

Trust No Nigga

By Tamika Newhouse

All stories are a work of fiction from the authors and are not meant to depict, portray, or represent any particular person.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblances to an actual person living or dead are entirely coincidental.

Trust No Nigga © 2013 Tamika Newhouse

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

This is for every woman who loved a man who never appreciated her. This is for the wrath you didn't take. I will do the damage for you with my words. In Trust No Nigga I represent you. Let's show them we can fight through the bull sh*t.
Prologue

I would rather walk away from him with my heart broken, than to leave him with love and desire still intact. That's why I stayed with Easy for this long. Pulling my hands back over my head, I brushed my hair away from my face and lay back on the bed. I watched Easy walk across the room and reach for the pack of Magnums. He dropped his pants, leaving on his shirt, and walked over towards me. I spread my legs so that he could easily land between them.

When I saw he was only a few mere inches away, I closed my eyes to bite my tongue. Concealing what I really wanted to say. It was just last week that I could hear myself screaming at the top of my lungs, asking him why he was doing this to me again. What the fuck did he know about love, when he continuously allowed other bitches to audition for my place?

He was the most arrogant man I knew, but he was the sexiest man I knew as well. I had been with him for five years now, and everyone in the streets of Atlanta knew I was his. Eddie Struthers was his given name, but on the streets, you called him Easy.

All my life, I had been attracted to dope boys, so when I met Easy fresh out of my senior year at Spelman, I knew I had to have him. And I did.

"You from around here?" He had called out. I was walking to my car with Sheena, my sister from another mother, when I saw him leaning against a black Camaro. His top down, his music louder than necessary, but his swag was on ten. I assessed the situation and hummed to myself. He's sexy as fuck.

"Watch it girl, that's Easy. Better known as Paul Struthers' son." Sheena said.

I looked at her, raised a confused eyebrow and questioned her. "Who's Paul Struthers?"

"Only one of the biggest gangsters to come out of the A in the 90s. Whatever you can think of that a dope boy can do, his daddy did. And now look at him." Sheena stared back over towards Easy as he waved me over. I couldn't help that fact that I liked what I saw.

I looked at Sheena and said, "Let me just go say hi. I don't want to be rude."

She rolled her eyes and laughed, walking away in the direction of my car. I took my time walking over to Easy so he could watch me walk.

"Yo baby, what's your name?"

I laughed and said, "Come again?"

"I'm sorry, Miss." Easy laughed, placing his hands on his chest as if he was apologetic.

I watched the motions of his hands that were clearly double the size of mine. It matched his six-foot frame, classic build of a man who worked out regularly. His dark chocolate skin danced within the sun's beam. It seemed that I could easily rub my hand across his arm and draw back chocolate.

I smiled, assessing his stance again, and bit my bottom lip. "Jade. My name is Jade."

I could feel Easy crawl between my legs. His dick hardened as it brushed across my skin. I opened one eye to see him place the unopened condom box on the dresser next to our bed. I raised my head and said, "Put that on, Easy."

"Shhh, woman, and lie down. I've missed you. I want to feel you wrapped around me." He placed his index finger on my lips, pressing downward as my head fell backwards into the pillow. The last time you were in me raw, I got pregnant.

I didn't protest as I heard Easy grunt when he entered me. It was a rough entry; I clinched my pelvis real tight to take on his impact. I wasn't wet, not enough for him to slip right in. Why the hell I would be wet behind this nigga? I hated him, but loved him at the same time. Sounds like the dumbest statement a woman could ever admit. But at least I admitted it to myself.

I lay still and allowed him to get his usual pumps in for what he called make up sex. By pump number fifteen I was almost into it, when he suddenly went limp, allowing his seed to escape inside of me. I cringed at the thought of his seed hunting down one of my eggs to trap me into a lifetime commitment of hell, disguised as a relationship.

Kissing the crown of my head, he mumbled, "I love you, Jade."

I didn't reply. I waited for him to roll over so I could retrieve my clothes, and when he did, I hopped wide legged to his bathroom. I wiped myself dry with the closest towel and threw it towards his hamper.

My eyes settled on a red lace blouse. Curiously enough, I hadn't been to Easy's house in over a week. Not since the last discovery of his latest side bitch. I called them all bitches, and I didn't respect any of them. Mainly because they knew my role in his life, and still decided to fuck him.

I walked over and snatched the shirt from where it had been thrown and my memory began to plays tricks on me. I know this isn't who I think it is. I marched out of the bathroom, my heart buried deep within each step I took. I felt as if the very breath of me was leaving my body, as I began to recount the past several days in my head.

Easy sat on the side of the bed, his attention was focused on rolling his blunt. I watched his routine of dumping out the cigar's guts and replacing it with the weed. I put my panties on as he folded the cigar wrap around the weed and slowly licked it shut.

When that was done, I called out, "Was she here?" He ignored me. "Eddie, was that bitch in my house? Did you fuck her?"

He continued his routine, taking a lighter and trailing it across the blunt to seal its contents. When he was done, he finally turned his attention to me and smirked. "Come on, now. Don't ask questions you don't want the real answers to."

I had never experienced a moment like this. The moment I knew I was going to do something I would regret. But in this moment, it didn't matter. I had loved and lost, accepted and forgiven, and turned a blind eye to the bull shit. I was done losing.

I walked over to Easy's file cabinet, the one he kept his fake tax documents in. Without a word, I ripped out all of the folders as I heard Easy stand up and yell, "Yo what the fuck are you doing, Jade? Clean that shit up. Don't start tripping now."

I ignored his orders as I continued to move folder after folder, tossing them over my shoulder until I found what I was looking for. I felt its cold metal brush across the tips of my fingers. I had never felt such a sense of relief and excitement at the same time as I palmed it, grabbing it and pulling it out from underneath the ruffle. I can remember the day Easy bought this for me. He said it was for my protection.

***

Easy stood behind me, bringing my hands into a forward position. My hands gripped the 9MM as my fingers attempted to get familiar with it. "Baby, since this is your first time holding a gun, let me see how you think you should hold it."

I laughed, knowing I had no idea. But I remember how the chick in the movie, Dead Presidents held her gun in her hand. She took control of her gun, aimed it with one hand, turned it sideways, and shot.

Easy stood behind me and laughed. I turned around and rolled my eyes, dropping the gun to my waist. "What the hell is so funny?"

"Baby, you got to hold it with two hands or you're going to hurt that shoulder of yours." He leaned in and kissed the top of my shoulder. "Take your stance again." he told me.

This time, he placed both my hands on the gun. "Hold it real tight. And always aim for the chest. It's the biggest part on someone's body, and you are bound to hit something."

"Like this?" I imitated his moves.

He nodded affirmatively.

"I got to teach you how to protect yourself, baby. These niggas out here know who I am, and they know you are mine. If our bodyguard isn't with us for some reason, you got to be able to hold it down. You understand?"

I nodded my head yes, and gave him the sweetest kiss. "I got you, babe. I will always have your back."

Today, I stood in our bedroom gripping that same gun, but this time I had it aimed at Easy's head. Then I remember what he had taught me, aim for the chest it's the biggest part on someone's body. You are bound to hit something.

Easy's eyes traveled from me to the gun. He tilted his head in confusion. "Jade baby, no I didn't fuck her in this house."

I listened to his words, in this house. Tears burning my eyes and falling down my cheeks, I screamed, "But you fucked her, didn't you?"

He didn't speak. I was tired of this routine. I had accepted the bullshit, the drugs, the fast money, the bitches, the cheating, my losing a child, and he just didn't give a fuck. He just didn't care.

Easy stood mute, and pleaded with his eyes. No words were spoken as each second passed. I took a deep breath and thought about what I was doing.

Slowly walking towards me, he whispered, "Baby, don't you trust me that I love you? I know I fuck up, but I care about you babe."

Something triggered inside of me. At first, I only had one hand on the gun, but I brought up the second hand and gripped its metal harder.

With tears streaming down my face, my throat clinched with pain, my heart racing with fear, I screamed, "I don't trust no nigga."

With one hard pull the gun went off.

As I said before, I would rather walk away with him having broken my heart, than to leave him with love and desire in my heart. He had broken it. Now it was time for me to break his.
Chapter 1

Sheena

I eyed the cup of coffee Monique handed me and sucked my teeth. "I don't want any damn coffee, Monique." I protested.

Jade, who sat next to me gripped my hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

Monique accepted my rejection and sat the coffee down in front of me then took a seat on the other side.

"You haven't eaten all night and morning." Monique said.

"I will eat as soon as Dunts walks his ass out of that delivery room." I pushed myself back into my seat and folded my arms across my chest. I was past the point of being pissed and embarrassed, but I promised him that I would be there for him.

"You are going to be ok." Jade tried to reassure me.

I gave her a weak smile. She had been my best friend ever since our freshman year in college at Spelman. She understood me these days more than anyone, and I was happy to have her with me. We met Monique a couple years later, after she transferred to Spelman.

"I am getting hungry," I whined.

Monique suggested we all walk to the lobby to get some food. I looked around the waiting area for labor and delivery and blew out hot air. I was supposed to be the one giving birth, not Dunts' side bitch.

"Why the fuck am I even here, Jade, huh?" I cried out to her suddenly.

I buried my face into her shoulder and cried out for the one hundredth time.

"Because you love Dunts, and you want to work it out." Jade calmly said, as she had done over one hundred times before.

***

Walking into Jade's apartment, I throw my purse onto her couch and called out, "Please bring me a glass of water, juice, tea, something shit. This Atlanta heat ain't no joke."

Jade walked in her shirt cut half way over her belly button, wearing boy shorts, and says, "Girl, calm your voice. Eddie is in there having a meeting."

"A meeting at your place? I thought you wanted that dope boy shit not to cross your door step." I quizzed, being nosey as I rose up to get myself something to drink. "What are they in there talking about anyway?"

Jade walked over to me and handed me an empty glass. "The hell if I know. I always tell Eddie I don't want to hear it or see it."

I laughed and said, "Now you know that's impossible, being a d boy's girl. I told you about that nigga, but no, you had to go and fall in love and shit. Girl, hand me the juice out the fridge."

"What did you tell her? I heard the sarcasm in Dunts' voice before he even turned the corner and joined us in the kitchen. Swinging around and closing the fridge in the process, I came face to face with him for the first time. My eyes caught on to his flirtatious stare. I stared at him back. I can only imagine how many seconds passed before Jade cleared her throat to break the silence.

"I... I... what were we talking about?"

She laughed and walked around her kitchen counter and stood between Dunts and I. "Dunts, this is my girl, Sheena. Sheena, this is Dunts, Easy's right hand man."

I raised a curious eyebrow at this man who stood before me. Average height, but his body was chiseled perfectly, every inch of his arms were covered in tattoos, his hair cut low, his beard shaven clean and even, it all matched his caramel complexion. He smiled and extended his hand as if he were an average guy, and not the thug that I saw before me.

"Hey, what's up, Sheena?"

I took his hands in mine and shook it. "Hey." He gave me a head nod, licked his lips, smiled and walked out the front door. I don't think I breathed in those last couple of seconds.

"Damn bitch, you didn't tell me that Dunts was fine."

Jade laughed and said, "Well, as you said, you don't date dope boys."

I waved her. "Whatever, I would make an exception for his sexy ass."

I grabbed my cup of juice, and as I turned the corner to head back into the living room, I screamed out in fear. "What the hell are you doing just posted up in the corner like some damn thief?"

Dunts laughed and clapped his hands in the process. "I knew you liked what you saw."

I rolled my eyes. I knew he was hinting that he had overheard the conversation Jade and I were having in the kitchen. I walked over to the edge of the couch and leaned on its arm. I cockily took a sip of my juice. "So you heard me." It wasn't a question. It was a statement. If he pretended to leave in order to listen, it was for a reason, and I was curious.

Dunts rubbed his hands together as if he was plotting something and smirked. "Let me take you out."

I lowered my glass and smiled. "Took you long enough to ask."

My rule of never dating a dope boy was broken that day.

I rose from my seat in the waiting room with Monique and Jade in tow, and marched toward the elevator when the labor and delivery doors opened. I noticed Dunts' mom walk out toward Dunts' sisters, "It's a baby boy!"

I noticed the cheerful tears that escaped everyone's eyes as they cheered and hugged each other. Everyone was happy. Everyone but me. I could feel Monique grab my hand as Jade grabbed the other and it helped me remain upright.

His mom noticed me finally over by the elevators and walked over. She placed her hand on my shoulder and patted me like I was some damn puppy. "It's a boy. His name is Paul Simmons, Jr."

I thought I was going to fall in the exact place I stood. I couldn't feel my knees as I gave his mom a weak smile. "Tell Dunts I said congrats on the baby boy." I fought back tears as his mother gave me a weak head nod and turned on her heels to walk back to where Dunts was with his mistress and their child.

I thought my life was going to end the day the love of my life told me he was going to have a baby with another woman.

I lay across our bed we shared, my headphones were at its highest volume as Mary J sang about some real love. I kicked my legs in the air and jammed to the beats of the song, when I felt Dunts come in and sit down beside me on the bed.

I open my eyes and smiled, eventually leaning up to kiss him sweetly on his cheek. "Hey Pooh, what's up with you?" I said, calling him the name I gave him when we first started dating a couple years before.

Dunts dropped his head in his hands and closed his eyes. He took such a deep breath that I saw the arch in his back sink in.

I took the earphones out of my ears and slowly sat up. Something wasn't ok, and I could see it all over my man's face. "Pooh, what's up? Dunts, talk to me."

"I fucked up, Sheena, and I need you to listen to me."

Confused, I looked at him with concern. It was rare that Dunts seemed weak, afraid, or unsure, but here he sat in front of me, acting out the traits of all three. I placed my hand on his shoulder and asked, "How did you fuck up?"

Everything started to run through my mind. Did he and Easy get caught up, was the law on the way to lock my baby up, did he shoot somebody, did someone make him out, like what the fuck already? I glanced at my cell to see if I had a missed call or something from Jade, because if it had something to do with Easy, she would have called me. But nothing.

"Well?" I quizzed him again as I grew impatient.

Dunts raised his head confidently and turned to face me. "I love you, and ain't no denying that. You know how it is in these streets. I come across chicks every day that see Easy and I running the corners." He paused.

He looked away once he saw the frown of confusion and annoyance in my expression. "Wait a minute. What the hell are you trying to say?" I scooted to the edge of the bed and cuffed my hands around one another. My posture was of impatience. Dunts knew that I was about to get ready to react, so he stood up.

My eyes followed him as he walked across the room. I stood and took a few steps towards him. "Boy, if you don't say what's on your mind!" I yelled.

He raised his hands as if he was telling me to stand down.

I folded my arms across my chest and switched my weight to my left leg and waited, "I... I... ok listen. I fucked this girl. And... damn baby, I'm sorry. She got pregnant."

I jerked backwards, as if his words had scorched me. "You're fucking playing with me, right? I know you just didn't stand in front of me and tell me you got another bitch pregnant. Did you get another bitch pregnant, Dunts? You were fucking around?" I had run up on him so quickly that he almost missed his way out of our bedroom door.

He ran down the hall and out the front door. Passing through the hallway, I overlooked the evidence of our love that hung on the walls, the decorative curtains that covered our windows that we chose together at Anna's Linens. I didn't see the fresh bundle of lilies that sat on the kitchen counter, which he just gotten for me yesterday. I didn't see any of that. It was all irrelevant.

"Baby, calm down." Dunts yelled as I watched the back of his head zoom out of the front door. I made a b line to the kitchen and pulled out the biggest knife I could find.

"Come the fuck here." I screamed. I made my way through the front door to see our neighbors across the street looking out their windows.

Dunts hysterically ran around his car. His eyes narrowed in on the knife I had in my hand. I ran towards the car as he mumbled, "Shit where the fuck is my keys?" I could see him pulling at his pants, but I knew he had to have left them in the house.

