by KC Mills
“Y'all childish as fuck. Real shit.”
“Nah, that’s him. He always fucking with me. He gon make me beat his ass.” Hayes said and then turned his beer up.
“Nigga I wish you would try. I’ll lay your ass out.”
Hayes’ little cocky ass just grinned at me. I swear this little nigga thought he could beat my ass. But I loved that about him. He wasn't scared of shit. Neither of us were.
“So what’s up, Keys. Why we here?” Hayes asked.
I leaned against my counter and Hayes hopped on the island while Yetti leaned against the wall. I eyed my brothers and then started explaining.
“So you know after that shit went down with Mo, his people call themselves trying to come for us. I’m not really worried about it because they can't do shit, but I just need y'all to keep your eyes open. They’re grimy as fuck, and will try some slick shit like sneaking up on one of us.”
“Man, fuck them pussies! They ain't shit, and you know it!”
“Yeah, I know, it's mostly his brother Meeche though. He knows we did that shit. Fuck, everybody knows, so I expect him to make a move eventually. I just need us to be on our shit.” I eyed my brothers to let them know how serious I was. I wasn't about to lose either one of them over some pussy ass beef.
“It's whatever! But we’re good, though.” Yetti said, nodding.
He was never really worried about anything, with his crazy ass. His answer to everything was to just kill anybody he thought had beef.
“Also, business is good, but you know that. I was thinking about doubling up, though. We can put more out there since shit is selling so good right now. And I need both of you to start thinking ’bout opening something. I got my shops and that's cool, but you two need something legit.”
Yetti’s hand went across his head and then he folded his arms. “Shit I know, I been thinking about that, but what though?”
“Hell I didn't know, that’s on you. Just get it moving.”
“I was thinking about getting something for Rah. I mean, she smart as fuck, and was talking about that shit awhile back. Like owning some shit. I just need to get with her. Maybe then she’ll feel like she got her own and will calm the fuck down.”
I chuckled. He was was still stressed the fuck out about Rah leaving him. “Yeah, do that. I think that's a good idea, Hayes.”
He nodded and smiled, like my approval made him happy. No matter how old he got or how hard he was, he was still the baby. He had the family shit together, but he still needed me and Yetti with other shit in his life. Not that he couldn't do it on his own, but it was like having your parent’s approval of your actions. He wanted to prove to us that he was a man and could do his own thing. Little did he know we already knew that shit and was proud as fuck of him.
“Aight long as y'all thinking ‘bout that shit, we good.”
“Yo what’s up with old girl, Keys?” Hayes asked and Yetti looked at me too, waiting.
“Ain't shit up with her. I’m supposed to check her out tonight, but we’re just chilling right now.”
“Chilling?” Yetti asked with a grin.
“Yeah nigga, chillin’. That’s all it is. I’m just feeling her out.”
“Fuck you mean feeling her out? You were feeling her ass up at Odyssey. Y'all were damn near fucking up in there. Dry humping and shit.” Yetti looked at me with a got damn smirk that I wanted to knock off his face. He was right though, we were getting it in.
“It ain't shit. We just cool, that’s all.”
“You ain't hit it yet?” Hayes asked.
“Nah, we not like that yet.” I admitted and stroked my beard.
Both Yetti and Hayes gave me a what the fuck look.
“Damn, can't I just kick it with a female and not fuck? Mind your got damn business!”
“Ah shit! He really feeling her. How the fuck that happen?” Hayes was grinning like a damn idiot and so was Yetti.
“She’s cool, but it ain't all that, so let that shit go. What about you, Yetti? Asha said you got her girl all fucked up the way you played her that night. Why you do that shit? I know you feeling her. I also know you got a key to her damn place and spent the day with her, but you sweating me for not getting with Asha.”
I needed to get them off me.
“This nigga all in his feelings ’cause she fucked Burke!” Hayes said.
