“Look who it is,” Nia sang as she placed her makeup brushes into a little cup on her station.
I looked over to see sexy ass Hakim walking in. He was wearing a tight under armor top that showed his muscles, and some gray joggers. He was bobbing his head to something playing in his Dre beats, and just the sight of him had my clit throbbing.
“Morning, ma,” he winked at me as he passed me by, headed to the back with the rest of the models.
“Shut it, Nia,” I chuckled and so did she.
As soon as I was done setting up, Hakim was the first one in my chair. I was so nervous for some reason, even though I’d done his makeup plenty of times for plenty of different shoots.
He looked over, and when he saw Nia wasn’t paying attention he asked, “Did you get my text this morning?”
“Yes, I don’t think I can come though. My boyfriend has to work tonight but he will be expecting to see me when gets home.”
“I will have you back early Summer, I promise. And from what you told me, he don’t appreciate you anyway.”
I know I should’ve never told Hakim my relationship problems, but I was mad, so I did. We’d texted here and there, and it was nothing too deep. That was until Rhys came home that last time and blew up because I mentioned his anger problems. When that happened, I blabbed to Hakim, and he was saying all the right things. If Rhys found out, he would kill me and Hakim.
“Hakim, I—”
“Anybody ever tell you that you look like Simone Battle? The singer that killed herself?” he quizzed, changing the subject.
“Yes, all the time.” I gestured for him to close his eyes so I could put makeup on them.
“Beautiful, baby,” he whispered, getting me wet that easily. “So what do you say? Meet me at the lounge tonight. If he can go be with other women, you should have the same privilege bestowed upon you.”
“Fine,” I cheesed and continued fixing him up.
About seven hours later I was off work. I rushed home so that I could shower and get ready to meet Hakim at this lounge on Boylston. His friend was performing, and he wanted me to watch the show with him. Rhys’ mother already had our daughter Bryleigh since yesterday evening, so tonight was perfect. I was supposed to pick her up after work, but I would think of something to tell Rhys to explain why I didn’t. I knew his mother wouldn’t mind one bit; she loved Bryleigh.
Once I was all cleaned, it was time to get dressed. I picked out an all-black number that clung to my body like the perfect fitting glove. I wasn’t thick I guess, but I had a nice round ass, and perfect C-cups to match. I smiled as I thought about all the compliments Rhys gave me on my body. One thing I loved about him was how much he praised my beauty. I just wish he felt the same about our relationship.
I decided to pull my long dreads up into a big bun on top of my head, and then spread some body butter all over my smooth brown skin. As I was putting my shoes and jewelry on, my phone buzzed.
Daddy: Can’t wait to come home and see you baby, I love you. Tell Bry daddy has a surprise for her.
I smiled at Rhys’ text, but then it quickly faded when I realized what I was doing. I contemplated not going until I remembered all the nights I slept alone, while Rhys was out doing him, or sleeping in a hotel as he would say. I knew he was in the hotel, I just doubted he was alone.
Also, Hakim was fine and I was starting to like him. Maybe he was better for me, even though I loved Rhys. Sometimes it’s hard to let go of what you love, but sometimes it hurts more to hold onto it.
I spritzed my body with perfume, then I was out of the door. Arriving to the lounge, I gave the guy at the door my name, before he had someone escort me to the table where I saw Hakim sitting. He was dressed in a blue button up, black slacks, and some shoes that were too dark for me to make out in the dimly lit lounge. He smelled good too. Hakim was no Rhys, but because Rhys was so fine, you didn’t have to be as attractive as him to still be cute.
“Sorry I’m late,” I said once he handed me a drink.
“It’s cool, she hasn’t gone up yet.” That was another thing about Hakim, he was calm and serene, whereas Rhys was a crazy psychopath. He was my crazy psychopath though. Get it together, Summer.
“So tell me why such a beautiful girl like you is with a maniac.”
“He’s not a maniac, Hakim, he just has a short fuse.”
“Does he hit you?”
“What? No! Of course not!” I frowned at the thought.
