by Nique Luarks
True continued to stare at me.
“Smoke is here, so I’m okay.” Crossing my arms, I put all my weight on my right leg.
True ran his free hand across the top of his head. “Chance...” He huffed. “We’re changing your number tomorrow. And you need to start lookin’ for a new spot. Carlee ain’t staying at the loft. Too many muthafuckas you don’t fuck wit’ know where you lay your head.”
I frowned.
“You can look like that all you want. But I ain’t putting my shorty in a position to be hurt.” And with that, he took off, shaking his head.
Great...
“You must have a goldmine in yo pussy.” Ava laughed.
Erin chuckled too. “You stupid.”
I rolled my eyes. “Really, Av?”
“What? I’m just saying.” She cackled. “These niggas doing the most for Channy Pooh.”
“Too much,” Erin added. “Haze knows damn well he shouldn’t have come up there.”
After True left, I stayed a few more hours with Carlee before deciding to call it a night. The moment I got home, I jumped in the shower and then hopped in the bed so I could be up bright and early to do it all over again. I called Ava and Erin on three-way and after filling them in about Haze, I felt a little better.
“And Morgan ain’t no better,” Ava stated. “Why the fuck would she tell Haze where you were? I mean considering what Rel’s looney ass did.”
I hadn’t called Morgan yet because I didn’t know what to say to her.
“She could’ve at least given you a head’s up.” Erin sighed. “That just seems kind of shady to me.”
I silently agreed.
“She a sneaky muthafucka. And I don’t deal wit’ them types.” Ava said before telling Rajon to go pick out pajamas. “So, don’t bring her around me.”
I put the phone on speaker and tossed it on the bed next to me.
“Now, Ava—”
“Nah, E. Fuck her. That was some snake shit and you know it, yo.”
Closing my eyes, I hugged my pillow.
“Yeah, but let Chance handle that. Ain’t no point in stirring up more drama. Let Morgan at least explain and if it don’t add up, then we can go from there.”
Ava smacked her lips. “Whatever.”
“Let me get off this phone, though. Ezias is tripping and Tone is sitting here letting him cry.”
“Lil’ nigga is spoiled,” Tone said loud enough for me to hear. “Quit holding him all the time, babying him and shit.”
“He’s a baby,” Erin snapped. “And you be the main one holding him.”
I giggled.
“I’ll get with y’all later,” She said with an attitude. “Santonio is trying me.”
“Yeah, tryna get some pussy. But this little cock blocker...”
Ava laughed. “Later, E. Later, Chance.”
“Later, y’all. See you guys tomorrow.”
After ending the call, I scrolled to the text messages between Morgan and me.
Me: We need to talk ASAP
True
“True, I need you to watch Carter.” Nisha didn’t even let me say hello.
“I’m busy. I’ll come get him tomorrow.”
“No, you need to come get him tonight. I have to work.”
Nisha was back working at the strip joint. Even though she was headache number three, she was all about her hustle. Besides her fucked up attitude, she was one of the dopest bitches I’d ever fucked with. She had a banging ass body, a crazy head game, and some fire-ass pussy, which was why her stripping made a lot of sense.
“Where y’all at?”
It was going on midnight. She should’ve said something earlier. I planned on going out to Olathe to check in on my jelly bean, and Drake wanted to bend a few corners.
“My mama’s house.”
“Why can’t she watch him? I’ll come get him in the morning.”
“Because she has to work. Can I drop him off or what?”
Shaking my head, I grabbed my keys and burner phone off the kitchen counter. “Here I come, man.”
Thirty minutes later I pulled up in front of Nisha’s parents’ house. She was already sitting outside smoking on the steps. After parking my whip, I grabbed my heat and hopped out. Leaving the engine running, I snatched my key fob out of the console and locked the doors. Nisha stood up to meet me halfway.
“My auntie Frankee was gon’ keep him, but her and my uncle decided to have a little date night at the last minute. You were the last person I could think of.”
