“Let me get this straight: you sons of a bitches fighting over some twat? Is that what you’re telling me?”
“Naw, he fighting over some twat. I was fighting ’cause brotha disrespected me.”
“Where’s Jada?”
“She’s upstairs. She tried to break it up but when Kareem called her a fat bitch she tried to call you. After that, she went into y’all room and shut the door.”
“Where was Donovan?”
“He stood there and watched.”
“He didn’t try to break it up?”
“Man, please. You know Donovan like that kind of shit. He wasn’t trying to stop nothing.”
I stood up and looked at Quincy’s lip. “You gon’ be all right?”
“Yeah, I’m cool. Just trying to stay downstairs to calm myself.”
“Well, why don’t you call one of your lady friends up and take her out for a nice dinner and a movie. Things might get a li’l ugly around here. Come back in a few hours after they settle.”
“That’s cool. But you know by now Kareem and me got to get our clown on at least once or twice a year, don’t you? Tomorrow it’ll be like the shit never happened.”
“I know, but we starting to slip a li’l bit. We used to have each other’s backs, and seem to me that’s starting to change. With Rufus getting out in a few months, I don’t need no fuckups right now. He’s always been the one making trouble so I don’t need y’all doing it as well.”
“You’re right, partna.” Quincy gave me five. “Sorry this time, but it was hard to hold back.”
“I know,” I said, heading upstairs. “Holla at you later, man. I hope you got money. And ask that sista who works at the bank to go with you. I kinda like her ass better than those other hoochies you be bringing over here.”
“Who, Veronica?”
“Yeah, Veronica, that’s the one.”
He patted his back pocket. “Yep, I got money, plenty, and plenty mo’. So, deuces, man, I’ll holla at ya later.”
My intentions were to go see about Jada first, but I was sure she knew I was already in the house by looking at the monitors. Kareem’s bedroom door was closed and I knew Donovan was upstairs in the entertainment room because I could hear the floor squeaking. I put my ear against Kareem’s door and when I didn’t hear much, I lightly tapped on it.
“What!” he yelled.
I turned the knob and opened the door. I didn’t turn on the lights because I could see this chick sitting up on top of him, naked. “I need your company to leave.”
“Nigga, you crazy. Shut my damn door and holla at me in an hour or so.”
The bitch who was on top of him had the nerve to snicker like the shit was funny. I pulled my gun out of my pants, used the nose of it to turn on the lights, and stood with my arms folded. When she turned around and saw the gun underneath my arm, she grabbed for the cover and slid over to the side off Kareem. He sat up on his elbows, looking at me with his jaw dropped. He had no clue what kind of day I was having, but he of all people knew when I wasn’t playing.
“Kiley. Can a brotha finish up something he started, please? You’re a li’l bold stepping up in here, invading my privacy.”
“Bold? Aw, you ain’t seen bold. Bold is giving this bitch one minute to put her clothes on and get the fuck out of this house. Bold is snatching your ass from underneath those covers, beating the shit out of you for calling my woman a fat bitch, and bold is allowing a stupid asshole like you to put pussy before partna.” I looked at the bitch still lying in bed. “Thirty seconds now, ho, I don’t see you moving.”
She grabbed her clothes off of the chair and started putting them on. Kareem lay there with stone coldness in his eyes. When the woman walked toward the door, I grabbed her around the neck and whispered in her ear, pressing the gun up against her back, “Don’t bring your ass around here again. You ain’t welcome in this house. You understand?”
She nodded her head and when I let go, she flew down the steps to exit.
Kareem pulled the covers back and got out of bed. “Now, that shit was totally uncalled for,” he said, putting on his clothes. “I can’t believe you siding with that white bitch-ass Quincy.”
“Kareem, what’s your problem? You around here dissing every damn body. Talking to a brotha how you fucking feel like it, then you want respect. Pussy got you all fucked up, don’t it?”
