the happy couple as they disappeared into the restaurant. “Ugly? This shit is downright grimey. Same ole story. Peanut done came up off Forever’s package and now he came up off of wifey too. Umph umph umph. That’s some fucked-up shit dude. Ever gonna flip the fuck out. So what’s next? What we gonna do?”
“I gotta be one hunned. We gonna stay on the nigga until it’s just that.” Skye leaned back and got comfortable in his seat.
“Damn, what if I gotta go to the bathroom?”
“Man, you still got a dick. Piss in that bottle and just shut up and chill. As a matter of fact, smoke on this.” He handed him a freshly rolled spliff.
Peanut and Nyla were having a conversation over a seafood platter appetizer. “So has Tameerah questioned you any further about the strange man that isn’t her father coming around?”
“You know she has, every chance she gets. So far she likes you but I think that’s only because you keep buying her toys.”
Just then his celly must have vibrated because he pulled it out and looked at the caller ID. “I’ve been waiting on this call. Excuse me, I need a few minutes.”
“Go right ahead.” Nyla smiled at him.
Peanut got up and took the call. While he was talking he had his eyes on Nyla. She was obviously in deep thought as her gaze was fixed straight ahead. When he sat back down she gave him a weak grin as she twirled a straw and kept circling it around in a tall glass of iced tea.
“A penny for your thoughts, baby girl.” The concern and sincerity in his voice were unmistakable.
“I’m just thinking about us . . . me . . . Tameerah.” She looked up at him and couldn’t help but think about the cards that were on the table and the two times that they had gotten busy. Their first time was a straight fuck . . . and that’s exactly how she’d wanted it. After five long years of very little dick, hell, she needed it, and it was damned good. But the second time they took their time and it felt as if they were really making love. Shit, Nyla was now engaging in a mental battle about the entire situation. She didn’t want to put herself out there, and for what?
He reached over and slid his fingers down her cheek and ran his thumb lightly across her bottom lip. She liked it when he did that. “Talk to me, boo. I’m all ears. What’s up? Finish your train of thought. I need to hear what’s on your mind.”
“Where are we going with this, Peanut?”
He could hear the nervousness in her voice. “I think that’s up to you, Nyla. I’m sure that there is no doubt in your mind that I’m really diggin’ you. You’re the one who’s holding back.” He stroked the side of her face.
“How is it up to me? I’m walking away from a nigga that I’ve been with for the past seven years. Am I just a fuck to you or are you ready to make a commitment?” She moved his hand away from her cheek.
“The ball is in your court. I’ve been checkin’ you for a minute now. I know you’ve got a difficult decision at hand. But check it. I’m not about to be a fill-in while you wait on that nigga to come home.”
“Oh, so it’s all about some temporary pussy, huh? And since you didn’t respond to my question on commitment, I surmise that it’s out of the question. Damn.” She frowned up. “I fucked up a near-perfect relationship for this? What the fuck was I thinking?”
“Naw. It ain’t even like that. Let me hip you to some shit. I know you still love dude. And you’re right, I don’t want a commitment from you. For all I know, that nigga could come home tomorrow and you would leave me hangin’.” Nyla’s face tensed up. “Exactly. Look at your face. All distorted and shit. I’ma roll witchu, shawty. But if you want to fuck with me on the next level, ain’t no turning back. I play for keeps.”
Just as the conversation was getting heated, the waitress appeared with their meals. Peanut canceled his and decided on drinking instead. Just like a good drunk, he always told a sober story. Peanut did not hold back. He ended up telling Nyla his heart’s story, revealing details about all the bitches he went through and how they left him for dead when they thought he was on his way to the joint. But during the entire time he was in jail all he could think about was her. That won Nyla over. Before they knew it they lost track of time and were closing down the restaurant along with the employees.
Melky tapped Skye on the leg. “Here goes your man.” Melky started up the car, ready to tail them.