“I don't give a fuck about that. I’m just not into her like that,” Yetti’s lying ass said. He was all defensive and shit, so I knew better.
“I know your hoe ass is not mad cause she’s not a virgin. You can't talk, nigga. I mean if she ain't a hoe then why the fuck you care?”
“I ain't tripping off that. It's not even that deep, but if she fucking with niggas like Burke, she ain't for me. His pussy ass.”
“Yo, you sound like a fucking baby. Yetti that's some fuck shit. Her past is her past, and from what Asha was telling me, your girl ain't no hoe. She just got hooked up with the wrong nigga. If you feeling her, then fuck all that. Go see about her.”
Hayes added his two cents. “Same shit I told him. He wouldn't be all in his feelings if he wasn't checking for her.”
“Fuck both of y'all! I’m not checking for shit.” Yetti was stubborn as fuck. I just laughed.
“Yeah aight. We’ll see ‘bout that.”
“Yo, are we done here? I got shit to do.” Yetti eyed both of us.
“Yeah, we’re done, with your pouting ass.”
Me and Hayes both laughed and Yetti shot us a bird. He walked past me and bumped me on his way out.
“See that shit right there just proved my point muthafucker.” I shook my head as he left the kitchen.
“He’ll be aight. You know that nigga don't know how to deal with his emotions.” Hayes nodded toward the entrance to my kitchen.
“I know, but he needs to figure that shit out. You can't change the past. You gotta make peace with it and keep it moving. I just want him to be happy. I want both of y'all to be happy.”
Hayes laughed. “You emotional as fuck today. You need to give some of that shit to Yetti’s hard ass.”
I laughed at my little brother. “You right, but he wouldn't know what to do with that shit.”
Hayes slid down off the island and we hugged before he took off. I hopped in the shower so that I could chill until it was time to link up with Asha. My brothers were heavy on my mind. Hayes had shit together with his relationship and I was actually trying. I knew it wasn't gon’ be perfect, but fuck, I wanted what Hayes had. I was getting older, and I wanted something solid too. I also wanted Yetti to figure things out, but he just couldn’t let himself feel anything for anyone. He was hostile and angry all the time, which wasn't good. Maybe shit would click with that Reelle chick. The way he stepped up for her let me know he was into her. I just knew Yetti, he didn't know how to deal with shit like that.
You could fuck a million women and keep your feelings detached but when you open up and let your heart get involved, it was a whole new situation. Yetti wasn't used to that, but it was time he learned. Not that I was an expert, but at least I was willing to try.
Asha
“So you’re doing a late night with your boy?”
I smiled when Reelle asked me about Keys. I was on my way home from work, and as soon as I got there and bathed, he was coming over. He and I were actually starting to get a little closer, but I wasn't trying to take it there yet. Not that I didn't want to, because lord knows I was horny as hell but I needed Keys to respect me.
A man like him was used to women throwing themselves at him. I wanted to build a little something before we took it there. I needed to know that we could be more than just sex. I hated that I was feeling him so much, but I was. It was hard not to because he was so damn fine, and on top of that, he was actually pretty chill. The Keys I was getting to know was nothing like the asshole that I heard about in the streets.
He wasn't a mushy dude; in fact, he was cut throat with most things, but I was slowly learnin
g that under that bad ass attitude he always had, he was actually a good guy. I figured Yetti was the same way, and I wanted Ree to give him a chance. Which was why I kept bringing her up to Keys, hoping that he would talk to his brother.
Ree actually was feeling Yetti, and the night at the club when he walked away from her, she was too hurt. Especially after she saw him leaving with some random, but she tried to play it like it didn't matter. I knew better, but I didn't press her about it. I didn't know what his deal was. He and Keys had something deep that was making them the way they were, and I wanted to know what it was. Hopefully he would eventually open up.
“We’re doing a little something. He’s coming over when I get home.” I could feel myself smiling.
“Sooooo?”
“Sooooo, what?”
“Are you going to take it there?” Ree asked.
