The Gangsta That Stole My Heart 3

by Nique Luarks

  I laughed. “Thank you.”

  “Tight ass pants on.” True slapped my butt hard, and then gave it a nice firm squeeze. “Fast ass.”

  Closing my eyes, I listened to his heartbeat. When it slowed, I sniffed in his cologne and then hugged him tighter. I hummed lowly as I scrolled down my Twitter timeline. Fifteen minutes later True’s light snores filled the air. I waited a few more minutes before I snuck out of bed to change out of my clothes and into something more comfortable.

  Knock...knock...knock

  I hit the landing the same time the pounding on the door started. Stopping in my tracks, I looked down at my wrist for the time on my Apple Watch. It was going on two in the morning. I glanced up the steps before heading for the entryway. Standing on my tippy toes, I looked through the peephole.

  Huh?

  Unlocking the door, I pulled it open and chuckled. “What are y’all doing here?” I unhooked the latch on the glass door.

  Erin stepped in first, carrying a brown sack. Skyy followed with a white take out bag, and Ava trailed behind, stumbling slightly.

  “We left the club early and decided to see if you were sleep or not.” E led the way down the foyer as I locked back up.

  Skyy shook the to-go bag. “We brought food.”

  Once we got to the kitchen I put the soup bowl True had just emptied in the sink. “And does Tone, Roman...” my eyes bounced to Skyy. “And Que know you guys are running the streets in the middle of the night.”

  Skyy sucked her teeth. “Where are the plates?”

  I pointed her in the right direction.

  “Shit they’re running the streets too.” Ava slurred before going into the cabinet and coming back out with a bag of chips.

  I giggled. “Anything they can do, y’all can do better, huh?”

  E winked at me playfully. “You better know it.” She then removed a bottle of Champagne from the sack she’d brought in.

  “This bitch.” Skyy laughed. “You really took that bottle out of V.I.P? I can’t wit’ you.”

  Ava leaned against the counter sluggishly. “She told you she was when she sent the bottle girl to get that damn paper sack.”

  Skyy’s laughter got louder. “Man, I thought her ass was playing. I wasn’t really paying attention. That bottle girl knew damn well she wasn’t supposed to let Erin walk out with that expensive ass bottle.”

  “You know E a bully.” Ava grinned.

  “True,” Skyy nodded fixing four different plates of basa strips, cheesy corn, and broccoli. “She can give a bitch one look, and they back down.”

  Erin frowned. “What? I asked nicely, and she said it wasn’t a problem.”

  “Yeah.” Ava side eyed her. “And then you flat out told her if she couldn’t bring you nothing to carry it out with you were taking it anyways.”

  This time it was my turn to laugh. “Really, E?”

  She looked dumbfounded. “We paid for that section. So, when I was ready to go, so was the alcohol we bought.”

  “Girl, yo ass is too rich to be that cheap.” Skyy pushed a plate in front of her.

  “No, my husband is rich.” Erin corrected her.

  “Y’all a unit.” Ava pushed away from the counter. “And your name is on more shit than his is.” She took a bite of her fish. “Trust me, I finalize all his paperwork.”

  “Goals.” Skyy placed a fork on each plate.

  “Right.” I nodded in agreement going to the cabinet for Champagne glasses.

  “E’s great grandkids is paid. She better quit acting coy and ball ‘til she falls.” Skyy removed napkins from the bag. “She gone be that mean ass matriarch that everybody fears.”

  Ava chuckled. “I swear to God.”

  “I’m not cheap.” Erin rolled her eyes. “I just don’t see the point in buying a thirty-five hundred dollar bottle and leaving it.” She scooped up a bite of cheesy corn. “Especially when I prefer D’usse.”

  I stood next to Erin and began pouring up four glasses.

  “Where True at?” Ava stuffed her face. “Still fake sick?”

  “He’s sleep, and he’s not fake sick.”

  “So...” She grinned playfully. “Is it true? Ro said y’all was official.”

  Erin scoffed playfully. “How the boys find out before us?”

  “’Cause True’s ass is sprung.” Ava smirked.

  Skyy held her glass to her lips, smiling. “Chance let me find out you doin’ it like that.”