“This ain’t got nothing to do with a piece of ass and you know it. Quincy put his hands on me so I wasn’t going to back down like no punk. Then you come up in here going off on me and shit. Like I’m the one who started the shit. In case you forgot, I’m your fucking brother. Don’t go putting this fool before me.”
“Listen, I don’t give a shit who started it!” I yelled, darting my finger. “When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. You twenty-five years old and he’s twenty-seven. Y’all up in this house carrying on like some damn teenagers. Grown fucking men, acting like kids who need a babysitter when I’m away. Then, to disrespect my lady? Now, you know that’s some unacceptable shit! I don’t give a fuck who you are, nobody disrespects her but me.”
“Shit, she shouldn’t have called us no stupid muh-fuckers. I don’t give a rat’s ass who she is; the way she talk to me is the way I talk to her.” Kareem slid his shirt down over his head and grabbed his keys off the top of his bed. “Listen, things got heated and people got their feelings hurt. Sorry. I can’t change what I said but I’m not like you, Kiley, especially when it comes to women. All that smart-ass talking and yelling is enough to drive me crazy. I don’t understand how you just sit there and take it, but when a brotha step to you like that, you’ll break his back. So, question is, does pussy have you fucked up?”
“Maybe, maybe not. But Jada’s not the only one who gets away with bullshit in this house. All of you do. And the thing is, ain’t neither one of you fools doing a damn thing for me and you still get my respect. On the other hand, at least she’s fucking me correctly. So, when you around here talking about you can’t help yourself from disrespecting people by saying that they deserved it, think about how many times I’ve wanted to fuck you up but didn’t. Or how many times I’ve gone out on a limb for you when you messed up. I did what I had to do out of love and respect for you. Don’t sit here and tell me you can’t do something as simple as respect my woman and respect my partna by only seeing him as a ‘white boy.’ Remember, that’s the same white boy who gave up a lot of shit for you as well. More so, gave up everything for you and me both. All I’m saying is think. Think hard before you let all that bullshit slip out of your mouth.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear you. I’ll apologize tomorrow. I’m getting ready to go play the tables on the Casino Queen.”
I pulled my keys out of my pocket and tossed them to Kareem. “Quincy got the car so use mine. And make sure you carry your piece, ’cause these punks tried to jack me today.”
“Straight? What happened?”
“I’ll tell you about it later. So hurry up and get out of here so I can go comfort my woman from this abuse you niggas been dishing out.”
“All right. But tell her I’m sorry.”
“You tell her yourself. And before you leave go upstairs and take that fool Donovan with you. He’s been whining like a bitch about feeling left out.”
“Will do, big brother,” Kareem said, heading upstairs. “I love ya, you damn peacemaking, non-lovemaking-ass Negro.”
“Don’t talk that shit, Kareem. I stood by that door for a few minutes and didn’t hear that bitch moan not once. Sounded like you were sleeping on the job to me.”
“Ha, don’t fool yourself. I had just pulled the tape off her mouth before you knocked.”
“Whatever, nigga,” I laughed, walking down the hallway to my room.
Jada was sitting up in bed watching Scary Movie with the lights out. She didn’t even look at me so I figured she was pretty upset. I went over to the closet and started taking my clothes off so I could take a bath. When she noticed I wasn’t sa
ying anything to her, I figured it would be a matter of minutes before she started questioning me.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone when I called, and who in the fuck do you think you are by hanging up on me?”
I ignored her and pulled the drawer out to get my cotton pajama pants. Before I could, she was all up in my face, yelling and screaming with spit flying.
I slammed the drawer shut and tightened my fists, just in case she was in the mood for a quick beat down. “Jada, get the hell out of my face before you get hurt!” I yelled.
“Hurt me, you damn liar! I’m sick and tired of your shit! You left your ass out of here, didn’t tell anybody where you were going, then tell me to call you if I need you. And when I do, your ass ain’t available. I’m going back to L.A. Shouldn’t have ever moved to this crazy house to begin with.”
“Fine, Jada. Go ahead,” I said, storming off into the bathroom. “Sick and tired of your threats anyway.” I slammed the door.
