She Gave Her All to the Hood’s Finest 2

by Shvonne Latrice

  “He…” I looked off. “He can’t pitch in, Camarih. He’s broke.”

  “You know what I mean, Rubie. You don’t have to use money to pitch in.”

  I’d never thought about that until just now. Armonn literally did nothing. He didn’t cook, clean, hell, he didn’t even give me a foot massage after working all damn day. All he did was lie around or submit to modeling jobs, while fronting on social media and using my money for Ubers to different auditions.

  “Nothing I guess.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “He doesn’t know any better.”

  “If Tony could give me roses, your man shouldn’t need a manual on what to do either.”

  “He gave you roses?” I looked up with my top lip raised.

  “Yes.” Camarih laughed, so I followed suit. “Twice.”

  “Damn, I guess you’re right. If his ghetto ass knows to give roses, Armonn should know something. So what should I do? I love him but…”

  “Tell his ass to get a damn job. He can work for a little call center, which would get him a cool little income every month. Some even make seventeen dollars an hour.”

  “But how can he audition if he’s working?”

  “That negro will figure it out. And hell, if the audition is that important, he can call off that day or come in late. It’s really not that hard to manage. Then once his career starts picking up to the point where he’d be calling off a lot, he can quit.”

  I nodded, taking that in.

  “Okay. I will refer that to him.”

  “Why did you say you love him but…?”

  “But… I’m fucking Eitan, and I don’t think I can stop.”

  Camarih burst into laughter.

  “Oh, I knew this already. Tony told me.”

  “What? How does he know?” He stayed telling my business, and I never knew how he found it out.

  “He said he could tell by how thirsty you were acting at the show, and the only time women come and sit in the studio for hours is if they’re fucking someone there.”

  “Asshole.”

  “He is, but that’s my baby.”

  Rolling my eyes playfully, I replied, “So where is Eitan? And do you know anything about him that I should also know?”

  “You have a man.” She got back to working, but I saw her smirking.

  “Camarih, come on.”

  “No, I don’t. I know he was dating that Holli girl, but she went to jail for slicing up some groupie she caught him with.”

  “She killed her? Why haven’t I heard about this?”

  “No, just cut her face and forearms. It’s all over the city. You need to get out more.”

  I frowned, not knowing if I wanted any parts of that. I’d met Holli, unwillingly, and she seemed like the type to slice a bitch.

  Camarih and I changed subjects, and I helped her load her products into the mini fridge in the kitchen. She then cooked some Cajun pasta, and after I had a plate, Tony came home. Per usual, his rude ass didn’t speak; he went right to groping and kissing Camarih. Since it was his place, I decided to greet him, and he nodded his head up, calling me DSL before leaving the kitchen to do something I couldn’t make out.

  “Does he know DSL isn’t a compliment?” I asked as Camarih walked me to the door.

  “I don’t think he cares.”

  “True.”

  I’d have to Google if it was later.

  I sat in my car, not ready to go home. And seeing Tony grope all over Camarih while they kissed had me feeling frisky. Against my better judgment, I called Eitan since I knew he wasn’t busy because Tony was home. I noticed before putting the phone to my ear that Armonn hadn’t responded to any of my calls, texts, comments, or voicemail.

  “Hello?” Eitan’s voice poured through the phone.

  “Are you busy?”

  “Not really, just practicing for the studio tomorrow.”

  “Damn, again? Weren’t you there today?”

  “Yeah, but PRC wants a single that’s hot, then I gotta do a video, and a couple big ass performances coming up. This nigga Tony ain’t playing, but my pockets about to inflate.”

  That last line had me wanting him more. I wasn’t a gold digger by any means, but having a broke nigga by my side for years had me thirsty for a man with his own coins.

  “Nice, so… want some company?”

  “Is that company gonna curse me out again?”

  “No, I promise. That company wants to apologize though, which it rarely ever does.”

  Chuckling, he replied, “Okay, come through.”