"I am going to kill you." I cried. I didn't know the tears were coming out so strong until I had to wipe my eyes with the back of my free hand just to see.

We ran around that car for ten minutes before I collapsed on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. I would have never guessed in a million years that he would break my heart like this. "Forget fucking another bitch, but you got her pregnant. You gave her something that I was supposed to give you?" I was talking so low that I didn't think he heard me.

"I asked her not to keep it, baby. I tried my hardest, but she is and I am stuck. I don't love her. Sheena, I love you."

I looked up and gave him the stare you give a dummy, because he was a dummy. He was the world's dumbest cheater. "Fuck love. Fuck niggas. I hate niggas." I rose up, marched into our house, grabbed my keys, and drove off.

I didn't bother to get anything. I stayed gone for month.

Monique asked me, "Do you want to stay until Dunts comes out?"

I fought back the tears in my eyes as I tried to muster up enough strength to speak without sounding weak. "No, let's go. I've waited long enough anyway. Let him enjoy his family."

Jade pressed the down button on the elevator. We waited a few seconds before stepping on when I heard him call my name out. "Sheena!"

I stuck my head out to see Dunts running towards me and we all three stepped back off the elevator. He didn't let up on his run, instead he ran right into me wrapping his arms around me and kissing my forehead.

"It's a boy!"

I gave him the strongest smile I could muster and said, "Yes Mama told me. Congrats." In no way did I want to be selfish in this moment. It was his first-born, and the woman, Kim, named their son after Dunts. He was a junior. Hearing that hurt more than the fact that he was having a child with her.

"Thank you baby for being here for me." This time, kissing me on the lips.

I accepted his affection and told him to go on and be with his family.

He walked over to his brothers and sisters and asked them to follow him back to see the baby.

"Why didn't he ask you to go see his son?" Monique asked.

I stared at her blankly and simply stated, "Because that's his kid, not mine."
Chapter 2

Monique

I spotted my sister speaking to one of the bouncers outside of the Strawberry Lounge. She was one of the strippers there, and every now and then, I would pick her up from work so she wouldn't be walking the parking lot alone.

After I parked, I searched my call log to see if Cory had called. He hadn't. I rolled my eyes and turned the radio on as I waited for Tina to make her way to me. I was just about to change the station, when the loudest knock on my passenger side window startled me and I almost jumped out of my skin. Cursing under my breath, I rolled down the window and said, "Lester, why the hell are you tapping on my window so loudly? What's up?"

I eyed Lester who was one of the club owners and waited for him to tell me why he was at my car. I had tried many times to give Lester some play. He was sexy as hell, in his early forties, average built, about 5'7", brown skin, a cutie in the face. The average cutie if you ask me. Nothing was spectacular about the dude but his pockets.

"You waiting on Tina?" He leaned inside my car, using the doorframe as an armrest.

"Yep, what are you getting into this early morning?"

"I saw you over here sitting, so I guess we got to talk about what we are about to get into."

I laughed and watched Lester for a few seconds, reading his body position. "Like what?"

He signaled with his head to follow him.

I pulled my key from the ignition and hopped out of my car then sashayed around to where he stood.

"Yeah baby, you are looking real good tonight." He grabbed my hand. "Take a walk with me to my office real quick."

I switched my weight to one leg and asked with just enough attitude, "For what?"

"We need to discuss something."

I followed him with my hand in his, which was already weird enough. I heard Tina calling me and I lifted one finger in the air to tell her to give me a minute. Inside, we walked the floor that was now being cleaned by the night crew. Most of the girls had left for the day, so just about everyone was gone.

In his office, he flipped on the light switch and told me to take a seat in the chair furthest from the door.

I did as he asked. "What's up, Lester, why do you have me in here? Tina will be marching her ass back here in a minute."

"I needed to talk to you for a minute. So your guy, Cory, has been telling me he's thinking about bringing you on."

I shook my head no in confusion. I had no idea what Lester was talking about. "Bringing me on?"

Lester held up one finger, alerting me to be quiet as he pulled out his cell and texted a quick message.

"One second, Monique. I'll bring him in." I scrunched my nose as if I was disgusted, but I was truly surprised. Cory hadn't answered my texts all day, and here Lester was texting him and telling me he was coming in. I scooted to the edge of my seat and waited for the second he would walk through that door. And it was literally seconds. It was as if he was waiting right outside the door.

"Cory!" I called.

He walked in, smirked, and said, "Hey baby girl you ready to put in that work?"

"Cory, I have been calling you all day."

He raised a finger to shush me, and then walked over to Lester. Whatever he whispered into Lester's ear caused him to smile and look at me.

"Audition time!" Lester rubbed his hands together.

Cory walked over to me and said, "Remember when I asked you if you would help me make money?"

"Ummm yeah, what about it?"

"Well baby, now is the time to get to work. We are short a girl tonight. But first, Lester needs to see what you can do."

I stared at Cory and then back at Lester. "I'm confused. Short a girl on what?"

Cory walked over to me and kissed me on my forehead. "Baby, is you going to help me make money?"

I eyed him and sat there waiting for the rest of his sentence, but he didn't say anything else. I grew impatient as Lester and Cory stared me down. It wasn't until I studied both of them and noticed the way Lester was now looking at me as if I was the last piece of ass he would ever see, that I began to understand.

"Wait, you were serious?"

Cory lit a Black & Mild and nodded his head towards Lester. He wanted me to walk over to him. I sat there and thought to myself. I could do what Cory indicated for me to do, or I could walk away and have Cory not want anything to do with me. Besides, if he wanted me to do this, just this one time, I am sure it was for a good reason.

I swallowed the saliva that had formed in my mouth and nodded my head. "Give me a minute," I said to Cory.

He shook his head. "I want to watch for the first time. Make sure my lady is doing it right."

He walked over to me again and kissed me softly on the forehead. I felt like a child being told by her daddy to go suck a strange man's dick. That's what he was doing, and although I felt like the piece of shit on the bottom of my shoe, I just knew Cory had to have a good reason for this. He needed me to help him.

I slowly rose out of my seat. Lester settled back into his desk chair and smirked. I avoided eye contact with him. If I was going to get through this, then I needed not to look him in his eyes.

Lester grunted deeply. His robust tone caused the hairs on my arms to rise and my stomach to ball into knots. I walk around his desk and motioned for him to scoot back.

"Turn around." His robotic unfamiliar tone set off alarms in my head.

"Turn around?" I stopped in my tracks.

He stood up quickly and walked over to me. Taking a hold of my arm, he aggressively pulled me in front of his desk and swung me around.

"Wait a minute." I screamed as he pushed me down onto his desk. But that didn't alter Lester's agenda. He held both of my wrists and growled for me to stay still.

"This will only take a minute."

What? What will take a minute?

The burning pain around my wrist sent a horrific chill up my back. Trying to hold my balance, I stumbled and was slammed down on his desk, my breast breaking my fall. Scraping my chin on hard wood, I noticed Cory seated across the room. His solemn stare almost stopped my heart from beating. I couldn't understand why he was just sitting there and not trying to help me. Surely, this is not what he meant, when he asked me to help him. My mind drifted back to that day; it was a welcome escape from the horror that I was now facing.

I had placed the blunt between my lips, and then I took a long drag of the weed. I allowed the smoke to settle within my mouth as I took a swallow before finally blowing it out. "Babe, Sting has to be the best weed man to live on this side of the Mississippi River."

Cory grabbed the blunt and took it to his lips. "Yeah, what you got going on later today?"

"Jade is having a cookout at her and Easy's house. I plan to go over there and eat up all their food, right after I finish this blunt with you."

I stood up, walked over to Cory, and stood in front of him. His eyes trailed my body and he smiled, liking what he saw. I had an hourglass frame; 40D was the size of my breasts, thin waist, cutie in the face. I had the whole package, and that's what men loved about me.

"You want me to take care of you, baby?" I purred, bending over and trailing the tips of my fingers across his leg. He allowed his head to fall backwards onto the chair and smirked.

"You gonna suck daddy's dick?"

"Is that what daddy wants?" I asked, purposely kneeling in slow motion as the anticipation of my lips wrapping around his head began to settle in his mind and shoot to his dick. With each passing second, as I grew closer to being on my knees, I could see the rise in his pants. I licked my lips and purred.

The art of sucking Cory's dick wasn't too complex. I had been a member of head hunters since I was thirteen years old. I like to gently grab his dick in my hands sometimes and allow his moist tip to brush across my lips. Trailing my tongue across my lips, I stared at it head on, talking to it with my eyes.

I wanted to make sure he knew that it was time to be cleansed. I wanted to wipe away every desire, every sensation, any feeling left within the veins that were aligned so perfectly leading to his head. Hmmmm... his head. It was perfect, pink, damp, at full salute, and anxious.

I released him, to allow his dick to bounce back and forth on its own. I knew the rhythm it created would dance to the rhythm of my mouth. I leaned over his lap, took a deep breath and gave him one sweet kiss on his tip. Widening my mouth to allow his size nine to fit in perfectly, I took in each inch. My mouth salivated as his salty flavor invaded my every taste bud. I moaned as I felt him grab my head. He guided me further down... and further down, and further down until there was nowhere to escape.

Evening out my breathing, I prepared for his head to touch the depths of my throat. To prevent my gag reflex, I jolted my neck, leaned further into his lap, took a deep breath and aggressively bounced my head up and down. The rhythm had me in a trance as I felt my juices begin to moisten my panties. The sensation of my clit swelling excited me so much, that I took my right hand, grabbed Cory's dick, and began to go in.

My hand wrapped around his dick as my mouth made love to his head.

Cory moaned, "Damn baby, sit on daddy's dick."

I didn't wait for him to ask again. I hurriedly pulled off my panties, straddled him, and eased down on his nine inches. I winced at the impact it had on insides as I began to grind my hips into him. I cried out that he was the best. He moaned that I was even better.

Cory pulled my hair, jerking my head backwards and asked, "You gonna help me make money, baby?"

"Yes, whatever you want." I said breathlessly.

"Good, baby. I will hold you to your word. Now ride daddy's dick."

***

I didn't blink as I felt Lester's hands invade my body. He took his right hand and lifted my skirt. I could feel the air hit my bare ass as he ripped away my thong. Burning tears covered my face as I stared at Cory. He didn't look away. It was as if he was challenging me to say something. I chose not to. I closed my eyes, and in a sudden movement, Lester forced himself inside of me.

I screamed out in pain and humiliation. I tried to fight back my cries, but reality was settling in. I was allowing this man to rape me in front of a man who had told me over and over that he loved me.

***

Cory only rode in the best cars. Usually switching up every six months, and this time, we rode in a black Benz. Our destination was one of the clubs he managed. Pulling into the parking lot, Cory said, "Get out. Let me show you off to the girls."

I smiled and nodded my head. I was use to places like this. Actually, I stripped for a little while to pay my way through college. After getting my sister, Tina, into the life, I slowly but surely left it. I worked with Jade now, at a medical center processing patient records. "I don't mind meeting the girls." I said, smiling from ear to ear.

Walking in close behind Cory, I began to look around as if I wasn't familiar with this scene. The men, the money, the sex, the fast life. I didn't miss it. I did miss the money, but that was the past. I forced myself to forget about those memories as I followed Cory to the back. We walked into the club's dressing room where a few of the ladies were half-naked.

"Hey babe, didn't know you were coming in to check on us tonight." A woman maybe all of 5'4", red hair, brown skin, small waist, and everything larger than it needed to be, walked up to Cory and hugged him. I looked on, somewhat uncomfortable that she casually stood there topless. Her breasts were the center of attention. At least for me they were.

Cory spoke to her and walked over to speak to a few others. He spoke sweetly to them in their ear; I could only imagine what he was saying. It was nothing new to me, because many of my friends from back in the day had pimps. I never took it that far. I didn't fuck for money, I just stripped for it. I knew what Cory was. Did I mind? Nope; mainly because those women in there helped take care of me.

I gave a few of the girls a weak smile when the topless red head asked Cory, "Is this your girl? Monique, right?"

Oh, so he has spoken to them about me? "Yes!" I answered for Cory.

"She's cuter than Lalah." Another called out as she gave me the ugliest smile. I read her position. Trying to make me jealous, huh? Of course, I know about Lalah. I just play my role.

"Yeah, I say the same thing." I smirked and took my attention back to Cory. I heard him tell one of the girls that he would be back to collect. I knew then that our cue to go was coming up, so I stayed back towards the door.

"Oh ladies, I'm sorry, this is my girl, Monique. For some of you who don't know, I am showing her around today." Cory called out as he walked over towards me. The ladies sounded like young schoolgirls as they said hello to me in unison. Well trained chicks, if you ask me.

He signaled for me to walk out.

I went out to the bar, ordered a drink, and waited for him to tell me when it was time to go. I had accompanied Cory to his different places of business many times. Soon enough, some of the women even started to hand me what they earned that night. It wasn't the life I signed up for; it was what I was given.

***

As I fell to my knees, I heard Lester call out to Cory, "We got us a new one." I heard him zipping up his pants and stepping over me. I could hear Cory's muffled voice, but I couldn't make out what they were saying to each other.

I heard the door open and someone leave. My eyes still closed, I listened attentively to someone's steps as they neared me. "Hey babe, good job. Gone and clean yourself up. I'll call you tomorrow."

I heard Cory speak the words, but the reality of how normal he was acting pissed me off. I simply nodded my head, keeping my eyes closed. I reached down to where the pain was and drew back blood. I winced as more tears began to flow. Let me hurry up and get out of here before he comes back.

Struggling to gain all of my strength, I managed to get on my knees. With one hard pull, I used the desk to lean on and lift myself up. Cory was gone. Lester was gone. The office door was left open as if no one was left behind. Maybe I was no one, but I surely didn't want to stay there any longer. I pushed down my skirt and noticed my car keys in the chair I left them in.

I snatched the keys, went to the door, and poked my head out. With no one in sight, I rushed through the halls of the strip club. I had forgotten about the pain my body was experiencing. I simply needed to feel the air hit my skin. Freedom.

Outside, I looked around to see Tina leaned against my car. "Trick, I have been waiting on your slow ass. Cory left five minutes ago. What was y'all back there doing, fucking?"

I waved her off and threw her the keys. "Drive me home, sis. I don't feel good."

Tina looked at me with concern but didn't ask any questions, "Cory must have put it on you." She laughed.

I didn't bother to comment or agree. I sat down slowly in the passenger seat and closed my eyes. I allowed sleep to take over as we made our way to my house. I dreamed of my revenge that night. No rules applied to what I was going to do.
Chapter 3

One Year Before

Jade

I walked in the house and saw my niece planted directly in the middle of my mother's living room floor. "Hey chi chi, how you been?" I picked up my two-year-old niece and went in search of my now eighteen-year-old sister. The stench from my niece was overwhelming. I had to remove her from my hip and hold her out at arm's length. "Oh my goodness, chi chi, you are rotten. Where is your mama, huh?"

I could hear music blaring through my sister's bedroom door. I forced it open and said, "Really, you have the door closed?"

In a sudden movement, a naked grown ass man, old enough to be my daddy, hopped off the bed as Brenda screamed for me to close the door.

I laughed in disgust. "Bitch, you got some nerve. Your child is in the living room alone, shitty as I don't know what, and you in here fucking grandpa."

I turned on my heels to go towards my niece's room. I allowed a few more colorful four letter words to escape my mouth as I laid her on her bed and went in search of her diapers and wipes. "Brother man better be gone by the time I am done cleaning your baby."

I ignored sounds of the scuffle that was happening on the other side of the walls as I forced a smile and a laugh for my niece to soothe her. I didn't want her to know something was wrong. All kinds of thoughts ran through my head, as I grew angrier that at two years old, my niece was still shitting on herself as if she was six months. The stench grew stronger as I pulled away her clothes. She wasn't just full of feces; her body hadn't been bathed. I unclothed her until she is in her diaper only. I took a huge deep breath, and opened her diaper.

