No Matter What

by Nicole Jackson

  He lightly chuckled, as he handed her three hundred dollars. “Aye, I appreciate you trying, even though that shit was forced like a muthafucka.”

  This time Nunnie sincerely tittered, as she opened her register, and counted out his eighty dollars’ worth of change. Handing the money off to him along with the receipt, she expected him to make his exit. Instead, he grabbed a pen, and jotted down a number on the back of the receipt, before sliding the paper and money back across the counter.

  “What’s this?” she questioned.

  “My number. Call me sometime.”

  “But what about your money?”

  “It’s yours. Keep it,” he insisted, before backing off.

  Gazing down at the 80 dollars, Nunnie quickly decided that he didn’t have to tell her twice. She needed a blessing, and she wasn’t about second guess it. With the way her luck was set up, there was no telling when another moment such as this would come her way again.

  Chapter 8

  Sitting in Ted’s backroom at two in the morning, Nunnie rocked back and forth at the foot of his guest’s bed. She was having a real moment, as sleep evaded her. She’d been crying non-stop, as she’d tried desperately to contact Mix. Of course, everyone was claiming to know nothing when it came to his whereabouts, but she knew that a few of his boys were lying.

  Exhausting all other options, she called Lickz’s phone, although this wasn’t something she would normally do, especially at this hour of the night.

  “Yeah?” he picked up, sounding fully alert.

  “Hello,” she spoke weakly.

  “What’s up?”

  “Hey, this is Nunnie.”

  “Yeah, I know. What’s up?”

  “Umm, I was calling because…I been trying to get in touch with…Maizun…I mean, Mix. But he’s not answering his phone.”

  “Yeah,” Lickz breathed. “He got rid of his main line.”

  Nunnie’s heart skipped a beat. “And he didn’t think to give me the new number?”

  “Nah, don’t take it like that. On the cool, I advised the lil’ nigga to steer clear of you, because I’m assuming that the quickest way for the laws to catch up with him will be through you. They’re probably waiting on him to come your way.”

  She angrily sucked her teeth. “And how is that, when the police don’t even know where I’m at?”

  “Come again?”

  “I’m saying, I’m not even at my usual spot, so how do the police have eyes on me? Like I can understand him staying away from his house or my job, but I’m not at neither of those places, right now.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, oh,” she chided, truly feeling a way after hearing that he was in Mix’s ear about staying away from her. “Anyway, can you at least give me his number, please? I need to speak to him.”

  “I’ll tell him to call you.”

  “No, he’ll probably decide not to for some dumb ass reason. I can’t have that! I need to talk to him! Please! I’m begging you,” she broke down into heavy sobs. “I need to talk to him tonight…before I do something crazy. I’m having some real fucked up thoughts, right now, and I need to hear his voice. So, please, just give me his number. That’s all I want.”

  He took a deep breath. “Alright, man. I’ll text it to you, right now.”

  “Okay,” she sighed with relief. “Thank you.”

  “Yeah,” he conceded, before ending the call. Just as promised, he sent the text a few seconds later.

  Hastily, Nunnie scrolled to the text, and called the number. Nervously, she listened to it ring, wondering if Mix would even answer for her.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey,” she practically gasped, after hearing his voice. “Why didn’t you tell me that you had a new number?”

  There was a slight pause, before he responded. “Who gave you this number?”

  “Lickz.”

  “Oh. I was trying to let the heat die down. Everything is hot, right now. It’s a lot of eyes on you. I really don’t even feel comfortable talking to you on your phone, honestly. They can pull your phone records up and shit.”

  She sucked her teeth. “They aint finna do all that.”

  “You don’t know what they’ll do.”

  “Whatever. It’s still fucked up that I had to beg your boy to get your number, like I’m some fucking stranger. Is that how you feel now?”

  “Naveriah, girl, come on, stop it. You know better than that shit. That shouldn’t even be a question at this point.”

  “Then text me the address to where you’re at. I’m about to get dropped off over there.”

  He lightly chuckled. “Nah, girl, you tripping. I aint about to do that.”

