TYCE

by Shareef Jaudon

  problem she’d drove away from. Her life was so

  busy with Tyce these days she hadn’t even thought about Biz’s abusive ass in days but she knew better than to get to relaxed; that’s when your relaxation turns into a deep sleep that you never wake up from. Moving around the kitchen in a familiar way, she began to prepare the plates making sure to fix Tyce’s plate first. She hit the intercom button to call him up from the gym. She knew he’d be hungry after his work out so she piled the plate high with creamy noodles and extra pieces of chunky chicken breasts. She wanted to show her appreciation for all he’d done for her and this was one way she chose to do it.

  Angelique put her lips close to the intercom speaker and pressed the button, “I don’t wanna have to come down there and pull a bar off ya neck!”

  “Girl please!” Tyce said into the other speaker laughing out of breath.

  “Are you done?” She asked amused.

  “Yeah, I’ll be up in a minute.”

  Angelique busied herself with the last preparations for their dinner. She poured ice-cold guava juice into some glasses and put the hot bread in a basket covered with a cloth towel. She snatched two pieces of paper towel folded them in half and placed the silver ware on top next to the steaming plates. Just as she finished setting the table up, she heard Tyce coming down the hallway.

  “What the fuck!” She thought to herself, “Why am I so nervous it’s jus’ fuckin’ dinner!”

  Tyce took a detour to the guest bathroom to wash up, that two minutes was just enough time for her to pull herself together.

  “Damn girl, somethin’ smells good in here.” He said walking in the kitchen.

  “Yeah jus’ call me “Marie Calendar” tonight but my food taste way better. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Hell yeah, I’m starvin’. What you fix?”

  “Chicken alfredo, salad, and garlic bread.” She stated proudly.

  Raising his thick eyebrows with surprise, “Girl I didn’t know you could cook.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. I’m a woman of many talents Mr. Adkins.”

  Tyce wasted no time and sat at the chair in front of the biggest plate. He looked down at the food and realized that no woman had ever fixed him dinner in his own home before. His eyes took in the view of the sexiest chef he’d ever seen. This culinary cutie had her hair in a ponytail, a “Betty Boop” tank top on and black track shorts that were too

  tired to run down the rest of her thighs. Her skin almost perfectly matched the maple wood cabinets mounted behind her. Angelique grabbed some pepper out the cabinet and joined him at the table. She snatched her fork and started to dig in when Tyce stopped her.

  “Why don’t we say prayer first?”

  Pleasantly surprised, Angelique released her fork and bowed her head.

  Tyce cleared his throat, “Thanks for what you gave us to get here and what you give us to get a lil’ further…Amen.”

  “I thank YOU for the food Angelique ‘cuz God aint the one who turned my stove on.” He joked.

  Tyce began to eat silently, concentrating on each bite. He made sure to get the chicken, sauce, and noodles on the fork together. She watched him as he ate.

  He looked up from his plate and smiled, “You know you don’t have to bite your lip if you’re hungry.”

  Angelique didn’t notice that she had been nibbling on her bottom lip while staring at Tyce. He had a sexy frown on his forehead; the kind of expression a man gets when he’s seriously eating. He stuck his tongue out to lick the sauce that had crept into

  the corners of his lips. His right bicep flexed a little as he took each bite making the tattoos on his arm do a two-step.

  “I was jus’ makin’ sure you liked the food. It’s

  been a while since I was in the kitchen. How is it?”

  “This food is the bomb girl; I think you got some Italian in you.” He said grabbing another bread stick.

  After dinner, they sat on the sofa, sipping “Corona’s” and watching TV. Tyce was looking at the screen but his mind was elsewhere. He turned the volume down and faced Angelique. His eyes locked in on hers as he spoke,

  “I heard from my man that Biz got a hit out on me. I’m willing to bet that you’re on that list too. They been all around the city asking questions and shit. I know you probably expected it like I did, so now it’s official. But don’t sweat it; I got you and I’ma handle Biz and his “Labor Ready” niggas.”

  That was the end of that conversation; Tyce turned the volume back up and switched channels to a football game. Angelique sunk back in the soft leather couch, took a swig of her beer, and simply said, “Ok.”

  Dissatisfaction

  The “Bentley” looked like a black panther crouching in the shadows of the night. Biz and Bruce reclined in the supple seats waiting silently for their guests. A tan sedan pulled up next to them moments later. TJ and Lincoln got out the car, moving in slow motion toward the already parked “Bentley.” Their molasses movements were a deliberate attempt to make them even later to the scheduled meeting. Biz took notice of their slow pace and became increasingly agitated. On cue, Bruce hit the unlock button as the two men approached nonchalantly. Once inside the whisper of the engine running and easy breathing was all that was heard, Biz was the first to speak, making his anger take a back seat; he spoke calmly,

  “You know…I’m very disappointed. I’m used to high quality shit. I don’t pay for something that isn’t worth the money.” He stared straight ahead and continued, “I expect to get what I pay for; and when I don’t, it really pisses me off. Now for instance the sales men told me that “Rolex” made the absolute best timepiece available. He told me my hard-earned money couldn’t buy a better watch. Now I believe he lied to me…’cuz this watch says it’s eleven thirty eight. And you niggas were supposed to be here at 11. So I’ma blame it on this 30,000-dollar piece of shit watch…and not you two. So I’ma take this watch back to the sales man tomorrow and shove it up his ass so he can take a shit 38 minutes early from now on.” Biz eyed the two men in the dark.

