Suddenly, the car came to a stop, and when Mel’s driver came and opened the door for me, I saw we were in front of my apartment building on Lemoli. He helped me out, and when I was to my feet, holding my lip, I looked over my shoulder at Mel who raised his eyebrow. Nodding, I adjusted my purse strap on my shoulder and walked to enter my building after making sure his flunky parked my car.
When I made it to my door, I saw it was cracked which had my heart beating rapidly. I pulled my phone from my purse, ready to dial 911 if needed, as I slowly pushed the door open. When I did, I let out a sigh of relief as I watched Kordell standing in front of my TV changing channels.
“I-I didn’t know— how did you get in here?” I quizzed, looking outside to check the area before I closed and locked the door. I touched my lip to be sure the bleeding had stopped.
“I picked the lock,” he stated nonchalantly, setting down the remote once he landed on a sports game.
“You picked my lock? Why?”
He was so annoying with his criminal ass, especially because he stays claiming that he’s not. Nigga just got out of jail a hot second ago, and was out picking locks.
“Why you think? I don’t have a key.” He hadn’t looked at me once. I watched him reach for a bowl of cereal on the end table and start eating.
I missed stuff like this and it made me want to cry knowing my decisions had ruined any chance I had of being with him. If I had just followed my first mind and not slept with Mel Benjamin, I wouldn’t be in this predicament. I don’t know why I felt obligated to let his father fuck me, but it was too late to ponder on now. I was only twenty years old and my life was over.
“What did you come over for?” I asked, removing my coat and hanging it on the coat rack.
“I came to check on you, make sure you’re doing alright. The baby can come at any time now that you’re seven months my aunt said, so I just like to be sure you don’t go into labor with me away.” He shoved cereal in his mouth.
Don’t cry, Brooke.
What was he gonna say when the baby didn’t come any time soon since I was only five months? Only thing saving me was that I was big as hell for five months. I was probably the first pregnant woman to wish for a premature birth.
“What did I tell you about using my sauce spoons for cereal, Dell? The small spoons are for cereal, not that!”
“Fuck I look like eating off them baby ass spoons?”
His brows dipped as if he were looking my way, but his eyes were glued to the television, with his bowl of cereal right at his chin.
“I’m gonna go take a bath.”
“Aye, where were you?” he quizzed, stopping me in my tracks.
“I umm, went walking. The doctor said it helps with the back pain.”
“I think I’m gonna go to the next appointment with you. I know I haven’t come once, and I’m sorry. I’m gonna do better.”
“No, you don’t—”
“I’m coming.”
Fuck! That was another thing helping me; Kordell had been flaking on my appointments. I gave him the incorrect times anyway, but he was always forgetting or getting caught up in some shit and couldn’t make it. That had been saving my ass. Hopefully he wouldn’t start trying to be father of the year, or there’d be some smoke in the city before it was time for it.
I went to the back to start a nice hot bath, because I just needed a moment. I needed just one damn minute out of this day to not be scared and wondering what would become of my child and me.
Maybe I could run off…
Laine
“Erynne, what the hell is going on?” I barked into the phone. I’d been trying to contact her ever since the day she was supposed to fly in, and she’d been ignoring me. I was worried like crazy.
“Sorry, I’m sorry. I will explain it all when I get there.”
“And when the fuck is that? You were supposed to come almost two fucking weeks ago!”
I hated to yell at her but I was furious.
“Calm down, Laine. I promise I will explain it all. I will be there this weekend. My flight arrives at 10:30am, can you get me?”
“I believe so, but I have to check my calendar to be sure.”
“Okay, and listen, I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
I had to remember this was Erynne I was talking to. She was extremely responsible and always handled her business, so I knew if she didn’t come out here when she was supposed to, she had a good reason for it.
“I love you, Laine.”
“I love you too.”
I hung up.
