by J Peach
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Contents
Contact Information
Acknowledgments
1. Janessa
2. Jerome
Two Days Later
3. Janessa
4. Jerome
5. Montrell
6. Janessa
7. Janessa
Jerome
8. Janessa
9. Janessa
10. Janessa
11. Janessa
12. Janessa
13. Janessa
14. Jerome
15. Jerome
16. Janessa
Sneek Peek of Part 3
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Editor: Tina Nance
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To my two amazing kids, DaJah & Da’Vion if it weren’t for wanting to be better for you two, I wouldn’t have had the drive or determination to continue this amazing writing journey I’m on!
Acknowledgments
To my readers who have stuck with me and given me unlimited support and encouragement, no amount of words can’t even begin to describe how much I absolutely love and appreciate each and every one of you!
Thank y’all so much for sticking with me!
Once Trell pushed my room door open, I quickly slid my phone under the pillow where my laptop sat.
I was surprised to see him, but that wasn’t what shocked the crap out of me. “What the hell happened to your face?” His face was badly bruised, his eye was swollen and had a blood clot in it, his lip was busted, and the right side was big. He looked really bad.
“That nigga, the one you claim yo’ ass ain’t fuckin’, him and his boy jumped my ass. That’s what the fuck happened. Now you still gonna stand yo’ ass right here and lie to my damn face after seeing this shit?” His finger jabbed at his face.
My mouth opened then closed as I became lost for words. I knew Jerome was hot-tempered, but I never imagined him going off and attacking Montrell like that. Not only him but Jonell too.
“Jerome and his brother beat you up like this?”
Why that was so hard to wrap my mind around was beyond me, especially when I had witnessed Jerome snap off on a guy before. Even so, I just didn’t get why he and Jonell would beat Trell up.
Montrell’s glare deepened as he advanced toward me. “You heard what the fuck I said. Him and his boy jumped me outside that fuckin’ school.”
That had to have happened a few days ago. “Why would they jump you, Montrell?” I flinched back as he jumped at me.
“What the fuck you mean, why? Because you fuckin’ that bitch ass nigga, that’s why,” he yelled before snatching me up to him by the front of my shirt.
“Trell, I’m not sleeping with him—”
He slapped the shit out of me. “Stop fuckin’ lying!”
Ignoring the stinging in my face, I pushed him in the chest, trying to jerk away from him. “Let me the fuck go, Montrell!” I screamed, and that made his hands go to my throat.
“Janessa—” Jerome’s voice came through the phone.
I had completely forgotten that he was even on the phone.
Jerome speaking made Montrell stop, and I was able to get out of his hold.
“Who the fuck is that?” Montrell snapped, looking at the bed for my phone.
“Nobody!” I quickly grabbed it from under the pillow before he went in search of it. That did nothing as his hand went to my hair, and he jerked my head sideways, damn near breaking my neck. I fell on the bed, landing on my side to ease the grip he had on my hair. “Trell, let my fuckin’ hair go! Get the hell off me!”
“Give me this mothafuckin’ phone. Who the fuck is you talking to, Janessa?” Trell went off, trying to pry the phone from my hands, but I wasn’t trying to let it go. I needed to end the call with Jerome because I knew he wasn’t going to hang up and would most likely start talking shit to Montrell.
“I’m not talking to anyone. Stop, Trell, let me go!” I yelled before his hand shot out, and he slapped the shit out of me. Even so, I still wasn’t letting my phone go. If Trell got the phone, it was only going to make the fight worse.
“Janessa, where the fuck you at?” I heard Jerome yelling from the phone, and I just hoped like hell that Trell couldn’t.
“Bitch, give me this mothafuckin’ phone. I ain’t fuckin’ playing with yo’ ass.” He let my wrist go and slapped fire from my ass again.
The moment he let my wrist go, my legs went up, and I started kicking at him. “Trell, stop!” I yelled, all the while, holding the power button down, then swiped the bar across the screen, shutting the phone off.
“You stupid ass bitch! Give me that mothafuckin’ phone!” Montrell grabbed my legs and jerked me to the edge of the bed. Taking a handful of my hair, he yanked my head to the side, held it to the bed, and punched me in the face. “Bitch, you think I’m fuckin’ stupid, huh? Yo’ ass was talking to that nigga, wasn’t you? Give me that fuckin’ phone, Janessa!”
“Here!” I threw the phone at his head. “Take it!”
The phone hit him right on the forehead.
“Fuck!” He looked surprised as he grabbed his forehead. “You stupid bitch! You gon’ hit me with yo’ fuckin’ phone?” He made another grab for me, and I just started kicking at him, feeling my bare feet connecting to his chest, stomach, and face.
“You’re not about to keep fuckin’ hitting me!” I screamed at him, not once stopping my movement.
I was tired of allowing him to hit me without putting up a real fight.
Montrell was finally able to grab my legs, and he snatched me off the bed, onto the floor. “Bitch, yo’ ass done lost yo’ gotdamn mind,” he went off, punching me in the face before he started kicking me in the stomach.