  “Why not?”

  “Cause.”

  “Cause what?”

  “Cause I got too much shit going on. I got a warrant out for my arrest, and what do you think will happen if you’re caught with me?”

  “I don’t care.”

  “But I do.”

  “I’m grown, though. I’ll face the consequences.”

  He smacked his lips. “Nah, you talking crazy. Just chill out. You done talked to me. You know that I’m good now, so you should be straight.”

  “No, how are you gonna tell me what I am? I aint fucking straight! I’m over here fucking miserable! I need to be where you at, before I fucking lose it,” she cried. “I’m not playing. I can’t eat. I can’t sleep. I don’t wanna live if you aint here with me. So, text me the damn address! I’m not fucking playing! Cause at this fucking point…I can end it all! I’m tirrrred,” she bawled her eyes out.

  “Naveriah,” he called out to her.

  “What?” she sniveled.

  “What’s the address to where you at?”

  “Why?” her voice trembled.

  “Cause…I’m on the way.”

  In less than 45 minutes Nunnie heard a tap on the front door. Springing off the couch, where she’d been quietly waiting, she switched over to the door. Knowing exactly who it was, she didn’t bother glancing out of the peephole, before opening up.

  Mix stood in the entryway, glowering down at her. “What’s up?”

  Gazing up at him, she couldn’t contain her emotions, as her lips quivered. “Hey.”

  Without thinking, they embraced, wrapping their arms tightly around one another. Lowering his head, Mix kissed her lips, before easing his tongue into her mouth. Stepping back, Nunnie allowed him fully into the apartment, as he closed the door behind him, and somehow managed to lock it.

  Eventually, she broke their kiss. “Come on,” she whispered, grabbing his hand, guiding him back to the room she’d sleep in.

  Once she closed the door behind them, Mix released her hand. “Whose apartment is this?” he glanced around the room.

  “It’s Dreka’s boyfriend’s.”

  “Dreka’s boyfriend’s? Since when do she got a nigga?”

  Nunnie shrugged. “You know she keeps a rotation.”

  “Yeah, but she aint never been serious with none of them niggas. Especially not serious enough to have you staying here too.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

  “I’m saying that nobody told you to leave my granny’s,” he snapped.

  “But you aint there,” she whined.

  “Ion give a fuck. Nobody told you to start running the streets with Dreka. Laying at these niggas’ houses comes with a cost. Then she be having weird ass arrangements with these niggas. Shit that you’on know about. That’s your sister, so I aint gon talk about her, but these niggas be seeing her a certain way. I know this for a fact. And Ion want no nigga thinking that you a part of some type of package deal.”

  Nunnie screwed her face up. “A package deal? You got me fucked up. And Dreka would never put me in a fucked-up situation, because she knows that’s not how I operate.”

  “Yeah, but that aint got nothing to do with what a nigga might try, because of how your sister moves. I’m just saying. Don’t even pu
t yourself in that situation.”

  “And you think that I’ll be better off at your granny’s without you there? Around your uncles and whoever else?”

  “I mean, at least you’ll be with my granny, Nunu.”

  “But what about you?” she gulped.

  “What about me?”

  “Why can’t I just go with you?”

  “Bae, I’m going from pillow to post. Sticking and moving. Crashing wherever I can. My money’s running low. I’m all fucked up. If it wasn’t for the big homie tossing a lil’ change my way Ion know what I would be doing. Like I can’t even turn myself in, cause I can barely cover the bond right about now, less along a lawyer. So, if you was to come with me, what would we do besides starve together? I aint in the position to hustle like I normally do or nothing. So, the best thing for you to do is keep going…without me. At least for now. Until I can figure this shit out.”

  “Maybe I can help you pay for a lawyer,” Nunnie offered.

  He smiled lightly. “I appreciate that, bae. But first I gotta get the bond money together. It’s a hundred thousand, which means that I need ten racks. I only got two to my name. That just shows you how far I am from what I need to handle this shit. Cause I’m not coming out of hiding, until I know that I can do a fucking turnaround. Them dick suckers aint keeping me locked up in the county, waiting on a trial.”

