“Listen, you let me know whatever you need. Even if we have to hire a nanny and make one of these conference rooms a daycare,” Mr. Malone said.
“Really Mr. Malone?” Lyric said as she looked at him sideways.
“Yes really. Don’t you even think about quitting on me,” Mr. Malone replied.
“I’m not quitting and you have my word,” Lyric promised.
“Who’s the lucky man?” Mr. Malone asked.
“His name is Bronx. I doubt if you know him,” Lyric noted.
“Maybe not but I’d like to meet him. I have to tell him how lucky he is to have you.” Mr. Malone smiled.
“He’s not that lucky. We’re not together anymore,” Lyric said while rolling her eyes.
“I’m not even getting into all that. I don’t know, for some reason, I always thought that you and Javier would end up dating,” Mr. Malone said.
“We did,” Lyric confessed.
“What? When was this?” Mr. Malone asked.
“Months ago and it lasted for months,” Lyric replied.
“I’m not surprised that y’all dated, but I am surprised that it didn’t work out. Javier is a great catch.”
“Not for me and that’s why I threw him back in the water. Just know that people in the office aren’t lying when they say that he’s an asshole,” Lyric said.
“He’s a hard worker and he expects nothing less than perfection. Most people don’t understand that mindset. He reminds me of a younger version of myself,” Mr. Malone noted as he sat down again.
“He can’t be too much like you. You were married with a child by the time you were his age,” Lyric pointed out.
“He’ll get there one day. Him hating Spencer so much makes sense to me now,” he replied.
“He’s an evil asshole but enough about him. How is Nova working out for you?” Lyric asked.
“You couldn’t have chosen a better replacement for Martha. She’s fast and efficient. Two of my favorite traits.”
“It runs in the family.” Lyric smiled.
“It sure does. Boy, just wait until Paisley finds out that you’re having a baby. She’s gonna be so excited,” Mr. Malone said with a bright smile on his face.
“I’m gonna go call her when I get back to my office. Since she got a boyfriend now, she doesn’t want to spend the weekends with me anymore,” Lyric pouted.
“It’s still new. Give it some time and she’ll be running by you to get away from him,” Mr. Malone laughed.
“I already know,” Lyric replied.
“I forgot to tell you that I’ll be out of town for three days next week. One of my wife’s brothers is retiring from the police force and we’re going to spend a few days with her family in Chicago.”
“Okay, I’ll hold it down until you come back,” Lyric said.
“You always do,” Mr. Malone replied right before she walked out of the office.
Lyric sat down and talked to Nova for a while before going back to her office to finish up some work.
Chapter 31
Zina walked into Ace’s and felt right at home. She hadn’t been there in a while, but it felt good to be back in her element. When her sisters told her that they were going to Ace’s, Zina threw on some clothes and met them there. She used to hang out at Ace’s long before she met and married Deuce. That wasn’t going to change just because they were getting divorced.
“What’s up girl? You ain’t been through here in a minute. What you drinking tonight?” Darnell asked when Zina walked up to the bar.
“Stop playing and pour up nigga. You already know what I want,” Zina replied.
“Hennessey on ice, coming right up,” Darnell replied.
Zina rocked back and forth to the music while Darnell fixed her drink. When he handed it to her, she gave him a twenty to pay for it.
“Keep the change,” Zina said.
“Come on fam, you know your money ain’t no good here,” Darnell said as he tried to give it back to her.
“I’m sure you know that your cousin and I are no longer together. You can just treat me like a regular customer from now on,” Zina replied as she walked away.
“Bitch, I know you didn’t just hand him no money for that drink,” Zina’s sister Chloe said.
“I sure did. Deuce ain’t my nigga no more and I don’t expect nothing free. I’m good,” Zina noted.
“You’re better than me, honey. I would have never gave up on my marriage that damn fast,” Chloe said.
“I wasn’t the one who gave up; he did,” Zina pointed out.
“I don’t even blame you, sis. I’m not forcing no nigga to be with me. Either you want me or you don’t. Ain’t no in between,” her other sister Charlene said.
