by Tiece
“Well kinda.” Russell responded.
“You got his number from Travis right?”
“Yeah I did. See, Travis kept telling me to hold off but you know for yourself that you can’t turn no money if you’re steady paying bills and taking care of your family.”
Lance scratched his head thinking about Chloe’s expensive ass. “Yeah, tell me about it.” He murmured.
“I had to do something and he suggested that if I couldn’t wait then he had a partner of a partner who could assist me until he got back right. He gave me his number, but I didn’t even let him know that I was going to holla at ol’ boy. That’s why I haven’t called and said anything yet. I don’t know who’s behind this shit.”
“And you’re right Bro, but if it’s Travis I’ma find his bitch ass and beat the hell outta him like I did his cousin in the pen.” Lance responded.
“Well all I know is that the goons who bust in on us weren’t Travis or the new connect, but the connect was the only one who knew we were at that spot. I should’ve known better than to meet at a muthafuckin’ run down Red Roof Inn,” Russell said. “But I thought this nigga and I were cool and he was about making that paper.”
“Oh he was.” Lance mockingly commented.
“Yeah he was, but his ass better lay low as fuck because that won’t be my last trip to Miami.” he said. “What’s even more fucked up is that his phone is now disconnected and Travis shit is going straight to voicemail; although that’s not unusual for him.”
“Don’t sweat it Bro. As a matter fact, just worry about your household and getting your shit back together. Le’me handle Travis and see what the fuck is going on.”
“Preciate that Bro, but anything you plan on doing I want in.”
“Don’t worry. I got you.” Lance assured him.
Russell walked over, hitting Lance lightly on the back. “Bro, I hated this shit happened because I really wanted to put you back on.” He said. He was proud of his brother for staying off of drugs and out of trouble.
“I know man, and I needed that lick real bad.” Lance said shaking his head. “Today is Chloe’s birthday and I ain’t got but thirty-four dollars to my name.”
“Damn Bro, I thought I was doing bad. What’s up with that?” Russell asked.
“Paying bills while still tryna come up,” he said. “But, le’me tell you how fast my luck changed. I had one thousand dollars just Saturday and fucked around watching them crazy ass nigga’s throwing big dollars on the table and I got in. Man,” he said scratching his head. “I was up to six grand and boy I fucked around trying to get up to ten and call it a night then lost it all.” He slapped the counter out of frustration.
“Damn Bro,” Russell said. “Who would’ve thought that while I was losing all my money that you were losing all of yours too?”
Lance laughed. “Talk about being twins.” He joked. “I know sometimes I can feel when you’re sick and we say shit at the same time, and yes most people only can tell us apart because you have no hair on your head,” he grinned. “But damn who would’ve thought that we were so identical that we’d be getting robbed at the same time, literally.” Lance responded.
Russell grinned. “Damn, I didn’t even think about it like that.”
Lance laughed out loud then switched gears. “So, what was up with Tammy? She came outside wiping her face like she’d been crying. She looked upset and kept her head down like she didn’t want me looking in her face. Was it something to do with what had happened?”
“Unfortunately, it was.” He said, knowing that he was in the wrong. “I fucked up and I know it. I left her hanging when she just needed me to be there. But I wanted to get back at them nigga’s man and she don’t understand that.”
Lance sat quiet for a moment mulling it over. “Look, I know you wanted to see them bitches bad but your wife needed you man. You shoulda been there.” He was always the more sensitive one when it came down to women, but the most thuggish one in the streets.
“I know man, but I couldn’t face her. I ain’t even told her that I lost all my money yet.”
“Damn, what you plan on doing about that? Just living in this neighborhood is costly. I don’t even know why I took it upon myself to handle all the bills at my crib.”
“Me either, because your ol’ lady has a good ass job” Russell said. “She would’ve held down the fort for a little while.”
“Yeah, but it ain’t like that with this one. I know in the past I’ve been guilty of living off of women, but when I met Chloe that all changed. It’s like I wanna hustle hard to make sure that she can take her checks and blow them or save them; whatever she wants to do. She makes me wanna do better; be a better man. You feel me?”
“You know I feel you.” Russell responded thinking about how much he had changed since seeing his brother with Chloe. “I was just sitting here thinking how she left home and had to move in the projects just because she wanted to be with you.”
“Only because her mama couldn’t stand my black ass,” Lance said. “She knew that Chloe had just moved back home and was trying to get up on her feet, so she figured she could control her by telling her to stop seeing me. And Chloe,” he said shaking his head. “Well, she don’t mind doing something stupid just to prove a point.”
Russell shook his head. “Yeah that was stupid, because y’all weren’t there a year and you was back in jail. So she was left in the projects because her pride was too big to just go back home.”
Lance shook his head. “She loves me man. What can I say?” Russell grinned at him. “I was just in the streets, wide open Bro. You know how I used to do it.”
“Oh Yeah don’t remind me.”
“I know I was a fool ‘round here sucking up my own supply and staying in and out of jail. I was blowing money left and right. But man, you can do that type shit living in the projects and still survive. I was happy to hear that she had moved in a better place, but you could imagine what went through my mind when I asked her where the house was located at. It wouldn’t surprise me though, if her mama would’ve helped her move here in hopes that I couldn’t hang.”
