You Ain't My Type

by Nicole Jackson

  Ray-Ray shook his head. “That’s fucked up.”

  “It is. That’s why you need to go over there and see about her. Only you can get through to her.”

  “Nah, I can’t do that.”

  Jaylen furrowed his brows. “Why not?”

  “Cause that will only confuse shit. You know, me and Red have always been friends, if nothing else. And regardless of us not being together, we are family. We got all yall to consider. But us not being together is still new for her. So, until she can come to terms with that I can’t be around her. If I do come around, it’ll just have her thinking that we gon work shit out, when I know that aint happening.”

  Jaylen’s gaze fell to the floor, as he listened intently. “Aye, I feel you.”

  “Yeah, so, I need yall to step up. I already had this talk with Lil’ Jah nem. I’m addressing everybody, because I know that she’s probably tripping right about now.”

  Jaylen lifted his head. “Why you say that?”

  Ray-Ray swallowed hard. “She got served divorce papers today.”

  Jaylen’s eyes bucked, as he scratched the back of his head. “Yeah? Shit, I know she’s over there about to lose her mind.”

  Ray-Ray solemnly nodded. “I know, but it had to be done. I couldn’t keep this shit going another year. I wanna set her free to live her life, and I gotta live mine.”

  “Hey, I feel you.” Jaylen clasped hands with him. “And I know Roz wasn’t playing with you no more.”

  “Nigga, what?” Ray jerked his head back, before shaking it. “She aint cutting a nigga no slack, but on the cool, I did this shit on my own. I’ma do shit right this time around. I’m just trying to handle Red with kid gloves in the process. I’ve hurt her enough, you feel me?”

  Jaylen nodded, knowing firsthand that Ray-Ray and his grandma shared a tumultuous relationship. “No more bullshit, huh?”

  “None whatsoever,” Ray-Ray claimed.

  Jaylen was truly astonished. Growing up, he’d witnessed Ray live the life of a playboy, all while he was with Red. Since he could remember their relationship had been open on Ray’s end, therefore, Jaylen, his siblings, and cousins never thought twice about Ray dealing with other women, especially Roz. In fact, once Jaylen was a teen, he flat out asked his own father why Ray-Ray just didn’t be with Roz, because he seemingly loved her…in a way that he did not love Red. And even Jaylen Senior had no plausible explanation for him. So, Jaylen was surprised that after several years passing Ray-Ray was seemingly finally following his heart.

  “We gon start over with a clean slate,” Ray-Ray carried on. “Me and Roz. I’m honestly tired of playing. Aint shit out there in those streets for me.”

  Jaylen cut his eyes. “Yall getting married?”

  Ray-Ray silently nodded.

  “Jaylen, there’s no more towels…in the bathroom,” Rye commented, as she ambled into the living room.

  Ray-Ray immediately spun around, recognizing her voice. “What’s up, baby girl?”

  Rye fidgeted nervously, as she wore a pair of tiny shorts, along with Jaylen’s wife beater. Everything fit extremely snug, pronouncing all her assets. “Hey.” She offered a small wave.

  Ray’s gaze fell to her stomach, before he grimaced. “Say, uh, you pregnant?”

  Unconsciously, Rye’s eyes wandered over to Jaylen.

  “Nah, don’t do that. I asked you a question. You don’t need his permission to talk to me.”

  Rye gulped. “Yeah, I’m pregnant.”

  Ray-Ray slid his tongue across his teeth. “Well, damn, you wasn’t gonna say nothing?”

  She sighed. “Yeah, I just hadn’t gotten around to it.”

  He frowned. “Shit, it looks like you’ve known for a minute. You gotta be pushing four or five months.”

  She tucked her lips into her mouth. “I know, but me and Jaylen weren’t seeing eye to eye when I found out. So, it was awkward to tell people about a baby with no daddy in the picture.”

  “And what about now?”

  “We worked our issues out.”

  Ray-Ray focused on Jaylen. “So, now what? Are yall just having a baby…or---”

  “Ray, you know that I’ma take care of my responsibilities,” Jaylen responded.

  “Oh, I know that without a doubt, but that aint what I was asking. What’s happening between yall?”

  Jaylen licked his lips. “We good. I mean, we’re picking up where we left off, doing us.”