“No, boo. Not yet. I need to feel him out first. You don't just go from hoe to good guy overnight. I know he’s probably still fucking around, and he’s not getting these goodies until they’re the only goodies he’s willing to sample.”
I meant that too. I didn't do the sharing thing. I didn't care who he was. No man was going to be leaving my bed to hop in another.
“Okay, I see you. Make him act right before he gets that cookie.” Ree was laughing.
“Girl I’m serious. He’s not about to have me sleeping with all his hoes.”
“Wait, what?”
“If he’s sleeping with me and them, then I’m sleeping with them. I don't roll like that.”
“Eww, that’s nasty, Asha.”
“Yes ma'am it is, but it's true and I’m not with that. What you doing tonight, boo?”
“Nothing. I’m going to finish this paper and then take my butt to bed.”
“Ree, you need to get a life.” I frowned, thinking about it. All she did was go to class and study. If she wasn't with me, she was at home.
“I have a life, Asha. Just because I’m not chasing a man doesn't mean I don't have a life.
“Hold up, baby, I’m not chasing a man. In fact, he’s chasing me so…”
“I don't mean you, Asha, you know that. I’m happy about you and Keys. I think he’s good for you. Maybe he can slow your wild ass down.” She laughed.
“I doubt it, but he can try. But seriously, Ree, I think you should give Yetti a chance.”
“I need to give him a chance? I don't really think it's up to me. He made it clear that I’m not for him, so it's whatever.”
“But you wanna be though. I can hear it in your voice, Ree. Come on, I’m your girl, you can admit it.”
“I mean, he’s cool. He’s not the sweetest, but he’s alright. None of that really matters because he’s not available.”
I could tell that she was disappointed. I had to figure out a way to get my girl with him. I wasn't letting that go.
“Don't count it out, but I’ll see you tomorrow. I just got home and I need to to take a quick bath before Keys gets here.”
“Trying to be smelling all good. I see you, Asha! Don't let him break you down.”
“Girl, bye. I’m not weak, he can't break nothing.”
“I guess we’ll see about that.” Ree laughed. “But call me tomorrow, okay.”
“I will. Night boo.”
“Night.”
As soon as I was in my apartment, the first thing I did was take a bath and then brushed my teeth. I dressed in leggings and a t-shirt, nothing fancy but I made sure I was smelling nice. I brushed my hair into a loose ponytail, since I was still rocking my sew in and then went to wash the few dishes that were I my sink. I was a neat freak,so my place was damn near spotless. There wasn't much else to do. I lit a few scented candles that I had in the living room and then sent Keys a text to let him know I was home. He already had my address, so he let me know he was on his way.
For some reason, I was nervous about him coming over. Over the past week we only talked on the phone, but mostly text. True enough, we got hot and heavy at the club, but I had not been around him like that since then. I was really starting to wonder if I would be able to control the situation.
Keys was sexy and addictive. His kisses were rough and passionate, but soft and sweet at the same time. And the way it felt having his hands on me while his body was pressed against mine, I just knew that he was going to lay it down. I had heard the war stories about him and Yetti. It was hard not to, bitches slept with them just for bragging rights. Hayes was loyal, so I didn't hear much about him. Occasionally some trick that wanted to feel important would lie about being with him but it was well known that he didn't sleep around. Keys, on the other hand was a bit of a hoe. That was the only thing I was worried about. Men like him were hard to transform, so maybe it wasn't a good thing for me to fall so hard. I was trying to keep my distance and stay strong, but I knew it was all in vain.
When I heard a knock on my door, I took a deep breath and went to let Keys in. Pulling it open, I took in the sight in front of me. Keys was dressed casually in all black. A pocket tee and all black Nike wind pants. Even his shoes matched because he was rocking all black Huaraches. Simple but sexy as fuck. Keys was tall and slim. His physique was different from his brothers’, where they were more muscular. His body was still nice though, cut just right, his arms were defined and his chest and back showed definition too. I could see it even though his shirt hung loose over his body. His clothes fit nicely, with just enough slack to give that sexy chill type of vibe.
