by India
About thirty minutes later, we were inside of Fairlane mall. We’d decided to stop at the nail shop for pedicures first. As soon as we walked in, I noticed Tonya in the waiting area reading a magazine and I smacked my lips. “What up Nikki, what’s wrong?” Chloe asked.
“Nothing boo, I ain’t tripping, I ain’t sweatin’ that bitch…at all!” I was about to sign my name on the list when Amy, the owner who did my nails from time to time when I wasn’t at my main salon, waived me and Chloe towards two pedicure chairs in the back.
This made the ladies who were in the waiting area really angry but I was used to it.
“Oh hell no Amy, are you serious? I been here for a damn hour and a half already.” I heard Tonya say and I smiled even harder.
“These are priority customers. I will be right with you.” She said to Tonya as well as the small crowd while she continued to run our water. I slipped my sandals off and placed my feet into the hot water. It felt great. Chloe took the seat to my right and did the same while Amy’s husband, John cleaned the seat to my left. “Nikki would you and your friend like something to drink?” Amy asked.
“Sure, may we have some white wine please.” I replied and Chloe looked at me with a impressed look. Whenever I was here, Amy rolled out the red carpet for me. I assumed it was because I always tipped $100 or more. I mean don’t get me wrong. This wasn’t the lifestyle of the rich and famous with Dom P. and champagne-filled pedicure baths, but this was VIP treatment for my hood-fabulous ass and I loved it. I grabbed a magazine off the rack and thumbed through a few pages while Chloe talked on her phone. I was so deep into the story on Tiny and T.I. that I didn’t even notice Tonya sit down in the chair next to me. “Living the good life huh, must be nice.”
I looked up to see her all in my face. I placed the magazine on my lap and shifted to face her. “Tonya don’t get on my shit list okay, I’m not in the mood.”
“It would be nice to hear from Mario every now and again. Hell he could even pay a visit or two to his ex-partner. I mean his ass is doin’ a bid for the team!” She said just a tad too loud for my taste. I wanted to smack the shit out of her but I was too lady-like for that.
“Roscoe fucked his own self up, so the bid he’s doing is not for the team at all!” I snapped and before I knew it, she was out her chair and in my face.
“Bitch please! Don’t act like you got the only real nigga in the D. Roscoe is a thoroughbred so don’t get it twisted.”
“More like a pony!” I laughed.
“Yeah bitch keep laughing. Yo’ ass won’t be laughing soon and you can bet on that!” She spat as the nail salon owner, John handed her the shoes that she had placed on the floor. “Ms. Please leave. You are disturbing my customers.” he said with a scowl on his face.
“Is that a threat?” I wanted to know. I was a nice girl but even nice girls go gangsta when their life is threatened.
“Nikki it’s whatever you want it to be.” She yelled over John’s shoulder as he forced her towards the door.
“Yeah okay bitch. You better leave while you can still walk on your own.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Gucci
The limo that Mario ordered had just arrived at my house. I locked-up while the driver retrieved my bag from the porch. As I opened the door, I heard laughter and loud talking from the inside. “Gucci get yo’ ass in here and sip somethin’ my nigga!” Mario said as he handed me a shot of what smelled like Don Julio.
“Miami here we come.” I said as we all tipped our shots up. We talked shit and took shots all the way to Metro Airport. As we waited in the terminal, Mario filled me in on what happened with Tre’ and I was shocked.
“Damn are you serious, do you think he cut like that? I wanted to know.
“Gucci I’m from Detroit…I don’t put shit past no nigga or female.” Was his response and he was right, but I just didn’t get that vibe from them, especially not his wife. I brushed it off and before I knew it, our zones were being called to board the plane. Chloe was so excited because she had never been on a plane. Sam was all bug-eyed; looking like a bitch, hyperventilating in his seat. I was laughing my ass off and I’m sure the liquor played a part in that.