After I cleaned her, I found a dirty towel to wrap her in and carried her to the bathroom. I turned the water on in the tub and placed her in it, along with some sweet scented bubbles and some of her toys. Allowing the water to rise to a safe level, I turned it off and assured her I would be right back.

Pushing Brenda's door open again, I snapped, "Yeah he better be gone."

Rolling her eyes as she slipped her naked bottom into some oversized shorts, she screamed, "Get out!"

I smirked and stood my ground. "Throwing tantrums again, I see. Aren't you supposed to be grown by now, little girl. Chi chi stinks. I had to put her in the tub. When was the last time you bathed your child?"

"I already hear this from Mama, I don't need your ass in here trying to play her role."

"You better be glad I am not going to tell Mama about your latest lay. Damn, you can be a slut."

I turned around and made my way back to the bathroom. Bathing my niece took all of ten minutes. I then dressed her, did her hair, and fixed her a PBJ sandwich before she began to doze off. I had come over just to bring Mama some money, but spent three hours playing mama to my niece.

"You going to look for a job today, Brenda?" I sat down across the table from her as she took her last bite of food.

"Nope, going downtown with my girl to check out this club promoter. He's looking for some girls to waitress. So I am just about in that."

"Waitressing? I thought you were gonna apply to beauty school?"

She waved me off and got up from the table. "Later. But hey, you think you can run me to the store real quick?"

I rolled my eyes. "Hell no, stay your ass home with your child. Tell Mama to call me once she gets in."

"Well bye to you too." Brenda yelled behind me as I closed the front door and hopped in my car.

I needed an escape from thinking about Brenda and the path she continued to go down. Pulling out my cell, I dialed Sheena's number. "Hey, meet me at Mary Mac's. I'm on my way there now, can you meet me?"

"Yeah, Dunts is with me. Is that cool?"

"Yeah, tell my brother I said hey. I'll see y'all in a bit."

I sat down as I noticed Dunts and Sheena walk in. They were laughing about something that had Sheena glowing, and Dunts neglecting the phone call that he was on. I rose from my seat and hugged Sheena then kissed Dunts on the cheek. "So what have ya'll been up to?"

Sheena took a deep breath as if she was a fat lady who had just walked a mile. "Girl, at his Mama's house, and then to the hardware store, then back to his Mama's house, then to the grocery store, then to drop off some clothes at her church, and so on. Shit, I feel like a damn servant." She grabbed a menu and began to read it as Dunts hung up his call.

"Get off of my mama, woman." Sheena playfully rolled her eyes. Dunts looked over to me and said, "Baby girl you ok?"

"Yeah, just left Brenda." They both gave me the herewegoagain look.

"I promised Mama I would lay off when she turned 18, but now this chick is talking about waitressing at some club instead of going to beauty school. And that's after I caught her fucking an old ass nigga in her bedroom."

"Fucking an old man, how old?" Sheena interjected placing the menu down to get the full story.

"At least fifty."

"Oh shit, sounds like baby Brenda was doing a little working already."

Sheena and I eyed Dunts with a clear hint to shut up.

"What the hell is she doing with an old man?" Sheena asked.

"More than likely, tricking. She gets money from them men." I cringed at the thought and grabbed the menu out of Sheena's hand. "Split a country fried steak with me, will ya?"

"Yeah." She agreed.

Dunts looked at his phone and said, "Easy is outside."

I raised an eyebrow. "You told him I was going to be here?"

"Yeah, he hasn't seen you in a couple days. Wanted to check in on you." I eyed Dunts, giving him the worst attitude I could muster up in that quick moment. "Look, I ain't playing sides. He asked where you were and I said this is where I would be and you might be here."

Sheena elbowed him. "You pretty much told Easy she was here, Dunts."

Dunts threw up his hands in surrender as I pointed out to Sheena what to order me. "I'll be right back."

As I made my way out of the restaurant, I turned to the left, as I heard Easy before I saw him. He had the tendency to blast his music so loud that you could hear him a mile away. Walking up on his car with his top down, I banged on the car door. He turned around, pulled off his shades and smiled. I frown. "Yo, Jade, how you been?"

He got out the car and walked up to me, arms to his sides, swag on ten. His tall dark stature was beginning to overshadow my small frame with each step he took.

"Easy," I said dryly.

I folded my arms across my chest as he hugged me, picking me up off my feet in the process. "You look good. I've missed you."

"Yeah, I know. So why did you have Dunts see where I was?"

"I should know where my woman is at all times, Jade. Must we keep going over this?"

"Must you keep fucking random bitches? Tell ya what. I ain't never said this, but I'm going to go get me some dick."

Easy, who was leaning on his car at the time, hopped up so quickly that I had to jump back. "Don't play with me, Jade."

I laughed and waved him off. "Look at you getting all swollen in the chest. What, you mad?"

"I told you I ain't fuck that girl. It's me baby, come on."

"I know it's you, Easy, that's how I know you had sex with her." I shot back.

"I only did that twice, babe."

I laughed as if he had said the funniest thing in the world. He must've thought I had gone mad, as I was almost laughing myself into tears. Easy could be full of shit, but I hated the fact that he was the sweetest guy I knew. At times, he would just begin to rub my feet, ask me how my day was, or push pieces of hair behind my ear and say 'you're beautiful' for just no reason at all.

He was Mr. Perfect like that sometimes. Other times, I had to come face to face with the reality that I was his number one, but not the only one. "I came to have lunch with my friends. I don't need the extra stress, Easy."

He rolled his eyes and leaned back into his car to raise the hood and turn off the ignition.

I rolled my eyes, knowing good and well that after we ate, I would be right back in our house again acting as if nothing ever happened
Chapter 4

Sheena

I walked into the foyer and leaned against the windowsill. I watched the motions of Mother Nature go on as if nothing in my world was wrong. I gripped my phone in my hand so tightly that sweat beads made it almost impossible for me to hold onto it.

It was moments like this that I missed my hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. I came from a two-parent home, three sisters, two brothers, and most of us graduated from college, including me. I had decided to go to school in Atlanta, and of course, if I was coming here, Spelman had to be the chosen vessel to feed my growing mind.

My cell phone buzzed in my hand and I looked down to see if it was who I thought it was. It wasn't. I sighed, annoyed that the seconds wouldn't pass by faster. Walking into my kitchen, I grabbed the cup of hot chocolate that I had made only a few minutes earlier and took a much needed sip. The hot liquid made its way down and warmed my entire being. For that second, I was at ease. But I was still nervous as hell.

When my phone buzzed again, I knew it had to be him. My kryptonite. I looked at the blinking message. I'm outside, open the door. Butterflies formed in my belly, and in a matter of seconds, I felt my clit swell with anticipation.

I placed my cell back down on the counter after replying, Ok! As if I needed to be quiet so that no one could hear me walk, I tip toed over to the front door. No one could hear me walking; hell, no one was here. Dunts was gone with Easy for the weekend, completing transactions, as he called it. The less I knew, the better off I was anyway.

We stayed together, but nothing here was in his name. It was safe that way. He had a small apartment he kept for appearance purposes, in case anything went down. But this was our home. Deep down, I felt that because nothing had Dunts' name on it, I didn't have to feel guilty about allowing Denim into my home.

I had met him a few months back at a concert he had put on. He was a famous producer, DJ, and songwriter to many popular artists. He was also the perfect person to be weak to because he expected nothing from me and vice versa. When I saw him, I knew what it was. I mean, niggas did this shit all the time, and I knew Dunts was no exception. Everyone had someone on the side.

I pulled open my front door and smiled. Denim's tall dark silhouette invaded my doorway. He clasped his hands together and bit his bottom lip as if he saw something he wanted, "Hey baby."

I reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him inside. It seemed that he was a smaller version of himself as he easily fell towards me and lowered his head to taste my lips.

I moaned and smiled. "Good day to you, Mr. Overton."

His sexual stare sent electric shocks up my back. I leaned forward, tightening my groin to control the intense pressure that had made its way to the surface. The swelling of my clit caused me to squirm where I stood. Denim took his hands and aggressively ran them down my back, around my ass, and lifted me in the air. I pushed the front door closed, in the same rhythm of wrapping myself around him.

We were kissing, hugging, rubbing, and not leaving an inch on each other's body untouched. "I needed this," I moaned.

He whispered back, "I needed you." He knew his way to my guest room all too well. When he was in town and Dunts wasn't, this is where he was. In my bed. Inside of me. And I did it without any remorse.

He took big steps to the bed, the one we had shared a few times before, and laid me down directly in the middle. I watched him walk around the bed, admiring the lace material that covered my breast, my belly, and where he would end up, inside my pussy.

I had already begun to seep out onto the bedding. The anxiety of waiting for him to be inside me was overwhelming. I could barely hold my composure as my legs began to shake. I purred and watched his motions as he disrobed in front of me. Dark, toned, thick, and his dick, oh my goodness, long, and just as thick as it wanted to be. My mouth began to water at the sight of it. He slowly moved closer to me, but I could only focus on his other head. It held a dominant rhythm to it, as if it knew it was the shit.

I wanted to get on my knees and give him a round of applause for having such a perfect dick. I knew he was going perform a job well done, and I didn't wait for him to give me orders. I eagerly turned on all fours and arched my back. Denim came over and slapped my ass. I felt it jump back as if my ass wanted to return the lick.

"You ready?" Denim growled. He sounded like an animal in heat. An animal ready for war, and the pulsation in my clit was wreaking havoc on my senses.

I couldn't wait anymore. I ripped my panties off and took my position again. "Put him in, babe. Put him in, please." I begged. Turning my head, I could hear Denim put his condom on and position himself behind me.

I took a deep breath and held it as I widened my walls as much as I could on my own and waited for impact.

Pulling my ass cheeks apart, Denim placed his head between my lips. I cried out as desire began to wrap its hands around my body. I tensed and held still as Denim pushed himself inside. Once he was fitted in, I screamed out, "Fuck me baby."

For the next hour, he surely did.
Chapter 5

Jade

My eyes were closed and my mind ran rampant. I was tired of always thinking about him. Why was it that every time I woke up in the morning, he was on my mind or when I ate, I wondered what he was eating. With each moment, I would think of what he was doing at that very moment and it worked my nerve. Love was a bitch. I couldn't stand love, but I needed love at the same time. In many instances, love gave me life. Easy gave me life. I had loved that man since the very first time I saw him. I had wanted to be his only one since the day he asked me out.

But I am a woman, and just like any woman, we love hard. We try to be caretakers. We aim to be his friend, his confidant, his voice of reasoning, but still nothing. I aimed to be Easy's everything and more. You ever had a man make love to your mind? You close your eyes and imagine him lying right next to you. Your head lay upon his chest, his arms wrapped around you. You happen to muster up the strength to whisper the words, "I love you." Only for him to say, "I love you too." Has he ever asks you about your deepest desires? The ones that you are afraid to give to the wrong person. The desires that you know will forever be embedded within your very being.

Has he ever pushed your chin upward so that your lips match his and cover them with his lips and whisper, "I love you?" Ever grabbed the back of his head and forced his very soul further into your mouth as you fought back the passionate tears that threatened to fall out of your eyes, down your cheeks, and land on his chest near his heart. Ever lay next to him and ask God to freeze this very moment. To not let this moment ever go away, because right now you are safe, right now you are whole, right now, nothing and no one else matters. Ever knew that he was the missing piece that fit perfectly within your heart. That you craved him so much that your very bosom would tighten at the thought of him. That the agony and pain of being away from him tore at your heart so much that you had to kneel forward to ease the pain.

I blinked twice before I was able to actually make out what I was seeing. Tears burned my eyes as they escaped their home, falling down my face, over my nose and mouth. I mouthed the words, "I am so stupid."

Easy jerked up, his eyes, which had been closed for the last five minutes, were now open. "Oh shit, babe." He pushed away the woman as his dick slipped out of her mouth. He rose quickly from the couch, my couch, and went to pull at his pants to hide the evidence of his dick in her mouth. I was standing there recapping it in my head, one of the most precious moments in my life. The moment that I knew I loved this man, while he was getting sucked off.

I eyed the woman, one of his tricks. Go figure. "You fuck your product?"

She knelt down further on her knees, bowed her head, and said, "I am so sorry, Jade."

Sorry, bitch you are sorry, you are useless. Ask me why I stay. Ask me why I take the bad treatment. I can remember telling Easy, Any bitch can spend a man's money, ride in his car, lie in his house, order off the menu and spread her legs. But only a real woman can help a man achieve his goals in life, support him when he's broke, push him to be successful, shower him with positive energy, compliment him on a regular basis and never kick him while he's down. If you find a woman like that, WIFE HER!!!!

I thought about turning away. I thought about not looking back. I had already seen too much. But in a spilt second, I turned on my heels and marched towards Easy and his bitch. He held up his hands and asked me to calm down, let him explain. What are you, Kevin Hart now? What was there to explain? I saw everything. I pulled my hand back, balled it into the tightest fist I could create and slammed it down on top of her head.

I could see her hair fly in every direction as I continued to swing on her. I knew she knew better than to swing back. After all, I was Easy's girl. They knew that in light of this situation, I could say and do whatever I wanted. Easy ran up behind me, wrapped his arms around my body, lifted me up and carried me out of the room.

"Get dressed and get out of here." Easy yelled at her.

"Put me down, Eddie. Let me go motherfucker!" I screamed so loud my throat tightened in pain. I wiggled my way out of his arms once we finally made it down stairs into the living area. My breathing was rapid. My eyes were blood shot red, my clothes mangled, my hair a mess, and my heart was once again broken in two.

"Babe..." I cut him off and threw up my hand. I marched into my kitchen and pulled the refrigerator door open. As I grabbed a bottle of water, I heard footsteps running down the stairs. It was her.

Easy ran and blocked my way out of the kitchen so I couldn't get near her. She ran out of my front door in a matter of seconds.

For the first time, my attention was focused in on him. "That's number three... that I know of." I laughed awkwardly to myself. I was tired. I was more than tired. I was done.

I glared at him as I opened the bottle of water, never taking my eyes off of it and took a huge swallow, nearly downing the entire thing. "I'll be back later." He didn't know what that meant. I didn't care to tell him. I was moving out. He would find out sooner or later, once my things were gone.

***

"In your house?" Monique asked me. I nodded my head yes.

"In your room?" Sheena added. I nodded yes again.

"Damn, fuck that. I don't get niggas. If you are going to fuck off, why do it in my house, my room, my bed? That is way past foul. That's cut a nigga dick off moment right there."

We were in the bathroom of Monique's sister, Tina's apartment. I had come to meet them after being told they were having a get together. I needed some R&R and here I was crying in the bathroom like a high school girl who had lost her first love. "I'm good," I said, wiping my eyes and putting on a straight face.

Monique placed her hand on my shoulder and smiled. "You know I love you, right?" I nodded my head yes. "Let's not stand in this bathroom and cry."

Sheena added, "I don't cry over no man. Instead, I do exactly what he did to me. Get another one and boo boo that is what you are about to as well."

My eyes nearly left their sockets. "Like get with another man?" I said incredulously.

Monique laughed. "You and this Mary Poppins act. Why not go get another nigga?"

"Because I am not like Easy." I protested.

"You don't have to be like Easy, you can just be like me." Sheena laughed. "Look, I love Dunts, but I ain't stupid either. My motto is I believe in 50/50 and I plan to give Dunts the same treatment he gives me."

I stared at her blankly and waited for her to continue or to say something that would justify my cheating on Easy. "Sheena, you can have sex with Mr. Perfect when he swings in town all you want, but as soon as Dunts finds out, your ass is dust. Watch."

Sheena shrugged. "I could give a rat's ass. I ain't gonna openly share a nigga. I ain't that weak."

"Oh, so I am weak?" I shot back.