  Nunnie sighed heavily, feeling completely helpless. “You should be able to beat this case. It was self-defense.”

  He nodded. “And I will. I just gotta get my money up. Money talks. Bullshit runs a marathon.”

  “How are you gonna do that, while you’re wanted, Maizun?”

  He stepped up to her, pulling her in by the waist. “You let me worry about that.” He caressed her soft ass through her pajama pants. “You still haven’t had that period yet, huh?”

  “It don’t matter.”

  “Why it don’t?”

  “Because you’re not taking me with you.”

  “You aint bleeding, then you definitely don’t need to go with me. I’d drive myself crazy trying to make sure that you good. You need to keep going to Foot Locker, Naveriah. Keep a check coming in. Matter of fact…let’s go get a pregnancy test, right now.”

  “No,” she refused. “If I can’t pack my stuff up and leave with you, then I aint taking no test.”

  He frowned. “Why not? What good will not knowing do us?”

  “What good will knowing, if you aint here with me do for us?” she shot back.

  He gulped.

  “Exactly. Either way, it’s all fucked up. Finding out will just have me more stressed out about shit I can’t change, right now. I wanna be with you. That’s it. I can’t wrap my head around having a baby.”

  He nodded in understanding. “Just give me a little time.”

  “No, I don’t want to,” she claimed, while grabbing his head and kissing him deeply.

  Together they fell into the bed, while exchanging breaths. With ease, Mix slipped off her pajamas, before fondling her body. Eagerly, Nunnie assisted him with removing his clothing, before she straddled him butt naked. He then cuffed her tender boobs, while she took him in.

  “Oouuu,” she gasped, as he hit rock bottom. Gazing into his eyes, she commenced to rolling her hips like a snake.

  “Aww, fuck,” he bit his bottom lip. “Damn, Nunu.”

  “Take me with you,” she whispered seductively. She tightened her walls around him. “You heard me, Maizun? Huh?”

  Mix squeezed his eyes shut, while stroking her nipples.

  “Nigga, you hear me?” she panted, while leaning back far enough to clutch his balls, while riding him smoothly.

  Feeling a new move, Mix’s eyes popped open. The first thing that caught his attention was Nunnie’s once flat stomach. It now had a little pudge in it. His dick seemingly swelled a bit more at the sight, however, he was pissed, as he gripped her hips, halting her movements.

  “What the fuck?” he gritted.

  Her neck snapped up, as she focused on his face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Where did this shit come from? Since when do you grab a nigga’s balls and shit?”

  She tittered. “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “Boy, you’re fucking crazy. You know that? Dreka told me about it, if you must know.”

  “Well, Dreka gon fuck around and get ya life took. Don’t be taking no tips from her.”

  She rocked her hips. “Oh, so, you didn’t like it?”

  “I aint say that.”

  She galloped up and down. “Then what’s the problem?”

  “That shit had…had…had me…thinking…you gave a…nigga’s…pussy…away,” he struggled to get out, as Nunnie was now full throttle riding his dick again. “Hell, nah,” he panted. “Fuck that.” He gripped her shoulders, before pounding into her.

  “Unh,” she moaned, as their skins loudly clapped.

  Soon, they were lying sideways, hanging halfway off the mattress, wildly going at it. Mix had an entire left tit stuffed into his mouth, while sliding in and out of her sloppy wet pussy. Their secretions were literally leaking all over the bed, as he’d already busted inside of her, but had somehow managed to keep going. Nunnie held onto him tightly, releasing so much pent up frustration.

  Hours upon hours, they switched positions, cumming more times than either of them could count. Mix had only one mission. Fuck Nunnie to sleep. He eventually reached his goal around eight that morning. She’d finally fallen asleep in his arms, and he eased out of bed, trying his best not to disturb her. Quietly, he redressed, and kissed her good-bye, before leaving her there alone, against her wishes.