It was about three hours later before we finally touched down in Miami. I couldn’t have been more excited. We grabbed our luggage, then waited at the curb for our ride to arrive. “Damn y'all famous or something?” Some pimpled-face teenage boy asked as he entered the airport carrying a torn up duffle bag that had definitely seen better days. I quickly replied, “Detroit’s Finest baby.”
“I wonder why he asked if we were famous.” Nikki asked looking back at the guy.
“Shit it’s probably this LV luggage that Chloe just had to have.” Sam answered wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Or, it could be all the jewels we’re all flossing.” Chloe added pointing around the crowd to our necks, wrists, fingers, and ears.
“All of y’all are wrong! That youngsta think we famous because of that right there.” Mario chimed in turning our attention to the fleet of luxury vehicles parked right in front of us. There was a yellow Lamborghini, a red and black Bugati, and a white and silver Ducati sports bike. I jumped up and down almost breaking the heel on my sandal.
“Oh my god you rented this for us?”
“Hell yeah. You know we gotta show out. You and Chloe take the lambo, we’ll take the Bugati and Sam you know what it is.” We all headed off to our vehicles. I was glad none of us had packed a lot of shit. At least Chloe, who had packed the whole house, had the great idea to mail most of her stuff to the hotel. It was a good thing because there was definitely no room in those tiny cars. I jumped behind the wheel and followed Mario even though I didn’t have to because there was a GPS in the car. We pulled up at the Royal Palms and were greeted by the concierge. “Welcome to the Palms. I’m Georgio your concierge.”
“What up doe.” We replied and walked inside like we owned the joint. This was going to be the best two weeks, and I was about to make the most of it.
We made our way across the marble floor to the check-in desk and were presented with our keys. “Hey let’s hit the bar before we go up to our rooms.” I pointed over to the bar which was neatly tucked to the right of the lobby. Everyone followed me over there.
“What can I get for you ma’am?” The bartender asked.
“Let me get two Tequila Sunrises with Patron, one Miami Vice, and two shots of Don Julio.” Mario said cutting me off. I didn’t make a fuss because he knew exactly what I wanted so I moved aside and let him handle his business. The Lady was back in a few minutes handing out drinks. We all held them up in the air, “here’s to big things and real niggas!” We clinked glasses and tossed our drinks back, even Nikkita with her prissy ass.
“Dang baby this is so good and flavorful. How do you know about this drink?” She asked Rio as she bit the cherry off of the tooth pick.
“They sell those everywhere baby and I know you like colorful drinks.” Mario replied shrugging his shoulders.
“Oh and what do you have Gucci, yours is pretty too.” She complimented the red and white drink.
“This is a Miami Vice it’s Pina-Colada and strawberry daiquiri mixed. Girl, you should definitely try it. These taste so good but they do sneak up on you.” I said, grabbing my head to soothe the brain freeze that I felt coming.
“Yeah, Gucci you remember last time we were here. Yo’ ass was tore up off those things so yo ass better chill out.” Mario said and I could tell that he didn’t mean to let that slip. I looked at him and he looked at Nikki who was now red in the face and it wasn’t because she was blushing.
“Okay ya’ll let’s meet back here in three hours for dinner.” Sam said trying to take the attention off of what he knew was sure to be a situation. Everyone agreed and headed to the elevators in silence.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Tonya
I stood up from the couch and paused my Bad Girls show. It had been four days since my
visit with Roscoe and I was glad that he gave me the heads up about him not coming home for another three months because that gave me more time to get my shit together. Next month, I would begin fixing the house up and work on bringing the kids home. But for now, I was about to continue enjoying the single life. I walked into the kitchen to see what leftover food I could find in the refrigerator, but immediately slammed the door closed after smelling what must’ve been some old greens or something. “Damn I gotta remember to throw that shit away later.” I said to myself, then grabbed a bunch of menus off the counter. As I reached for the phone to place an order with Panda Palace Chinese restaurant, Adonis called out to me from the living room. Adonis was my play thing from back in the day. His fine ass was six foot even with a dark chocolate complexion. He had a damn eight pack with pearly white teeth, so it was only fitting that his name be Adonis, which was actually his stripper name. He worked at a popular male strip club called The Lions Den. We hooked up from time-to-time. Shit, don’t judge me. My man been locked up and a girl has to get hers.
