by A'zayler
“Now, I want you to get some rest this weekend and get ready for training on Monday. I’ll have you ready for that race if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Thanks, Coach. I will.”
He patted her shoulder softly before walking away. Gia watched him and all of his other clients finish their training as she headed for the locker room. Next Saturday was the day she had been waiting on for months, and now it was finally here.
Her running coach as well as Sports Illustrated had done everything they could to sway the Colonel, and he’d finally given in. After tons of advertising and press interviews, Gia would be racing Stacy Dunlap, the number one runner in the country and the only person who was just as fast as she was.
When her coach had given her the news, she was ecstatic. The first person she wanted to tell was Jamil. She’d called him as soon as she got to her phone, and he hadn’t answered. She called back two more times before he finally answered.
She was prepared to tell him all about it but couldn’t because as soon as he’d picked up, he told he that he would call her right back and still hadn’t. That was almost two weeks ago. Gia had called and texted him since then, receiving no reply.
At first it had bothered her so badly she could hardly focus on her workouts, but she eventually got herself together. Barely, but together. Together enough to carry on her daily routines of healthy eating and training. Anything outside of that was still falling apart.
All she wanted was him, and it was as if her going back to Hawaii had ended it all for him. Some nights she wondered if the love was real or if he was just faking it to get sex, but then she would remember his voice and his words. The way he sounded when he expressed himself to her, she knew it had to be real. It had to be.
It took her a little over twenty minutes to get from the track to her apartment. She talked to her father on her cell phone the entire way there. When she got inside her front door she told him she’d call him back later before hopping into the shower. After getting herself some lunch and a few snacks, she went into her room and locked the door.
She had no plans of doing anything other than eating and resting her body over the weekend. The only thing that would get her out of her apartment would be if Jamil told her he was outside, and she already knew that wasn’t happening.
Her TV was on and she had a spoon of vanilla ice cream hanging from her mouth when she heard her phone ringing. At first she’d thought it was the Colonel, since she still hadn’t called him back yet, but it was Oni.
“Hey, best friend,” Gia said into the phone receiver.
“Hey, baby mama. How you feeling?”
Gia sighed. “Girl, tired as ever and frustrated. Do you know that nigga still hasn’t called me back?”
The phone was quiet for a minute before Gia heard Oni sigh. “Um, Gia.”
Gia sat up in her bed, afraid of what Oni was about to tell her. She could tell by the way Oni had said her name that it was about Jamil. Her voice was soft and sympathetic. So not only was it about him, it was bad.
“What, Oni?”
“Jamil moved to Miami.”
“He did what? Why? When did he do that? Why didn’t anyone tell me?” She had so many questions she could barely get them all out.
“Shock just told me today. That’s why I was calling you. He said he’s doing some work down there.”
Gia began to feel light-headed, so she lay back on her pillow again. “Work?”
“Yeah. You know what they do. He’s supposed to be getting some more stuff started for their supplier. Whatever it is, it’s big, and it’s going to make him a lot of money. From what I understand, he’s been there since like a week after you left.”
Gia’s eyes rolled. That explained why he hadn’t been talking to her or responding to any of her calls. “No wonder he’s been missing in action.”
“I’m sorry, boo. I was just as shocked as you.”
Tears welled up in Gia’s eyes as she lay in her bed thinking about all of the pretty women he might be encountering. Tears began to cascade down her cheek at the thought that he might have already hooked up with one. After all, he hadn’t been talking to her for weeks. Really not in the mood to torture herself, Gia decided to switch subjects.
“So how’s Shock and the elderly?”
Oni giggled. “Well, Shock and I are cool. He’s like a really cool friend for now. We haven’t tried to make it anything more. Just chilling. I like him, though, and Isaac . . . well, you know how we are.”
“You still love that old man?”
“Yes, I still love that old man. You’re killing me with the old jokes.”
Gia laughed for the first time since they’d been on the phone. “You know I can’t help it.”
“Well, he’s cool. I’m cool. Shock’s cool. All of us are doing fine right now. I miss you, though. You need to come back.”
Gia stuffed another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth. “I wish I could.”
“I know, boo. If it makes you feel any better, Jamil’s supposed to be in town tonight for the party at their supplier’s house. I can slap him if you want me to.”
“No, it’s okay. If he doesn’t want me anymore, then so be it. You just have fun. You going with Shock?”
“I sure am, but that doesn’t mean I won’t slap his friend.”
Gia wanted to laugh, but she was too exhausted. “No, it’s okay. Thank you, though. Their supplier, that’s that dude Little Monty or something, right?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“Oh, okay. I think I heard Milli say his name a few times before.” Gia got quiet for a moment. “Thanks for checking on me, boo.”
“Anytime.”
The line was quiet for a while as neither of them said anything.
“Well, get some rest, girl, and I’ll call you later. I’m supposed to meet with Isaac for a few minutes.”
“Okay. Love you, and take it easy on Isaac tonight. People go to jail for killing old people.”
The girls shared a quick laugh before ending their call. Gia was still so caught off guard by Jamil moving that she felt compelled to call him again. Just like all of the times before that, he didn’t answer. Deep into her feelings and seeing no way out, Gia stared at her stomach and cried. What was she going to do?