Monique tried to clear up Sheena's statement. "No boo, you are in love. That's it, but your love for him is keeping you unhappy. And when I see my girl unhappy, I get to plotting and planning. Now do you want me to go to jail behind Easy's ass?"

I laughed and shook my head at her. "Ok, fine. I will dance with a guy but that's it."

Monique pulled at my hand and eyed Sheena, "Perfect, because Tina already said a guy asked about you once you walked in the house. Now let's clean you up. Sheena, hand me my make-up bag."

I followed shyly behind Sheena. I don't know why I was shy. Let me reiterate that I was being shy because some guy in there was interested in me. So I stayed on Sheena's heels as Monique went off and did whatever it was that she did. She was considered the life of the party, versus I was Easy's girl. Well, at least everyone knew that. But I was far from our side of town, and no one knew who I was over here. I kind of liked it that way.

I took a red plastic cup of some strong liquor, sipped it and flinched. It was disgusting. "You don't drink, do you?" I heard the laughter of a heavy tone, so deep that his voice caused my eardrums to vibrate. Along with the alcohol and the sudden vibration through my senses, I felt a slight engorgement occurring in my panties. I squirmed in my seat and turned around.

"Not really." I coughed a little as the alcohol had my voice a little groggy. He reached over and placed his hands on my back.

"I'm ok." I replied. I placed the cup down and my attention back on him.

"You're Tina's friend, right?" he asked.

"More of her sister, Monique's friend. And you are?"

"Dwayne." He extended his hand and leaned in, so that the music wouldn't overpower his voice. "You look nice."

"Jade."

He took a sip of his drink and smiled. "Jade, that fits you."

I smirked giving him a half ass smile. "Dwayne... whelp nope, that doesn't fit you."

He laughed. "Excuse me? What do I look like?"

I smiled, letting him know I was half joking, "A Peter, Timothy, Malachi."

He laughed even harder. "A biblical nigga. Man, you just cut me deep."

"Why? That should be a compliment." I smirked.

He looked at himself from his feet to his torso and raised a curious eyebrow. "I look like a square? Come on, Ms. Jade, don't break my heart already."

I waved him off and yelled, "I need a sprite. And no, I won't break your heart, as long as you go and get me a Sprite."

He smiled and put his hands together as if he was pleading with me. "You promise?"

My smile was wide as I said, "Sprite first."

He walked across the room and asked someone standing near the ice chest to pass him the drink. I gave him the standard head to toe assessment. He was average height, dark brown complexion, thick eyebrows that matched perfectly with his hazel colored eyes and perfect nose. He walked back towards me, a smile planted on his face as his semi pink lips spread wide. I smiled back. This guy is too cute for me.

I took the soda, popped it open, and took a sip. "You live around here?" I asked.

He took a seat next to me. "About ten minutes away. I haven't seen you at any of Tina's parties before."

"I don't usually come. I'm a home body."

"Oh yeah, what made you come out tonight?"

I raised an eyebrow and asked, "You want to know the truth?"

"Of course." He leaned in closer as if I was about to tell him a secret.

"I got tired of always being the good girl. Always thinking about him. So here I am, suddenly with you." I shocked myself with that confession, and my uncertainty must have been written on my face.

Dwayne stared at me for a few seconds. His mysterious smirk interested me. I couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking, but I got a feeling that it was good thoughts.

He smiled. I smiled back. "You want to dance, Jade?"

I nodded and took his hand.

***

One by one, we walked into Waffle House, each taking our seat at a nearby booth. I glanced over at Monqiue seated with some guy and her sis with her date. I noticed Sheena glued to her phone seated next to one of the girls from the party. She was more than likely texting Dunts. I sat next to Dwayne.

My cell phone vibrated. I reached for it and laughed aloud before I could even get a chance to catch myself. I gave Sheena the evil eye. She texted,

Good girl, huh?

Sure that's all Easy needs to believe. But once a good girl goes bad... I replied.

She's gone forever lol! She finished.

"Your girl asking if I am treating you nice?" Dwayne interrupted my thoughts.

I gave him a reassuring smile. "How did you know I was texting her?"

"I glanced over to her and back at you. You both were wearing that same sneaky smile." He laughed and took a sip of his drink.

"I am not sneaky."

"Yet!"

I thought about his challenge to my innocence. I wasn't innocent by far. Shit, I was the dope man's girl and not just any dope man, Easy Struthers' girl. I wasn't as innocent as I seemed, and deep down, I knew that I had to act a certain way around other men. If Easy were to ever find out, it wouldn't be good.

"Yet, may be a good assumption." I shot back. I was actually bored with being the good girl. I was tired of Easy knowing that I was going to be there regardless of how many times he hurt me.

Was it normal not to react to finding out about his latest cheat? Was it ok that I became so immune to the heartache that I half waited for signs of his next betrayal?

"I like you, ma!" I couldn't help but get lost in Dwayne's hazel eyes. He seemed nice. The fact that I was attracted to him was a plus, but after dating Easy for six months, I became faithful. It had been years since I was with another man, and why not start now? If I don't have a ring, I guess I am a free woman, right? I can play the field just like him, right? At that moment, I didn't even care.

"I like you too." I smiled. I didn't shy away from his stare as I said my truths, and neither did he. He asked me what I wanted to eat, and I was so used to Easy ordering for me that I had to look at the menu. Who looks at the menu at Waffle House? It was pretty cut and dry on what to get.

I tried to clear my mind of Easy as I realized he hadn't called my phone since I left a few hours ago. Since I witnessed a random chick sucking his dick. In my house. In my room.

As I told the waiter my order, I had made plans in my head for Dwayne and I. I was going to give Easy a taste of what I had been dealing with, and I dared him to find out.
Chapter 6

Monique

I rolled over and pulled the sheet around my naked body when I heard the sudden noise of yelling voices. I had been put into a temporary drug induced coma. After a passionate two hours of sex, a little weed, followed up by just a tad of cocaine, I was gone like the wind into lala land. Don't judge me ok, I wasn't a cokehead. I just took a little something when Cory asked me to. It was to heighten our sexual experience, and it did just that. I loved sex with that man.

I got up and wobbled to the bathroom, picking up pieces of my clothing as I made my way to my current safe haven. I could hear the sound of someone or something been thrown. My hands shook so violently that it took two attempts to put my legs in my shorts. I pulled my shirt over my bare breasts and nervously poked my head out of the bathroom door.

I tip toed out barefoot when I heard Cory yell, "Get your ass up!"

I shot upward as my eyes became my ears. I looked to see if Cory was making his way towards me, and the coast was clear. I was scurrying over to the bedroom door when I noticed someone hiding in the corner to the left of me. I jumped in fear then blew a sigh of relief when I recognized who it was.

I mouthed the words, "What's going on?"

"One of his girls didn't meet her quota that he told her to bring back." Lalah mouthed back.

I almost wanted to ask Lalah what she was doing there if her son wasn't here. Her son was Cory's son, so that made her his baby mama. I signaled with my head for her to go see what's going on. She shook her head no. After waiting and listening for a few more seconds, she ran over to me and pulled me back into the room.

"Don't go down there," she whispered.

Confused I asked, "Why not? If one of his girls is short, the least he will do is slap her around I guess."

Lalah shook her head no. The fear in her eyes said that I was way off with my assumption. I studied her for what seemed like an eternity. She was twenty-six years old, but life had aged her. Her hair that was once long was now short and brittle; she was heavier than I was used to seeing her by at least twenty pounds, and her eyes were much older, much colder, but I noticed wisdom. Call me crazy, but in that moment, I felt she was wiser than me.

"You ok, Lalah?" I wasn't her friend. I wasn't her associate either. I respected her because of who she was to Cory, so when I asked her if she was ok, I needed to know in order to determine if this situation was going to have me in some shit.

Before she could open her mouth, we both jumped at the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. Lalah waved at me to follow her to the back of the house. I figured she was trying to leave out the back room. When I turned to grab my shoes, she was gone, but there stood Max, Cory's partner.

"Hey!" I muttered. "What's up?" I had to pretend as much as I could that I was cool. Showing any signs of weakness or fear towards Max wouldn't end too well.

"Where's Lalah at?"

"I think she left."

He sucked his teeth and then searched around the room as if he thought I was lying. "Come with me."

"Where?"

Max gave me a look so evil that my mouth automatically closed on queue. I dropped my shoes where I stood and took a few steps toward him.

"I need you to watch something. It'll only take a second."

I slowly walked down the stairs behind him. I tried to even out my breathing to not seem nervous as I looked around me to find Lalah's ass. I can't believe she left me. Making our way into the living area, I saw Lynn, one of Cory's working girls on the floor. I noticed so much blood that my instinct was to run to her and ask her if she was ok.

My eyes stayed glued to Lynn. Her knees were pushed upward to her chest as she buried her face in them. Her hair was mangled with something wet. Blood. I scanned her barely covered body for more injuries. As I walked in closer behind Max, I noticed she didn't have on any bottoms. "Ummm." I mumbled. I noticed Cory come out of the kitchen. He was clean, looked as if he had just gotten there really. When it came to situations like the one I saw Lynn in, Cory was never the one to put his hands on them.

"Cory, what's going on?"

"Where's Lalah?" He asked without as much as a hello. Just a few hours ago, we had the most passionate sex, and now I stood before him as if I were a guest. I hated when he did that.

"She left right before Max came."

"Take Lynn here, help her get cleaned up."

I look down at her and then back at him, confused.

"Don't look at me like that, Monique. Take your ass on and do what I told you. Simple."

Cory's voice was a little more stern this time, and I knew better than to say anything else in front of his people. I walked over to the nearby closet and grabbed a sheet. Walking to Lynn, I whispered for her to stand up.

My eyes connected with the visible cuts and bruises on her body and I grew fearful. If she didn't move fast enough, I didn't want anyone to strike me. I encouraged her with a little more attitude to move faster. She was weak and winced at the obvious pain it took just to move, as I used all of my strength to help her stand. I wrapped the sheet around her body to cover her up, and together we walked side by side to the stairs where I would eventually place her in the tub to clean her off.

I whispered, "Don't say anything else, Lynn, just walk."

She nodded and obeyed what I said, not even saying two words to me as I bathed and clothed her as if she were a newborn. Our eyes didn't meet either. I simply followed the orders given to me and I didn't ask any questions. My girls and I were always told that the less we knew, the better.

***

I rolled my eyes at Tina who was walking off the floor to me. I waited for her to come near me before I managed to speak out of turn. The night was young at the Strawberry Lounge and many of Tina's regulars, whom I often recognized, weren't even there yet.

"Hey sis, what's up?"

I hugged her, wrapping my arms around her bare but small waist. It was normal to see my sis naked and casual with it. After all, I introduced her to this life. The life I thought I left.

"Lynn won't be in tonight." I said with a hint of sarcasm in my tone.

"Max was here earlier and told us she was sick. What do you know?"

I eyed her as if she had no sense, and in this moment she didn't. "Sick? What do you think, Tina?"

Tina looked around to see if anyone was paying attention to our conversation, which no one was. No one was close, but I guess when you are speaking on a topic you shouldn't be, you tend to get paranoid.

"Look, don't mention what happened to Lynn, at least not here. I know you didn't come to tell me what went down when I have to dance tonight. I don't want that shit on my mind."

I grabbed her arm before she walked away. "Tina, you aren't fucking for money are you? You're just stripping, right?"

She sucked her teeth and laughed. "Big sis, I am a dancer, and Cory and Max know that. I will never sell my body, sis, I promise you that." She leaned down, hugged me, kissed me on my cheek and smiled. I took her word and believed it; even though I had a feeling it was a lie.
Chapter 7

Sheena

"Mama come and get these bad ass grandkids of yours." I yelled out over the television. My twin nephews were wrestling on the living room floor in front of Mama's television. She hadn't upgraded her TV; the same big televisions that sat on the floor when I was a kid, occupied the space now.

I reached down and pulled Tom Tom by his shirt collar and screamed, "Get off of your brother." Swinging his six-year-old body back and forth, he jerked himself free and laughed. I rolled my eyes and stormed out of the room.

I walked the long hallway of Mama's house. It was old; built in the 50s, but it was the first home she owned. She and Daddy bought it in 1977, and when he died in 1986, she just never moved. Paid it off and called it hers.

"Mama, I can't stand them boys." Mama stood tall, about 5'9", 230 pounds, dark skinned, and for the last ten years, she had worn her hair the same way, long and in loose curls down her shoulders. She was a pretty woman, tapping in on fifty-two now. I loved to visit her, mainly because she always told me about myself and brought me back to reality. Minus the bullshit.

"Sheena, let them be. Your brother will be here in a minute anyway to get their bad ass." She laughed. "I let them be bad, so their daddy can know how I felt raising his ass. Anyway, how long are you going to be over here?"

"Dunts is at his cousin's house for about an hour. You know little Paul from back in the day. He use to come by here and cut folks yards." Flipping through her Terry McMillan novel, Mama nodded her head. "Well, I think he is about to do some work with Paul, adding on another truck of yard cutters."

Dunts had a legit business going on, as should most d boys should, but not all did. I loved him for his smarts. He covered his dirty money with something legit, and this way, I didn't have to tell Mama what kind of man I loved.

"Oh, that's real good, baby. You know Evan is looking for a job. Why don't this Dunts fellow hire him on?"

I plopped down on Mama's bed and sighed. "Evan has only been out for two months, something will come along." I was referring to my baby brother. I had two brothers and I was the only girl.

Mama eyed me, taking her full attention off her book. I knew she was about to go off, just by the rise of her brow. It read, 'I have an attitude and you're about to get the butt end of it.' "Ask him!"

"Yes ma'am." She looked at my cell phone, and it took all my might not to roll my eyes. It didn't matter how old I got, Mama would strike me in a minute, and I didn't want to get hit. I grabbed my cell and dialed Dunts.

"Yo baby what's up." He picked up on the third ring.

"So, I am here with Mama, and she mentioned my baby brother Evan. He hasn't been able to find work and she was wondering..."

There was a long pause as I waited to for Dunts to get the hint. Then he whispered as if she could hear him, "Does your Mama know what I do?"

"Babe, I don't have you on speaker phone, and she knows all about the yard business. I brag about you." I hinted to him again.

"Oh ok, ok then babe, yeah tell Mama I can sit down with Evan and see what we can do. Ok? I will see you in about thirty minutes too babe, to pick you up."

"Ok, see you in a bit."

I shut the phone off, hoping that this conversation wouldn't spark an argument that I wasn't interested in having. "See Mama, he said he will discuss it with me. So let's hope and see."

"Humph, if he is a good man like you say he is, he'll satisfy me." Mama shot back before turning her attention back to her book. I just stared at her with my mouth hung open. I don't know why I was shocked at Mama's demanding attitude.

"Let me make you some food before he gets here, by the way." I said, standing up. "What do you want?"

"Fry me some pork chops and fry some cabbage while you're at it."

I turned on my heels and rolled my eyes before turning the corner. I heard Mama yell out, "Don't be rolling your eyes, either. I will get up from this bed and run you over, with your grown ass."

"Yes ma'am," I said, with plenty of laughter in my tone as I made my way to the kitchen, bypassing my annoying ass nephews in the process.

***

"Some niggas don't want a chick that brings just as much to the table, holds them down, helps create opportunities, supports him, elevates him, and caters to him. Some niggas just want a yes bitch. One who doesn't mind sharing him, lacks motivation, can't cook, no self-esteem, turns a blind eye to the bullshit, and most importantly; she never speaks her mind. I ain't no yes bitch"

Monique laughed. "I ask myself all the time, why is Dunts ass with you, because you challenge that nigga every day. I think he would love for you to be a yes bitch."

I rolled my eyes at her and turned my attention to Jade. "Do you feel me, Jade?"

"Oh, I feel you. I totally feel you, but sometimes I think I can be both of those women."

"How?" Monique and I asked in unison.