“You think her mama would do something like that just because of you Bro?”
“Damn right, I’m tryna tell you.” Lance responded.
“I don’t know about that one. It would seem a lil farfetched. ” Russell stated.
“I don’t care what you say. She moved here because of her mama. I’m telling you that the lady hates me with a passion. She thinks that I’m the worst thing that happened to her daughter. To her, I can’t keep my ass outta jail long enough to make nobody’s house a home.”
“Damn Bro it makes me feel worse about not being able to come through for you, but something is gonna give. It’s got too.”
“I know man and soon. It better happen real soon.” He said thinking about the cable being off.
Russell went inside his pockets. “You know what Bro.” He said counting his money again. “Here take six-hundred dollars. You can’t have your girl’s lips poked out on her birthday.”
“Nah kid, I can’t take your last like that.”
“I insist.” Russell said putting the money in his hand. “Look, head on over to Edible Arrangements and buy your lady a fruit basket, a nice size one, then stop by the mall. Run in Macy’s and buy her a Pandora bracelet then top it off with dinner at a nice restaurant. Get her drunk then go home and beat the breaks off that pussy.”
Lance laughed out loud. “Bro, you a fool,” he said. “But you sho’ you’re good?”
“What I said? Take the money nigga. I insist.”
Lance smiled. “Preciate that kid,” he said as he stood up and stretched. He was feeling pretty good that he could still spoil Chloe a little on her birthday and get the cable bill paid before she got back home.
“Now get on outta here. You got a lot of shit to take care of, but call me tomorrow. Something just might come through later.” Russell said already thinking of a comeback.
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Chapter 7
Tammy and Diamond were shopping inside of Dillard’s at the Augusta Mall. It had been two days since they’d been back home and still they were bothered by the incident in Miami. They strolled by the fragrance and perfume isle as Diamond stopped to smell some Jimmy Choo she lightly sprayed on her wrist.
“Tammy this smells so good.” She said holding out her arm.
Tammy walked over and inhaled the rich sensual smell. “That does smell good. How much is it?”
Diamond looked on the bottom of the perfume bottle. “This one is sixty-five dollars.”
“Le’me get that.” She said.
Diamond laughed. “Girl, don’t you think you need to slow down? You’ve already spent at least two thousand in this place today.”
“No I’m good,” Tammy nonchalantly said, almost snatching the perfume bottle out of Diamond’s hand.
“Well excuse me,” she said following Tammy to the checkout counter. “Look, I know you’re still tripping on Russell about his actions in Miami, but you’re acting as if we made a successful run or something. You’re spending money as if money is still being made.”
“Of course I can’t count Russell’s pockets, but I ain’t no fool. He has money. It’s just frustrating that he distances himself for selfish reasons at times and I,” she grinned, “spends his money for my own selfish reasons. I’m not gonna lie, I normally give him a heads up as to how much I wanna spend; especially if it’s this much but today he doesn’t even get that courtesy call. I’m spending and unfortunately he’s gonna pay for it.” She said as she handed the cashier her bank card.
“So what’s up with you and Malcolm? I don’t see you shopping like you normally do.” Tammy said.
“I really don’t see anything that’s begging for me to buy it.” She grinned.
“And you and Malcolm?” Tammy asked as if she was prying a bit to see what was really going on.
“We’re good. He’s actually in Atlanta right now.”
“Oh is he?” Tammy asked already knowing what the Atlanta trips were for. “He’s meeting with his connect?”
“Yeah, apparently she needed to see him and you know how hush mouth he is about their business so I don’t question it.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t either. I mean, she keeps him with work and Malcolm has made lots of money over the years fucking with her. That money them niggas took from him was nothing, I’m sure. Hell if Russell was smart he’d get in with Malcolm’s connect.” She said as she and Diamond walked through the mall. “Don’t you think I’d rather the trip be closer to home than having to haul that shit back from Miami? I know they have this lil pact or whatever, but I wished that they weren’t so serious about it.”
“But friendships and brotherhood means more to them than possible future fallouts which are more likely to come because they’re seeing the same connect.”
“I’m sorry but I don’t see it that way. It’s not like they’re fighting over turfs. They each have their own customers, and for the most part they’ve always had their own money. The connect only provides them their supply. I don’t see where they should fall out about that.”
“Okay, if you say so.” Diamond said. She just as well leave it alone because Tammy would never listen to someone who was nine years younger than her.
“I can’t wait till Malcolm gets home because he’s bringing the little one back with him for the weekend.”
“Oh is he? Aww, I can’t wait to see him. He’s so adorable and dresses flyer than some of these grown men ‘round here.”
Diamond grinned. “He gets that from his daddy.”
“Well what do you know about the mama? I mean, Russell sho’ don’t talk about Malcolm’s baby mama.”
“I don’t know much about her myself except she got pregnant on purpose and that she’s way too busy to take care of him so he lives with his grandmother full time.”
Tammy cut in. “That’s a damn shame, because that’s all I know.” She said shaking her head. “Let’s get outta here. I’m finally tired of making Russell’s pockets unhappy.”