  “Nigga, make it simple for me.”

  “Alright,” he breathed. “We’re together.”

  Ray-Ray nodded. “I guess that aint a bad thang. It’s a little weird, but I don’t expect anything less from this family. You know she’s family, right?”

  Jaylen nodded.

  Ray-Ray shook his head. “Look, this shit just threw me completely off. I didn’t plan on coming here and finding out that we gotta another addition to the family on the way. But I will say that I’m cool with it being with somebody close. Just keep in mind that you’re dealing with my daughter, Jaylen. Treat her right. Period.”

  “I got you.”

  “Okay, nigga. I’ma hold you to it. I promise you that.”

  ***

  Rye was beginning to understand why Jaylen was called the kickback king. She’d been at his house for two weeks and counting, as they halted their day to day lives. She’d cancelled several clients’ hair appointments, while Jaylen reimbursed her for every penny she missed out on. Therefore, they’d been making up for loss time, in between Jaylen hosting gatherings every two three days. Initially, Rye had been apprehensive about him being so social. She thought that him being a young handsome socialite would have him around too many women and temptation, however he’d been handling himself well, while managing make her feel like she was the only girl in the room most times.

  However, this day, she was more than ready for everyone to take their asses home. Nausea was kicking Rye’s ass, and she was strongly considering calling it a night and going to bed. Jaylen was getting drunk with his boys, and she wasn’t familiar with any of their girls. Of course, the chicks had tried to chat, but Rye mostly nodded and pretended to listen to their mindless banter. The only thing she’d determined was that all the women were good looking, but several of them were complete airheads, which told her exactly what most men there focused on.

  With every passing minute, Jaylen’s enormous bed was calling her name. She was about to answer, when she noticed Wale and Keyasia step through the door. Without glancing her way, Wale traveled to the playroom, where Jaylen and friends had a festive game of pool going on. Keyasia, on the other hand, laid eyes on Rye, and strutted right over.

  Rye’s eyes scanned her from head to toe. Keyasia’s skin appeared baby smooth, while she rocked tight distressed light blue denim jeans, along with a cute off the shoulders blouse. Her hair had small sultry curls in it, as it framed her gorgeous face. Undoubtedly, she was simply exquisite physically, yet that did nothing for Rye’s anxiety. She didn’t know if Key was still on the bullshit because they hadn’t had any run-ins since their fight. Then whenever she’d visit Ray-Ray and family she and Keyasia would always miss each other. Therefore, Rye wasn’t sure of what tricks Key had up her sleeve.

  “I was hoping to see you here,” Keyasia smiled warmly.

  “Oh, for real?” Rye responded.

  “Yeah,” Key insisted, as she joined Rye on the couch, while keeping a safe distance. “It’s been crazy. Ever since I received the news about you being my pawpaw’s daughter, I’ve been running ragged, trying to do business. So, I haven’t seen you. Anyway, I wanna apologize for coming at you like that the last time we saw each other.”

  Rye smirked. “It’s cool. You did no more than I would’ve had the shoe been on the other foot.”

  Key giggled. “No shit?”

  Rye nodded. “Yup.”

  Keyasia shook her head. “The craziest part was that it wasn’t even about Corinthian,” she referred to Wale. “I mean, I love him and all, but I was ag
itated because you pulled a me on me. I’m usually the one who will leave a bitch bothered. Have their asses stewing in them pissy juices, while my petty ass goes on my merry way. I was like okay. This a pretty bitch calling, and she’s petty. I should’ve fuckin’ known then that we were related.”

  Rye tittered. “Yeah, I’ve been petty my whole life. I’m still working on that.”

  “No, it’s cool. We just got it honest. Trust me.”

  “Okay, cool, but just to clear the air, I haven’t messed with Wale in God knows when. It was never that deep, because I always had a boyfriend. In fact, we’d go months without speaking, because my ex-boyfriend would be on some insecure shit, going through my phone and shit.”

  “Oh, I know,” Keyasia claimed.

  “Wait. You know what?” Rye narrowed her eyes.

  “I know that you haven’t dealt with Corinthian in a long while and that you had a boyfriend during that time. I went through all yall old texts that he never bothered deleting. So, I knew what was up…and your ex-boyfriend reached out to him too.”