"I may be supportive and I cater to him, but I also turn a blind eye to his bullshit sometimes too." Jade admitted.

I waved a hand at her and said, "Girl please. Even the strongest woman compromises at some point. We know when to pick our battles, and when we are fed up. Are you fed up?"

"I don't know." Jade mumbled.

Monique added, "Well then, you ain't fed up yet. Girl, do not feel bad or ashamed from the crap that Easy does sometimes. I mean, let's be honest, most niggas cheat. It's what you are willing to put up with that matters."

I agreed. "True, and if you choose to forgive and stay with him, it doesn't make you any less of a woman. It makes you that much more of a real woman."

Jade stared at me blankly. Her eyes reflected sadness and desire. I leaned across the table and reached for her hand. "Jade, mama what's wrong?"

Monique and I held our breath and waited for Jade to speak. She hung her head low before turning back to us, and said, "I'm pregnant."

Monique and my smiles spread wide across our faces as we went into our happy congratulatory moment, until we noticed the expression on her face. Monique asked, "Why don't you seem excited about this?"

"I told Easy last night. And you know what the fuck that nigga told me?"

In unison Monique and I said, "What?"

"Now isn't a good time for us. It won't be safe for me to have a baby now."

"For you to have a baby? Why the hell is his statement singular, as if you got pregnant on your own?"

Jade lowered her head more, "I feel so stupid."

I leaned over and picked up her chin. "Girl, raise up your head and don't do that. That's what these men want us to do. Feel guilty as if we did something. You ain't done shit but love that nigga. Brothers like him need to be kicked in his fucking dick, and hard."

Monique eyed me and then Jade. "Forget what Easy wants, what you want?"

"I don't know what I want. I want a family, and right now, Easy and I aren't even there yet."

"After three years? Bitch, when will he be ready? You know what? This is why I wanted you to go to Tina's party the other day. I am tired of you living like a hermit. You met Dwayne, and he seemed cool. Look, I will agree with you on whatever decision you make. I love you regardless."

Monique added, "Yeah me, too. We got your back regardless." We grabbed each other's hand, and smiled.

I suggested, "Let's hit up my favorite restaurant. I will treat"

Monique smiled. "You know I am down for that."

I playfully rolled my eyes as we stood up slowly, never letting go of Jade's hand. We hopped in my SUV and sped off to continue our day of being each other's shoulder.
Chapter 8

Jade

It had been two weeks since I'd stepped foot into my own home. I felt it was tainted and full of lust and deceit, all disbursed from Easy. I dropped my bags off at the front door and slowly walked through the foyer.

The house was spotless. I knew he had someone come and clean, to make sure I walked into a clean home. The marble floors were mopped so clean that it seemed it had created its own spotlight that was set directly in the middle of the floor, but it was the suns reflecting off it.

I exhaled softly as I tried to remember my happiness in this home. It was a beautiful home in Stockbridge. Far off from the ghetto or the madness of what Atlanta could bring. I was happy and content with this big home. Six bedrooms, four baths, two living rooms, an entertainment room, a backyard pool with a hot tub, and a library for me. It was perfect. But it was only walls. I didn't feel like it was my home.

I turned the corner into the kitchen and noticed Easy seated at the bar area. "Hey!" I managed to say.

He stood up and smiled, extending his arms and giving me the most dramatic hug I had ever experienced. He seemed like a broken puppy, desperately trying to become that bulldog again. As if his world was incomplete, and he needed me to fix it.

A few times over the weeks that I was gone, he would mutter the words, "I miss you." And then fail to ask to see me. Game was it, or not giving a fuck at the moment? Whatever reason it was, I felt he was playing tug of war with my heart. I knew I would get strong enough one day to recognize the bullshit, but deep down, I was hoping that he was being real with me. Call me a sucker, but I had hope in my man.

But hope was leaving me dead on the inside. It left me stuck in time as if I was waiting for him to be Mr. Right versus leaving him to allow my true Mr. Right to come into my life. He was a cheater. That was a given, but so was every man, right? Every man fucked another woman every now and then, but it didn't mean anything, right?

We are all naturally attracted to someone else besides the person we love at some point. And at some point, we succumb to temptation. But does that change us? Does that mean we love them any less? I guess this is why many women stay with a man after finding out he has cheated, because at the end of the day, what does it really mean? He still loves me, right?

"You look beautiful," Easy said.

"Hey Easy, I like what you did with the place." I turned my attention to the exotic layout of fruit on the kitchen counter. "For me?" I asked.

"Yes, baby. I had Hilda lay out a dress for you on the bed. I am going to take you downtown to a party hosted by this DJ. He's having a listening party for a new rapper I invested in."

I nodded and turned on my heels to walk up the stairs when Easy grabbed my waist and hugged me from behind. "I missed you."

I allowed him to hug me, pushing the back of my head into his chest. When he released me, I proceeded to walk away.

"Oh, and I had Hilda make your appointment at the clinic tomorrow. Ten in the morning, ok?" he called after me.

At the bottom of the stairs, my stride was halted as my hands tenderly went to embrace my stomach. I hugged my unborn child and fought the tears that were determined to make their debut. I will not cry, I will not cry.

I didn't reply to Easy. Running up the stairs two at a time, I rushed into the bathroom and fell in front of the toilet, allowing the contents of my stomach to fall into the water. I desperately tried to quiet my moans and gags as I rose quickly and turned on the shower. I washed away the tears, the fun, and my decision to keep my unborn baby. I was going to start fresh after tomorrow's ten o'clock appointment.

The dress Easy had chosen for me was white, and it hugged my every curve, stopping right above my knees. We walked into the party arm and arm. Our bodyguard, Treach, walked closely behind us as the hosts showed us to our VIP seating. I knew several of the faces at the party, but never truly socialized with many of them. Actors, musicians, and many of Atlanta socialites were in attendance.

When we reached our section, I saw Sheena and Dunts. I walked over to her and smiled. "Thank God you are here. I was preparing myself to be hugging a damn seat all night." I scooted closer to Sheena after hugging Dunts, who went to speak with Easy.

Sheena laughed and said, "Me too, shit. This section is whack as hell, and Dunts won't let a sista go on the dance floor."

I rolled my eyes and said, "Let? I am sure Easy wouldn't allow me to do that either." We eyed each other for a few seconds before we burst into laughter. I grabbed her hand and pulled her up. "Let's see if they got something to say now."

"I'm just gonna blame it on the alcohol." Sheena laughed as we walked around our section's rope and made our way onto the dance floor.

Treach pulled out his arm in an attempt to stop me from walking. "Treach, you can move that arm or lose it. You can protect Sheena and I from where you stand, but I am going on that dance floor, and if you try to stop me, I will cause a scene that will fuck you and Easy up." Treach turned his attention to Easy who I turned to as well. He was pissed. His eyes were burning with so much anger it was turning his pupils black. I waved, smiled, blew a kiss, and then my waving hand turned into a middle finger in the sky.

Sheena squeezed my hand and said, "Jade, what the hell?'

I gave her a reassuring smile as Treach lowered his arm and I led my girl to the dance floor. The music was captivating my senses. I had a Idontgiveafuck high at the moment, and it had me floating above the crowd.

The latest Jay Z hit came on and the crowd went crazy as the DJ came on the mic. "How is everyone doing tonight?" He called out.

Sheena stopped dancing, and her death grip on my arm was causing havoc on the nerves in my wrist. I turned to her and saw her expression. "What, what the hell has you shaken up?"

She stared at the DJ and my eyes followed hers. It was Denim, her midnight creep in the sheets.
Chapter 9

Sheena

I had heard of Karma, but I ain't never had Karma pay me a visit. And I wasn't planning to entertain it tonight either. "How the hell did I not know Denim was the host DJ for this party? At some point he will make his way over to Dunts and Easy, who are funding this shit." I screamed in Jade's ear over the music.

"Play it cool, Denim knows what's up."

"I got to get to the back room where they have the artist waiting."

I nodded my head and took her by the hand. I was Ms. Bold tonight. I didn't give one hot damn about what Easy said or wanted me to do tonight. Tomorrow, I was killing our baby. So tonight, he could fuck off, and I meant that literally.

I walked through the crowd of intoxicated women and horny aggressive men to the back of the club. I noticed security and walked over to him. "Hey, we need to speak to Denim. Tell him Sheena is out here."

He gave me the 'are you serious' look, and I repeated my request. "Look, you can do it or lose your job. We know DJ Denim O it's not like we're asking you to let us through, we're telling you to relay a message so he can tell you to let us through. Got it? Good, now do it." I said with much attitude in my voice.

Sheena stared at me and laughed. "Jade, baby girl tonight you are on ten. I don't know what's going on, but I like this mean bitch."

I laughed and waved her off as the security did as I asked. I grew impatient, but suddenly Denim appeared from the back room. Just as I was about to grab Jade's hand, Mr. Familiar grabbed her.

We turned and our mouths dropped.

"Dwayne. Hey!" We both said in unison.

Jade assured me that it was ok to leave her with him. I asked if she was sure, because we didn't want his face to end up on tonight's news because of Easy and Dunts getting to him. She nodded yes.

I turned my attention back to Denim, who smiled. He leaned in to hug me, but I placed my hands up to stop him. "Let's walk to the back."

In the back room, I noticed the display of foods his crew was eating. A few random dancers walked around, and the rap artist who everyone was waiting to see on stage was holding court. I gave them all a weak smile, turned to Denim and got to the point. "Dunts is here."

His weight switched away from me as he studied me for a moment. The room was loud as hell, but in the moments we stood there and watched each other, I could hear nothing but his breathing. Denim was supposed to be just a fuck. His sexy ass came into town months ago, and ever since then, I always found some way to get him in my bed.

People believe women cheated with their hearts. I didn't. I promise on the cross that Jesus died on that it was never my intent to like this nigga. But I did. He was smooth, sexy, tall, dark and confident, not to mention his pockets were laced with dead presidents.

Demin reached down smoothly and grabbed my hand, kissing the back of it. "Ok, so he's here. Does he know?"

I shook my head. He took the three steps towards me that would eliminate any space, and kissed my lips fully.

I smiled and welcomed his kisses. I was fucking up. I needed to stop seeing this man before like became love.

"Follow me." Denim signaled with his head. Not the head I was thinking about, but I was surely thinking about it. I giggled to myself and agreed. He let go of me, and we walked past the crowded room of his crew and groupies and made our way back to an empty bathroom.

It was the smallest bathroom I had ever stood in. If it was just me, it would even be difficult just to squat over the toilet. He and I stood there, his chest to my chin. He was so damn tall and sexy. I buried my nose into his chest and took a deep breath. This man was my weakness. I felt my knees begin to tingle and shake. My head became light as the scent of his skin danced aimlessly around my senses. All of my senses. My eyes were admiring his dark silk like skin, the feel of his body was heaven as I embraced it with the tips of my fingers. My nose enjoyed smelling the scent of his cologne, and I could hear his heart beating. His heart was racing against time, which we didn't have much of.

I grabbed the back of his head and pulled it down towards mine, and with a slightly parted mouth I tasted his. We moaned together as he slid his hands aggressively up and down my body, pulling and squeezing every inch of me. He palmed me perfectly, and with one hard thrust, he lifted me up and pushed me backwards over the sink. Our kiss was deep, rough, and impatient.

I released a passionate cry. I craved an immediate release. I needed to feel him inside of me. I needed this feeling to be taken care of. I wanted him to jam his dick inside me and fuck me until my pelvis ached and the agony of it all went away.

"Put him in." I cried.

He reached between my legs as my hands found his belt buckle. One button gone, second button taken care of, zipper is now down. That's it, place your hand inside and find his magic stick. Find the wand that will magically slurp up all of your juices. I coached myself.

Ever had a man that felt like his dick was made especially for this moment? Ever felt that the moment you two connected, the world was at peace? No one was in pain and no one was in debt? In that very moment, I had those feelings. Nothing was wrong, nothing was imperfect. Everything was right where it was supposed to be.

I psyched myself out and wrapped my right hand around his perfect dick.

It was more than perfect. Just the right thickness, just the right nine inches, his head had the perfect ring that made my mouth salivate with excitement, just thinking about it. It was strong and thick, and the vein that pulsated through his shaft right down the middle was the cherry on top. I pulled it out from behind his boxers as he pulled my panties to the side. My clit was so engorged that it was now pressing through my lips. I was oozing out of my very own self, so much so, that it made the sink I sat on slippery.

My eyes matched his and his matched mine. We were breathing so hard out of our mouths that the small room grew foggy; the mirror wasn't even visible anymore. As if on cue, he slipped inside me. I spread my legs and arched my back. I gasped, as my walls settled around his dick. I held my breath and focused on the impact of our bodies connecting. He moved in and out of me so rough, with so much desire, and so much passion that I bit into his shoulder to hide the cries of my sudden orgasm. I felt myself lose control of my body. I could no longer feel the blood pumping through my veins. My vision was blurred. My throat was tight, and my arms were too weak to hold on to him. He hurriedly wrapped his arms around me as our love session quickly came to a halt. I felt him tense up as his seeds exploded inside of me.

The panting of our breathing was the only sound in the room as we slowly drifted out of each other's embrace. If I was going to get caught fucking another nigga with my man in the next room, then this was totally worth it. So worth it that I looked at him and whispered, "Let's do it again.
Chapter 10

Jade

"How long have you been here?" I asked Dwayne, quickly trying to get him as far away from me as possible.

"I just walked in. Who are you here with, just you and Sheena?"

Looking over his shoulder, I could see Treach in the distance, but it was too close to home for me. I frantically looked back towards Dwayne, who was reading my body language. "You're here with your man, huh?"

I stared at him blankly and replied, "I'll call you tonight. Trust me, you don't want to talk to me now."

When a man wants what he wants, he doesn't ask any questions that will derail him from his ultimate goal. His goal was to seek me, obtain me, and keep me. I knew this, and he knew I knew it. But at this moment, he needed not to ask any further questions. He needed to step back as soon as possible.

"Ok, you got the number." I gave him a weak smile and assured him it would be tonight.

I knew that after tomorrow, I wouldn't feel like doing much of anything anyway. I took a few steps backwards then turned and walked in the direction I had left Sheena. I came face to face with Mr. Amateur, aka their security, and reminded him I was just there. After letting me back, I walked into the green room.

The overpaid rapper, Easy, was in deep conversation with the stage manager, prepping to go on. There were now empty food trays, plastic cups, and trash scattered everywhere. The women who made sure to stay close to deep pockets were seated in someone's lap, in an effort to see just how far they could get tonight. I scanned the room and didn't see Sheena.

A young man walked up behind me and said, "Who are you looking for?"

"Sheena, she's friends with DJ Denim O!"

Confused, he stated, "Don't know her, but Denim O is in the back, and he did go back there with someone that could be the Sheena you're looking for."

I thanked him I walked in the direction he pointed out.

I squeezed my way through the crowd as my anxiety level rose to an all-time high. We were at the beginning of being gone too long, and it was only a matter of time before Easy or Dunts made their way back there.

I had to have spoken the devil up, because lo and behold, a familiar voice said, "Jade!"

I did not want to turn around. Deep within my very being, I was hoping I'd developed some type of powers like the chick who played the pink Power Ranger, and would suddenly become invisible. I knew that shit wasn't going to happen, and the more I hesitated to turn around, the guiltier this whole scene would appear. Sheena, please don't walk your ass out here with ole dude.

"Dunts, hey boo what are you doing back here?" Why the fuck did I ask that obvious question? Shit, I am going to get Sheena caught. Take it easy girl, breath in deep; let it out slow and just act normal.

"Speaking to the promoter. Why are you back here?" Dunts' arms began to flex. He was getting antsy, and I could tell his anger was about to rise to an unpredictable level as he looked over my head and then around the room. "Where's Sheena?"

