by A'zayler
“So you killed two people?” Rain needed to make sure she heard that right.
“Yes.”
“And you’ve never been charged with their murders?”
“No. Questioned, but never charged.”
Rain looked at Fallon. “So that’s why you left and you two haven’t spoken in years?”
Fallon nodded.
“Y’all need help. Like some serious professional help.” Rain pushed her chair from the table and joined Jazz in the living room.
Fallon and Love sat at the table, not sure what was going to happen next. Fallon looked ever sadder than she had when she’d come in, so Love looked away. He now had his own problems to tend to. He didn’t need to take on her burdens, too.
“I’m sorry.”
“How many times you gon say that shit, Fallon? What’s done is done. That shit is the past; just let it be.”
“Not about that, I’m saying about this.” She pointed toward the living room. “About making her mad with you.”
Love shrugged as if it didn’t bother him that Rain might be mad, when in reality, it did. “She’ll be all right. She’s been asking since we’ve been together and I never told her. Now she knows. She can do what she wants with it.”
“That’s how you feel?” Fallon raised her eyebrow.
“What else can I do? Y’all females don’t care about a nigga’s feelings. Y’all just do whatever the fuck y’all want to do and call it a day. So shit, it’s whatever.”
“You can’t be like that, Dakota.”
“Yes, I can, too. She shouldn’t have asked. It’s not like I can go back and change what I did, just like the past doesn’t make me who I am today. She either gets with it or not. There ain’t shit else I can do.”
“So where do we go from here? I would really like it if we could fix what’s left and possibly build a new relationship.”
“It’s all good, Fallon. It was fucked up how you left, but like I said, the past is the past, and it ain’t gon change shit about who you are today. I want to spend time with you and Jazz, so whatever you want to do, I’m here for you. Y’all can even move up here with us if you want. I could help you find a spot and shit.”
Fallon jumped from her chair and hugged him. It took a minute, but Love wrapped his arms around her and hugged her back. Although they both knew it was going to take some time, he was hopeful that everything would work out.
Chapter 8: Feelings for You
The noise of the vacuum sounded throughout the apartment as Summer moved around the living room with it. She had just brought Jacorey home earlier that day, and his spot was a mess. He had clothes, shoes, books, paper, anything you could think of, laying around his floor. There were dishes in the sink, empty food containers on the counters, and the trash was overflowing.
Summer shook her head at the large mess because it was just downright ridiculous. She could understand that he was single, but that was no excuse for his apartment to look the way it did. When she’d first volunteered to stay at his home with him, he’d declined, expressing how dirty it was, but she’d insisted.
Had she known it was this nasty she probably would have gone on about her business. She thought dirty meant overflowing laundry, pissy toilet seat, maybe even clothes on the floor, but what she got was much worse.
“You need your ass beat out the frame for the way you living.” Summer moved his foot from the coffee table.
“I told you it was dirty. I be so busy sometimes that I just rush in and out.”
“Nah, your single ass probably just be running from one hoe house to the next. It don’t be no need to clean up if you ain’t never here.”
“You trying to start some shit, ain’t you?”
Summer shook her head and flipped the vacuum off. She unplugged it before wrapping the cord back around the hooks. When she was finished, she rolled it over near the door and left it there. She had gone by her house to grab everything she would need to clean up before coming back.
“Don’t be sitting all your shit over there like I’mma take it.”
Summer looked over her shoulder at him. “Nigga, as nasty as this apartment is, you need to be trying to take something.”
Jacorey sat up on the sofa. “I’m trying to take your goodies, but you acting all busy and shit.”
“Did you not see your place when I walked in here? I am busy.”
Jacorey looked around at the now spotless room. “Man, I ain’t worried about that shit. As long as I had clean sheets on the bed then I’m good.”
Summer turned her nose up at him. “Ewww, are you serious? That is so tacky.”
He laughed so hard that she had to join in. Before long they were both in a full fit of laughter because of his silliness.
“Man, you play too much. Let me finish putting this stuff up then I’ll start cooking.” Summer opened the door and took all of her things back down to her car.
When she got back upstairs, she plugged in all of the plug-ins she’d brought with her before going into the kitchen. It had taken her nearly an hour and a half to wash all of his dishes and clean the microwave and refrigerator. It was sparkling clean now. Summer couldn’t stand a nasty house.
That was the one and only reason that she had cleaned his entire house. Cleaning up after a nigga had never been her thing, especially if he probably had other women parading in and out, but if she was going to have to stay there, then it needed to be clean. She’d promised his doctor that she would stay for a while and help him get himself together, but there was no way that would have happened with the way his place was looking a few hours ago.
“What you making?” Jacorey walked around the corner and into the kitchen.
“Some baked fish and steamed rice with shrimp. Something that won’t fuck with that raggedy ass stomach of yours.”
Jacorey took a seat at the table. “You got all the jokes in the world don’t you?”
“Not for real.” Sumer pulled the food out and began preparing to cook.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Someone knocking at his door had them both turning their heads. Summer raised her eyebrow at him. “You expecting somebody?”
“Hell nah.” Jacorey stayed seated. “Let em’ stay out there.”