I grilled her dumb ass.
“Why you looking at me like that, True? I know you be moving around a lot, so you were the last option. Damn.”
“Man, Nisha, go get my boy, shorty.”
She smacked her lips, but she spun around and twisted back up the stairs.
I stood in the driveway. When the front door opened, her pops came out.
“Let me have a word with you, young man.”
I shook my head no. “Some other time, OG.” It was the middle of the night and I was here to get my seed. All that other shit could wait.
He stepped completely out of the house and made his way towards me anyway.
This old nigga...
“I don’t appreciate you coming to my house at all times of the night and not even having the decency to come inside and speak.”
I looked him up and down.
“Have some respect.”
“Respect is earned, not given.”
He crossed his arms. “I’m your elder.”
“So...”
“Daddy, I’m getting ready to go.” Nisha bounced down the stairs. “I’ll probably see y’all in a couple of days.”
He faced her. “A couple of days?
“My home girl just called me and Miami is poppin’ this weekend.” She handed Carter’s car seat to me.
“Nisha, what about your son?”
“His daddy’s got him.”
I shook my head before heading back to my ride.
“Don’t you want his diaper bag?”
Ignoring her, I opened the back door and made sure my young life was situated.
“So, you mad?” Nisha approached me.
“Nah.”
“Yeah, okay.”
I took Carter’s Louie V diaper bag from her and put it on the seat.
“How’s Carlee?” she asked as I was about to shut the door.
“She’s straight.”
“I messaged Chance’s bougie ass on Facebook, but she didn’t reply. Even though we don’t fuck with each other, I don’t wish nothing bad on her or her baby.” Nisha crossed her arms as she stared up at me. “I mean our kids are related and I know she gon’ be around Carter.”
Opening the driver’s door, I licked my lips and looked down on my baby mama. “Chance been busy making sure my jelly bean is straight.”
Nisha nodded. “I figured. I know she been goin’ through it, so I just wanted to let her know she was in my prayers. We probably won’t ever be friends, but I know that’s who you gon’ have around my baby regardless.”
Nisha on her mature tip kind of made my dick hard. She flipped her hair to the side and then looked up the street. “I’m going to Miami with a friend. He’s coming to get me after my set tonight. Can you keep Carter for a few days?”
“Yeah, I got him.”
“Cool. I’ll call you when I get to Florida.” She moved closer to me.
“A’ight.”
“Can I at least have a hug goodbye?”
I looked her over slowly. Everybody always said she looked like that chick, Blac Chyna, and the bangs she was sporting only solidified it. “You acting like I ain’t gon’ see you no time soon.”
Nisha shrugged. “Life is unpredictable. Right?”
“Most definitely.”
She stretched her arms out for a hug. Pulling her close to me, I squeezed her soft body and then released her.
“See you later, True,” Nisha said lowly before walki
ng towards her whip.
“Later, shorty.” I hopped in my ride and peeled off.
5
Your enemy won’t do you no harm
Chance
Four days. That’s how long it took for Morgan to reach out to me. After a short conversation on the phone, we agreed to meet up at a restaurant not too far away from the hospital. I was running a little late since Carlee was having a rough day. So, when I approached our booth and noticed Drew sitting next her, I frowned.
They looked up at me, waved, and then looked back down at their menus.
“Hey,” I spoke to Morgan directly.
After removing my jean jacket, I placed it and my purse in the seat before sitting down. Drew clicked her nails on the table as Morgan hummed to herself.
“Did you guys already order?” I grabbed a free menu.
“Nope.” Morgan sighed. “We’ve been waiting on you for like twenty minutes.”
I looked up at her. “Carlee isn’t feeling good.”
“Aw.” She rolled her eyes.
“You guys ready to order?” the waitress asked.
“Can I just have a glass of water please?” I was hungry, but I wasn’t feeling Morgan or Drew’s energy. I was definitely calling my dad when I got back to the hospital. He’d bring me something to eat and keep me company for a while.