“Exactly. I been chasing niggas my whole life and my legs are tired,” Zina said, shaking her head.
“Yeah but the ones you chased before weren’t your husband,” Chloe said.
“I really don’t give a fuck Chloe. I sat there and listened while that nigga told his cousin how much he loved another bitch. She’s about to give him his first child and that’s something that I’ll never be able to compete with,” Zina said.
“Why would you even want to? Your marriage shouldn’t be a competition,” Charlene argued.
“I agree. Honestly, I saw this shit coming a while ago when that nigga started switching up on me. Me and Deuce would have been divorced a long time ago if I wouldn’t have fought so hard to make it work,” Zina said.
“You obviously stopped fighting,” Chloe replied.
“You damn right I did. I got tired of doing it all by myself,” Zina said as she spotted Sanai, Colby, and a few of their friends walking over to where they were.
“Look at this bitch,” Chloe spat angrily.
They were all cool with Sanai at one time, but she crossed the line when she came for Zina. She hit below the belt when she told Zina’s secrets and her sisters weren’t feeling her anymore. Sanai led her crew to the table that was right next to theirs. She sat on her boyfriend’s lap and looked over at Zina and her sisters. The smirk that was on her face was enough to make Zina slap her and be waiting for her crew to say something. Sanai was a bold bitch. She was all hugged up with her man while her side nigga and his girl were sitting right there with them. Zina could have entertained her but, since Sanai was behaving herself, she decided to do the same. Things were cool for a while until Sanai decided to open her mouth and say something.
“I guess I have to pay for all of my drinks tonight,” Sanai said loud enough for Zina to hear her.
When she and Zina used to hang out, her drinks were always on the house. Darnell would never give them to her for free, but Zina always got two when they were together.
“Why not? Ain’t this your cousin’s bar? Hell, your brother is the bartender!” one of her friends yelled.
“Isn’t that his wife?” her other friend asked, trying but failing to whisper.
“Not anymore. Deuce did a serious upgrade. His new bitch is bad as fuck. He came to our granny’s house for us to meet her. She’s having his baby and everything,” Sanai said loudly.
She wasn’t telling Zina anything that she didn’t already know. The fact that she was trying to embarrass her by putting the entire club in her business was pissing her off though. Zina was done giving passes. Sanai seemed excited about her relationship ending and Zina was about to ruin hers too.
“Chill out Sanai. Nigga didn’t come out here to be on no dumb shit with you,” Colby fussed.
“I’m not on no dumb shit baby. I was just saying that I’m gonna miss getting my free drinks,” Sanai smirked.
“You shouldn’t have to pay for nothing when you got your man and your side nigga here with you,” Zina said, wiping the smirk from her face.
“What side nigga?” Colby asked as he moved Sanai from his lap.
“That bitch is lying. She’s just mad because Deuce left her for his baby mama!” Sanai yelled angrily.
“Tell your boy w
hat’s up Chris,” Zina said as she pointed to Colby’s friend.
“Man, this don’t have shit to do with me,” Chris said as he sipped his drink and looked straight ahead.
“Why did you pay for her to have an abortion a few months ago then? Bitch didn’t know which one of y’all was the daddy, so she just did away with the baby. Let’s not forget hoe. I’m the bitch that drove you there and waited while you got it done,” Zina replied as her sisters fell out laughing.
“Bitch!” Sanai yelled as she lunged at her.
Zina jumped up, but Chris’ girlfriend grabbed Sanai by her hair before she had a chance to get to her. She was dealing with Sanai while Chris tried to break them up. Colby grabbed a bottle from the table and smashed it across his best friend’s head before security ran over to break them up.
“You can come get all your shit out of my house too nigga! You can have that bitch!” Chris’ girlfriend yelled as she was being escorted out.