“Yeah.” I answered back just as the lady on the phone answered, “Panda Palace…”
“Yo’ man is walking down the street what chu’ want me to do?”
“What man?” I called out to him as I turned my attention back to the lady on the phone. “Um yes, can I place a delivery order for General Tso’s chicken and…”
“That nigga Roscoe, why you ain’t tell me that nigga was out?”
I dropped the phone to the ground and ran into the living room where Adonis was standing; peeking through the blinds. Sure enough Roscoe was making his way towards the house. I almost died right there on the spot. Not only was I about to be busted alone with Adonis in my house, but he was also butt-ass naked.
“Oh shit, get your shit on and hit the back door.” I screamed picking up his clothes which were scattered across the living room floor.
“What? I thought you quit that nigga?” He asked, still standing there like a fool.
“You thought wrong and if you don’t move your ass, he’s gonna fuck both of us up.” I said as I saw Roscoe crossing the street into my driveway.
“Ain’t no nigga gone fuck me up, I’m Adonis!” He said pointing to his chest.
“Look nigga, get yo ass out the back door before he get up in here please? If you do, I’ll make sure that I swing by the club tonight and drop off a big tip for your troubles.” At the mention of money, his ass booked up like bullets were behind him. “Typical male dancer.” I said smacking my lips.
Just as Roscoe banged on the front door, I heard my back door slam. I sighed a huge breath of relief. “Here I come baby.” I said as I scanned the room for anything unusual. Then I swung the door open with a big grin on my face although I was pissed!
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mina
As I watched Tre’ walk into the house like everything was good, I almost lost it. I jumped up from the chair that I’d been sitting in for almost a week and slapped the shit out of him. “What the fuck Mina?” He asked me like I was the one trippin’.
“Where you been and where is the fucking package?” I spat and tried to slap him again but he blocked it. I looked up at him and for the first time since he walked through the door, I noticed the glaze in his eyes and I knew that he was high.
“Baby I was holding that shit for Mario. It’s all good.” He flopped down on the couch.
“What do you mean you was holding it, where is it?”
“I may have tasted a little bit but I’ma get that back no problem Mina.”
I burst into tears because I knew that all of it was gone; I knew that we were dead. I couldn’t believe he had placed me in this situation yet again. The other day déjà vu occurred when Tre’ went missing with the drugs. This felt so much like what happened in Ohio that it was scary. The only difference is that I now know for sure that he’s on drugs and back then, I didn’t.
“Mina calm down, I got chu’ girl…don’t I always?” He said, then got up from the couch attempting to make it up the stairs. I cried silently as I watched him stagger and stumble. It killed me to see him like that.
As I got myself together, I decided to take control of this situation and call Sam. My first thought was to run away again but how long could I keep up that game? Eventually, someone would find us or Tre’ would just keep doing this to me over and over again.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. I dialed Sam, to my surprise he answered on the first ring. “Yeah?”
“Sam, its Mina can you talk?” I asked nervously. I really didn’t know what I expected him to do, but I knew that if anybody was going to help me it would be him.
“Yeah what’s sup Mina; where’s your boy and where is Mario’s shit? He asked in a hushed tone.
“He said he tasted some of it but knowing him its all gone. He just came home and I know he’s on that shit again.” I blurted out. There was a noticeable pause.
“He is a fucking dope fiend? Awe shit, are you fucking serious? I knew something wasn’t right with him damn! We gave a dope fiend twenty thousand dollars in dope. Mina you should’ve said something that day we were at your house in the kitchen.” Sam damn near barked.
“I know but he was clean then and…” I was cut off.
“Once a junkie always a junkie believe that!”