  My cheeks got hot.

  “Blushing and shit. Awww...” Skyy cooed.

  “I’m happy you guys finally made that move.” E nudged me. “It was overdue.”

  Taking a free seat at the island, I took a sip of Champagne. “I’m still in shock a little.” I told them honestly.

  What if True and I made the wrong choice? What if he cheated? And it wasn’t like we were only boyfriend and girlfriend; we shared a baby. Two of his kids were my god babies. Plus, I love his family as if they were my very own.

  If it didn’t work out my whole world would be turned upside down. My shoulders dropped a little. I’d unintentionally given True Kendric Jones too much power over my life.

  Damn...

  “You’re perfect for one another. Don’t sweat the small shit.” Erin must’ve read my mind.

  Ava agreed. “And trust me. Ain’t shit like being best friends with your lover.” She smiled.

  “Yo ass sprung too.” Skyy grinned.

  Ava waved her off.

  “You’re next.” Erin concluded. “Watch.”

  “No, I’m not. I’m on my Trina tip.”

  I giggled.

  “Well, I’m a Hotgirl.” Ava bounced her butt in her seat making us all shake our heads. “He know he givin’ his money to Ava! He know it’s very expensive to date me!”

  I glanced at the door. “Hey, Ro.”

  Ava eyes bulged before she spent around quickly.

  We all burst out laughing at her fake toughness when it came to Roman. He let her get away with a lot because at the end of the day, we all knew who ran their relationship.

  “Fuck y’all, yo.” Ava turned back around in her seat when she realized I was just messing with her. “You hoes get on my nerves.” She pouted.

  “It’s still early.” Erin looked down at her phone. “When we finish eating we should go downstairs and raid True’s bar.”

  Ava snapped her finger and pointed. “I’m down. Chance can finish teaching me how to play pool.”

  I smirked. “You won’t be the only person I’ve schooled on that table.”

  E and Skyy shared a look.

  “Cool cau—" Ava laughed when she caught on. “Bitch... y’all nasty.” She reached over, and we slapped fives. “But I fucks wit’ it.”

  Yeah, he do too.

  True

  Three days later…

  “Aye, ain’t that, that nigga from the bar-b-que a while ago?” Drake asked pointing with his beer bottle.

  I glanced over my shoulder. “Yeah, that’s him.” I slapped fives with one of the bar’s regulars. “Stay up, Brady.”

  “You too, True man.”

  When he walked away, I faced the door. Ali looked around the joint and when his eyes landed on us, he stalked in our direction. Throwing my shot back I waited for him to approach. When he neared, Ali stared Drake up and down, and then sneered at me. Once he got within arms reach, he widened his stance and folded his arms.

  “Fuck you want?” Drake placed his Glock on the bar.

  Ali took a subtle step back. “I ain’t come here for no smoke.”

  Drake saluted him with a head nod. “You a smart nigga.”

  “Wassup?” I asked causally. Wasn’t no point in being on no hype shit in the middle of a packed bar.

  Ali tilted his head sideways as he sized me up. “You knocked up my baby mama.”

  “That bitch pregnant again?!” Drake laughed. “You need to get her fertile ass fixed.”

  Ali grilled him.

  “Was that a
question or a statement?” I decided to entertain his bullshit.

  “Whatever you need it to be.”

  “I need for you to be more specific. Is that what she told you? That she’s carrying my baby?”

  He looked around the bar. “Nah. But I know it ain’t mine.”

  Drake chuckled.

  “Aye, blood.” I grabbed my beer up. “Yo bitch is hoe. Been a hoe.” I shrugged before taking a swig. “Gon’ always be one.”

  “So, what you sayin’?”

  “I’m sayin’, if that slut is pregnant the little bastard ain’t mine.”

  Ali frowned. “I’ma kill that bitch.” He sounded like his feelings were for real crushed.

  Punk ass.

  “We done here?” I looked up at one of the televisions on the wall.

  “Yeah, we good.” He moved like he was ready to walk away, but stopped.

  I scowled at him. “Wassup?”

  “I been trying to get wit’ ya big homie, Tone.”

  Drake shook his head.