Tonight I was going on a date with Rico. I’d been blowing him off for a little bit, but he was nice and I kind of enjoyed talking to him when I did respond to his texts. My main reason for not giving him my time earlier was not necessarily because of Mischief. It was because I was tired of dealing with a man and possibly losing myself. I felt like I needed to focus on building my career and myself before I got serious with someone again. I went from Tarik to Mischief way too quickly, and never took any time in between to heal from Tarik.
That’s not to say that I completely regret my relationship with Mischief. Everything felt right, almost perfect, and I guess that should have been a sign that something was gonna go horribly wrong. I think what hurt the most was that I thought Mischief and I had a connection that was deeper than what he’d had with other women. I stupidly thought that for me he’d changed, and that we had an understanding about one another. I honestly thought I was enough for him, and that what we had could never be broken by some stripper who smiled in his face, but clearly I was wrong.
Sighing, I put on my mascara so I could hurry up and get dressed. I didn’t like thinking about Mischief because it made me feel queasy. And honestly, the less I thought about him the better. I noticed I couldn’t be alone for too long or my mind would drift to him, as if my brain was a magnet to those thoughts. That’s why these days I preferred being in the company of my friends, because talking to them and hanging out would take my mind off of him.
“Oooh girl, you gon’ give Rico a heart attack,” Kady walked into the bedroom with Cassie behind her.
“Yeah, you look nice,” Cassie half smiled.
“Thanks, ladies.”
“Let me know if Rico tries anything, I can get my goons,” Kady laughed.
“Okay, if you’re already warning me about him, then maybe I don’t need to go.”
“No, I’m kidding. Rico is a nice guy. I think you will like him. He’s a gentleman too. He’s not as rough around the edges as Mischief, but I think he’s a good balance of rugged and nice.”
“So was Mischief, at least from what she told me,” Cassie said, while taking a selfie, which made me chuckle.
“Yeah, he was, but he definitely wasn’t balanced. He was more rough than sweet but I grew to like it, ya know?” I checked my butt out in the mirror. “But you’re right, Kady. Rico seems nice. However, I’m just going out with him because he’s a sweet guy and I feel bad for blowing him off. I’m not looking for anything serious.”
“Just make his fine ass a fuck buddy.” Rita stood in the doorway, shoving some caramel popcorn into her mouth.
“I don’t do those, but thanks.”
Rita shrugged and walked off, so Kady came further into the room and closed the door.
“Can I ask you guys something? But you both have to promise not to tell anyone what I ask you. I don’t care who wants to know, unless it’s Jesus.”
“What’s up, Kady?” Cassie rested her iPhone on the bed.
“Who is that guy that’s always kind of running things at the Hunnit Boyz show?”
Squinting my eyes, I looked at Cassie who was doing the same thing. I had no idea who Kady was even talking ab—
“Ishmael?” Cassie and I quizzed at the same time.
“I don’t know, I’m asking y’all. I found his Instagram. He’s super fine but he’s got a girlfriend I think. His name was nowhere on his profile, only a booki
ng email, but I guess his name is Ishmael.” She scrolled on her phone and then showed us a picture.
“Yep, Ishmael. You screenshot his profile?” Cassie inquired.
“Yeah, I had to send it to my homegirl to see what she thought of him. You know how we do when we run across a fine nigga.”
We all laughed in unison.
“So true. What would Nuzi think about that?” I chuckled.
“Nothing, because he won’t know. And I was just looking. I would never cheat on my man. I may be in a relationship but I can still look.”
“Amen!” Cassie reached her hands up.
I finished getting ready, and by the time I was done, security let Jude know Rico was here. After Mischief pulled a gun on Jude, he hired security to stay around the house at all hours. He was too scared of retaliation, which is why he didn’t press charges. I guess he knew if Mischief couldn’t get to him, his gang homies would handle Jude for him.
I hugged Kady and Cassie goodbye, then left out to go downstairs and meet Rico outside. As soon as I stepped foot out the home, the driver opened the back door to an all-white Cadillac Escalade for me.
“Thank you,” I smiled, getting inside to see Rico chilling.