Rhys was a nutcase, but he would never put his hands on me. That’s why he was never home, because he had to remove himself before he pummeled me to the floor. I didn’t like that Hakim was trying to make Rhys out to be some monster. Rhys was a good man, in certain lights, and I was the only one who could trash him. He provided for me, loved me, was phenomenal in bed, and we always had a good time together, but he just couldn’t keep his dick in his pants or his anger at bay. I just wished I hadn’t badmouthed him to another nigga.
“Not yet you mean,” Hakim scoffed.
“Let’s talk about something else, Hakim. I didn’t come out for a therapy session but thank you very much for trying.”
“I’m sorry, Summer, I ain’t even mean it like that.”
“It’s cool.”
Finally, his friend came on stage and performed a couple songs. It was like slow pop songs or something, not really my style, but she had a beautiful voice. During her show, Hakim and I kept up small talk, and I was starting to enjoy myself again. Because before she came out, I was ready to go home and wait for Rhys to arrive.
I met the friend, Carli, and we all chilled for about an hour before Hakim and I left. He asked me to come to his place for coffee, and since I was having such a good time with him, I decided to comply. He lived in a cool little home in Jamaica Plain, which was pretty nice from the outside.
We got out of our cars, and as we began to walk on the sidewalk, Hakim took my hand into his. I smiled shyly as we walked hand in hand like a couple. It didn’t feel right because I was in a relationship with someone else, but I didn’t want to let go. Maybe the longer I held on, the better it would feel.
Suddenly, the sound of a gun being cocked was heard, and Hakim immediately dropped my hand. I turned around to see crazy ass Rhys, holding a pistol to the back of his head. His face was so knotted up, that I didn’t think he’d be able to untwist it.
“Fuck you doing, Summer?” he grimaced.
“Rhys, it’s not what—”
“Not what I think? How? You’re holding hands with this nigga!” he yelled and I saw a lone tear travel down his cheek. He got rid of it quickly. “And I’m cheating? No wonder you’ve been on me! It’s because you out here doing dirt!”
“Look man, I-I- you don’t ha-have to—” Hakim stuttered.
“Shut yo’ ass up, homie! I’m ready to blow yo’ muthafuckin’ brains out!” Rhys seethed in his ear almost.
“Rhys, baby, relax. You know I would never cheat on you. Let’s go home.” I moved towards him slowly, and rubbed the side of his beautiful face a couple times, gently. He stared down into my eyes, and finally lowered his weapon.
WHAM!
Spinning Hakim around, he slapped the dog shit out of him with the gun, and then proceeded to whoop his ass right there on the sidewalk. Hakim was screaming out in pain as I begged Rhys to stop. Hakim looked like he was dying, and all I saw was blood. You couldn’t even make out what he looked like anymore, and Rhys had just started.
“Holding hands with mine!” Rhys shouted as he beat Hakim to a bloody pulp. Hakim was no longer yowling, so I knew he’d either passed out or died.
“Rhys! Stop! We have to go!” I pulled on him but he was in beast mode and way too angry to stop. “Baby, please! You can’t go to jail! Think about Bry!” At the mention of our daughter, he finally stopped assaulting Hakim.
“Be glad I didn’t kill you, bitch,” Rhys spat before we both got into my car to leave.
“How did you even get over here?” I quizzed while d
riving. Tears were coming out of my eyes. I hated to see Rhys act that way.
“Don’t worry about it. And why the fuck are you crying!!”
“Because I’m scared! I hate when you act like a maniac!”
He just sucked his teeth, turned up the music, and then lit a blunt. This nigga was certified, and I wasn’t sure how much longer I could deal. Lord, please don’t let Hakim be dead, I silently prayed.
Chapter Eleven: Kimberlyn
A couple days later…
TQ and I were out to eat at some Mediterranean restaurant named Mistral, and afterwards we would be going to the club with his brothers and my friends. So far, we’d only eaten appetizers, and the food was delicious. I’d never been here before, but TQ was always showing me new and fun places. I was in love with him, but I just wished I hadn’t blurted it out that time we had sex. He didn’t say it back, and it was obvious why. We acted as if it never happened, and frankly I preferred it that way.