* * *
Sweat beads were building up across his forehead as he fanned himself with the lapel of his jacket. Iverson was seated in the driver seat of his car headed to the party. All day he had been going back and forth in his mind about whether he wanted to go through with his plan, and he’d finally come to a conclusion.
He didn’t. Even for all of the money in the world, he couldn’t turn his back on Jamil, let alone help someone plot his demise. They had been friends for years, and the more he thought about going through with his and Little Monty’s plan, the worse he felt.
Jamil didn’t deserve this, even if he was still a little salty about the things that had happened between them. He was a cool dude who stayed to himself. After all, it was Iverson’s fault anyway. Had he never let his anger and greed get the best of him, he and Jamil would still be friends. Not once since they’d been friends had Jamil ever crossed him. As embarrassing as it was, he had been the only snake in his and Jamil’s friendship.
Even if Little Monty did think Jamil had something to do with his daughter getting killed, which he didn’t, there was no reason for Iverson to be in on it. He was supposed to be Jamil’s best friend. Going behind his back plotting with the enemy was wrong on so many levels.
The air was blasting, and it still wasn’t calming Iverson down. He didn’t know if he was really that hot, or if he was simply feeling too nervous to contain himself. Once they went to the party tonight, there was no turning back.
Little Monty had called him late the night before, letting him know that he would be killing Jamil at the party. He’d thought about doing it in Miami, but changed his mind after giving it some thought. He claimed he didn’t want the opportu
nity to slip away again. Iverson had tried everything he could to change Little Monty’s mind without giving himself away but he couldn’t. Little Monty’s mind was made up.
Iverson wiped another bead of sweat with the back of his hand. He pulled into the winding driveway of Little Monty’s house. It was packed with cars already, so he had to be quick.
After speaking with Little Monty last night, Iverson came up with a plan of his own. He would first try to talk Little Monty out of it. If that didn’t work, he would go to Jamil and inform him of what was going on, omitting his involvement in any of it.
If it happened to come out, which he hoped it didn’t, he would accept his part and move forward, even if that meant the two of them never talked again. He would be okay with that, as long as that meant Jamil would be alive.
Iverson took a deep breath before sticking his gun into the back of his pants and getting out of the car. He walked briskly up the driveway and was headed up the stairs when he heard Shock call his name. Upon turning around, he was surprised to see Oni there too.
She wore a form-fitting red dress and a tall pair of heels. She was so breathtaking he almost regretted not doing right by her. He had been so focused on sex, he’d neglected to get to know her. He would regret that forever.
“Why you walking so fast, nigga?” Shock looked Iverson up and down. “And where the hell you coming from sweating like that?”
Iverson gave him his signature sly smile. “Come on, man, you know me. I just got done bussing down a li’l freak I fuck with.”
Shock shook his head and smiled. “I should have known.”
Iverson slowed his stride and allowed Shock and Oni to catch up to him. Once they were next to one another, he nodded to Oni and she waved. With nothing else to be said, they all walked into Little Monty’s house.
“I’m about to go grab me something to eat real fast. I’ll check back in with y’all,” Iverson said as soon as they got into the main room where everyone was.
He dapped Shock up and walked away as smoothly as he could, in search of Little Monty. He needed to get to him before Jamil got there. He was sure it would be any minute because Milli Rock was a very punctual dude. Tell him a time and he was coming.
As he ascended the stairs, he noticed Daisy coming out of their bedroom. She was looking sexy as usual, but he had to tame his eyes as he did every other time he saw her. The dress that she wore hugged her body in the most undignified way, and he was more than positive every nigga in attendance was going to have to check themselves when she walked past.
“Hello, Iverson. Looking for Monty?”
“Yes. Is he up here?”
She smiled and pointed over her shoulder with her thumb. “In the bedroom.”
“Appreciate that.” Iverson headed toward the door she’d just come through and pushed it open.
Little Monty was standing in the mirror buttoning up the shirt he was wearing when his eyes darted toward the door. He paused for a moment, probably surprised that it was Iverson coming through the door and not Daisy.
“What you need?” He skipped all pleasantries.
“I just came to see was you still going through with everything.”
He turned toward Iverson and continued fixing his clothes. “Why would my plans change?”
Iverson fidgeted with his phone as he tried to think of something to say. “I was just thinking maybe you should hold off on that for a minute. I mean, you have a house full of people. That shit could go terribly wrong.” Iverson took a seat on the bed.
Little Monty watched Iverson. Though sweat was dripping profusely from his head, Iverson held his own and stared Little Monty right back down. He didn’t want this to happen, and he wouldn’t let it if he could help it.
“I think you should do it the way I told you to and just let me set him up myself. We’re boys. It would be a lot easier for Jamil to trust me than it is for him to trust you.”
“I don’t need that muthafucka to trust me for shit. Jamil Rock is going to get what he deserves, and it’s going to be on my terms and at my hands. End of fucking story. If you got something to say about the shit, then your ass can get the same shit.”