Colby never even bothered to help Sanai up from the floor. He walked away from her as she screamed his name and chased after him. The other people who were with them looked shocked at how their night turned out. Darnell was trying to make sure his sister was good and security was making sure the club didn’t erupt in chaos. Zina was never the type to play tit for tat, but Sanai needed to know just how fucked up she had her.
“Bitch, this will go down in history as a night to remember,” Charlene laughed as she sipped her drink.
“These hoes need to stop trying to ruffle my feathers. Let a bitch grieve over the loss of her marriage in peace,” Zina replied.
“Bitch, you ain’t grieving. That nigga Tripp already told everybody that y’all been kicking it,” Charlene said, calling her out.
“What Tripp? Not the same nigga that was cool with Blue?” Chloe asked, referring to Baby Blue’s deceased father.
“That nigga is the king of the trap bitch. You know I love a dope boy like the fiends love dope. We kicked it a few times, but we’re taking shit slow. That nigga wanted me when I was with Blue, but I wasn’t trying to die just to get a nut. Shit just never worked out for us to hook up but we’re both free agents now. Besides, I needed some dick and he broke a bitch back a few times.” Zina shrugged.
“My bitch is back!” Chloe yelled as she clapped her hands in excitement.
“Like I never left,” Zina replied with a smile.
She was ready for the whispers, but she really didn’t give a damn. Tripp and Blue were tight and they grew up hustling together. When Blue got killed, Tripp got shot too but he survived. Zina knew that people would have something to say about them being together, but she really didn’t give a fuck.
***
“They need to grow the fuck up. I can’t believe Colby was in on that bullshit too,” Deuce said as he shook his head.
He and Darnell had just finished restocking the bar at Ace’s when his cousin filled him in on what had gone on at the club two nights prior.
“Man, I don’t know what the fuck happened. All I know is after I left here, I had to go help my pops and my brother move all of Sanai’s shit out of his house,” Darnell replied.
“It had to be bad for that nigga to put her out,” Deuce pointed out.
“All I know is Colby smashed a bottle across Chris’ head and Sanai and his girl was fighting like some wild animals. They always want to wait until they come to the club to start fighting. Sanai said Zina started it, but I didn’t see her fighting. She was still in here drinking when security escorted them out. Family or not, I wish they just stay the fuck away,” Darnell fussed as they locked up and left the building.
“That’s your call though, bruh. You’re more than just the bartender. You’re like the manager too. Manage that shit. Tell security who you don’t want in there and let them niggas do what I’m paying them to do. You need a raise or something nigga? I got you if that will motivate you to do more,” Deuce replied as he drove away from the club.
“Hell yeah, I need a raise. I’m the bartender, the bouncer, and the maintenance man. Hell, I’m even the DJ if they start complaining about the music that he’s playing. Now these muthafuckers got me in there playing referee too because they want to fight all the time,” Darnell argued.
“No worries cuz, I got you,” Deuce promised as he dialed a number and waited for the phone to ring.
“Hey,” Lyric said when she answered the phone.
“I’m going get your lunch and I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Deuce replied.
“I want Outback,” Lyric said.
“You told me this morning. I got you,” Deuce replied before he hung up.
“Damn boy. That girl got you catering to her and shit,” Darnell teased.
“Yep. I’m basically her bitch,” Deuce said as he nodded in agreement.
“Are y’all back together yet?” Darnell inquired.
“Nope and she won’t even let me hit it. I stayed by her house the entire weekend and she made a nigga sleep in the other room. Had me in there mopping up her vomit and she still ain’t fucking with me like that,” Deuce answered.
Lyric didn’t know what she had eaten, but she spent the entire weekend sick in bed. She never had to deal with morning sickness before and she was praying that she wasn’t about to start. Melody went over there, but Deuce felt like she was his responsibility. He catered to and cleaned up after Lyric the entire weekend. He tried to climb up in the bed with her the first night but she shut him down with the quickness. As soon as she started feeling a little better, she thanked him for his help and put him out. She didn’t feel like driving that morning, so he picked her up and dropped her off at work. Lyric was already spoiled and he was only making it worse.