He was wearing a white linen top with the matching pants and white sneakers. He smelled good even though I wasn’t that close to him, and he looked as clean as always. No chapped lips, no dirty fingernails, no serious need of a haircut, and no lint or bugs hanging around in his beard.
“Damn, you look beautiful,” he grinned, scooting closer to me.
I was wearing a short tight camel colored dress, with red sandal stilettos. My wavy hair was a greasy mess, so I just piled it into a messy bun on top of my head. I wasn’t sure how good it looked to others, but it was good enough when I looked in the mirror. I also wore red lipstick to match my red shoes. My jewelry was gold; big hoop earrings, a gold necklace, and a gold watch.
“Thank you, Rico. You look pretty spiffy too.”
“I try, I try.”
The car started moving, so he pulled out a bottle of champagne and then grabbed two glasses that looked to have rhinestones around the stem.
“Are these rhinestones?”
“Nah, real diamonds, baby. A nigga like me don’t fuck with no rhinestones,” he smiled, filling my glass as I nodded.
“Oh, excuse me.” I sipped the crisp champagne, taking in the scenery of West Hollywood, and wondering where we were going. “Where are we eating tonight?”
“Benihanas.”
“What kind of food is that? I’ve never been there.”
“Sounds like ya boy Mischief should have stepped his game up with you. You should know all the expensive restaurants. But Benihanas is an Asian restaurant. They make the food right in front of you. It’s dope, I think you will like it.”
“Well, I’m excited.”
We ended up at Benihana’s about forty-five minutes later, and Rico told me that if we hadn’t had a reservation, the wait would have been about two hours. I’d never heard anything like that in my life, and could never see myself wanting to eat at one place badly enough to wait.
To my surprise, we were seated at a table with three other couples. At first I thought Rico knew them, and was a little annoyed by him omitting the fact that this was a damn dinner party, but he told me this was how this placed worked. So there we were, sitting around a big skillet with three couples we didn’t know. Thankfully, Rico and I were on the side so we weren’t shoulder to shoulder like the two couples adjacent to us.
“I’m happy you finally decided to come out with me.” I felt him glance at my side profile as I looked over the menu.
“I’m sorry, I’ve just been busy and I kind of wasn’t in the mood to entertain anyone at the moment.”
“So what made you change your mind?”
“Because you’re so nice, and I felt bad,” I grinned, and he brushed his finger under my chin as he licked his lips.
“So like on some charity shit?”
“No, not charity. That came out wrong. I came because I felt like you deserved it.” When he bucked his eyes, I burst into laughter. “Oh my gosh. Okay I came because I wanted to go out with you. Is that better?”
“Yes, thank you. You don’ bruised my ego.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. And thank you for being persistent. Most niggas would have given up on me by now.”
“Nah, never. Have you seen yourself? Way too fine for a nigga to give up on.”
“Thanks, I guess.”
After a while of looking over the menu, some guy came over and took everyone’s order down. He brought us our drinks, and then a few minutes later, some happy ass dude came over to start cooking for us. I was way too hungry for him to be taking so long with cooking our food, but I will admit it was interesting to watch. I believe that watching him was the main event here, and not actually eating the food. When I finally had all my items on my plate, I got another coconut mojito, Rico got another beer, and then we dug in.
“Well how is it?”
“It’s really good. I expected it to be though.”
“Good.”
We continued eating, and even shared some conversation with the other couples at the table once they noticed him as Nuzi’s manager. After eating and having my third mojito for the night, Rico paid our bill and then we left.
“That was really nice, Rico, thank you,” I sighed, smiling as his driver pulled off. I actually enjoyed myself.
“Of course. I hope we can go out again.”
“I think—”
My phone started ringing and I saw it was Mischief so I declined it. Why did I feel bad after I did it though? He wasn’t my man and wasn’t going to be my man ever again.
“Boyfriend?” Rico chuckled.
“Hell no. I’m done with that.”
“You know he basically told me straight up he’d break my neck if I tried to get at you. I believe him too.” We laughed in unison. “Nigga is crazy as hell but I think you’re worth the hassle.”