Keys was lighter than his brothers and he had a few small tatts on his face. He rocked a nice beard that you could run your fingers through, but it wasn't over the top and it was a nice texture just like the curly spiraled fade he rocked. The sides were always cut low and looked like he had his ass in a barber’s chair every day. That was sexy to me. I loved a well-groomed man.
“You look good.”
Keys’ deep sexy voice sounded heavenly as se stepped inside and wrapped his arms around me. He smelled so good, that I didn't want to let go, and the way he applied the right amount of pressure to my body had my heart thumping and knots in my stomach.
“Thanks, you don't look so bad either. I guess we're both laid back tonight.”
After he let me go, I shut and locked the door, taking him in again while he stood waiting. I led the way to my living room and he got comfortable on my sofa while I stood in the center of the room watching him. He leaned back with one arm folded behind his head and the other resting right where I assumed his friend was, but he didn't grab at it or anything. He just let his hand rest there naturally, but it had my attention because his legs were wide open like he needed it that way to accommodate. I could feel my kitty getting excited, so I had to mentally talk her down.
“You want anything? I have beer, wine, and water.” I nodded towards my kitchen and his tongue glided across his sexy ass lips while he looked at me like he was thinking.
“Water is good. I don't think I need to be drinking while you’re looking like that.”
His eyes roamed my body and I blushed, which made me turn and head to the kitchen so that he wouldn't notice. I grabbed two bottles of water and then joined him, but left about a foot between us. That only lasted for a second before he dropped the water I handed him in his lap and then pulled me close to him.
“We chillin’ right?” he asked with his lips so close to my neck that I almost fainted. Being with him like that at the club was different, but here alone in my apartment was a whole new situation.
“I was trying to give you your space.” I turned towards him just a little and he caught me off guard with a kiss.
Those damn lips of his had me gone in a matter of seconds. When he let me up for air, he lifted the water from his lap, untwisted the cap, and then turned it up. I did the same with mine and damn near drank the whole thing.
“I don't need space, Asha. I’m here to be next to you,” Keys said after he closed his water and then placed it next to him on the sofa. “So tell me about you.”
<
br /> He leaned forward and lifted the remotes off my coffee table and then was next to me again. He draped one arm around me and used his free hand to turn on the TV and flip through the channels.
“What do you want to know?”
“Shit, everything. You’re in school, right? Tell me about that.”
He wasn't looking at me because he was focused on the TV, which I was grateful for because him being that close to me had me grinning.
I started telling him about me and school and what my future goals were. He listened and asked a few question here and there, but mostly just listened. I could tell he was impressed, which was cool. At least he cared.
“That’s dope. I hope you can make that happen,” he said after I finished telling him my plans for my design company.
“Yeah, me too. I can't do that whole nine to five thing.”
Keys laughed and then let his hand move across his head. “Me either. That shit ain't for me.”
“I bet.” I knew who he was, so I knew what he did.
“What you mean?” he asked with a smirk.
“Nothing. I just don't see you being the punch the clock kind of guy. I don't think you’d do well with someone dictating what you do and when.”
“You’re right. I couldn’t fuck with anything like that. I guess you can say I like my freedom.”
“Maybe a little too much,” I mumbled, thinking about his personal life.
“Yo, why you say it like that? You got a problem with what I do?” He sat up to look at me. It was like he turned cold all of a sudden.
“No, not at all. I didn't mean it like that. I mean not about how you get your money, just—” I paused because I didn't want to take it here with him since things seemed to be flowing well.
“Just what?” He had a blank expression while he waited.
“You get around a lot, Keys. Like, A LOT.”
He folded one arm across his chest and bent the other, balling up his fist so that it covered his mouth and just stared at me for a minute. I waited impatiently for what was coming.