  Giddily, I hung up and went straight to his house. As soon as he opened the door, I jumped on his tall ass, and we kissed all the way to his bedroom. We couldn’t get naked fast enough, and seconds later, I was on my back getting my pussy ate.

  “Oh my gosh.” I whimpered, caressing the back of his head as his tongue snaked around my pussy, flickering over my bud.

  My juices were trickling down as Eitan licked me, and before I knew it, I was releasing for the second time. Pushing him onto his back, I allowed him to cover his dick with a condom before I sat on it. As he held my waist, I rode him, watching his face scrunch up in pleasure.

  “Damn, Rubie,” he groaned, running one hand down the front of my body. “Wait… wait.” He tried to stop me as I bounced faster on his dick.

  I’d cum for the third time, but I wanted more. His body was sweating like mine, so our hands were slipping and sliding every time we touched one another.

  “Oh shit!” I called out, releasing again, but so feverishly that my body shook.

  He was right after me, and once I caught my breath, I collapsed onto him.

  We laid there for a couple minutes before separating, and after I peed and washed my hands, he flushed the condom, cleaning his hands as well.

  “I was surprised you called.” He cleared his throat.

  We were lying in his bed, with the lights off. My phone was in my purse, and I heard no ringtones, so Armonn still hadn’t reached out. It was now 10 p.m., and I was slightly worried.

  “Me too. I felt bad about what I said last time, but you pissed me off.”

  “My bad for that shit. I meant what I said, just not the way I said it. Old boy is using you.”

  “No. I think he’s just comfortable with me taking care of him.” I looked up into his eyes.

  “What’s the difference? They’re both bad. What type of nigga is cool with his girl taking care of him?”

  “Not many, I guess. I’m not money hungry though.”

  “Neither am I, but you think I want a female who ain’t got her own money? She don’t have to make as much as me, but I can’t have no bum bitch being my girl. She needs to have her own shit too.”

  I nodded.

  “Yeah, I guess I was just trying to be supportive.”

  “That’s why I like you.” He kissed me. “But sometimes muthafuckas will take your kindness and bleed you dry. That’s what he doing.”

  “Hmm, so let me guess. You wanna be my new man?”

  “Shit, hell yeah.” He cheesed with his fine self.

  Smirking, I kissed down his stomach until I reached his dick, taking it into my mouth until it hardened.

  The next morning…

  “Where you going?” Eitan asked as I dressed. He was still asleep, or half asleep.

  “Home. I have some work to do.”

  “Break up with him.”

  “Eitan—”

  “I’m serious. My mama said females don’t cheat unless they really fuck with the dude they cheated with.”

  His mama was right.

  “I can’t just break up with him.”

  “Yeah you can. So do it. Then you can kick it with me all the fucking time.” He touched my back when I sat down to put on my shoes.

  That sounded nice.

  “Okay, I will.” I half lied. I didn’t know if I actually would, but being Eitan’s girl sounded nice as hell.

  “Come to the studio later.”

>   “I will.” I kissed him and left out.

  I made it home thirty minutes later, and when I got there, Armonn was nowhere to be found, still.

  Rahim

  The next night… around 9:30 p.m.…

  I’d been held up in my crib since noon today, only eating snacks and unhealthy shit because I had to work. Now that Tony had secured that lit ass distribution deal with Paramount, shit was moving fast as fuck, and I needed to keep up. No more of the creating a couple beats for Eitan to choose from. I had to have a couple beats for him, Nala, Holli, who was getting out soon, and then a few more for these other females Tony was looking to sign.

  Not to mention, Tony was a perfectionist and looking for a certain sound, so I couldn’t come in there with no bullshit. I wasn’t complaining though, because I didn’t wanna be seen as no hit or miss ass producer. I wanted everyone to know this shit was about to knock as soon as they heard my tag or saw my name in the credits. Plus, when Tony mentioned that other artists, already established, would be trying to work with me after I delivered hits for his people, that shit motivated me even more.

  I fucked with bro though because he wasn’t a hater. He wasn’t just trying to keep me under him, despite me being fine with that. Tony wanted every muthafucka to reach their full potential, even if it meant almost busting a cap in yo’ ass for it to happen.