  “Huh? Come again,” Rye scowled.

  “Yes, your boyfriend texted Corinthian…a few times.”

  “Did Wale ever reply?”

  “Yeah, he did. Corinthian is super petty…like us. So, he would text crazy shit. Then your boyfriend would text a whole bunch of threats, and swear that he was gonna…beat your ass.”

  Rye swallowed hard, hoping that Key couldn’t read her inner thoughts. “Yeah, right. His ass wasn’t gonna beat shit.”

  “Right. But if he did…or tries, just tell Ray-Ray. Then you’d never see his ass again. I promise,” Keyasia offered. “But enough about that. A little birdy told me that you are expecting.”

  Rye slowly nodded.

  “Why are you seeming shy about it? Cause the girl who facetimed me was with the shits, honey. So, don’t be coy around me.”

  Rye sighed. “It’s not that. I just feel funny telling people, when I haven’t bothered telling the people closest to me. My mama still don’t know.”

  Keyasia laughed. “Girl, don’t feel bad. I was in the same boat. Oddly, I can tell my mama just about anything. We have a open relationship. But when it came to me being pregnant…I felt like a little girl. You know you’re never grown to your parents, and they still baby me. So, we didn’t talk about my belly, until it was too big to hide. But looking back, I realized that shit was mainly in my head. My mama and daddy love my daughter…hell, sometimes I feel like they love her more.”

  Rye giggled. “That’s funny, but maybe you’re right. I could be overthinking it.”

  “Definitely,” Key agreed.

  “But yeah,” Rye cleared he throat. “Is it cool if I ask you something?”

  Keyasia hurriedly nodded. “Sure. Anything.”

  Rye licked her lips. “Okay, after I found out that we were related, I looked up your IG. I was scrolling through your pics and I noticed that you’re real cool with a chick by the name of…Jazel.”

  Key nodded. “That’s my bitch.”

  “That’s what’s up. I hope this don’t come off the wrong way…when me and Jaylen was talking he mentioned that she was the only girl he ever thought about fucking with on a serious tip. So, uh, is she somebody I have to worry about? Or am I overstepping my boundaries by asking you that?”

  “No, you’re good. First, let me say this. Jazel is my girl, but I was raised that it’s family over everybody. And I know that we haven’t known each other our whole lives, but now we know without a doubt that you’re my aunt. No matter how you slice it, we’re blood, and that means something. So, I’d never trip with you because you have a problem with someone I’m cool with. Now, if I feel that you’re wrong, I’ll let you know. Trust me. But you asking about Jazel when it comes to Jaylen is natural. If I was you, I’d be asking the same thing. Now, to answer your question, I don’t keep up with everything that Jaylen or Jazel do. So, I would be lying if I told you that I knew for sure that they weren’t in contact. They could be, but I don’t see anything out of the way. But you also have to keep in mind that I know Jazel through Corinthian and her boyfriend Craven. So, I couldn’t tell you how it was when she was dealing with Jaylen. Have they both expressed the fact that it was something between them? Yes. But from what I was told, Jaylen liked her, but was caught up on some of her issues. So, he took his time, leaving room for Craven to swoop in. And Craven still got her. They have kids together and aint breaking up no time soon. Trust me. Still, I know that people can be sneaky, and if I see some sideways shit, I’ll let you know.”

  Rye nodded in satisfaction. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that. Cause for some reason, I feel like I gotta watch Jaylen’s ass. Like, nigga, you been dealing with all these hoes, and I’m supposed to believe that you got dick slanging out of your system overnight?”

  Keyasia snickered. “I know, right? I definitely understand where you’re coming from. I had similar thoughts about Corinthian when we first linked up, because we moved so fast. I kept waiting on him to be a dawg ass nigga to the point that I ended up fucking up first. So, be careful with those thoughts. Give him the benefit of the doubt, because he can’t pay for what the last nigga did to you. Please believe me. Cause on me, niggas gon punish the shit out of you, if you fuck up while they’re keeping it a hunnid.”

  Chapter 22

  “Little girl, if you don’t get those cruddy feet off me.”

  Dee softly giggled. “My feet are not cruddy, ma. Stop it.”