Diamond laughed out laugh. “Tell me about it. I need to get home anyway and start dinner.”
Tammy led the way out of the mall. “Well I’ll be buying some Popeye’s chicken for my family tonight, because as you know I still ain’t stun that husband of mine.”
__________
Russell rested his head back on the pillow as he lay in the bed. He wasn’t in the mood for much of nothing. Tammy had left the house and was gone for a couple of hours. She didn’t say where she was going and he didn’t ask. She was still upset about Miami and he was too broke to keep apologizing about it. The only thing that concerned him at that moment was making up for the seventy-two grand that was taken from him.
The doorbell rang distracting his attention as he lazily got up to see who it was. He peeked out the window and saw Chloe’s Maxima parked in the driveway. He opened the door up as Lance walked in.
“What’s up, kid?” Lance asked giving Russell dap. “You stuck up in dis bitch like you scared of the sunlight or something.”
Russell attempted to smile. “Man, I been sick in this bitch.”
“I know Bro, but you gotta snap outta this shit.”
“It’s hard man, when you got your wife walking ‘round with her lips poked out. She won’t cook or even half talk to me.”
Lance shook his head. “Man, you wouldn’t be in half the shit you get caught up in with Tammy if you just took your own advice.”
“It’s not so easy with Tammy, because she knows me; especially when I’m trying to suck up to her.” He explained. “That’s why I normally let her vent by shopping, but this morning when she left I told her ass that she better not spend no money.”
“I’m sure that went in one ear and out the other,” Lance uttered.
“Tell me about it.” Russell agreed. “I gotta do something man. I took a major loss.”
Lance looked at him strangely. “Are you serious right now man? Your best friend is one the top nigga’s out here doing his thang. Ask him to put you on until you get up on your feet.”
“You think I haven’t thought about it man? He’s been trying to give me a brick since you left here Tuesday night, but I wouldn’t take it.”
Lance disappointedly chuckled. “I know this ain’t about no stupid promise y’all made while looking at a fucking movie back in the day?” He shook his head. “You gotta be fucking kidding me right now?”
“It’s deeper than that, Bro.” Russell tried to explain.
“So what did you do when he offered you the brick?”
“I told him I’d wait and see what came through.”
“How the fuck you gon’ do that with no money, man?” Lance irritably asked.
“I got money. Malcolm lent me five grand and with that I’m gonna use some of the money in Tammy’s account to get nine ounces of that girl and just grind it out.” He explained.
Lance unhappily shook his head. “I can’t believe that we’re twins.” He said standing to his feet. The conversation with Russell was getting crazier by the moment.
“Hell me neither,” Russell said getting a bit defensive.
“Look kid, I ain’t tryna tell you what to do. I know how much you value your friendship with Malcolm, but if the dude is giving you a lifeline then take it!” He demanded.
“You need it to stay alive nigga!” Russell snapped back. “That’s why you want me to take it.”
“Damn right I need it. I’ve been hustling my ass off for a year and still struggling like hell to maintain. I’m still driving my girl’s car, but paying bills that are close to three grand a month. Don’t you think I’m ready to have my own shit? Just think about it kid before you say no. I can help you get off of that shit like we’d planned before and you can pay Malcolm back for the work gradually if that makes you feel better. Get your grind back on that way. Quit taking all those risky trips to Florida, man. You can have everything
you need right here at your fingertips.”
Everything that Lance was saying was something that Russell had definitely thought about. He was just hesitant about crossing a line that could potentially hurt him in the end. Things had been going so smoothly for him without Malcolm’s pull or connect and he just wanted to keep that way.
“It’s nothing like being your own man, Bro.” Russell explained as Tammy entered the house with a few shopping bags in her hands.
“Hey Lance,” she spoke then looked over at Russell. She held up the bags as if bragging about shopping. “I think I feel better, thanks.”
Russell stared at her as she exited the room. “I told her ass good, no shopping and look what she brings back.” He shook his head knowing that Tammy was going to do her no matter what.
This was a perfect moment for Lance. “I’m telling you kid. You better get in on this opportunity now or your wife is gonna find out very quickly that she’s been writing checks that your ass can’t cash.”
Chapter 8
Malcolm pulled up to the enormous sized gate and let his window down at the voice box. He reached out his truck and pressed the speaker button, simply stating, “It’s me,” then sat for a moment. He stared at the huge mansion which sat on the opposite side of the gate. The gate slowly opened and he followed the road straight up to his destination.
He sat in the truck still trying to figure out why he was there. He only met with his connect once a month and it wasn’t even close to that time yet. He pulled down the visor looking in the mirror quickly while adjusting his Gucci sunglasses on his face. Deciding that he shouldn’t waste anymore precious time, he got out of the truck and walked up to the big red door. He rang the doorbell then walked straight inside the house.
As if this was a monthly routine, he walked straight into the bar area of the house and fixed himself a drink then sat down comfortably on a posh white leather chair. He sipped twice from his drink then rested his head on the back of the chair. Minutes later, Amara’s sexy voice entered the room.