  “About what?”

  “I’m tryna make some money moves, ya feel me?”

  “Nah, I don’t.”

  Ali looked between the both of us. “I heard he was the man to see.”

  “Who told you that?” I inquired.

  “A few niggas.”

  “Quit gossiping.” Drake sat his drink down. “Only bitches sit around and discuss men.”

  Ali’s jawlines flexed.

  “If you wanna link up wit’ Tone you gon’ have to catch him in traffic.”

  Me and Drake both knew Tone wasn’t fucking with no new niggas. Especially a nigga like Ali. And a part of me wanted to spit in his stupid ass face ‘cause he was on some dumb shit; coming in my bar trying to check me and then asking for a favor. But I’d been on some peaceful shit lately thanks to my Jelly, and all the dick she’d been riding. So, I respectfully shooed him away and then faced the bar again.

  Drake leaned back in his seat. “I hate dick riding ass niggas, boah.” He put his ringing phone to his ear. “What, Erica?”

  I chuckled.

  “Man, you keep calling me tripping and then hanging up. I’ma block yo’ looney ass in a minute, keep on.” He warned. “And I know it was you who fucked up my whip. I should come shoot the windows out yo’ shit.”

  I motioned for the bartender to pass me the Ace of Spades.

  Shaking his head, Drake sighed and then ran his palm down his face in frustration. “I told you I couldn’t care less about that trick. You the one raising your blood pressure, crazy ass girl.”

  With the bottle in hand, I headed for my office. Drake followed me arguing the entire time. He talked all that single shit, but little Erica had that nigga’s head gone. He went from cursing, to threatening her and not caring, and by the time we entered my office he was apologizing. While I went to sit behind my desk, he made himself comfortable in the sitting area.

  My own phone started ringing, and Nisha’s name flashed across the screen. Popping the seal on the bottle, I answered. “Yeah?”

  “What you doin’?”

  “Chillin’. Where Carter?”

  “Right here. I was gon’ see if you wanted to come and see him before we left in the morning.”

  I laid my head back. “Where y’all goin’?”

  “I’m taking him to Texas with me. I got a little gig down there.”

  “Nisha, man...” I drawled. “Fuck is you on?”

  “True, everybody ain’t as fortunate as Chance’s spoiled ass. I gotta get it how I live. Don’t shit stop ‘cause I’m somebody’s mama.” She huffed. “If anything, I’ma go harder.”

  Massaging my forehead, I bit the inside of my bottom lip. “Why you just now calling? It’s almost eleven.”

  “Because he wasn’t coming at first. My little cousin decided to come at the last minute. I was gon’ leave him with my parents, but since she’s going, I want my baby with me.” I could hear Carter crying in the background. “We’ll be down there until after Christmas.”

  I took a long drink from the bottle. “I’m on my way.”

  “Yep.” She ended the call.

  When I pulled up to Nisha’s spot, I killed the ignition and then grabbed my phone out of the cup holder. Going into my call log, I pressed on Chance’s name, and relaxed into my seat. The line rang for a few, and then she picked up.

  “Hello?”

  “What you doin’?” I glanced at Nisha’s apartment building. She’d decided on a cool little spot in Grandview. It was a major upgrade from her last spot.

  “Laying down.”

  “A’ight, I was just checking in.”

  “What are you doing?”

  I contemplated on lying, ‘cause I knew she was gon’ catch an attitude and shit. But since my luck with bitches was shot, I massaged the bridge of nose, and prepared for my Jelly to start fonkin’.

  “I just pulled up to Nisha’s.” The line went quiet. “You hear me?”

  “I did. But I know I heard you wrong.” I could hear shuffling on her end of the phone. “Is Carter okay?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Okay.” She sighed, and I knew that mean switch flipped on. “It’s almost midnight. Why are you at Nisha’s house?”

  “She’s leaving in the morning with Carter.”

  “And you couldn’t wait until the morning because?”

  I could’ve.

  I should’ve.

  “’Cause he’s awake now, and I don’t know what time they’re leaving.”

  Silence.

  “Jelly.” I was a grown ass man feeling like a little kid in trouble.

  “Bye, True.”