I balled up into the fetal position, covering my face and stomach from his continuous onslaught. “Trell, stop!” I yelled.
He didn’t. Instead, his voice rose as he accused me of being a hoe and slut for cheating on him with Jerome.
“Get off my momma!” Kaeden yelled.
I watched as he ran into the room and started punching Montrell.
Groaning through the pain in my body, I pushed myself up to get to Kaeden.
At that moment, everything moved fast. One second, Kaeden was swinging on Montrell, then the next he was falling to the floor, holding his eye after Montrell jerked his elbow back and hit Kae in the face.
That seemed to have frozen him as his attention turned to Kaeden. “Shit!” He went to him and dropped to his knees beside Kae. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to do that. I was just trying to get you off me,” he explained to him, seeming sincere. Montrell’s eyes then snapped to me, his face transforming into a mean mug once again. “Look what the fuck you made me do!”
I pushed him away from my son. “Baby, are you okay?”
Holding his eye, he nodded. “Yeah
, I’m alright. Are you okay?” His eyes roamed over my face before a glare overtook his features.
My hand rubbed over the back of his head. “I’m fine, baby.”
“Kaeden, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” Montrell continued, trying to apologize.
Quickly getting up, I turned to him, pissed off. I snapped. My fists started flying, punching him in the face. Montrell grabbed me, pinning my arms to my side. My teeth went to his chest, and I bit the hell out of him.
“Bitch!” He pushed me off him.
Trell looked like he wanted to swing but thought better of it because Kaeden was in the room.
I glared hard at him. “Get the hell out and stay the fuck away from my kids and me.”
I was completely done with him. Even though him hitting Kaeden was an accident, it didn’t matter to me. That’s how it starts, with an accidental hit.
Trell’s face and eyes showed guilt, but I didn’t care. “Nessa, I didn’t mean to hurt him,” he tried to assure me.
“I don’t care. Get the fuck out! Get out!” I screamed at him. “Kae, go to your room,” I instructed, and he ran out of the room.
“Janessa, you know I didn’t mean to hit him. You know I love that boy like he’s my own son. I would never hurt him.” He really looked hurt behind his actions.
My head shook. “Montrell, I don’t fuckin’ care. Just get the fuck out. I don’t give a damn about your apology. Had yo’ stupid ass not come in here acting a fuckin’ ass, this would’ve never happened to begin with. I’m done, we’re done. I’m not about to keep doing this shit with you. And you done hit my son. Accident or not, I don’t give a fuck! I don’t care! Just stay away from us. Now, get the fuck out!” I screamed at him while pushing him out of my bedroom. I wanted him to get the hell away from me.
His bruised and bleeding face twisted into a glare. “Yo’ ass ain’t doing this shit because of Kae, bitch, you trying to end shit because of that fuck ass nigga—”
“It has nothing to do with him, Montrell! It’s you! It’s fuckin’ you!” My finger jabbed in his face, pushing against his forehead. “I want to be done because of your ass, nobody else. You always doing this dumb shit for nothing. I’ve never cheated on you, Trell, but think what the fuck you want. I don’t even care at this point. We’re over. Now, go, before you get us put the hell out of this hotel.” I snatched opened the room door for him to get out.
His glare never wavered as he pointed a finger in my face. “We ain’t over, Janessa. Yo’ ass just pissed off right now, that’s it. We ain’t done until I say we are, so don’t get out yo’ fuckin’ body and start acting single. I’ll kill any nigga I see you with.”
My eyes rolled hard, and I let out a loud snort, unimpressed by his threat. “Whatever, Montrell. Just get the hell out and stay away from us, and I mean that.” I pushed him into the hallway.
“Janessa—”
“I don’t want to hear shit else you have to say. Leave me the hell alone, Trell.” With that, I pushed the door closed in his face, then clicked the deadbolt. I then turned and leaned against the door, releasing a low breath and wincing at the pain in my side.
“Momma, you okay?” The kids’ concerned voices were in sync as they asked the question.
I looked up and saw Kaeden and Kierra peeking from their room door. When I nodded at them, they both ran to me, throwing their arms around my waist. I muffled my grunts of pain as I hugged them back, kissing the top of their heads.
“I’m alright, I promise. Let me look at you, Kae.” I had to make sure my baby was alright.
“I’m good…” His words trailed off as I glared at the little mark on the side of his eye. “Are you mad at me? I know I should’ve stayed out of it, but I couldn’t let him hurt you again.”
Tears welled in my eyes, and I hugged him again. “No, I’m not mad at you. I could never be mad at you, Kae. I hate that you got hurt, though.” I pulled back and looked at his face again.
I hated that he felt the need to protect me, and I hated myself for putting him in that situation, to begin with.
“I’m okay, Momma. This ain’t nothing but a little mark. From now on, it’s my job to protect you. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again,” Kaeden swore, holding me tighter.
Hearing the promise in his voice killed and broke me. I didn’t want him to swear such a thing. I was supposed to be his protector. I felt like such a fuckin’ failure. My throat burned as a lump formed in it.