I shrugged. "We were on the dance floor and got separated. Been looking for her, and I know she's been looking for me. She's probably still out on the dance floor. Want to go dance?" I asked, reaching for his arm. I playfully pulled on his arm when he pulled away.

"Give me about ten minutes, though. I'm handling some business." His voice was a little disconnected and unfamiliar. Either he was distracted from handling business, or he wasn't buying my bullshit.

"Show me what it is that you do. I have been asking Easy for the longest time to let me in on some stuff. I get bored sometimes and want to switch it up." Dunts' attention shifted from searching the room and back to me. His demeanor was now a little easier.

"Oh word, like what, Jade?" He laughed a little, as if picturing me in his role was funny.

I rolled my eyes and led him back over to the promoter. "I can assist in this shit, trust me. I know what the people want. I took several business classes at Spelman. I am telling you, I got this. Fuck dancing. Let's make some money. Show me."

Dunts stared at me blankly as if he was reading my body language. He indicated with his head to follow him as he turned his back. I blew out a long sigh of relief; air I think I had been holding in the whole time.

I didn't know that only minutes later, Sheena had walked out from the back with Denim. She made her way back into the club and to the dance floor without being caught.

I went back to Easy's VIP section, and for the rest of the night, I waited for Easy to take me home, just for him to leave again. It didn't matter. I left to go see Dwayne; I needed some attention.

Easy had dropped me off in Dunwoody. "They got some good clinics over there," he said. When he stopped directly in front of the clinic instead of parking his car to go in with me, I fought back the angry tears. How dare he drive me to kill our baby but not come in? Bitch made nigga.

Why did I love him? There were moments when he was the perfect guy, and in many ways, perfection did exist within Easy. In those moments, he was Eddie. He catered to me, bought me anything I wanted, and we would often times just lie in each other's arms in the dark and talk about nothing. I knew so much about him that no one else did. He was my soul mate. I felt I was made for him and he was made for me. But when Easy came out, Eddie was gone and Easy was there. And often times, he stayed for weeks on end. But I couldn't leave, knowing that Eddie was still there. There was great potential in what he and I could be. But he was a dope boy. The leading man at that, and I was dancing with the devil. This I knew.

He didn't even wait for me to get inside before he drove off. "I'll be back in an hour, or text me if you're done sooner than that." He yelled out the window before pulling off.

Here I sat. Alone. I pulled out my cell phone and scrolled through my contacts. I wanted to hit up Sheena, Monique, or Mama. I wanted to call someone to tell me to just get up and walk away. But even if they said it, Easy didn't. So here I sat.

The nurse called my name. I paused. The nurse called my name again. I stared at her. She stared at me back. Walking over to me, she whispers in a calming tone, "Jade?" I slowly nodded and stood up.

Just like every other woman in the clinic, I avoided eye contact with them as they avoided eye contact with me. I did the walk of shame with the nurse following close behind. She led me into Room C29.

"Do you have any allergies to any medications?"

"No."

"How many abortions have you had before today?"

"None."

"Do you have someone to drive you home?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any questions for me?"

"No."

She made notes on her chart and then grabbed a gown. "Change into this for me. You can keep your bra on. Have they spoken to you about the possible complications after the procedure?"

I nodded.

"Ok the doctor will be in to see you in a few moments. Get changed, sit up here and place your feet in these." She patted her hand on the stirrups I was to place my feet into.

"Ok." She walked out and I slowly began to follow her instructions. This moment went by eerily slow, and I noticed every little thing. I heard the cracks in the wall, the clicking of the wall clock, the blinking of the ceiling light, the slight breeze that blew from the air conditioner, and my heavy breathing. I was panicking inside, and I knew that it was written all over my face.

I blew out a sigh of annoyance with a hint of agony and practically ripped off my clothes and placed the gown on. I shamefully sat on the bedding and laid back placing the sheet they provided over my legs. Five minutes felt like two hours when I heard the door knob turn.

"Knock knock."

I gave the nurse and the doctor a weak smile.

"All ready?"

I just nodded. The two of them walked around the room, gathering whatever they needed to get the process done. I didn't bother to follow them with my eyes. I tuned them out, allowed my head to fall back onto the bedding, and closed my eyes. I closed them to remember a time when my relationship with Easy made sense.

***

I marched over to Easy, placing one foot in front of the other. "Eddie babe, can you tell them that you will call them back?"

He held up one finger. I couldn't hide the laughs that were making their way through my gritted teeth as I bent down and began to nibble on his ear. I could tell that Easy was losing focus on his conversation. "I'm going to have to call you back."

He grunted when my hand accidentally found its way to his zipper.

"Oops!" I laughed. "Babe, come here," I purred.

Easy placed his phone on the nightstand and smiled. "Ok baby, you got my attention." He growled hungrily at my belly, burying his face deep into my navel. I could feel the heat from his breath dance into my flesh as I squirmed. A simple touch from Easy could cause an uproar or a tsunami in my panties. I couldn't have that distraction right now.

I pushed him over to the right of me and rolled off the bed. Easy sat up and looked over at me. "You made me get off the phone, and I got to fight for it?"

I simply smiled as I walked over to him and kissed his lips passionately. I zipped up his pants, gave it three pats, and said, "Down boy." I grabbed his hand as he began to laugh and curse me out for teasing him.

"I got to show you something."

"What can be better than having my dick inside of you right now? Shit, you got me fucking horny, Jade. What the hell do you want to show me—" Easy stopped in his tracks as we turned the corner that led into the living room.

"Surprise!" The room was filled with his family and mine, all of our friends, and those in between. I walked over to his mother and gave her a reassuring hug as I saw the anger written all over her face.

"That boy has a foul mouth." she said to me.

"Mama, please go off on him later, ok? Let's just let him enjoy his surprise birthday party."

"When did you all get up in my house, and who let y'all in?" He looked at me and smiled.

I walked over to him and gave him a hug. "I love you." He hungrily kissed my lips as everyone went into their ahhs and sarcastic remarks.

"Ok, DJ turn on the music," I called out.

With the party in full swing, I walked over to my girls.

"You did a good job, Mama. I'm proud of you." Sheena said, hugging me.

I hugged Monique and poured myself a drink. "Pulling this off wasn't simple at all. And plus, he was right upstairs trying to book a flight to Detroit. Another meeting, another dollar."

We had our drinks lifted in the air to toast, when I felt someone come up from behind me and kiss the back of my neck.

"I love you, baby girl." Easy said, burying his face into my neck.

"Ahhh, ain't this some lovey dovey shit. Y'all two gone over there and dance. Take that love shit somewhere else." Monique joked, taking my cup out of my hand.

Laughing, I turned around and wrapped my arms around Easy. I looked up at him and kissed him on his lips.

"You gonna rock with me, babe?" I asked as "Poison" by BBD began to blast through the airwaves.

He grabbed my hand and began to do that same dance move he calls his classic style. I laughed and followed him bouncing my head and swinging my hips to the beat. The crowd followed and our living room became an instant dance floor.

***

"Ouch... wait a minute," I cried.

The heavy pressure that was now moving mountains in my body was weighing heavy on me. I pushed my head back into the bedding and allowed the tears to fall from my eyes. The agony of it all was a little surreal. I was to be a mother. I was to bare the child of Eddie Struthers. I was to be his wife, but not today. Today I was going to be the chick who aborted their child.

I heard a vacuum sound and squeezed my eyes as tightly as I could. I desperately contained the cry that was scratching every inch of my throat. The short tug, I felt next was a life carried away. It'll be over in a minute, Jade.

What would be over? That question immediately popped in my head as I heard the doctor reassure me that everything was moving along greatly. I wanted to kick him in the head and tell him to shut the fuck up. I had just allowed a piece of me to be taken away, and for what? A nigga!
Chapter 11

Dunts

"The count isn't right, check it again. I know what the fuck the number supposed to be, come to me with the right number before you step to me again." I waved him off and lit my cigar. I was not in the mood to make this young nigga an example to others. But if I had to, I would.

I walked into the office and saw Pete counting money. "Where we at?"

He continued his count and recounted it in his head before saying, "At thirty five. I'm gonna have little man go over my numbers once I'm done. Yo, did that bitch go get my Philly steak yet?"

"Who? The one I told you not to bring in here? I don't know where the hell she is. Keep an eye on your women, Pete. I'm not fucking around." I walked over to the bar we had placed in my office a little over three months ago and poured a glass of Hennessey.

"It's not even noon yet, homey."

"Count the money, Pete." I said before taking down all of its contents and pouring another glass. I checked my phone for the time, and I had just about an hour before meeting Easy. "I got to head out. Make sure the youngin' in there has my count right before I get back. Correct the issue before I get back, especially if Easy is with me." I gave him a pound with my fist as he nodded his head.

I got into my Benz, rolled the windows down and turned biggie all the way up

What's beef? Beef is when you need 2 Gats to go to sleep

Beef is when your mom's ain't safe up in the streets

Beef is when I see you

Guaranteed to be in ICU, one more time

What's beef? Beef is when you make your enemies start your Jeep

Beef is when you roll no less than 30 deep

Beef is when I see you

Guaranteed to be in ICU

I pulled into a Shoney's parking lot and spotted Easy's car. I pulled beside him and noticed the car was empty. Hopping out, I clicked the lock button and strolled inside. Him and my homie Cory were already seated. "What up, though?" I gave each a one-hand embrace and sat down across from Easy.

"How's business today, D?" Easy asked, taking a bite of his food.

"Yo, business is good, let me get something. I ain't ate yet."

"You good, homie?" Cory eyed me.

I knew he was referring to the smell of liquor on my breath.

"Don't come at me like a bitch, dog, I got Sheena for that."

Easy laughed it off, "What's up, your boys over at the spot got you stressed? Everything good?"

"One of the youngins' count is low, but I'm handling it." I rose up my index finger for them to pause on the conversation while I gave the server my order. "Now why do I feel like ya'll are questioning a nigga? What was the discussion before I walked up in here?"

"Cory was updating me on the girls. Looks like he trying to break Monique in. I told him to hold off on that."

"Sheena's girl, Monique?" I stared at him quickly, wanting to punch the shit out of him. "Dog, you're gonna make my house crazy if you do that shit."

"Monique ain't gonna say shit. She would be a good hustler. She rides for your nigga here."

Cory pushed back into his seat cockily.

I waved him off. "No!"

"I ain't one of your bitches, Dunts. Monique is pretty much my business." Cory shot back.

I stared back at Easy, who stared at me and shrugged. "What do you think this will do to Jade?"

"I don't give a fuck about Monique." Easy shot back.

"But Jade does." I rubbed my temple. "Man, I don't need no more drama. You know your girl claims she want to join the business." I looked at Easy.

He stopped in mid-bite and looked at me confused. "Join how?"

"The promoting and marketing shit. The investments. I showed her some of it the other night."

He sat back and looked at me. His stare was unreadable. "She hasn't mentioned this shit to me."

The server placed my food in front of me and I began to dig in. "Looks like you don't know a lot. How is she anyway, since you know... the abortion?" I asked. I halfway wanted to make him angry after his nonchalant attitude towards Cory's bullshit.

I didn't care too much for Cory, but he was the perfect person to run our other business when it came to women. Call it what you want, prostitution, stripping, sometimes it was one in the same. He did it well, so I tolerated him and never asked too many questions. I allowed Easy to be more hands on with that.

"Jade is fine." Easy's voice was monotone. Bleak. I searched his demeanor.

"So Jade asked you about becoming a part of the business but never addressed this to Easy? Shit doesn't add up to me." Cory added. "When did she say all of this happened?"

"I was looking for Sheena at the club and came across Jade, and that's when she first told me." I shot back.

Cory broke out in laughter. I could tell he was laughing at me, at the situation. I grew agitated. "What the hell is so funny?"

Easy and I stared at him and waited for an explanation.

"See, this is why I run the women. I can peep the game. You couldn't find your bitch, so his bitch distracted you from the real issue at hand."

"Cory, don't call Sheena a bitch. I ain't going to tell you again." The table grew quiet as I stared at Easy and then Cory. "That; makes sense."

"Damn right it makes sense." Cory added.

"Oh, so Jade and Sheena was tag teaming on a nigga!" Easy said.

I looked him and shook my head.

"Nah, I know Jade and Sheena wouldn't be stunting on us like that, especially not with us there." I said.

Cory laughed, taking another bite of his food, "Man, please. Bitches are sneakier than niggas. Trust me on that."

I didn't say anything else as Easy studied my demeanor and suddenly changed the subject. Half an hour passed, and we were loading up in our cars, headed to the stash house. What Cory said was still in my mind. I had to see if he was on to something.
Chapter 12

Monique

Powering up the computer, I pulled on my white vest and prep to see what companies I had to call today. I took a sip of my latte, pushed myself back into my seat, and ran my fingers through my hair.

A coworker walked by and asked, "You ok, Mo?"

I stood up from my seat and walked over to her. "Jade?" I had a sense of questioning in my voice. She wasn't supposed to return to work for another week, but here she was, only three days after the abortion. We didn't say the word aloud but we knew what we meant.

"Yes?" Her voice low and dry. "What's up?"

"You're back now, because?"

"I am not sitting in that big as house all day while Easy and I play avoid each other. "Ok?" I raised my hands in surrender and walked back to my desk before she cursed me out. I grabbed my cell and texted Sheena.

"I'm glad to see you out and about, Jade. I really am." I added. I was happy to see her out, to be honest, but I definitely didn't agree with what she did. But who was I to say anything? I was currently holding on to some skeletons in the closet anyway. And the minute that started to shake and break, was when all hell would break loose. Now wasn't the time, though. Never would be better.

"Thanks, Mo. I am good; trust me. I will take it easy and work slowly." Jade assured me. I studied her for a few seconds before I forced myself to walk away and leave her alone.

Walking into the break room, I noticed that no one had made the morning coffee. I pulled out the coffee pot from the bottom counter and walked over to the sink. I turned on the faucet and watched the water fill up to the top.

"Monique!"

I jerked in fear at the sound of my name. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I recognized the voice. I turned around slowly and gave him a weak smile. "Cory, what are you doing here?"

He walked over to me and said, "Checking on one of the girls."

I raised an eyebrow and said, "Who?" I worked in a medical office, and I didn't know about Cory having one of his girls working here. I mean, I hope that wasn't the case.

"Next door. Came to see if you were behaving."

I gave him a weak laugh and watched him walk slowly up to me. His walk was somewhat intimidating. I had been uneasy around him since having to nurse a beaten girl back to health in one of his homes. I think he knew it. I had only been meeting him at my place since then. I didn't want to be anywhere around his people. At least not right now.

"Are you coming by the house tonight?" Cory stood mere inches away from me with his body purposely pressed against mine. His breathing was heavy and deep, that I could feel it blow strands of my hair back.

I attempted to compose myself. "You want me to come over tonight? Will Max and the crew be there?"

"If they were, you got a problem with that?" Cory's demeanor changed from attempting to seduce me to defense. He angrily slammed his hand down on the counter behind me and I jumped. Fear came from the depths of my belly. I jerked backwards, not wanting to lean on him.

I cursed myself in my head. Cory had never hit me, but he had threatened to many times. My fear now was that I would be the next chick lying on his floor, bloody from his or Max's fist. The fear I was trying to hide within me was seeping out more and more each day. He wouldn't hurt me though, right?

"I'll be at the house at ten tonight. Be there by the time I get there. I miss you, babe." His tone was condescending.

I didn't respond, I just nodded my head.

"Cory!" I heard Jade's voice from behind him. We turned instantly.

"Oh hey girl, you want some coffee?" I asked in an attempt to ease the tension in the room.

Jade studied me and then looked over at Cory. She raised an eyebrow. Her face was a blend of annoyance and anger. She dropped her folded arms to her sides looked from me to him and back and forth. "Cory?" Her tone held a hint of questioning. Cory's body language had totally changed. He was calmer, laid back, friendly.