“Please just tell me how to fix this Sam, I need your help. Please,” I begged and again there was silence.
“Look Mina, I don’t know what to tell you. Yo’ man is gonna fuck around and get murked you know that right?” I didn’t say anything so he continued. “Damn I can’t believe this. But I’ll talk to Mario and get back with you later aiight.” He said, then we hung up. Part of me wanted to blow Tre’s brains out for doing this to me; to us, but part of me wanted to figure out how I could spare our lives. So I got on the computer and pulled up our bank accounts to see what we had left that could be uses to pay Mario. I almost died again when I noticed that both of my bank accounts were negative. The one I shared with Tre’ and the one I had by myself. He had spent over six thousand dollars in less than one week. I couldn’t move, I was numb and I was hurt.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Nikki
“Baby it’s been a whole week and you still got an attitude?” Rio questioned.
“I don’t have an attitude. All week I’ve been noticing the inside jokes that you and Gucci share, and its making me sick!”
“Like what?” He threw his hands up and walked into the living room of our hotel suite and I followed suit.
“Like last night at the restaurant, when you took the liberty of ordering me what you and Gucci had the last time ya’ll was there. Or the other day, when we were on the beach and I said I wanted to go jet skiing. You told the story about when you and Gucci went out and she fell off hers. No matter what you think, I don’t want to hear that shit!” I said and grabbed my purse off the couch. I felt myself getting angrier by the second, so I decided the best thing that I could do was to leave. Just as I reached the door, my husband grabbed my shoulders.
“Nik don’t go baby. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know that it bothered you like that. Gucci is my best friend and we came here years ago on business. It was me, her, Roscoe, and another nigga.”
“Whatever Rio, I don’t even care so forget it. Just don’t let it continue to happen.” I dropped my purse down on the television stand and decided to drop the issue.
“Okay baby, I’m sorry. I love you and you only, baby. I know you don’t want to hear this, but If I wanted Gucci I would have her.” I looked away and he turned my face back towards him then continued. “But you’re the one that I chose to marry and baby you had my seed. Ain’t nobody gone ever take your place. You hear me!” He said, then slid his finger inside of the orange wrap-around skirt that I had on and began to massage my clit. “Ooh.” I moaned. Then he pulled me into the bedroom and laid me across the bed. “Let me taste you baby. I want that pussy to drip in my mouth.�
� He said as he put his face under my skirt and began to lick and suck with a vengeance. In a matter of moments, I came all over his face leaving a sticky residue over his goatee.
Rio stood and wiped his mouth with a devious grin. “Tonight there is more where that came from.” I watched him walk into the spacious bathroom. I followed behind him removing my clothes.
“What do you mean later, what about right now?”
He looked up at me from the sink where he was washing his face. “Me and Sam got a meeting today in about…twenty minutes.” He looked down at his big face Cartier watch, which I had just purchased for him while shopping at the huge outdoor mall in South Beach where he had taken me last night. It was a long strip in alphabetical order, starting with the cheap stores ending with the most costly stores.
“When will you be back?” I asked as I stepped into the garden shower.
“You’ll probably be asleep when I get back baby. I’ll leave some money on the dresser in case you want to go shopping…again.” He smiled and I blew a kiss through the glass shower door.
I stepped from the shower and walked into the bedroom to retrieve my cell phone. I punched redial and there was only one ring before I heard. “Girl would you stop calling here this boy is fine.” Ms. Claudia teased and I giggled. I loved her to death. She was my mother-in-law and she always had my back. She was baby-sitting Rio Jr. while we’re on vacation. Although she’s very trust-worthy, I was beginning to miss him terribly, which is why I called her like every few hours or so just to check-in on them.
“I know mom but I’m baby sick. What are you guys doing?” I put the phone on speaker and began to dry off.
“Well, we’ve been taking it easy, just watching our soap operas and taking naps. I think my grandson is a true Young and the Restless fan just like his Granny.”