“Damn cuz. You must really be in love,” Darnell laughed.
“Deep like a muthafucker,” Deuce admitted.
He called in and ordered Lyric’s food. He got something for him and Darnell too before heading to the law office. He called Lyric as soon as he parked and she told him that she was on her way down.
“What the fuck are we listening to? What happened to the trap music?” Darnell asked as he tried to turn the radio.
“Don’t touch my shit nigga. I’m in love and this is the kind of shit that niggas in love listen to,” Deuce replied.
“Mint Condition though, bruh. The fuck is really going on?” Darnell questioned.
“This is what my baby likes to listen to. Them niggas gay as fuck but they can sing. And how the fuck did you know who they were? I never heard of them before I met Lyric. Your punk ass ain’t fooling nobody,” Deuce replied, making his cousin laugh.
When the front door to the building opened, Deuce smiled when he saw Lyric walk out. She was a little over three months now and she was starting to get a little baby bump.
“Nigga, that’s her!” Darnell yelled excitedly as he hit Deuce’s arm.
“Who is her?” Deuce questioned.
“The big fine chick who was at Ace’s that time. Damn bruh. It look like she’s walking this way,” Darnell said as he pulled the visor down and checked his appearance.
“The fuck you checking yourself out in the mirror for!” Deuce yelled.
“I might make my move today. I want her sexy ass,” Darnell replied.
“That’s my baby mama nigga! You trying to get fucked up out here!” Deuce yelled angrily.
“What! That’s Lyric?” Darnell questioned.
“Yeah muthafucker! That’s Lyric!” Deuce snapped with a frown. He got out of the car with his face twisted up in a mask of anger. Lyric saw him frowning but she didn’t know why.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked him.
“When were you at Ace’s?” Deuce yelled as he towered over her.
“What? I wasn’t at no damn Ace’s. I went there one time and I already told you about that. Where is my food?” Lyric asked.
“Fuck that food. Darnell, get out,” Deuce demanded as he turned and waved him over.
The way his cousin was
talking made it seem like Lyric was at the club more recently. He needed to see what was up and he wasn’t leaving until he did.
“Hey. How you doing?” Darnell said when he got out and walked around to where they were standing.
“Nigga, don’t speak to her,” Deuce fumed.
“Hi. Don’t worry about his ignorant ass. Give me my food Bronx. I have work to do,” Lyric replied.
“I want to know when you were at my club. I don’t even go up in there and I damn sure don’t want my woman in there,” Deuce said.
“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not your woman. I only went there one time with my cousins and your wife. I don’t do clubs boo. If I did, they damn sure would be classier than Ace’s,” Lyric snapped.
“I’m the bartender and I told him that I saw you there once before,” Darnell spoke up.
“Oh okay. That’s why you look so familiar to me,” Lyric smiled.
“You smiling at niggas now Lyric? Huh? You don’t see me standing here?” Deuce questioned angrily.
“Give me my food, so I can get back to work. And don’t be late coming to get me. Five o’clock,” Lyric said.
Deuce reached into the car and grabbed her food. Lyric tried to take it from him, but he moved it out of her reach.
“Give me a kiss,” Deuce demanded as he looked at her.
“Bronx, no, give me my food. I don’t feel like playing,” Lyric whined.
“I’ll throw this shit in the dumpster. Think it’s a game if you want to. Give me a kiss and this is my last time asking.”
“Fuck it then. Just know that if I don’t eat, neither does your child,” Lyric pointed out.
“Why you always making a nigga feel guilty about shit?” Bronx asked.
“Because that’s what I do,” Lyric said as she reached for the bag again.
Deuce pretended like he was handing it to her. He quickly leaned down and stole a kiss before he did.
“Stop playing with me,” he replied as he slapped her on the ass and watched her walk away.
“Damn,” Darnell mumbled once Lyric was back inside the building.
“You trying to walk home nigga. Cousin or not, I’m knocking you the fuck out over that one,” Deuce swore.
Heartbreak And Past Mistakes Page 31