Smiling, he said, "Hey Jade, you feeling good?"

Her head tilted more to the right, but this time her expression was nothing more than anger. "Asking about the child I killed?" I dropped the pot of water on the counter. The room suddenly got too small.

"Nah, I was just..."

She cut him off. "You seemed a little aggressive towards my girl when I walked in here. Is everything ok?" Her eyes jumped from him to me and back again.

"Everything is fine." Cory said. I stood there quietly.

"You see Cory, one thing is I am not blind. You are Easy's man. You do a lot of dirty work for him, but I promise you the work you do better not ever cross over to my girl here."

I didn't recognize her tone. As a matter of fact, I didn't recognize her. She stood before me as Jade, my best friend, beautiful, young, vibrant, and full of life. That was the norm. But currently, she looked broken, brittle, angry, and exhausted.

"Jade, I respect you and Monique, but don't come..."

"Dude, I can come at you however I want. Like I said, I'm not in the mood to contribute to some bullshit. This is my first day back at work, and I more than anyone would appreciate it if you met up with Monique later on your own time."

Cory placed his hands in his pockets and nodded. He bit his bottom lip and rocked back and forth, "Understood, Ms. Jade." He turned to me, kissed my cheek, and walked over to Jade and kissed her cheek as well. When he was gone, I was too embarrassed to look at her.

She asked, "Is the coffee almost done? I have this huge headache suddenly."

"Give me five minutes; I'll bring it to your desk." She walked away and I pretended what had just happened, didn't.
Chapter 13

Sheena

I had my head placed on Dunts belly as we lay on the bed and watched the latest episode of Scandal. No matter what we did during the week, we made sure to find ourselves in front of the TV to watch our favorite show. I grabbed a handful of popcorn and greedily dropped several of the corns in my mouth.

Dunts focused on the screen didn't see the flashing of his phone. "Who's calling you during Scandal time? Now they know better." I quizzed. I rolled over and grabbed it handing it to him. No matter how many times I was tempted to check his phone, I never did. I knew that the minute I did I would probably find something I didn't like. One thing I hated was for women to search for proof her man was cheating, find out he is, and raise all kinds of hell, but at the end she stays. Well then what was the point of looking anyway? So I mind my business. I trusted him not to break my heart. Just like I wasn't planning on breaking his.

I mean Denim was a good fuck that was it. Men do it all the time.

"It's Evan!" Dunts called out.

"Why is he calling now?" I rose up from the bed and sat on my legs looking at Dunts as he listened attentively on the phone. He took his attention away from the TV and I knew it was serious then. I pressed pause and waited for some type of reply from Dunts.

"Ok ok, man, calm down. I am on my way now."

I jumped off the bed and stared at Dunts. I walked around the bed and stood in front of him, reading his body language. It wasn't good. I madly forced my face into his space demanding he look at me. But Dunts was very focused on pretending I wasn't even in the room. He asked Evan where he was and when I read his eyes my heart sank. Something wasn't right.

Evan had been working for Dunts for a couple weeks now. He was cutting yards in Sandy Springs. He was bringing home decent money and I was grateful for that. But in this moment I knew that Dunts had broken my promise. He had gotten Evan in the game. My baby brother. And as my heart raced, I tried to imagine what could be wrong. But I could only think about the day the law took him away from us.

***

I scooted closer to my big brother, Lonnie. Mama sat at the very end next to the front door. An easy escape I guess. I held one of my nieces in my lap and turned around to find Monique and Jade seated in a row behind us. I was twenty. Evan was eighteen and facing ten to twenty years in prison for drug and gun possession.

I tried to reassure myself that I was strong enough to face the possibility of my baby brother being taken away, but I couldn't. I lowered my head and buried it behind my niece's small back.

Lonnie reached over, placed his hand on the back of my neck, and gave it a tight squeeze. I eyed my other brother who was showing more weakness than I. Looking to Lonnie, I said, "If they take him away, then what?"

Lonnie's eyes were dark. I knew he felt responsible for Evan getting caught up with the wrong crowd. He had tried to be the man of the house ever since Daddy died. I watched him look at me puzzled. His face aging with each wrinkle. Only in his late twenties, but at that moment, he reflected a forty year old man. He shook his head that he didn't know. I know he didn't know. Who would plan for a moment like this?

He turned his head and focused back on the judge. We stood up as he walked in. The jury had walked in only minutes before, and had made an effort not to look in our direction. I mouthed to my older sister, who stood next to Mama, hold her hand. She grabbed her hand and squeezed

We sat down and listen attentively. Evan turned in his seat and my eyes jolted towards him. We had sat at his trial for five days and he refused to look back. I had tried on many occasions to get his attention and he wouldn't budge. He and I were the closest in age and closest in the family. This is why I was crushed to find out he had linked up with the wrong crowd.

He gave me a weak smile and pointed his chin to the air. I whispered, "I love you Evan."

"I know sis. I know." I read his lips. He turned around as the judge asked him to stand with his lawyer. The reading of the verdict.

If I could go back then, I would try to be stronger than I was. I would have tried to smile instead of cry. I would have smiled for Evan instead. They gave him ten years.

***

Dunts hopped from our bed and retrieved his shoes. I sucked my teeth and ran into my closet and did the same thing. I placed on my grey converse, laced them tight, placed on hoodie and looked at Dunts. "Ready!"

He laughed and asked, "What the hell? Sheena go lay your ass down."

"Dunts I am going. What are you going to tell me, a lawn mower blew out? I am not stupid. You fucked around and got Evan caught up, didn't you?"

Dunts pushed me out of his way damn near walking through me. I fell on one knee catching my fall before I completely fell down and yelled out to him, "Take me with you, Dunts."

He kept going. I ran up behind him to reach for his keys before he could. He turned around so quickly that I had to jump backwards to avoid his large frame from dominating mine. "Back the fuck up Sheena. Let me handle this."

My eyes grew weary as my vision became blurred with burning tears. I opened my mouth, "You got him caught up didn't you. You got him in the game?"

Dunts stood, there unmoved almost. His nonchalant stance nearly had me looking for a knife to cut his throat. I had trusted him with my blood. I had trusted my heart with him too, and here I was, faced with the reality that Evan was in some trouble, and I randomly fucked another dude to feel somewhat superior in this relationship.

"Let me handle this. Let me do what I do."

I slid down against the wall and just stared at him. Dunts stood over me. I could tell he was struggling with what to do. To comfort me or to go to Evan. I decided to make the decision for him. "I need to know he's ok as soon as you get to him." He didn't speak as he walked shamelessly out of the house.

I didn't wait for him to come back. I grabbed my keys and drove to Jade's. Only she could understand the life of being a d boy's girl.
Chapter 14

Dunts

Anderson Avenue was clear. The dark night had an eerie presence about it, and I made a conscious decision to pull my weapon and place it on my lap. I hadn't had to use it in a few weeks, but my mind was ready, my trigger finger was fired up, and my instinct was on ten. I was listening more with my eyes at this point, attempting to be more aware of my surroundings.

I had phoned our head of security, Treach to meet me here. He texted that he was posted up in the alley on the corner of Anderson and Vail. I felt somewhat protected to know that he was near, but at the end of the day, I was alone. I pulled out my cell phone to retrieve the message Evan had sent.

I pulled over to the right side, placed the car in park, and took my foot off the gas. I studied the message. He said he had been robbed, robbed of everything that I had allowed him to hold. Only a pound of dope, nothing more to start him out with. He had to hold his own just like any other nigga. I didn't tell Easy about bringing him on until the last minute. He wasn't too accepting of the idea.

"I'll watch him." I said.

But here I was, sitting in darkness, waiting for him to appear from whatever hole he was hiding in. I reached over to pull the car into drive, when the blasting sound of my window shattering tore through my eardrums. I jumped, ducking to avoid the flying glass.

I had grabbed my weapon when I heard a voice say, "Get out of the car."

My breathing was rapid as I tried to collect my thoughts. Sudden movements could get me dead right now. I felt the metal of his gun pressed on the back of my head. I could feel his dominating presence behind me, and I felt like I was being bought and sold. A slave. I was being told to do what he wanted, as if I had no control over my life. In this moment, I didn't.

"Hands up!" He yelled. I raised my hands in a surrendering position while hearing another person run around my truck and pull open the back door. It was a few of them, but I couldn't make out how many.

"What do you want?" I asked. My voice low, but stern, as I tried to show them no fear. In this game, fear would get you killed. Tonight, I wasn't going to die, not on their time.

"Nigga shut the fuck up and open the safe."

"You think I keep money on me, nigga? I ain't got shit." I yelled back. The gunman pushed his weapon harder into my scalp. "Search my pockets. I got two stacks on me. That's it."

I was listening with my eyes again. I was more watchful than I had ever been in my life. What nigga in my position hasn't been jacked before? It was a part of the game, but these niggas came at me for something specific. I knew it.

"Where's Evan?" I cut them off. I heard them arguing back and forth with each other and curiosity was killing me, even with his weapon pointed at my head.

"Evan! Where is he?" I knew they knew who I was talking about, because his tone changed. The vibe went from hectic and erratic to confusion.

The gunman said, "Cut on your head lights." Turn on my headlights? I moved slowly so he wouldn't be alarmed by any sudden moves. I reached for the switch and turned it to the left. The lights beamed and my eyes darted towards something lying in the street.

"What the fuck!" He lay there, bloodied, lifeless, unmoving. My heart rate became erratic. It began to beat so fast as if it was racing against its own beats.

"You want to tell us where the dope is now?" I heard one of them call from behind me. The anger and fear stirred in me so thick that it became hard to breathe. When I opened my mouth to speak, I heard the screeching noise of tires, and then a sudden blast.

Treach!

I ducked down in my seat, reached for my weapon and pulled back on the hammer. The gunman was firing bullet after bullet, but they missed. I reached over and placed my car into drive, swerving off in the direction of Evan. Shots were still being fired, and I could hear Treach giving them something to fight for.

He didn't shoot back with a gun, Treach had the most powerful weapon we possessed. He wasn't afraid of death. Pulling my truck alongside Evan's body, I hopped out, ducking low to the ground and called out to him.

I couldn't tell if he was alive or not as I grabbed him by his arms, dragging him to my truck. I heard Treach yell, "Dip out!"

I opened the back door, and adrenaline gave me enough strength to lift him in one attempt and put him into the car.

I got into my driver's seat and sped off. "Evan, what the fuck happened?" I yelled.

He didn't reply. The worst was in my mind as I head for Grady.

Sheena. He couldn't be dead. The worst couldn't be happening in this moment.
Chapter 15

Jade

I opened my front door. It was a little after ten. Sheena's eyes were red and swollen. "You've been crying?" I asked as she walked in and past me.

I followed her into my kitchen. "Where's Easy?" Sheena asked, grabbing one of his beers out of the fridge.

"He just got a call, you just missed him. You came over to see him?" I leaned against the counter and studied her.

"Dunts got Evan into the game after I begged him not to." Sheena took a huge swallow of the beer and slammed it down on the counter. "Something happened tonight. Something went down, and he wouldn't tell me what was up."

My mouth dropped as I recounted parts of Easy's call that I could hear. "He was headed to Grady."

Sheena's head jerked towards me. I had never seen a look of fear on her face like this. I had never felt like she was going to break literally into pieces in front of me. She began to shiver. "Grady for what?"

I could hear the tears in her voice, and wished I were able to give her reasoning. But I couldn't. I didn't know or understand why Easy was headed to the county hospital. But the shit was starting to stink. Something wasn't right.

I jumped up from my seat and rushed up the stairs. "Two minutes, and we are out of here." I yelled. "I will drive!"

I dressed in a matter of seconds, stumbling over my own feet as I rushed back down two steps at a time and ran towards the front door. "Ready?" I called out to her.

She had grabbed another beer and rushed behind me. "Ready!"

I grabbed the keys and set the alarm before leaving out. We got into my car and headed towards downtown Atlanta. The ride was one of the longest I had ever experienced.

In the ER waiting room, my eyes searched the area and I found no one that looked somewhat familiar. I asked Sheena if she saw anyone. She shook her head no. The county hospital was on one tonight. It seemed everyone had an emergency. There was barely any room to stand and be in your own space, the noise was worse than loud, and the smell, ugh the smell was horrible. I scrunched my nose in disgust.

"I don't see anyone." Sheena said again. Her palm in my hand grew sweaty and it was shaking uncontrollably.

"Calm down, Sheena, ok. Don't overreact until we have to. I let go of her hand and walked towards the receptionist desk. The girl that I looked at had to have been about twenty-five, but the frown and tiredness written all over her face made her age by ten years. The uniform she wore was meant to be white, but now was an awkward coffee stain color. The closer I got, the more the stench increased.

I tried to overlook the braids in her hair that were so matted it seemed she'd had them for months on end. She eyed me and opened her mouth to speak. The obvious rotten teeth were distracting. "Excuse me, but I am looking for someone." I said.

"Aren't you all? Here, fill this out and take a number." She threw a clipboard towards me and pointed towards the wall. I leaned back, preparing to say something ugly to match what the fuck I was looking at, when I heard Sheena yell, "Monique!"

My head jerked towards Sheena and then my eyes followed to where she was looking. There Monique was coming from behind the emergency room doors.

We both walked over to her. "What are you doing here?"

Monique stood there stuck in time. Her eyes, big, bold with confusion, "Hey, what are you two doing here?"

I was slightly annoyed, but I watched her with a suspect eye. "What are you doing here?"

When she went to open her mouth, the ER's main doors that led to the patients opened and Easy appeared. Sheena and I looked at each other and then at Easy. "Excuse me!" I called, waving my arm frantically towards him. I made sure to allow my attitude to show.

Monique saw Easy and slyly moved over to the side.

"Like, what the fuck is really going on?"

"Where's Evan?" Sheena interrupted.

"What are you and Sheena doing here?" Easy asked. He walked over to us but avoided eye contact with Monique. It was as if she didn't even exist. I noticed this and I didn't shy away from the fact that this confused me.

"Don't answer my question with a question. I'm confused as to why you're here, Monique is here, hell, who the hell else is here?" I yelled.

Monique interjected. "I was with Evan when we got the call." Easy stared at her, and as if on cue, her mouth shut. I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest, observing the situation.

Sheena, noticing the same interaction between the two, said, "I don't know what the fuck is going on right now. But Easy, I promise you if you do not tell me where Evan is, I am not only going to whoop Monique's ass, but tonight I will place my hands on you."

Everyone's attention jumped to Sheena. Her eyes were filled with rage, her chest caved in and out from heavy breathing, and her adrenaline was beginning to seep through her pores. She was more than angry. I looked over to Easy.

"To avoid a scene right now, Monique can take you back."

"Back to where?" I asked.

"To see Evan," he answered.

"Oh my God, so he is here. What happened?"

Easy placed his hands in his pockets and said, "I'm headed out, going back to the house with Treach. But Dunts can explain everything to you, Sheena. Try to calm down and just listen." He leaned in, kissed Sheena on the cheek and then me, before stepping around us and walking away.

Monique started to walk back towards the doors without as much as two words. In the back, the commotion and confusion of Grady was far worse than in the lobby. We followed behind Monique, turning down two hallways, passing three rooms, and stopping just before the fourth. She lightly knocked on the door twice, and placed her hand on the doorknob.

I don't think I was breathing. I don't even think the world around me was moving at its normal speed. Time slowed down as my eyes stayed glued to that opening door. Inch by inch, it opened. I heard Dunts call out, "Yeah who is it?"

Sheena pushed passed me and forcibly knocked Monique over and pushed the door open all the way. "Dunts!"

Stepping in behind her, my mouth dropped as I took in what I saw. A few of Easy's people were there, his runners, his trustees, and on the bed lay Evan. The scream that escaped Sheena's mouth pierced my eardrum. She fell to her knees, as did I. I was so stuck in time and my eyes were burning with shock and tears that I could barely make out the imagery of everyone else.