“Um huh. You only screaming let them stay out there because it’s probably one of your bitches.”
“If you care so much, go answer it.” Jacorey made himself comfortable in the chair, letting her know he wasn’t about to move.
Summer wanted to ignore it and act like she didn’t care, but deep down she did. She wanted to see was it another bitch and if it was, if she was any competition for her. When the knocking continued, she and Jacorey sat at the table looking at her each other. Minutes later, his phone began to ring. He pulled it from his pocket and looked at the caller ID.
“That’s Melody. Go see what she wants.”
Summer switched from the kitchen and into the living room. She looked out of the peephole and saw a short, Asian looking girl. The fuck? Summer snatched the door open and realized the girl was actually black. She looked at little caught off guard by Summer’s presence, but that didn’t move Summer.
“Yes?” She looked the girl up and down.
She was standing on the doorstep with a bag of what looked to be fruit. “Is Jacorey here?”
“Yeah, he here. You must want to come in?” Summer knew that was a stupid question, but she felt like being petty.
“If you don’t mind.”
“Well come on, then.” Summer stepped to the side and allowed the girl to walk in.
Summer turned around and walked back into the kitchen, offering nothing else. When she got into the kitchen, Jacorey was in the same spot.
“You have company.”
Jacorey shook his head. “No, my nigga, you have company. You the one took your fast ass in there and opened the door.”
“Don’t play.”
“I’m not.” Jacorey picked up his phone and started talking. “Wha
t up Snapchat? Why I’m chilling with my homie and another bitch pull up?” After that, he stopped talking. She heard a beep then it started back again. “Let’s see how this goes.”
Summer turned around and tried to slap his phone out of his hand, but stopped when she noticed the girl had just stepped into the doorway.
“Hey, Jacorey.” She waved.
“What’s up, Mel? You good?”
“Yeah. I heard you were in the hospital. I just wanted to stop by and check on you.”
Jacorey finally turned around in his chair and looked at her. When she smiled, so did he. Summer’s blood boiled with that one notion. If that was bad, she really got mad when he stood up and hugged the girl.
“These for me?” He grabbed the bag of fruit from her hand.
“Yeah, I didn’t know what you could and couldn’t eat, so I figured this would be best.”
“I appreciate that.” He hugged her again, this time stopping to place a kiss on her cheek.
Oh, this lil light-skinned bastard.
Summer nodded her head to herself before she continued to fix dinner. Jacorey and his confused ass bitch that didn’t know whether she wanted to be black or Asian stood in the doorway talking about all kinds of shit. Once Summer slid the fish into the oven and put the rice on the stove, she excused herself from the kitchen.
She thought maybe this would have gotten Jacorey’s attention, but that nigga was really in the kitchen acting like she wasn’t there. She had a trick for his ass, though. Her dinner would be done in less than twenty minutes, and soon as it was done, she was bouncing.
To kill time, she went into his room and got on her phone. She scrolled through Facebook, and Instagram before getting on Snapchat. She was hardly ever on any of her social media because too many of her students had one, but she was bored today. Summer stood in the mirror taking pictures of herself and replying to various comments from Facebook.
Twenty minutes zipped by and she could still hear Jacorey and his friend downstairs talking. She’d assumed they were still in the kitchen, but was surprised to see them sitting in the living room. She had to do everything in her power to bite her tongue and not say anything, but he was making it hard.
They hadn’t known each other long, but Summer knew Jacorey, and he was doing that shit on purpose. He either wanted to make her mad, or get a reaction out of her by playing the friend card. Either way, she wasn’t about to let him upset her. She quickly removed the food from its cooking places and placed them in Tupperware containers.
She washed her dishes, grabbed her purse from the table and threw it over her body. With her keys and phone in hand, she walked into the living room and threw her two fingers up.
“Deuces, best friend.”
Jacorey hopped up from his spot beside Melody and met Summer at the door. “Where you going? I thought you were staying here tonight?”
“I was, but I got shit to do. I’ll holla at you.”
Summer went out the door with Jacorey right behind her. “What you got to do?”
“Take a bath and bust this pussy open for a real nigga.” Summer hit the locks to her car.
“Don’t get your ass kicked, Summer.”
Summer opened her car door. “Boy, if you don’t take your ass back in that house and leave me alone.”
“You mad or something?”
“Mad? Why would I be mad? I’ve only been at your house cleaning and cooking for you to entertain your bitches. Why would I be mad?”
Jacorey smirked. “I thought you were cool.”
“I am.” Sarcasm was evident.
“Well stop wilding then and come back inside… she ain’t nothing but a lil freak. We can smash her together if you want.” He smiled and Summer had to squeeze the frame of her door to keep from slapping him.
“Bye, boy.
“Stop tripping, Summer time, you know you’re my nigga.”
“No, actually you’re the one tripping, and I know I am that’s why I’m trying to get to my house.” Summer hopped in her car and cranked up.
Jacorey stood there, telling her to get out, but she closed the door and pulled away anyway. If he wanted to do this, then she would, too. See if he would have that same stupid smile on his face when the shoe was on the other foot.