  Bruce grinned to himself, amused at his boss’s way with words. Lincoln shifted in the back seat and faced Biz. Before he could speak Biz cut him off,

  “Why is that bitch not in my storage room tied up naked and bleeding; and why is Tyce still above ground?”

  “Look man, if it was that easy to snuff the nigga out you woulda did it ya self. If you don’t think we workin’ then send us home boss man. Personally, I don’t mind a hundred thousand dollar paid vacation to lovely California. How ‘bout you TJ, you mind?” “Hell naw, it’s a helluva a lot warmer than Detroit.” He smiled.

  Lincoln reasoned, “Jus’ be patient old timer, we’ll punch his clock soon enough and “FedEx” your ex bitch to your front door.”

  Biz reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a cigar. He rolled it around in his manicured hand,

  “I’ma have three of these next time I see you, we gon celebrate a job well done. Now let me get back to work, so ya’ll can get back to work.”

  “You shouldn’t worry so much Biz; it’s bad for your heart.” Lincoln joked. “Relax a bit…they aint easy to find but they aint hard to find either, we gettin’ close.”

  The brief meeting was over and the hired guns exited the car. TJ started to walk away but turned around and motioned for Bruce to roll down the window. Bruce hit the button again and TJ poked his round head through the window causing his thick platinum chain to clink against the outside glass,

  He smiled letting his gold tooth shine, “By the way…nice watch.”

  Bruce rolled the window up trying to catch TJ’s neck but he was too fast. He ducked out just in time and jogged back to the “Camry.”

  “Jus’ gimme’ the green light boss and I’ll choke the jokes out them muthafukas!”

  “Jus’ be cool. Save your energy killer, ‘cuz you

  might have to choke out three niggas.”

  Both cars sped of simultaneously
into the night. Once the “Bentley” was back on the freeway, Biz took his cell phone out and dialed a number.

  “Hey babe, how you doin’?”

  “Hey Biz…I’m good sweetie, and you?” The voice sang back.

  “Oh you know me, jus’ handling my business for a living. Speaking of business, do you have anything for me?”

  “You jus’ cut to the chase huh; a girl can’t get no love?” She teased.

  “You know I love you but there’ll be plenty of time for that, I jus’ don’t like loose ends baby you know that.” He reassured.

  “Yeah yeah promises promises.” She joked. “I’ve been workin’ on it for you baby. You should of hired me instead of those tourist niggas you got, I won’t hold that against you but it’s gonna cost you. I’m thinkin’ a candy red convertible with a glove compartment full of green white men.” She said with enthusiasm. “Come by tonight and I’ll tell you all about it.”

  Biz, permit a smile to stretch across his smooth lips as he instructed his driver toward their next destination.

  “I’m on yo ass Tyce.” He whispered to himself as he stared out the window admiring the twinkling city lights.

  Instigation

  The vodka bottle sat empty on the coffee table. Tasha was patiently waiting for Omar to return from where ever he was. She’d been missing in action for about a week and now it was time to check up on things. She stretched out on the lengthy couch and accepted the buzz the alcohol was offering. A half hour into her high the front door opened as Omar walked in. He took off his leather jacket and draped it on the back of the dining room chair. He had a lot on his mind and wasn’t in the mood for Tasha’s tantrums tonight. He grabbed a beer and prepared for the drama.

  “Long time no see.” He started, “You done fuckin’ with them play ground niggas, now you wanna come back and holla like shit is all sweet. Why don’t you U turn yo ass back around and tell that nigga you on your way.”

  “Don’t start O. I wasn’t with no nigga, I was at my girl’s house! I only left ‘cuz you left. You know not to bring no disrespectful ass bitches up in here!” She yelled sitting up.

  Omar took another long sip of his beer and sat directly across from her. His diamond studs glittered as he shook his head from side to side. He wiped the beer from his thin mustache and licked his dark lips.

  “First of all, stop yelling in my shit. And second, stop lying in my shit. I don’t give a fuck who you was wit’, jus’ be real about the shit. If you gonna be here then be here! Aint no back and forth shit jus’ ‘cuz you irritated over a bitch!”

  Tasha stood up like a mannequin in a display window letting Omar get a first-class view. She purposely wore his favorite outfit, a tight see through dress with a matching thong minus the bra. She let her titties do as they pleased as she moved closer to him. She expertly used her body to diffuse the bomb in the room. Tasha knew Omar was weak when it came to pussy, all she had to do was show him the present, and he was happier than a boy on Christmas morning.