  I laughed to myself, thinking about him shooting at Eitan and having him shivering like a leaf on a tree the rest of the night in front of his little crush Rubie.

  “Hello?” I saved my beat session and answered my ringing phone. “Where you been?” I asked before Amara could even reply.

  “Hey, and I’ve been busy. We’ve been getting more court cases than usual, and with this promotion, I’ve been having to put in more work.”

  “And what about Ahmira?” I frowned.

  Ever since Amara and my baby girl went back to Nevada, shit hadn’t been the same. Usually whenever I called my wife, she answered, and if she didn’t, she’d call me back in less than five minutes. Also, whenever I would FaceTime my baby, she’d usually sit in the camera too, making it a family thing. However, shit was different now.

  Now when I called, Amara wouldn’t even call me back at all. I would have to hit her line at least twice more for her to answer, and most of the time, it was late in the day like right now. When I FaceTimed my daughter, she would let Ahmira hold the phone and leave the room. She swore it was this promotion, but it didn’t feel right. I could barely sleep at night wondering if Amara was planning to leave my ass or if she had a side nigga.

  “Ahmira is fine. My mother is retired, and you know my aunt lives with my parents, so they watch her for me when needed.”

  “Oh, aight.” It got quiet. Lately, we had more awkward silences too. “Baby, you good?”

  “Yes. Are you?”

  No more pet names either. I was always Rahim or nothing, not even Rah.

  “I mean, actually if you want me to be honest, no. Ever since you went back to Las Vegas, you’ve been kind of on some funny shit.”

  “Oh, have I?”

  “Come on, Amara. Stop acting like shit hasn’t changed. We used to talk on the phone every day and twice at the least. Now I can barely get ahold of you, and when I do, you be sounding like you don’t even wanna talk.”

  She said nothing for a couple seconds, as I waited on edge for her reply.

  “You’re right, things have been different, and it’s because I’m feeling differently. That trip to LA showed me a lot.”

  “A lot like what?” I was beyond irritated.

  “A lot like, maybe I can’t trust you like I thought. You can explain all day, but omitting the fact that you have a wife is just not cool, Rahim.”

  “Baby, I told you the shit just didn’t come up. And I thought we squashed that?”

  “Me too, but it’s still bothering me.”

  “Okay, what can I do? Whatever the fuck you need me to do, tell me, and I will make that shit happen. You wanna move here? I’m making more money now, and I can afford a bigger apartment for the three of us i—”

  “Have you fucked anyone else?”

  Inhaling sharply, I was caught off guard.

  “No, Amara.”

  “Kissed?”

  “No, hell no! I ain’t done shit! The most I’ve done was look at an ass or two, nothing else. And when I looked, it wasn’t on no lustful type shit; it was just a glance.”

  “I think maybe we should take some time a part. I—”

  “Amara, nah, you got me fucked up!” I shot up from my computer desk and began pacing. My hands were sweating, and my heart was pounding loudly as fuck out of my chest it seemed.

  “I don’t care what I so-called have you. I need some time to think about if you’re the man I want to continue to be married to.”

  “You love me! Fuck is you talking about!”

  “The man I loved has never had a problem yelling from the rooftops that I was his wife! This new, got a little notoriety Rahim is not the man I love!”

  “I do though. I do love you. It was one damn mistake!”

  “That was not a mistake, Rahim Cambridge! A mistake is signing in the wrong place on a contract. This, what you did, was purposeful. You’ve been out there for a damn year, and you’re telling me not once did the opportunity to mention me come up?”

  “Amara—”

  “Space will be good. It will too give you time to figure out if you wanna be with me.”

  “I do though—”

  Click.

  I plopped down onto the edge of my bed and shut my eyes. I couldn’t believe this shit. I didn’t even know this version of Amara. My wife was sweet, poised, supportive, and always willing to work through shit to keep us solid. The woman I just spoke to was nothing like that.