  ***

  As Nunnie rang up a customer in Foot Locker behind her register, she noticed Save’s cousin Big Ashley waltz into the store. Immediately, they locked eyes, as Ashley stood in Nunnie’s line, although she had no items in hand to purchase.

  “This bitch here,” Nunnie mumbled to herself, as she took care of her customer.

  Ashley waited patiently behind two other customers, before she had an opportunity to stand directly in front of Nunnie.

  “What’s up, cousin-in-law?” Big Ashley questioned sarcastically. “Where you been hiding? We missed you at the hospital. We still don’t know if Save is gonna make it.”

  “Oh, okay,” was all Nunnie could muster.

  Big Ashley lifted a brow. “Is that all you gotta say?”

  “What?”

  “Is oh all you gotta say? I just told you that Save might not live and that’s all you gotta say?”

  Nunnie shrugged. “What else you want me to say?”

  “How about show some fucking concern,” Big Ashley growled.

  Nunnie frowned. “Girl, bye. Where was your fucking concern when your fucking cousin was running around trying to take my life? I aint hear you saying shit then. Not to mention he got shot, trying to shoot me. Let’s not forget. So, please fucking miss me.”

  Big Ashley licked her lips. “Bitch, who wouldn’t want to pop your top after fucking their fucking friend?”

  “Big Ashley, on my mama, if I gotta get out there with you, I’ma mop the floor with ya big ass today. Especially if I lose this job behind ya bullshit ass. I’m calling ya P.O. the whole shebang, ya big bitch. You know that I know enough and can say the right shit to have a warrant out for your arrest by tonight, bitch. With all the fraud you committing. So, what’s up?”

  Knowing that Nunnie was privy to plenty of her business, Big Ashley backed off. “Alright, I got you. I’ma see you around. You police ass hoe. Scary ass bitch.”

  Nunnie shook her head, as Big Ashley stomped out of the store. In her eyes, she’d properly handled the situation and didn’t care what anybody had to say about it. If Ashley had caught her out in the streets, then they could’ve fought it out, but she was at work, where her livelihood was at stake. She barely had her head above water as is, and she wasn’t about to lose her job over a nothing ass bitch who wanted to take over h
er cousin’s beef. Ashley was a criminal who clearly didn’t care about fighting in the middle of a store, but Nunnie had to be smarter than that.

  “Say, you got a minute?”

  Nunnie’s head snapped up, as she realized that Lickz was now standing in front of her. “What’s going on?”

  He glanced around the relatively empty store. “I need to holler at you about something. Can you take a break, right quick?”

  “Yeah, hold up,” she sighed, before turning to her co-worker. “Chris, I’ma step outside and take my 15 while it’s slow, okay?”

  Chris nodded. “Cool.”

  “Okay, come on,” she commanded, as she stepped around the counter, before heading out of the store.

  She and Lickz posted up in the walkway, against the wall. “What’s up?” she questioned him.

  He licked his lips, as he studied her innocent face. “How you been holding up? You good?”

  “Not really. Mix haven’t been answering my calls, acting fucking stupid.”

  “Yeah, he told me that you be fucking him up with the crying. Especially when it’s best that yall keep yall distance.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “You keep on saying that. Are you the one telling him that?”

  He nodded. “I do. That’s my nigga. Ion wanna see him in a jam, so I aint gon tell him nothing wrong. He’ll fuck around and let your tears be the reason he’s caught slipping, so it’s best to just avoid your calls. For now. Until this shit blows over.”

  “Wow,” Nunnie voiced. “That’s fucking cold blooded. You don’t know what I’m going through, just because you got him cutting off our communication.”

  “Look, I aint trying to be a dick. I really aint. I know yall got this lil’ young, crazy, addictive kinda love shit going on. I get it. I do. But yall gotta put yall emotions aside. It’s time to be some grownups, cause this shit is serious. I mean, unless you ready to watch him get locked up for the next 20 years or some shit like that.”

  “No,” she snapped.

  “Alright, then. Let this man do what he gotta do in peace. And right now, it’s looking like the best thing for him to do is to go out of town for a bit—”