“Are you sure?” I chuckled lowly.
“Yeah, I am.”
He moved closer to me and kissed my cheek gently. His hand rested on my thigh, and when he started to go up it, I stopped him.
“Rico, no. I just want to be friends right now. I’m over relationships at the moment. I’m sorry.”
“Nah, it’s cool. I’ll just work on changing your mind.”
Grinning, I just shook my head at him. He looked so much like a bald version of Don from Black Ink Chicago, but maybe a tad bit better.
I finally got home, and immediately prepared for a bath. Cassie wasn’t here as usual, so she was either with Kordell, or Melody, or both. I texted her to make sure, because ever since she’d gotten back in contact with Melody’s father, I worried about her.
Sliding down into the bubble bath, I heard my phone ring so I grabbed it off the towel it was on. I saw it was Mischief, and stupidly I answered.
“Hello?” My heart beat quickly as hell, hoping he hadn’t already heard about my date with Rico. I shouldn’t have cared, but I did. I felt like if he thought I moved on, he would too.
“I miss you.” His voice was low, sexy, and raspy. His background was quiet, so I knew he was at home and not at his studio.
“Why, because you’re horny and alone?” I smiled. When I realized I was, I pulled a Kanye and dropped it.
Letting out that sexy laugh I had yet to stop loving, he said, “I’m horny for you though. And I just miss you. When you coming back?”
“I told you I’m not, Shai. Don’t you know what broken up means? It means for good.”
“I’ve never had a girlfriend.”
We both laughed.
“Don’t try to use that as an excuse as to why you won’t leave me alone.”
“I’m fucking with you. But you should for real think about being back with me, Laine. What we had shouldn’t be thrown away.”
“You threw it away.”
“No,
I fucked it up, but I didn’t throw it away. I wanna fix it and keep it together.”
“I have to go, Shai. I have stuff to do early in the morning.”
“I love you with yo’ lying ass.”
I chuckled.
“Goodbye.”
Be strong Laine Loren…
Mischief
“Mommy why are you crying?” Shai stood in the doorway of his parents’ bedroom, watching his mother sob uncontrollably in the palms of her hands.
“Huh? Come here, Shai.” She waved him in and wiped her face with the back of her hand.
Her curly brown hair hung down her back, sweeping against her long silk pink robe that she wore every morning and every night. Her son hated to see her cry, because he felt that if adults cried it was because they were really sad.
“Is it daddy?” Five-year-old Shai questioned his mother, staring into her sad eyes as she sat on the edge of the bed, holding his small palms.
“Yes.” Blanca stared at her son. Even though young, she could already tell how handsome he was gonna be, just like his father. “You’re so handsome.”
“I don’t like when you cry, Mommy.”
She leaned down to kiss his forehead, and continued to look into his eyes. His concern for her was so genuine, something she’d never experienced from a man in all her life. They never cared about her feelings, not even her husband who she’d bore three kids for. But Shai, the way he looked at her let her know he loved and cared for her deeply, making her forget that he wasn’t a man at all.
“You can make me feel better, Shai. Do you want me to be happy again?”
Shai nodded immediately, willing to do whatever it took to stop his mother from crying; even if it meant not being able to play with his toys for a week, or having to read a book. Unfortunately, his mother didn’t have something so innocent in mind…
I shot up in my bed, gasping for air. When I realized I was having another nightmare, I ran my hands down my face and exhaled. Every so often I would have nightmares about my childhood, and lately they’d been coming more frequently.
“Fuck,” I mumbled, climbing out of my bed and walking to the bathroom.
I looked myself over in the mirror, shook my head, and then used the bathroom. After I washed my hands, I brushed, flossed, and rinsed, then hopped into the shower. Once I was clean, I headed to my normal studio in Redondo Beach because I was recording with Skido again. Since the last song I produced for him got radio play for the first time, he wanted another one.
My Baby Is a West Coast King 2 Page 11