  Looking down at my iPhone, I was about to tap Amara’s name to call her, but Shanece’s contact caught my eye. Maybe now was the best time to get her out of my system since Amara wanted space.

  Me: Hey, how is everything?

  Shanece: Coma… but his heart is still strong.

  Me: Damn, I’ll be praying.

  Me: Let me take you to breakfast in the morning, to give you a little break.

  I knew I promised Shanece I wouldn’t make any moves, but I couldn’t help it. She was pretty as hell, smart, and just interesting as fuck. I always thought about her for no reason at all. I enjoyed being in her presence, even when we didn’t converse.

  Shanece: Thanks and idk Rahim…

  Me: It’s just breakfast and I’m sure you haven’t left that hospital since he was admitted.

  Shanece: Lol… only to shower and brush my teeth.

  Me: See. We can stay close by.

  Shanece: Marie Callender’s. Best breakfast and it’s across the street. Meet you at 10am.

  Me: See you soon beautiful.

  I smiled down at my phone before locking it.

  I got back to work because Tony wanted to hear these beats at tomorrow night’s session. We’d be working from 9 p.m. until the wee hours of the morning. We were working around Camarih’s sleep schedule because this nigga swore up and down she was gon’ have the baby in the daytime, and if he missed it, he was killing everybody. I knew the shit was a slap in the face for Joy, but I didn’t feel bad for dumb females.

  I was halfway finished laying down something dope for Nala, when my doorbell sounded off.

  “The fuck?” I looked up in the right-hand corner of my computer to see the time. It was now almost 11 p.m.

  Getting up after saving my shit again, I went to peer out the peephole. Phoebe was standing right there, in a big t-shirt and tights.

  “Open the door, Rah. I can hear you.”

  Sucking my teeth, I did as she’d asked, and she waltzed right in with two suitcases.

  “What’s going on?” I shut the door behind her.

  “My place flooded, so while they’re fixing everything, I need a spot to crash.”

  “What about o
ne of yo’ homegirls? I only got one bedroom, and I don’t like people lying all over my couch.”

  “Oh, so you can fuck me, but you can’t house me? You some type of nigga.” She folded her arms. “And where you been? A little birdie told me your wifey came to visit, so that must’ve been why you went ghost.” Phoebe sat on my couch, throwing her feet across the other cushions as she grabbed the remote.

  Walking over to stand in front of her, I snatched the remote back.

  “Yeah, she did come, and we can’t do what we do no more. And you can’t stay here. Plus, I got somewhere to be tomorrow, so you can’t even spend the night.”

  “Wow, so you gon’ just throw me out?” She started crying, which I did not expect.

  “Phoebe, come on man, I…” I stopped speaking and sat on the coffee table to hug her. “How long you gotta stay?”

  “They said just a week.”

  “Okay, fine.”

  “Thank you.” She sniffled, picking her head up from being buried in my chest. She kissed me.

  “Phoebe, we can’t. I’m married and trying to do right.” That wasn’t really why; I was just over her ass. She caused too many problems, and I didn’t even like her enough for all that.

  “Just one more time.”

  “Nah. Now if you wanna stay, you can’t be trying to fuck and shit. Promise me.”

  “I promise,” she replied solemnly.

  I went back to my room, finished the beat, and then set my alarm for the morning before passing out.

  I woke up feeling like someone was next to me, and sure enough, when I opened my eyes, Phoebe was knocked the fuck out beside me. She had her hand on my stomach, with her leg thrown across me.

  Looking at the cable box, I saw it was 11 a.m. and almost threw Phoebe’s ass off me, getting out the bed.

  “Fuck! What happened to my alarm!” I searched the bed for my phone. I was supposed to meet Shanece, and I had missed the shit. “Shit, shit, shit.” I panicked, looking.

  “It’s right here. I dismissed the alarm because you looked tired.” Phoebe held my phone up, so I snatched it.

  “Don’t touch my shit, Phoebe! You ain’t even supposed to be in my room.” I frowned at her before diverting my eyes down to my screen.