Pulling back, I locked eyes with Kaeden before looking over at Kierra. “It isn’t your job to protect me, baby. It’s mine to protect you, and I swear to always do that.”
“You don’t have anyone to protect you, though. That’s my job. I can do it.” Kaeden’s eyes held so much determination and promise in them that it scared me.
Even so, I wasn’t going to crush his spirit and deny his claim. “Okay, baby, but this will never happen again, so you won’t have to protect me. Montrell won’t be around anymore. It’s over between us. I promise. So, you two won’t have to worry about me. Alright?” The kids shared a look, then glanced back at me and nodded. I pulled them both back to me, hugging them tightly once more. “I swear,” I mumbled lowly against Kierra’s head.
It was really time for me to buckle down and get my shit together. My kids were far more important to me than any loyalty or feeling of obligation to Montrell. Although I was truly in love with Montrell at the beginning, I hated that it even took me so long to come to terms with that and officially leave him without feeling regret for doing so.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” Kierra held my hand and started walking in the direction of my bedroom.
I stopped them. “No, I got it. You two go clean up. I’ll be alright.” I kissed them again, then motioned for them to go and do as I said.
The pair looked hesitant for a minute but then walked to their room. Once they closed the door, I went back into mine and straight to the bathroom.
Looking at my reflection broke me, and tears flooded my eyes. My left cheek was red, bruised, and swollen up to my eye. My bottom lip was split at the corner, which stung like hell. I raised my shirt and looked at my side. It was also bruised from where he had repeatedly kicked me.
My reflection was what the kids saw when they looked at me. That was the first time my kids had seen me beaten up, and it would be the last.
Turning on the water, I grabbed the towel and started cleaning myself up. I was never going to let them see me beaten up like that again. Hell, I wasn’t going to allow myself to ever be in a situation or relationship as toxic as that again.
“Rochelle, where the fuck yo’ girl live?” I demanded, pissed off as I paced the lobby of the hotel where I had last seen Janessa. Once the Facetime call ended, I quickly left my cousin’s house and made the thirty-minute drive to the hotel, but when I got to the room, there was no answer, and it was quiet as fuck inside.
The receptionist pissed me off when she told me there wasn’t a Janessa Michaelson in their system. That was the reason why I called Mac to get Rochelle's number. I honestly didn’t know if they were staying at that particular hotel anymore, but I decided to take my chances and drove there.
“Jerome, I can't tell you that. If Janessa wanted you to know where she was living, then she would've told you.”
My hand squeezed tight around my phone as I tried to keep myself from snapping at her ass. “Yo, don’t fuckin’ play with me right now, Rochelle. I’m at this fuckin’ hotel, and she ain’t answering the door or shit. I need to know where the fuck she’s at, man.” The line went quiet for a minute too long, and I growled in frustration. “Bitch, if yo’ ass don’t open up yo’ fuckin’ mouth—”
“Hold the hell up!” she yelled through the line, cutting me off. “Firstly, Jerome, don’t get disrespectful because I’m not the fuckin’ one. Secondly, I’m not about to tell you where she’s living when she didn’t give me permission to. Why are you asking for this information anyway?” she finally asked, her
voice now calm and collected.
I felt my glare tighten, but I knew that snapping at Rochelle’s stupid ass wasn’t going to work in my fuckin’ favor. I decided to be straight up with her, only because she seemed to really care about Janessa. Hell, I felt that if she knew dude was beating her damn head in, then she would probably tell me.
“Look, I was on the phone with Janessa when her nigga walked in, and they started fighting. I’m trying to make sure shorty alright, and he ain’t whooping her ass. Yo, just tell me what the fuck I need to know.”
Rochelle let out a heavy breath but stayed quiet for a minute. “Jerome, I’m sorry. Even knowing that, I can’t give you that information. You’ll only make shit worse if you go to her…” Her words trailed off for a second before her sigh came through the line again. “I can’t take that chance with her life. Please, Jerome, don’t do anything. Go home, and let Janessa handle this, please,” she pleaded, and the sadness in her voice couldn’t be mistaken. “Don’t make this worse for her. I got to go. I’m sorry.” She ended the call at that point.
“Fuck!” I kicked the table beside me, knocking the fake plant over. The receptionist shouted something, but I didn’t pay her any attention as I glanced at the elevator. I made my way to it and pressed the up button. The doors opened almost immediately, but I didn’t get on as Rochelle’s sad and begging tone played in my head before images of my mom replaced her voice. “Fuck!” I hit the wall beside me.
“Sir, you’re going to have to—”
“Shut the fuck up!” I snapped at the woman behind the desk then left the hotel.
Rochelle was right. I couldn’t get in the middle of that shit with Janessa and her dude. I had tried to help her once before, and she snapped at me. Not only that, I knew you couldn’t help a woman in that situation. Shit, my mom taught me that much. No matter how many times my pops damn near killed her ass, that bitch never left. Love was a dangerous thing.