The waitress set our plates of prime rib down, and as soon as she walked away, we held hands to say a prayer over the food. We stole glances every now and then as we dug into our dish. He looked so handsome, and the more time I spent with him, the more in love I was. I’d never met anyone like him.
“How is it?” he asked me, referring to the food.
“Really good, and tender. How is yours?” I smiled.
“Same. You look sexy as fuck, by the way. I’ve been meaning to tell you that, but every time I look at you I forget because of how pretty you are.”
I blushed and pushed my hair behind my ears. He still made me nervous, especially when he spoke sweetly to me like that.
“Thank you,” I finally replied. “Are you prepared to party?”
“Not really. We won’t be long, I’m just showing my face. It’s a couple cats in town that wanna meet me and see if we can work together, so that’s what I’m there for. My brothers will party though. I just wanna go home and slide up inside you.”
“Like every night.”
“Yeah, like every night. I like spending my nights with you and nobody else, shorty.”
“I know. It’s almost like I live with you,” I giggled and ate some potatoes.
“It is. I like having you close. I can protect you better. Is your grandmother feeling some type of way about you not staying with her much?”
“Sort of, she doesn’t like the idea of shacking up,” I responded and we laughed together.
“Well technically we don’t live together, you’re just at my spot all the time.”
“True. I start school in two weeks, so I will be spending more time at home most likely. When I say home I mean my grandmother’s home.”
“Why?” he furrowed his brows.
“I don’t know. I can’t have my books and shit all over your house, plus I like to make tea and shit when I study.”
“You can bring all your shit to my condo, shorty. And I will buy you what you need for tea.”
“I have a feeling you don’t wanna be away from me,” I half smiled.
“It’s true. I don’t like being away from your weird, pretty ass,” he grinned and so did I.
We continued to talk and eat, and then afterwards we ordered dessert. He paid the bill, and then we left out to the car so we could head to the club. The venue was only about ten minutes away, and as soon as we got there, TQ pulled up to the valet booth.
“It’s straight, I got her,” TQ told the valet guy who was about to open my door for me. I just smiled as I waited for him to come around and open my side for me. He helped me out of the car, and then kissed my lips gently before taking my hand into his.
I noticed as we walked to the bouncer, the girls were staring and talking like always. I used to be uncomfortable when that shit happened, but now it made me laugh. They were jealous because I had the nigga they all wanted, claiming me. I was gonna bask in this shit too. Right before we walked in, I nudged TQ and tilted my head back so that he could kiss me. He placed a nice one on my lips, sending vibrations all the way down to my clit.
We made it up to the VIP section, and just as I was about to text Matikah and Goldie, I spotted them swaying to the music. Summer was sitting down, seemingly in a daze as she sipped on some cocktail. TQ and I greeted everyone, and then he kissed me again before whispering in my ear that he was gonna talk to a couple dudes I saw standing by Rhys, Lendsey, Jayce, and Britain.
“Y’all look cute,” I chuckled and pinched Goldie lightly on her back.
“Thank you, you know who I wore it for.”
“Who? Britain?” I cheesed.
“Exactly,” Matikah answered for her. “They’ve been texting, despite the fact that he has a girlfriend who is psycho.”
“But she’s never around or at any of these functions, so she must not be too important,” Goldie waved Matikah off as she swayed to the music.
When Goldie set her mind to something, nothing could stop her. And if she wanted Britain, she was gonna have him. I just hoped his deranged girlfriend didn’t try to do something to her, because I would be ready to go to war for my friend.
After dancing a little with them, I decided to go keep Summer company. Summer was really nice and pretty, and she and Rhys’ daughter was so cute. She was a bit on the quiet side, but it seemed to be because she was always thinking. I watched as Rhys kissed her lips before joining TQ again, so I made my way over.
“Not having fun?” I quizzed.
“I am,” she smiled. “I just have a lot on my mind.”
“You seem to always have a lot on your mind.”
“Do I? I guess I do. I’m always thinking about shit constantly. I guess because I’ve never really had friends, I just keep all my thoughts in my head.”