  Konya smiled, as she sat on the opposite end of the couch. “Whatever. You must be pretty bored to be over here on a Friday, hanging with me.”

  “I’m actually not. I came over here, because I missed you. I’m so used to you being at the house with daddy. You know, I’d stop by to chill, go to my room, and link up with my friends later. But now things are crazy. You’re still over here at Rye’s while dad’s in that big house alone. Being there doesn’t feel the same without you.”

  “Aww, baby, I didn’t know. But hey, you can always come visit me here any time you want to.”

  Dee slipped a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “Yeah, Rye’s apartment is cool… for her. But it’s too cramped up for all of us. When are you going home? I mean, I know this may sound selfish, but I want you and daddy to make up. Don’t you still love him?”

  Konya gulped, as she realized that a conversation needed to be had with her daughter. One that she’d been intentionally avoiding. “Baby, you know that I love Dewayne, but do you know why I left the house?”

  Dee’s eyes wandered around. “I think so. My daddy already told me.”

  “And what did he tell you?”

  “He told me that yall got into an argument, because of Rye.”

  “Oh, did he? And what else did he tell you? He told you that your sister wasn’t biologically his?” Konya wanted to know.

  “Yeah,” Dee admitted.

  Konya arched a brow. “How did you feel about that?”

  Dee shrugged. “Nothing, really. I mean, he raised her, so he’s still her daddy as far as I’m concerned.”

  “Okay, did he tell you how Rye found out that she wasn’t his?”

  “No.”

  Konya sighed heavily. “Well, it was because he blurted it out. Out of anger. That alone was enough for me to rethink our relationship, but then he slapped her too.”

  Dee frowned. “Did Rye tell you that? Because that doesn’t sound like something my daddy would do.”

  “I was there, DeAndra. This wasn’t something I was told. Dewayne was pissed about the fall out with Rye and Tori. Tori’s daddy ended Dwayne’s contracts, and Dewayne blamed your sister. Words were exchanged, and your daddy told her that she wasn’t his, after he’d vowed to me that he would never do such a thing. This was after he’d slapped the taste out of her mouth.”

  Dee shook her head. “Well, he was wrong for that. He always stresses the point that we better not ever allow any men to put their hands on us. But I also understand his frustration
s. Rye was selfish and made daddy lose a lot of money.”

  “No, your sister did what was best for her. There were things going on between her and Tori that weren’t okay, and she did right to end that relationship. I’m actually proud that she did in hindsight.”

  “Things like what, ma? What, was he fed up with her cheating on him and him finding out? You do realize that she’d have other guys over here, after he was helping with the bills. Ma, I witnessed the man cry to her, begging her to stop seeing other people.”

  “Dee, I never said that your sister was an angel, just like you’re not. And frankly, I don’t give a damn about what she did to him. Tori was putting his hands on her. That’s my only concern, so to hell with him.”

  Dee scratched her scalp. “Well, yeah, that is wrong. So, I can understand her point. Good for her for leaving. But what about you, ma? Are you leaving my daddy forever?”

  “I honestly don’t know, baby. All I can tell you is that I love you, and I’ll be your mama, regardless. But I can’t base my decisions off you. If I go back it has to be for me. You understand?”

  Dee sighed. “Yeah, I understand. But can I ask you this---”

  “What’s that?”

  “What’s really holding you back? Is it really because daddy hit Rye…or is it deeper?”

  Konya tucked her lips into her mouth. “I’ll tell you this. Before you ever came along, it was me, Dewayne, and Rye. Honestly, Rye is the only reason you ever came into existence. If Dewayne hadn’t been willing to accept and raise her as his own, then there was no way that I would’ve gotten with him. I wouldn’t have had you. So, there’s no time where a child of mine isn’t an important part of the equation. I can’t just act like Dewayne didn’t say those hurtful things to my child, and until he really comes to fix it, we can’t be together.”

  Dee sucked her teeth. “Be honest with me, ma. Are you trying to work it out with Rye’s daddy or something?”

  Konya tittered. “Girl, please. That ship has long ago sailed off. I haven’t touched that man since before Rye was born. Besides, his woman is crazy as hell, and I want no parts of that. So, I’ll let him remain over there with his other kids’ mama.”