Dunts ran over to comfort her, but she pushed him away and went over to Evan. She placed her hands on his face. "Wake up, baby!" She kept saying over and over again. She collapsed on top of him and cried.

That motherfucker, Easy, had left as if nothing was serious. His nonchalant demeanor gave me a little bit of hope. But as I stood there while one by one, everyone left the room but Dunts and I, I broke down. The thought of only being able to watch someone you love cry on top of a dead body was one of the worse experiences of my life.

I looked over to Dunts, whose head was bowed. His bloodied clothes were unrecognizable. "I'm going to get who did this, baby."

"Shhh. I wouldn't speak right now. I wouldn't say a damn thing." I said, cutting him off. I didn't recognize my own voice as I spoke. At that moment, I wanted to take a sharp object, any object, and jam it into Dunts' skull.

"Fuck you, Dunts. Fuck you and Easy." I fell to the floor, suddenly not able to feel my own legs as I too cried hysterically. I cried for Evan and I cried for my unborn child.

These are the things that happen when you love a nigga you can't trust.
Chapter 16

Sheena

The bed was far too small for me to fit in. I could barely get comfortable enough to stretch out like I needed to. I sat up in the middle of the bed and took a deep breath. I couldn't sleep. The agony of yesterday was still very fresh on my mind. You lied to me, you put him on when I told you not to. You didn't protect him. I could still hear the things I yelled to Dunts in my head.

His face reflected that of a teen. Yeah, he was sad, yeah he was regretful, yeah he felt helpless, but all of that didn't matter. I didn't give a fuck. Evan was dead. I wanted to throw up at just the thought of it all. I trusted that man with my heart and my blood, but I keep getting shitted on. Fuck him!

I stood up from the twin size bed I was relegated to. After hours of trying, I had finally gotten Mama to go to sleep, and now her house was where I laid my head.

I couldn't sleep though; I think I fell asleep for maybe an hour. The house was quiet, except for the breathing of the many people who lay around the house. I grabbed my cell phone off the dresser and made my way out of the room. Several of my nieces and nephews were here, one of my aunts and an uncle. They found beds on the floor, the couch, Mama's bedroom floor and wherever else there was space. No one wanted to leave her alone.

Walking on the tips of my toes, I found myself on the porch of Mama's house and immediately smelled the scent of smoke. I looked down the sidewalk leading to the driveway and saw someone standing there. "Who is that?" I called out.

He turned around. "Sheena, what are you doing up? It's like four in the morning."

"Lonnie, when did you get here?" I walked down the steps and over to him. My brother stood there smoking a Black & Mild. The sweet scent of the smoke ironically relaxed me. I reached for it and he extended it to me. Taking it in my fingers, I placed the wooden tip between my lips and took a long drag. I exhaled and repeated the process two more times.

"You ok, baby girl?" Lonnie asked me. He hadn't spoken a word since I came out. His voice was low, but deep. It was dark out but what I could see of his face, his expression was empty. His eyes were low, his soul seemed too quiet.

"I am still waiting for Evan just to call my phone." I said, glancing at my cell phone. I noticed I had ten missed calls and twenty-seven texts. I blew out through my mouth and pushed the phone down into my pocket.

"Yeah, baby girl, me too. It wasn't supposed to be like this, you know. I was supposed to keep Evan out of trouble. He was going to come home and be on the straight and narrow. Not dead, Sheena. Not dead and ain't even been home two months." Lonnie's voice was growing louder and angrier. I walked over to him, wrapped my arms around his waist, and laid my head on his chest.

"We can't question why it happened, what has happened, and we can't even take back time. I want to desperately scream out at God and ask him what the point of this is. I don't fucking get it."

I felt Lonnie's body tense up as he hugged me back. His voice was shaky and that's when I knew that he was crying. My tears began to flow again with just the flashes of lying on top of Evan. The things I said to Dunts, I know I could never take back.

***

I had yanked my arm out of his hands. "Don't fucking touch me!"

Dunts, apologetic and seemingly distraught, attempted to come near me again. Jade jumped up and screamed, "Just leave her alone. Let her be with her brother alone Dunts. Move!"

"I'm sorry babe, I promise you I didn't want this to happen."

"This!" I screamed so loud my voice felt as if it was being taken from me. My vision was like I was drunk and seeing double. I didn't know I could feel this much pain at once. This pain was unknown. It was surreal. It was as if I had died and was watching myself react from the outside.

I pulled back my arm and slammed it down on Dunts' head. I did it again and again and again in hopes that his pain would match mine. He didn't fight me back. He held up his arms to prevent the hits from landing on his head, but he didn't try to restrain me.

I was broken. I had loved this man and I had vowed to be his woman. He was supposed to be true to me. He was supposed to not lie to me. He was supposed to be selfless when it came to situations like this. Fuck money, fuck power, and fuck territory. I was without my blood. I was without my brother. Now I was without my love. My love for him was ripped out of my heart the moment I realized he didn't give a fuck about being true.

My screams didn't matter at this point, but it did somewhat help the situation. With each declaration of I hate you, I felt I was given power to press forward. I didn't recognize Dunts. Despite the cheating, despite falling in love with a D boy, I was willing to be that woman for him.

Yeah, I fucked off just like him. But that was my shield from pain. Fucking someone else helped me deal with the fact that he was inside another woman. I would take him fucking over one hundred other women than for him to have gotten my brother killed.

"You got him killed." My voice wasn't a scream now. I was no longer in attack mode. I wasn't reaching for an object as a weapon in hopes of splitting his head in two. The reality of it all was beginning to sink in. "I can't love you!"

"Sheena!" Dunts said in shock.

"I can't love you!" I cried. My head shook back and forth dramatically as my sobs began to increase. Jade walked over to me and cradled me like a baby. A nurse walked in with security close behind.

"They need to take him now." I turned back to look at Evan's lifeless body. Oh my God, he is really dead. He's not going to wake up. I'm dreaming. No this is a dream I know this is not what is really happening.

I fell back onto a nearby chair and placed my head in my lap.

I heard Jade walk over to them. "Ok that's fine. Dunts, just leave. I got her. Nurse can I get a wheelchair for my friend. We are going to leave now. I will get the information on where you are taking Evan, if you don't mind."

***

It was eight in the morning now. I smelled bacon. I stretched as much as I could in the little bed. I looked down to see Lonnie stretched out on a pallet on the floor. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and focused on my surroundings. Mama must have been up cooking. Figures. It would be the best way for her to deal with today. Today, we were headed to the funeral home.

I pulled out my cell phone and avoided all the missed calls and texts and sent Jade a message.

Come over to Mama's house now, please.

I rolled out of the bed and stepped over Lonnie. Walking down the hall, I saw that mostly everyone was up. The house was full of people. Aunts, uncles, cousins, people from Mama's church were there. This is too many people.

I walked into the kitchen. "Mama, who all these people?"

"Hey baby, just some folks coming by to show their condolences."

"It's too soon, Mama, they can do that in a week at the funeral home. I'm going to clear some of them out."

Mama grabbed my hand and shook her head.

I placed my hand on her hand and smiled. "Mama, I love you, but you won't win this one. I don't need you breaking down in front of everyone." I gave her a reassuring kiss on her cheek and went into clean out the house mode. I spoke sweetly, but if you know me, it was nice nasty. You ain't got to go home, but get the hell out of here.

"I won't get mad. I won't curse you out, because I know you mean well." Mama walked over to me and grabbed my hand. Her eyes were red, swollen, and her face was weary.

"Go lay down, Mama. I'll finish this."

"Lay down for what? To be doing nothing but thinking? Chile please. As a matter of fact, after breakfast, you run to the store and get me the ingredients to cook my enchiladas tonight. You hear?"

I smiled. "Yes ma'am. I'm on it."
Chapter 17

Jade

I lay on my stomach as the music of Chante Moore penetrated the silence of the night. I needed to clear my mind desperately. I saw Sheena's text, but I couldn't muster up the strength to go, so I told her I would come later today. Right now, I was pretending to be someone else. I wasn't Easy's girl, and I didn't just witness my best friend cry on top of her dead brother's body.

"You ok?" I turned to see Dwayne walk over to me. His naked body was the perfect view to this sorrowful morning.

"I'm ok now." I purred. He placed a plate of food in front of me. "What's this?"

In a sarcastic tone, he replied, "Well, this is eggs, the red thing is bacon, I hear it's tasty, and that ma'am there is pancakes."

I laughed, tossing a pillow his way. "I know what it is Dwayne, but you made this? Is it safe to eat?"

"It better be. I dipped my foot in it. Eat up. I'm going to take a shower." He bent down, kissed me on the lips, and slapped my ass before walking off.

I sat up in his bed, wrapping the sheet around my body and took my first bite. I looked over to my blinking phone. It meant I had missed calls or messages. I grabbed it and immediately saw Easy's name. I had five missed calls.

I laughed. He hadn't called at all until this morning. Ain't no telling where he'd been. I exited out of my missed calls and went to look in my texts. Just like him to call and not text. I already knew what he wanted. He'd probably called every hotel in the city that I would consider staying at, and once he discovered I wasn't checked into any of them, he was wondering who I was with.

I hadn't fucked since the abortion, and this was much needed. Dwayne was right on time, willing and ready to do what Easy was neglecting. How can I love a man who wanted me to kill our child, anyway? Beats the hell out of me. I just loved him and I couldn't explain why.

He was a part of my spirit. He was embedded in my soul. He was a part of my life, and I loved him for the good times. But were the good times worth going through the bad?

I finished my food and waited for the water to turn off. Dwayne stepped out. His golden brown skin was covered in steam and water vapors.

I licked my lips and said, "One more time, once I'm out of the shower?"

He walked over to me and leaned down on the bed. After kissing my lips, he grabbed a bite of my bacon. "Finish your food, take your shower and I'll be here."

I smiled and did as I was told. I could get used to this no strings attached sex. Maybe I should do this a lot more often.

***

I parked in Sheena's mom's driveway and hopped out. I saw Lonnie and walked up to him. I gave him the biggest hug I could manage and hugged Sheena's sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts; I mean the whole gang was there.

"Mama cooking?" I laughed, lighting up the mood.

I found Sheena in the kitchen cooking with her mom and one of her aunts. She saw me and smiled. "Hey baby girl."

She walked over to me and kissed my cheek. I hated when she was lovey dovey, but because of the circumstances, I welcomed it. She whispered in my ear, "Heifer, you are glowing, and I know it ain't because of Easy's sorry ass. You are gonna dish the dirt later."

I laughed and waved her off. "What are we eating?"

Mama laughed and said, "Child, if you don't get your hungry ass in here and cut up some onions. Talking about we. Here, take this apron."

I laughed and did as I was told. As I wrapped the apron around my waist, we all suddenly heard the loudest commotion. Screaming, cursing, and yelling. We all eyed each other. "Mama, stay here!" Sheena and I both yelled.

We ran through the kitchen towards the front door. Mostly everyone was crowded around the windows and door, making it hard for us to get through. "They're fighting!" someone screamed.

Who? What the hell!

"Lonnie!" I heard Sheena scream. "You all please move out of the way!" We made our way through the nosey relatives who were making it hard for us to get through. My eyes were set on two men fighting as if it was a WWE match. With my mouth hung low, I realized the fight was with Lonnie, and none other than Dunts.

Sheena was set to run straight out there, but the punches were too frequent. I couldn't risk her getting hurt. "No, don't go out there."

I noticed Treach's black Suburban parked across the street. When he opened the door to get out, I screamed, "No!" I almost didn't recognize my own cries, but I knew what would happened if Treach got out of the car.

"Treach, get back in the truck." I was now running, with Sheena not too far behind me. I knew that Treach never traveled unarmed, and I didn't need another mistake like Evan's death. I didn't want that on our hands.

Sheena and I together jumped between the two. I nearly broke my ankle trying to manage the weight of the men. "Dunts, what are you doing here?" Sheena asked.

"You won't answer my calls." He yelled back, leaning forward to catch his breath.

"Popping up here and fighting my now only living brother isn't going to help."

"Lonnie, walk with me please. It's ok, let's just walk away." I grabbed Lonnie's hand and led him closer to the house. I left him seated on the porch and walked back over to Dunts.

"It's not even been a day, Dunts. Just walk away, ok? Give her some time." I was practically begging him. I needed him and Treach to drive the fuck off into la la land.

"You want me to walk away, Sheena?" Dunts stared at Sheena.

His stare was hungry. He seemed desperate. It wasn't like him. Most of the time, Dunts came off as in control, a leader, strong, masculine, handsome, and that was attractive about him. But in this moment, he was the ugliest man I had ever seen. I frowned, not recognizing him at all.

"Yes! I need you to walk away. Want and need are two different things, and I need that. I need you to leave me alone."

We stood there silent in our own thoughts for what seemed like an eternity. My eyes were jumping back and forth from Dunts to Treach. Just leave.

"I'm sorry, Sheena. I fucked up, and this I can't take back. I can't bring your brother back, but I will not rest until the ones who took his life take their last breath by my hands. I promise you that."

Sheena turned her body away from his as if she was getting ready to walk off. Her face was completely covered in tears. Her shoulders were slumped and her eyes were weary as she said, "I lost my brother and I lost you last night. I don't need to hear about another life being taken, because last night you took that away from me too."

She turned and walked away, as I stood planted in my position. I held up my hand, alerting Dunts not to say anything to me. He bowed, took a few steps backwards and walked away. I didn't move until he and Treach drove off.
Chapter 18

Monique

"If I were a bird, I'd fly away. I'd spread my wings so I'd escape. If I were the sky, I'd let it rain to wash away the pain." I sang Floetry's lyrics repeatedly. It was true. I wish I had a moment to escape my current state. But that wasn't the case.

I stood up from the bed, walked into the bathroom, and stared at my reflection. I was getting caught up. No, I was caught up. It was too late to turn around now, and even if I wanted to, I couldn't. I had loved and lost so many times in my life. I was with a nigga like Cory, who couldn't care less about me. But I was going to play my role, though. At least for now.

I turned on the faucet and splashed warm water across my face. I took a deep breath and exhaled. Grabbing a towel, I dried my face and walked back into the bedroom.

The room was in disarray and smelled like ass, feet, and stale breath. "Are you going to get up? It's daylight."

He grunted, but didn't roll over and start to pack his shit. I knew my role and I played it perfectly. That was, until the night of Evan's death. I wasn't born to be this type of woman, but an unworthy nigga with great influence over you can change that in a heartbeat. My heart changed to that rhythm time and time again.

Yes, I wasn't the same woman that I was, but I did not wish to hurt the main people who loved me. But now, I could feel the division. Evan was dead, and neither Jade nor Sheena had called me. That wasn't a good sign, and I knew it was the beginning of the end.

The end of what?

The end of a friendship. I was now like the niggas we fucked. They weren't worthy of good women like us, well at least who I used to be. But my heart was hardened. My mind was brainwashed, my vision was blurred. I knew these things. I knew I had changed, but what else was I supposed to do? Be alone?

I walked over to him and nudged him on the shoulder. "Don't get caught slipping now. Get up!"

"Don't fucking touch me. I'll get up when I'm ready. What time is it anyway?"

"Noon!"

"Did you call her?"

"Yeah!"

"And she didn't answer, I can imagine."

Silence.

He said, "Go to Sheena's house and get back in. You slipped up the other night, but get back in."

"How? How do I explain that I was already at Grady and didn't call them?"

"State you were with Cory, and it better work. You don't want me to have to fix this shit."

I rolled my eyes. "Just rise up, Easy, and get back to your home. Jade may come back today, you never know."

I walked towards my bedroom door and looked back. "I'll make you something to eat too before you leave. Ten minutes, up and out."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'll be down in a minute."

I marched out of my bedroom and down to the kitchen to make Easy his favorite. A routine I had performed way too many times.

Coming soon,

Trust No Nigga 2

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