“And for you ladies?” She turned to them. After they ran their request down, she spun around, leaving the table.
“So, what’s up? You wanted to talk to me?” Morgan picked up a margarita glass I hadn’t noticed at first.
“Um, yeah. Haze came up to the hospital.”
Drew sighed heavily, making me stare at her.
“Yeah, I saw him at Target and he asked about you,” Morgan stated before sipping coolly from her straw.
I nodded. “And you told him I had Carlee and where to come?”
She picked her phone up. “Yep.”
My eyebrows furrowed. “Why? You know what he did. And you know how paranoid I’ve been lately. I would’ve appreciated you reaching out to me, Morg.”
Drew kissed her teeth. “You knew one of Ava’s friends was smashing Sy and you didn’t say nothing.”
What?
I glanced towards Morgan who was already glaring at me.
“What is she talking about?” I felt no need to address Drew when Morgan was obviously the one with the problem.
Morgan crossed her fingers and then placed her hands on the table. “Who is Ryan?”
“Ava’s home girl that lives in New York.” I could feel my body overheating.
Was Morgan seriously questioning me about some bullshit that had nothing to do with me? I remember Ava briefly bringing up one of her home girls messing with Silas a while back, but I didn’t ask the details. Could I have told Morgan? Yes. Would it have changed anything? No.
“So, you partied with a bitch knowing she fucked my husband.”
“Scandalous.” Drew co-signed.
“Drew, do you mind giving us a minute?” I kept my eyes on Morgan.
“For what?” she snapped. “Whatever you need to say to me, you can say it in front of my sister. She’s the only real one in my corner anyways.”
“Are you serious right now?” I couldn’t believe Morgan was acting like this.
“I’m so serious. That chick, Ryan, was in Arizona when you went with Erin and Ava. Silas told me.”
“You know why I went to Arizona.”
Last year on Thanksgiving Day, Deidra, one of Tone’s cousins and True’s friend was murdered. The boys had a business meeting there before they were scheduled to hop on a flight to Tivoli. Av, E, and I surprised them, thinking we’d never get the opportunity to see them again once they left the States. When plans changed, Tone flew out a few of his people to celebrate Deidra’s life. Ryan had come from New York with her man.
Drew slammed her hands down loudly on the table. “Fuck all that. How could you be buddy-buddy with a bitch that fucked your best friend’s husband?!”
“Because I didn’t put two and two together!”
“You a whole phony!” Drew yelled back before tossing her drink in my face.
My first reaction was to get to her. So, when I reached across the table and snatched her by her hair it was like second nature. I began pulling her across the table the same time Morgan hopped up from her seat. With my free hand I punched Drew in her face and before I could block her hit, Morgan punched me in my mine. I let go of Drew and then Morgan and I passed licks back and forth.
Turning in my seat, I kicked her hard in the stomach and sent her flying backwards. I jumped out of the booth the same time Drew did. Morgan hopped back up and next thing I knew it was two against one. No matter how much I swung and clawed, I was no match for them. Someone yanked a handful of my hair and then I felt a fist smash into my eye.
“Hey! Hey! Break it up!” My body was pulled away roughly. “Break it up or I’m calling the cops!”
“Bitch I’ma beat yo ass every time I see you! Watch!” Drew screamed. “And I’ma keep fuckin’ on your baby daddy!”
Tears streamed down my face as I attempted to catch my breath.
“Fuck you, Chance,” Morgan cried. “You ain’t no friend of mine.”
I rushed in her direction only to be picked up and carried away.
“Miss, you have to calm down. Someone has already called the police,” a man whispered in my ear. “If they get here and see you acting wildly they won’t hesitate to take you to jail.”
Snatching away from him, I cried angry tears. I made my way back to the now messy booth and grabbed my phone, purse and jacket. Storming towards the exit, I pulled my hair out of the ponytail holder. I pushed the door open and stepped outside into the chilly air. As I made my way to my car, I could’ve sworn I felt my heart crack right down the middle.