  “Look baby, I don’t wanna fight…I miss you. I jus’ got upset when that Angelique bitch showed up. You know I can get a little possessive when it comes to my man. I’m sorry O.” She said putting her foot in his crotch.

  She made little circles with her toes and teased his

  dick. Omar relaxed a bit enjoying the feeling, Tasha knew how to handle him, but he would never admit it. He put his smooth head against the cushion and finished the last of his beer. Tasha had him right where she wanted him.

  “You seem stressed O, what’s wrong? I wanna be here with you, I wasn’t fuckin’ with nobody…you don’t have to worry about that. Baby the last thing I want to do is bring you drama.”

  Omar caressed the back of her calf and looked up at her, “It aint that Tasha, I jus’ got some shit on my mind.”

  “Some shit like what?” She asked repositioning herself on his lap.

  “Jus’ some shit wit’ Tyce. We workin’ on some new shit…well I thought we was workin’ on some new shit but he got some other muthafuckas involved.”

  “He trying to cut you out!” She blurted.

  “Naw, he aint like that, I jus’ aint know it was other niggas invited. He aint tell me shit. Tyce jus’ do what the fuck he wanna do and I’m jus’ sposed to ride with it; he don’t give a fuck what I think. I’ve been missing money for years fuckin’ with his no dope policy, a nigga coulda’ been extra rich by now.” He frowned.

  Tasha listened intently as he vented. She didn’t gamble but she knew better than to throw away a lottery ticket. Omar tried to keep his business from her but the voice recorder she’d hid in the pool house kept her in the know. Plus she wasn’t blind, shit she lived with the nigga she could tell he was tired of Tyce being “Batman” and him being “Robin.”

  “Damn, that’s fucked up baby he didn’t even ask if you was cool with the shit. I thought ya’ll was supposed to be tight like brothers. You been having his back for years and he jus’ gon add some new people to the mix! Fuck Tyce, he treatin' you like a stepchild baby. I didn’t want to say nothin’ ‘cuz it aint my place…but he been holding you back for a while now.”

  She placed her mouth in front of his. Omar’s full nostrils caught the scent of minty vodka as she slowly chewed her gum.

  “You're smart and dangerous, now that’s a helluva combination. I recognized that when I first met you. If Tyce don’t see that…then that’s his fuckin’ problem.” She sighed.

  Omar kept his head steady as she lectured. She gently stroked his ego like a dick, causing them both to swell at the same time, “Baby if you wanna make some moves you can’t wait for someone to let you by.” Omar listened as Dr. Tasha spoke; he loved the psychology that spilled from her scarlet red lips.

  “Hmmm, you right baby. I gotta do me…but I

  need to be smart about it ‘cuz Tyce aint retarded. I jus’ gotta wait for the right time.”

  “Exactly O. You’ll know when the time is right, when your opportunity comes…take it.” Tasha coached. “Jus’ promise me you won’t forget about me when you all rich and shit.” She seriously joked.

  Omar traced his finger over her nipple, “As much as you trip on a nigga, if I was gonna leave yo ass I woulda done it already.” He smiled.

  The foreplay was over. Tasha loosened his belt and unzipped his jeans reaching inside for her friend. Omar put his hands in the air like he was being arrested. With her dress hiked up, she slid her thong to the side taking full custody of her prisoner. He surrendered as she handcuffed his dick with her tight pussy.

  Mission accomplished, fuck Tyce…but not right now.

  Did You See That?

  Angelique opened the door for the gentleman from the rental car company. For a moment, he just stood there gazing at her. She was wearing a sexy orange two-piece Brazilian cut bathing suit. The young man wasn’t expecting a model to open the door seeing as how the reservation was for a man. He regained his focus and gave his vocal cords a jump start.

  “Ummm yes, is Mr. Adkins available please?”

  “Sure come on in, I’ll get him.” Angelique replied flattered.

  Angelique turned and walked away she could feel his young brown eyes staring at her assets as she climbed the stairs. The boy was struggling to remain professional so he switched his outlook and inspected the shiny floors instead. Angelique walked through the open door to Tyce’s room.

  “Hey, they rental car people are here.” She reported.

  “Cool, they right on time.”

  Tyce’s eyes did exactly what the guest down stairs did as Angelique came in. He could also appreciate the site of a beautiful woman dressed to get wet. The messenger pretended not to notice and just continued switching her ass as she left the room. Tyce grabbed his bag and was happy to follow her out.

  “Wasup man, how you doin’?” Tyce asked coming down the steps.

  “I’m fine Mr. Adkins, thanks for asking. We have the car you reserved outside I just need your signature on a few pages her
e.”

  Tyce noticed that the young man appeared a little nervous. He was not making eye contact for very long and kept looking at the floor like he dropped something.

  “You ok?” Tyce asked with concern.

  Surprised by the question he answered, “Yes sir, I’m fine.”

  Tyce took the clipboard from the boy and signed on the highlighted areas. The boy was handsome and looked like he just turned 18 an hour ago. His eyes just kept moving to Tyce’s face, then back to the floor.