“That could make you crazy,” I chuckled and so did she. “But we can be friends. We should be friends since our men are brothers.”
“I’d like that,” she smiled widely, showing her deep dimples.
“Tarenz!” someone yelled out, prompting both Summer and I to look in the voice’s direction. I watched Tarenz look over his shoulder at the pretty light-skinned girl, and then turn his attention back to the two men he came to meet. “TQ!” she shouted again.
“Aye, Amikka, go on with that shit,” Lendsey said to her before sipping his drink.
“Who is that?” Matikah walked over with Goldie, before sitting in Lendsey’s lap.
“I don’t know, but I’m gonna find out.” I stood up and moved my arm when Lendsey tried to grab me. I neared the edge of the VIP where TQ’s security was standing, and got in the girl’s view. “What you looking for TQ for?”
“None of ya business, aight? You can have the dick tonight, but tomorrow I call dibs, deal?” she laughed and clapped her hands together. Her New York accent was strong as hell, making me wonder why she was here in Boston.
WHAM!
I punched her and she flew back, falling down the long porcelain staircase and onto the dance floor full of people. There was a bit of commotion, and next thing I knew, I was being snatched up by TQ. I knew he was gonna be pissed. I could feel it in the way he rushed me out of the venue.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Kimberlyn? I told yo’ ass I had to handle business and you out here fighting?” he barked. We were in some alleyway, when suddenly I saw his Ferrari being driven up to us. One of his people that I’d seen before, hopped out and left the door open. TQ opened the passenger side for me and yelled, “Get in!” I complied because I was scared.
He sped off like a bat out of hell, and the sight of his jaw clenching was sexy. I knew I shouldn’t have been getting turned on, but I was. He just looked so good when he was mad.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “She said some things that I didn’t like, Tarenz!” I whined.
“Like what? Huh? What the fuck did she say? I’m hoping it will help me understand why you felt the need to stoop to the level of some loud mouth hood rat.”
“She said she was gonna fuck you tomorrow night.”
He began laughing angrily as he dipped through traffic going about ninety. This Ferrari was lightning fast. My window was down, and the wind was viciously slapping me in the face so I rolled it up.
“Kimberlyn, what the fuck did I explain to you? What have I been explaining to you, huh? You don’t need to fight these hoes, shorty! You know I’m not gonna be fuckin’ her tomorrow so why even do all that?” He turned his lip up in disgust as he parked his car at his condo.
“I know. I just get so angry,” I twisted my face up making him snicker. “What?”
“You look cute, not intimidating. But shorty, I love you not them, so don’t even let them get to you.”
“You love me?” I turned in my seat to look at him.
“Yeah I love yo’ ass. I feel like I need you to make me whole sometimes. Don’t tell nobody I said that shit.”
“Tarenz!”
“I’m kidding, baby.” He leaned over his seat, and as soon as our lips touched, my breathing became heavy. I rubbed the side of his face gently as I relished in the kiss we shared.
“I love you, TQ, I almost thought you didn’t love me.”
“Nah, a nigga love you, and I only love you, aight? Don’t sweat these bitches, Kimberlyn, I’m your nigga.”
“You damn right you are,” I kissed him again, and then toyed with the TQ necklace he’d gotten me. He said he wanted it to be the first thing niggas saw when they approached me. He had a Kimberlyn necklace, and to my surprise, he wore the shit faithfully; he even slept in it along with his other small gold chains.
Ah, the feeling of being in love…
Chapter Eleven: Goldie
A few days later…
Tonight, Britain was coming over to my apartment to chill so we could get to know one another better. We’d been texting a lot more than I expected, and I was even more interested in him than I was before. I really thought he would give me more of the cold shoulder, considering that he had a damn girlfriend and because of who he was, but that wasn’t the case. We’d even talked on the phone, and sometimes we’d FaceTime when he traveled out of town with his brothers. He was so nice, and I assumed he’d be an asshole. I mean, he was an asshole still, but not to the point where it was unattractive or annoying. I enjoyed getting to know him, which I didn’t think would be the case with a guy like him.
You Needed Me: A Love Story Page 19