  “What you mean bye?”

  “We both know what that word means.” She snapped, and then banged on me.

  I didn’t even bother arguing with her ass because I’d fix that attitude and smart ass mouth when I got home. Exiting the whip, I made my way to Nisha’s apartment. She must’ve seen me from the window ‘cause as soon as I reached her front door it swung open. Dressed in boy shorts, knee high socks, and a sports bra, Nisha looked me up and down before licking her lips. She stepped to the side and let me in.

  “Hey, baby daddy.”

  “‘Sup. Go get my son.”

  Nisha locked the door, moved past me and then twisted towards the back. I couldn’t help but take in her ass. She’d always had a fatty, thanks to the surgery she’d had. But Carter must’ve spread that muthafucka out. Them little ass shorts wasn’t covering shit; the bottom of Nisha’s ass cheeks was visible. I grabbed my dick and bit down on my lip.

  She returned moments later with Carter on her hip. “Look who’s here, Pooh.” Carter held his pacifier in place. Nisha handed him to me and then walked back off.

  “Wassup, man?” I kissed his forehead. “What you doin’ up?”

  He yanked at the chains on my neck.

  “You leaving me?” I paced the floor. “You gon’ miss daddy?”

  Carter rested his head on my chest and dropped both of his arms to his sides.

  “You was waiting on me?” I planted another soft peck on him. “You wanted to say bye?” His body relaxed completely as I stopped walking to sway back and forth to rub his back.

  Thirty minutes later Carter was sleep and Nisha switched back into the room.

  “He sleep?”

  “Yeah.” I followed her to his room.

  “Good. I can smoke in peace.”

  My eyes landed on her phat ass again. Had I been single I would’ve gladly bent her thick ass over. But I wasn’t even on that type of time. It was bad enough I was going home to a fight. I didn’t want the problems that came with Jelly finding out I’d smashed Nisha.

  After laying Carter down, I said a quick prayer over him asking for God to watch over him. I’d gone two weeks without seeing my seed before. But this time was different. It was the first time he’d be in another state. I wouldn’t be able to get to him as quick as I could here if he needed me.

  “Don
’t be down there on no stupid shit wit’ my son.” I told Nisha once she led me back to the front door.

  She rolled her eyes. “I know how to mother our son, True.”

  “Yeah, aight.” I turned around to let myself out.

  “I don’t get a hug good bye?”

  Facing her again, I stared down at her. “Nah.”

  Her face dropped. “It’s like that?” Nisha stepped closer. “You don’t care about me no more?” She pressed her titties against me as she looked up at me. “’Cause I miss you.”

  Man...

  14

  Mvp

  Chance

  When True sauntered into our room, he stood in front of the dresser and leaned against it. He folded his arms at his pelvis as he looked me over slowly. We played the staring game until he looked down and brushed his hand swiftly across his waves. He then removed the gun from his hip, and sat it down next to him. I reached for my phone on the stand to see that it was going on 1:30am.

  “You gon’ quit hangin’ up on me.” True spoke finally. “That shit is disrespectful as fuck.” His eyebrows dipped.

  “Whatever.” I reached for the book I’d been reading before he decided to come home. “There’s no reason you should be leaving Nisha’s or any woman who isn’t family house this late at night.”

  He sighed. “I told you why I was there. It’s a problem wit’ me checkin’ wit’ my shorties now?”

  My eyes shot up. “Why would that be a problem, True?”

  “’Cause you on one, man.” He drawled in an aggravated manner.

  “I’m on—" I tossed the book and jumped off the bed. “Stop acting like you don’t see the problem!” And just like that I lost my cool. Part of the reason I hung up on True so much was so we steered clear of heated arguments, and I wouldn’t blow up.

  True pushed off the dresser. “Take some of that bass out yo’ tone, shorty.”

  “And if don’t?” I stopped directly in front of him.

  “What, you wanna fight?” He hovered over me. “I’ll toss your little ass around this room. You better go on somewhere, Chance.”

  “You want me to go on?” I smirked. “Okay. Fuck you.” Spinning around I headed straight for our walk-in closet. And for somebody who didn’t want me around him, True followed me.