Iverson’s blood began boiling as he fought to keep himself under control. Everything in him wanted to jump up and punch Little Monty in his face for talking all that shit, but he kept a cool head. All that meant was he was about to go into plan B. If that didn’t work . . . well, he would just have to see what was next.
“Bet.” Iverson stood and walked out of the room.
The party was in full swing, and he stood on the top of the stairs to survey the crowd. He needed to find Jamil. He finally spotted him standing near the table where the drinks were laid out. Iverson took a deep breath and took off in his direction.
He hadn’t talked to Jamil since the day they fought at Shock’s house, so hopefully he would listen to him. Maybe he too would see past the fact that they’d had a brief falling-out and remember they’d been friends for years. The closer he got to Jamil, the faster his heart beat.
By the time he was standing in front of him, his heart was nearly beating out of his chest. The look on Jamil’s face didn’t help the matter any.
“The fuck you doing in my face?” Jamil’s voice sounded just as cold as it did when they were in the streets.
“Listen, I know we’re on some other shit right now, but I need to holla at you real quick on some real shit.”
“You can say it right here.”
Iverson shook his head. “Nah, man, I can’t. It’s some shit about Little Monty.”
Jamil made eye contact with Iverson again. He held it for a minute, obviously trying to gauge the seriousness of his words.
“I can’t talk out here.” Iverson looked around nervously. Though he wanted to warn Jamil, he didn’t want to risk being seen by Little Monty. “Follow me to the balcony outside by the fountain.”
Iverson turned and walked away, hoping Jamil would follow him. He moved through the crowd of people as smoothly as he could until he was in the back of the house. He followed the lights down to the small fountain. It was secluded and the perfect place for him to talk to Jamil without being seen.
The large green trees all around the fountain were lit up by the ground lights. The scenery was beautiful, and it was actually calming Iverson down. He had gotten his breathing and his heart rate under control by the time he noticed Jamil’s tall body coming down the walkway.
Immediately, he began to sweat again. He hoped like hell Jamil took heed of his warning the right way and just left the party without causing a scene that would end up getting them both killed, but all he could do was hope.
“What’s up?” Jamil wasted no time once he’d stopped in front of Iverson.
“Okay, man, it’s like this. Little Mont—”
PEW!
In the middle of his sentence blood shot from the side of Iverson’s neck. He stood still for barely a second before dropping to the ground. Instinctively, Jamil reached for him and caught him midair. He wasn’t exactly sure where that shot had come from, but he snatched his piece out and aimed it anyway.
When he noticed the shadowy figure approaching him, he prepared himself to pull the trigger. Once he saw who it was, he was glad he hadn’t shot.
“Bruh, what the fuck?” Jamil asked Shock as he eyed the black gun in his hand.
The silencer was still attached to it, letting Jamil know that he was indeed the one who had killed Iverson.
“Why you do that shit?” Jamil was still dumbfounded as he watched Shock walk over to Iverson’s body and check his pulse.
“That trading-ass nigga had it coming.” Shock unscrewed his silencer and stuck it into his pocket while shoving his gun back into the waistband of his pants. “Iverson was on some other shit, Milli Rock. That nigga was plotting to kill you. I heard him saying some shit about setting you up a minute ago when I went to take a piss. I don’t know who he was talking to, but I know what the fuck I heard.”
Jamil fell to the ground and sat flat on his butt. He needed a second to process what he’d just heard. His best friend, his brother, was plotting to set him up? That couldn’t be right. But what reason did Shock have to lie?
“You didn’t see who he was talking to?”
Shock shook his head. “I just heard him. I would have burst in and blown his head away right then, but I wanted to check that nigga on it first. When I saw him coming out here, I followed his ass. When I saw you down here with him, I went ahead and handled him before he could try some sneaky shit.”
Jamil took a few deep breaths as he looked at Iverson’s now-lifeless body bleeding on the ground. His eyes were still open and his hands were splayed out next to him.
“So what should we do now?”
Shock stood fixed his clothes. “Go back to the party. Let Little Monty figure this shit out.”
Jamil’s head was spinning as he blinked rapidly. Too much was happening. “Wait, that nigga was out here just now trying to tell me some shit about Little Monty. You don’t think that’s who he was talking to, do you?”
Shock looked confused. “Why would he want you hurt? He was just bitching about meeting you a little while ago.” Shock shook his head. “I don’t think so. I mean, not with all the money you be making that nigga. He would be a fool to do some shit like that.”
Jamil’s mind was boggled as he rose to his feet and fixed his clothes as well. When he went to check his jeans, he noticed some of Iverson’s blood was on them.
“Man, you go ahead. I can’t go back up in there like this. I’m about to just dip.”
“You sure?” Shock asked. “You came all the way down here just to meet this nigga, only for you to end up not meeting him?”
“I don’t leave until tomorrow evening. I’ll fuck with y’all in the morning or something.”
Shock could tell Jamil was serious, so he nodded and dapped Jamil up. They both took one last look at the friend they’d considered their brother before walking away.
* * *
Back in the party Oni stood near the table of food waiting for Shock. He’d told her he was going to talk to his boss for a minute and would be right back. That was almost ten minutes ago. Whatever they had to talk about couldn’t have been that important.