Jada’s mouth was driving me crazy. I put my hands on her one time before for disrespecting me, but the feeling I had afterward was a feeling I never wanted to feel again. She knew how pissed I was at myself for hitting her, and knew I would never do it again. That’s why she continued to push me. Said whatever she wanted to me, knowing that I wouldn’t do anything to her. Anybody else would be in their grave for smacking me on my face and punching on me like she did. Ginger can be a witness to that. She quickly found out that if you put your hands on me, I will most certainly fuck you up. No doubt, Jada was the exception.
After I finished up in the bathroom, I opened the door and Jada was lying on her side in bed, sniffling like she’d been crying. When I tried to comfort her, she pushed me away. Fuck it, I thought, and shrugged my shoulders. I got in bed, turned away from her, and crashed out.
CHAPTER 2
When I turned over in bed and reached for Jada, she wasn’t there. I looked at the alarm clock and it was three forty-five in the morning. I pulled the covers back and got out of bed to look for her. Since everybody’s bedroom door was open, I knew none of the fellas had made it home yet. As I started upstairs to the entertainment room, I heard a laugh coming from downstairs. When I got down there Quincy was sitting at the kitchen table talking to Jada while she was standing in front of the counter.
“Say, man, what’s up? We were just talking about you,” Quincy said.
I could immediately tell he was high by the glassy look in his squinted eyes. “I’m sure it’s nothing nice if you’re in here talking to Jada,” I said, gazing at her.
“Quincy,” Jada said. “I’ll see you when I wake up. I’m going back to bed.” She rolled her eyes and left the kitchen.
Jada’s attitude was something I had learned to cope with. There were times when I wanted to straight up kick her ass for acting the way she did. But many times I held back, especially since I knew that putting my hands on her would be wrong.
I opened the cabinet to get a glass. Then I poured some water and sat down at the table with Quincy. “So, how was the movie?”
“We didn’t go.”
“Why not?”
“We stayed at her place.”
“Getting high?”
“Naw, she don’t go out like that. I fired up some herb on the way home.”
“I see.” I took a sip of the water. “So, what were you and Jada talking about?”
“Nothing much. When I got here she was sitting on the back porch. We just walked into the house a few minutes before you came down. However, she did call you an asshole.”
“That’s nothing new. She’s a good woman but the shit she say sometimes just makes me want to—”
“I know. And she is a good woman. Washing, cooking, and cleaning after four grown-ass men. But sometimes”—Quincy took his fist and punched it against his hand—“whewww, she be having it coming.”
“Yeah but that ain’t gonna prove a damn thing. What I don’t like is her threats. Every week I gotta hear about how she hates she moved to St. Louis and about how she’s moving back to L.A. I’m to the point where I don’t even give a damn anymore.”
“Maybe she’s unhappy. I don’t see why or how but with women, you just never know.”
“You’re right. They sho know how to hide things better than we do.” I stood up and put my glass in the sink. “Are you heading up?”
“Naw, I’m heading out. I’ll be back by late afternoon.”
“Boy, you nigga’s know y’all be running the streets. Where in the hell do y’all be all day and all night?”
“In a li’l of this, and in a li’l of that. Over here, over there. Wherever, man. Life didn’t end after we left L.A. I know you’re trying to keep shit on the down low but you still gotta live. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this cooped up.”
“I know, but I worry every single day that the cops are going to knock on that door and arrest me for murder. It’s not a good feeling but, hey, that’s why I have everything in this house I need. Ain’t much on the outside for me other than . . .” I stopped, thinking about Desmon.
“Other than what? I mean, what’s up with your Saturday runs? You never tell anybody where you’re going. We’re still cool on the money thang, right?”
“Of course, and it has nothing to do with that. It’s personal business that can only be attended to on Saturdays.”
“It ain’t another woman, is it?”
“Naw, ain’t that either. And don’t keep prying ’cause it’s my business, okay?”