Jacorey had a show for one of his artists at the club tonight and had asked her to come with him. She’d been all excited at first, but now that they were semi-beefing, she was really excited. She would show his ass. On her way home, she dialed Rain and Alex to see if they wanted to go with her. Rain said no, but Alex was game, as always.
She checked her clock and it was almost nine o’clock, so she had just enough time to get home and change clothes. She’d already bought a cute red romper that she hadn’t worn anywhere yet, so that would be perfect. Picking her outfit out in her head was something she did on the regular because she was always late somewhere.
When she pulled into her complex, she hopped out and ran up the stairs as fast as she could. As soon as she was in her apartment with the door closed, her phone started ringing. When she saw Jacorey’s name, she didn’t even bother to answer it. He called back two more times, only to get sent to the voicemail, once again.
When ten o’clock rolled around, she and Alex were both dressed and headed out. Alex wore a tight black dress with his sew-in wand curled. His heels were just as high as Summer’s. The red romper and black stilettos had her body on ten. She’d flat ironed a few curls into her wrap and threw on some jewelry.
Once Jacorey saw her tonight, he was going to be on his head to act right. Being that she hardly ever went out, her fresh face was new to the scene. With Alex in tow, she sashayed deeper into the club. Alex had been fucking with the bouncer for a while, so there was no such thing as waiting in line.
Summer looked around the club at all of the people as they made their way toward the VIP section. Jacorey had already told her his company was going to have it bought out just for them. It was close to the stage and far enough away from the crowd to party, but still have a good time.
“Ooh bitch, there go your man.” Alex nodded his head toward the stage where Jacorey was standing.
He was dressed in all black as normal with a royal blue fitted cap on his head. His watch blinded everybody each time he flicked his wrist to the man he was talking to.
“His fine ass,” Summer said, under her breath.
“You ain’t never lied. You need to go ahead and lock that down, bitch.”
“Oh, that’s the plan. He wants to keep playing friend shit, and I’m good with that, as long as we’re each other’s only friend.”
Alex nudged her elbow. “I know that’s right. Let’s go get us a drink.”
They were walking toward the bar when Summer spotted Ziggy, or rather he spotted her. He was seated behind some of the ropes with a few other dudes Summer recognized from the studio. The cup in his hand raised toward her when they made eye contact. She waved and kept it moving.
They were at the bar ordering drinks when she felt a hand on her lower back. “What’s good, ma?” Ziggy’s northern accent took her there every time.
Summer turned around. “What’s up, lil fine ass boy?”
He chuckled. “Yo, Princess, you bugging right now, ma.”
“Did this lil nigga just call you Princess?” Alex asked, looking Ziggy up and down.
“Girl, yeah. He says I look like the girl from Crime Mob.”
Alex snapped his finger. “Oooh, bitch you do.”
Summer laughed because she knew Alex was going to agree.
“You looking jazzy as hell tonight, ma.”
Summer blushed. “Thank you. You looking sexy yourself.”
Summer heard Alex clearing his throat and looked up. Jacorey was storming their way and he did not look happy. He reached around Alex and grabbed her arm.
“Damn. Just knock me over then.”
Jacorey ignored Alex and looked at Summer, totally disregarding Ziggy. “The fuck you ignoring
my calls for?”
“Because I’m single and I can do that shit.”
“I don’t give a fuck about your black ass being single or muthafucking double. If I call, you need to be answering that shit. And what the fuck is up with you posting your ass all over the fucking computer.”
Summer frowned as she watched Ziggy walk away. “What you acting up for? You are not my man.”
Jacorey pulled Summer closer to him. “Don’t try me in this fucking club. You got this little bitty shit on,” Jacorey pulled at the bottom of her romper. “Taking pictures on the sink with your ass poking all out and shit for the whole Snapchat to see. Now you all in my fucking artist’s face. You want your ass beat, don’t you?”
Summer shook her head. “No, I just want to act like the single woman that I am.”
“So, that’s how you feel?” Jacorey’s eyebrows were furrowed together.
“You the one said we’re friends.”
“How many times do I have to tell your ass our friend zone ain’t like everybody else’s?” Jacorey’s voice carried a little louder than it had been a few seconds ago.
That one line had Summer ready to give in. This was her baby, no matter how hard they tried to fight it or dress it up. He was hers and she was feeling him like crazy. She twisted her mouth to the side, trying to stifle her smile.
“Speak up, bitch. How many times does he have to tell you?” Alex snapped his finger in Summer’s face.
She smacked at his hand playfully. “Until he means it.”
Jacorey’s chest caved just a little as he released the breath he had been holding. “I do mean it, Summer time.”
“I can’t tell.”
“Yes, you can. You know I’m fucking with you the long way. You just like to keep acting an ass on me.”
“Because, Jacoreyyyyyyy ahhhh.” She pouted.
He smiled and pushed her hair out of her face. With her hand in his, he backed up to the dance floor. Summer yelled to Alex she would be right back before following him. The remix to Chris Brown’s “Back to Sleep” was playing as he spun her around so that her butt was pressed against him.