Morgan jumped me.
I hopped in my whip, shut the door, and cried my eyes out. I was fed up, tired of hurting, and sick of being mistreated.
After checking on Carlee and calling True to ask him to come sit with her for a while, I hurried home. There I changed into a pair of sweats, a black T-shirt, and a pair of Vapor Max Plus. I wrapped my hair in a scarf and then left right back out. I’d called Ava and Erin the moment I got home and told them what had happened, which was why when I pulled up in front of Ava’s house, they were already waiting for me.
I popped the locks and Erin hopped in the front. She looked me over slowly and the more she took in my appearance, the darker her eyes got. E didn’t mouth a word, though. She simply pulled her hair up into a ponytail and leaned back into her seat. Ava jumped in the back and leaned forward into the front.
“Aw fuck nah!” she bellowed.
I drove off.
“I knew that bitch was a sheisty muthafucka when I first met her,” Ava fumed, falling back.
Erin remained silent.
I didn’t know exactly where Morgan and Drew were, but I had a pretty good idea since it wasn’t that late in the day. Twenty minutes later, we were in the parking lot of Morgan’s shop. When I pointed out her Tesla, Ava hopped out before I could even put the gear in park. Erin was right behind her and I followed suit, not even bothering to cut my Jeep off. My adrenaline was on one thousand as we hurried around the building.
When Erin pushed the door to the shop open, all the chattering stopped. Drew jumped up from her seat and bolted to the back, calling for Morgan.
“Ah, shit,” someone murmured. “Shit just got real.”
Morgan came from the back wrapping her hair into a quick bun. “Wassup?”
“Whoop that bitch’s ass, Chance,” Erin stated in a scary calmness.
Morgan chuckled. “Girl, please.” She marched towards me and when she got within an arm’s reach, I swung.
My fist connected with her jaw and from there, it was on. Everything seemed to be moving in a blur as we rumbled through her shop. When I slipped and fell, I just knew she was going to get the best of me, but Erin wasn�
�t having it. She yanked Morgan back and began working her over something serious. Drew jumped in and Ava had Erin’s follow up.
Morgan’s shop went into an uproar as we brawled. I didn’t care that it was now two against three because they didn’t give a fuck when it was just me by myself. I punched, kicked, pulled, and clawed like my life depended on it. I was done being a pushover and being used and abused. I was done being the weak link. I was done being a doormat.
I must’ve blacked out because someone wrapped their arms around my body and squeezed me tightly. I tried snatching away, but their hold on me was super tight.
“Chance!” I recognized Erin’s voice. “It’s me.”
My chest heaved up and down as I tried to collect myself. I glowered down at Morgan who was wiping blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Bitch, I was the only real friend you had!” I lost it and tried charging at her again.
“Nah, E, let her go,” Ava spoke up.
Erin ignored her. “Chance, she got hers. If the bitch wants more smoke, she knows where to find you.” She pulled me towards the exit.
“And True thinks you better than us.” Quindelle stood by the door with a smug look plastered on her face.
Whap!
I slapped her so hard that spit flew from her mouth as she did a quick one-eighty.
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about, yo!” Ava boasted proudly. “Drinks on me!”
True
After hanging up on Quin, I headed for my bar. She’d just finished hollering and tripping about Chance smacking her after fighting Morgan at her shop. I found that hard to believe. I’d just spoken to Chance. She didn’t sound like she was on no fuck type of shit.
Plus, I figured Smoke would’ve contacted me if shit seemed out of the norm.
She’d asked me to go sit with Carlee and I was on my way there, but I remembered I needed to handle some quick business at the bar. I figured since I was going to spend the rest of my day at the hospital, I might as well do it there. When I parked my car, I noticed Chance’s Jeep almost immediately. Frowning, I hopped out the whip. I knew damn well she hadn’t asked me to go watch over my seed so she could get drunk.