Quincy stood his high ass up and reached in his back pocket. Then he looked down and fumbled around the table feeling for his keys. As I moved in closer to him, I could tell he was not only high but drunk as well. I picked his keys up that were right on the table in front of him and put my arm around his shoulder.
“Your bed. That’s what you need.”
He belched and pointed his finger at me. “I agree,” he said loudly, putting his arm around my shoulders.
Quincy and I walked upstairs and by the time we made it, he was hauling ass to the bathroom to throw up. I shook my head and laughed as I headed back to my room to confront Jada.
The room was dark, and when I eased into bed, I could feel her back against mine. I poked my pillow a few times to get it comfortable then laid my head down. There was complete silence. After a few minutes of lying there with my eyes open, I felt Jada’s hands as they lightly touched my ass. She turned around and started massaging my chest. Surprised by her sudden forgiveness, I turned around and faced her. My hands searched her naked body, and I spread her legs open, inserting my fingers deep inside her. I rolled them around until she was dripping wet. Then I slid down to the end of the bed, standing to drop my pants. Jada came down to the end of the bed and sat directly in front of me. She put my dick in her hands, skillfully stroking it. When she felt it harden, she got down to business. I closed my eyes as the back of her throat felt warm, then placed my hands on the dresser behind me so I wouldn’t lose my balance. As I felt myself wanting to come, I backed out of her mouth. She stood up in front of me and pecked my lips. “I’m sorry for disrespecting you,” she said. “I know I get carried away sometimes, but I do love you.”
I didn’t say anything because I refused to mess up the mood. I sat her on top of the dresser, held her legs apart and looked down as she inserted me. She reached over and turned on the lights as I leaned forward and licked her nipples. We watched as I pounded her insides with fast thrusts to make her coochie respond so well to me.
Intensely fucking, Jada lifted my sweaty head and kissed me. “Kiley?” she whispered, staring me eye to eye. “Talk to me, baby. I don’t like it when you’re this quiet.”
I sucked her lips into mine and wet them down with my tongue. Then I slid myself out of her and leaned down. I placed my mouth between her legs and rolled my tongue quickly around in circles. She tried to squeeze her legs together but I held them tightly apart with my hands. As I made love to her with my tongue, I felt her body shaking. S
he scratched my back with her long fingernails and sprayed my lips with cum. I stood up, wiping away her sweet juices.
“Come on, hop on my back,” I said, scooting slightly down. She wrapped her arms around my neck and got on my back.
I lifted her off the dresser and carried her to the bathroom. I stood in front of the mirror as both of us looked in it. She smiled, leaned down and kissed me on the cheek while her hands were still wrapped tightly around my neck.
“We make a cute couple,” she said, looking back into the mirror.
I shrugged my shoulders a bit.
“What do you mean, you don’t know? And why aren’t you talking to me?”
I turned around and sat her on the bathroom counter between the sinks. She slid back and folded her arms in front of her.
“Baby, you gotta stop talking to me the way you do. I—”
She couldn’t wait to cut me off. “I said I would. Damn! It ain’t like you talk calmly to my ass all the time.” She started to get down off the counter, but I placed my hand on her midriff so she wouldn’t move.
“Listen to you. Do you even hear how you sound?” I shook my head. “You coming off too cold, baby. Too damn cold for me. Now, for the last time, I’m asking you to calm the shit down. Next time, I might not be so nice.”
“Next time you can kiss my ass, Kiley. You act like I’m the one who treats you like shit. You leave here whenever you want to, call me when you feel like it, and expect me not to get mad. If you don’t want me getting mad then answer your damn phone when I call your ass.”
I shook my head again, and picked up a towel from the rack behind me. I wet it with warm water and soap and wiped myself down. She got down off the counter and brushed up against me when she walked out of the bathroom. I didn’t know what her problem was. She didn’t used to be this way. Seemed like for the last couple of years, she’d had a new attitude. Whatever it was about, I seriously couldn’t figure it out.
How Can I Be Down? Page 3