After Applebee’s they had followed Peanut’s Denali all the way to Nyla’s house where they parked in the cut and waited . . . and waited.
Skye glanced at his watch.
“It’s 3:27,” Melky answered for him.
They watched as Peanut and Nyla indulged in many goodbye hugs, kisses and feels. For a minute it looked as if they were gonna fuck standing right there in the doorway.
“I seen enough of this shit. C’mon, nigga,” Skye was mumbling in an attempt to will Peanut to hurry the fuck up. He didn’t want to leave and miss something. Finally Nyla closed the door and Peanut got in his truck and pulled off, with Skye wanting to follow him but it would have been too obvious to do so at four in the morning. “Another time,” he promised. “Another time.”
Melky started up his Range Rover and pulled off.
Peanut had circled around the block and ended up following them home. “Y’all niggas don’t know who the fuck I am or who y’all fuckin’ wit!” Peanut said as he watched them go inside their crib.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Briggen and Shan were lying in their king-size bed in their new home. Briggen had just retired from fucking her brains out and now the only sounds in the room were the rain and branches pounding against the windowpanes mixed with Briggen’s light snores.
Shan’s gaze was locked on the branches tapping against the window. What the fuck am I doing? she kept asking herself. Am I insane? This is the second time I did this shit. I know Peanut is going to quirk out. And what is Briggen going to do? None of them hoes he got is pregnant. Maybe he had himself un-fixed. She started giggling at the choice of her new word.
“What’s so funny?” Briggen sleepily asked while startling her at the same time.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“Naw, you busted. What’s so funny?”
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yeah,” he grunted, eyes still closed and groggy.
“I was thinking that you had a vasectomy and then got it undone.”
“A vasectomy? Where did you get that shit from?” he asked, becoming fully awake.
“Because of all them bitches you fuckin’. Why don’t you have any babies?”
Briggen’s eyes darted over to the bedroom clock and it read 2:21 a.m. He closed his eyes. “It’s three in the morning and you worrying about who I’m fucking and why they don’t have any babies? Go to sleep, Shan,” he calml
y nixed her off.
She remained lying on her stomach staring out the window. “So . . . why don’t you have any babies?” she kept prodding. “Briggen, answer me, please. I need to know.”
“Naw, baby, I’m not shooting blanks.”
“So, how come there aren’t any little Briggens running around?”
“Ain’t nobody tryna give me no little Briggens. The bitches I fucks with is only concerned with gettin’ paid. That’s how I like it and how I pick ’em. Why you trippin’ on babies? You tryna give Daddy a little Briggen?” he teased. As soon as he thought about what he had said his eyes popped wide open. He slowly slid the sheet off him, turned over and scooted close to Shan. “What? You tryna give me a little Briggen?” He brushed his lips over her shoulder. She wouldn’t say anything so this time he nibbled slightly on her back. “We can start working on it right now.” Briggen was now very much wide awake and ready to fuck. “You feel that?” He tossed one of his legs across her and began grinding against her ass.
“Briggen, stop,” Shan whined.
“I thought you was ready to give me a little Briggen.” He ran his hand down to her thigh and raised her ass up. He easily and slowly slid his dick inside her. “Yeah, you ready,” he whispered. “Look how wet you are.” He stroked her pussy long and slow. “Ahhh . . . shit this feels good. I’m glad you woke me up. You wanna carry Big Daddy’s son?” he groaned as he pumped a little faster. “Whoa, baby.” His dick grew harder as her sweltering juices caused his knees to buck. He thrust into her deeper but when he looked down at her she was crying.
“Fuck!” he grunted as he pulled out of her, and was out of breath. “Was I hurting you?” She buried her face in the pillow. “Shan, what’s the matter? Talk to me, baby,” he pleaded as she continued crying into the pillow. What the fuck is wrong with her? “Shan.” He rolled her over onto her back and she covered her face with both hands. “What I do, baby?” He pulled her hands from over her face.
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