by Lucinda John
“I’m about to go handle something right quick. Y’all good?” he said.
“I’m good baby. Lisa you good?” Ralph’s mom asked me.
“Yes, I’m good,” I answered. I really wanted to scream and ask his ass where he was going, but I decided not to act a fool in front of his mama.
Giving us both a kiss, Ralph headed out to do God knows what with God knows who.
Chapter 12
Stacks
Another lonely night spent in my office doing work. I have tried everything to show Lala that I love her, but none of it was working. At this point I decided to just back off and give her space. As soon as she dropped that load, I wasn’t having it though. If I had to tie her ass down, she was going to stop with the charades and listen to me.
I was going over the numbers for the club and Boss Lounge was making serious numbers. I knew my club was going to be big, but I didn’t know it was going to show out this much. I was proud of my legit business. Yeah I was still running the cartel, but this right here was strictly clean money.
“Come in,” I said responding to the knock at my office door.
“Hey boss man, I picked up some lunch and figured I’d get you something since you’ve been cooped up in this office all night,” Staci said setting down three bags from Chili’s on my desk.
“Good looking out,” I said grabbing one of the bags. My stomach was begging me for food, but I ignored it, trying to get this work done.
“Anytime,” she smiled taking a seat.
“What you doing?” I asked taking a bite of my Monterey chicken skillet.
“We’re on a date,” she replied pulling out her pasta and taking a bite.
“A date?” I asked with a raise brow.
“Yes. Next time it’s on you though.”
Laughing, I continued to eat my food while stealing glances at her. If Lala didn’t have me wrapped around her finger, I would date her. Staci was a very beautiful girl with a great head on her shoulders. She knew how to make a nigga laugh and was just great company.
“Lala still giving you a hard time?” she asked.
“Yeah, she ain’t fucking with me right now.”
“So do you,” she nonchalantly said.
“Do me?”
“Yeah, do you. The more you chase her, the more she gon’ play hard to get, but if you cool it on her and do you then she gon’ start to wonder.”
“Wonder what?”
“If the new thick chick you hired is getting all of your attention.”
“Is that so?”
“Very much so,” she said licking her lips.
“Tell me about yourself, Ms. Staci.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Anything you’re willing to tell me.”
“I’m bisexual,” she blurted out causing me to choke on a piece of shrimp.
“You’re what?”
“Bi. I eat pussy and suck dick very well.”
“Wow!!”
“I get that a lot. Anything else you want to know?”
“Are you seeing someone?”
“Nah, not really. I got a chick name Suge that I let eat me out from time to time but it’s not that serious though. She was my first, so I guess the connection is still there.”
“So why y’all ain’t together like that then?”
“Well because she just got married,” she sadly said.
“To a man?” I curiously asked.
“No, a woman,” she laughed.
“Damn!”
“Yeah, I don’t mind sharing though; sharing is caring,” she shrugged.
“You ever wanted someone of your own?”
“Yes, but for now I’m just a girl that likes to have fun.”
We sat there in silence just staring at each other. The look in her eyes told me she wanted to take a swim in Lake Stacks. I contemplated on if I wanted to go there with her or not. Technically it wasn’t cheating since Lala made it clear that we’re over; however, sidelines tend to get beside themselves and that was drama waiting to happen.
“I know what you’re thinking. My number one rule is I won’t tell if you don’t tell,” Staci said catching me off guard.
“Get back to work. I’ll catch up with you later,” I said clearing my throat. “Thanks for the lunch though; next time lunch is on me,” I smiled.
Staci got up, cleared the mess and walked out of my office. Although she was gone, her perfume still danced in the air, hypnotizing me. I wanted to bend her thick ass over and give it to her in the worst way, but I couldn’t risk having another chick going crazy off the D.
When I finished all of the paperwork, it was four in the morning. Tired, I decided to head home and retire to my bed. The deeper I got into the parking garage, the louder I heard someone arguing. Making sure my gun was on my hip, I continued my walk to my car.
“You dumb bitch, this is why I can’t fuck with your silly ass,” I heard a female yell out before smacking whoever she was arguing with.
I could hear the other person cry as the attacker continued to smack her around. I decided to mind my business since it was two women fighting. If it was a nigga, I would have cut that shit short real quick.
The attacker smacked her victim one more time calling her some more ‘Bitches’ and ‘Hoes’ before getting in the car and pulling out. The garage was dimly lit and I noticed the chick on the ground was wearing my club’s uniform. Jogging over to her, it was Staci lying on the ground, cradling her busted lip.
“Fuck. You okay?” I asked removing my suit jacket and placing it around her.
“Yeah I’m good. We always go through this,” she said giving me a bloody smile.
“I take it that was Suge.”
“The one and only.”
“You need me to walk you to your car?” I asked helping her up.
“She was my ride,” she laughed, trying to mask her pain.
“You need a ride home? It’s too late to be getting in a cab dressed like that.”
“Yes please.”
“Cool, I’m over here,” I said, pointing at my Audi that was parked in my reserved spot.
“Okay, I see ya boss!” she joked.
Even in a fucked up situation, she was still making a nigga laugh. That’s what I liked about her.
“Where I’m going?” I asked pulling out of the parking garage.
“I live in Hallandale,” she said punching her address in my GPS.
The drive to her house was about forty-five minutes. When I pulled in front of the apartment complex, she was fast asleep, softly snoring.
“Ma we’re here,” I said, shaking her awake.
“Mmm, look at me drooling all over your leather seat,” she said rubbing her eyes.
“You need me to walk you to your door?”
“Please,” she softly said.
I walked over to her side and opened the door for her. Following behind her, I walked her to her door and watched as she fished her keys out of her purse. Once the door was opened, she stood there for a minute before saying anything.
“You good?” I asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Anytime ma, I’m out.”
“Drive safe boss.”
“Yes ma’am,” I replied getting in my car. I watched her go inside, staying in the parking lot for an extra ten minutes to make sure she was settled. I then pulled off and headed home.
Lala: Stacks, don’t forget to pick up the cake tomorrow morning.
I read Lala’s text as soon as I walked inside the house. I totally forgot that I was supposed to pick up the cake for the twin’s birthday party. The sun was almost up so I decided to take a nice hot shower to wake me up and finish up on some more work.
“That’ll be $108.96,” the lady from Epicure Bakery said handing me a huge box.
Swiping my card, I waited for the receipt and carried the oversized box to my cr. Today was the tw
in’s first birthday and I know for a fact Lala went all out. I couldn’t believe that it’s been a full year since Lala delivered my babies in my car.
Lala had the whole Grapeland Water Park rented out for the twin’s party. When I arrived everything was neatly decorated. The theme of the twin’s party was Mickey Vs. Minnie. Half of the park was decorated in Mickey Mouse while the other half was Minnie Mouse. Placing the cake on the cake stand in the middle of the candy table, I stripped down to my swim trunks to get in the water with my kids.
All of our friends and family enjoyed themselves, as we helped our twins celebrate one of many birthdays. When it came time to cut the cake, I smashed their personal cakes in their face causing everyone to laugh. We splashed, played and went crazy in the park as we turned up toddler style. The kids were starting to get sleepy so we decided to wind the party down.
Lala was standing at the serving table fixing to-go plates when I walked up behind her.
“You should be sitting down with your feet up,” I said taking the spoon out of her hand.
“Move Stacks,” she replied pushing me off of her.
“I can’t wait until your evil ass has this baby,” I said picking her up and sitting her down on the bench. I propped her legs in my lap and began rubbing her swollen feet.
“Me having this baby won’t change anything. I’m still not going to be with you,” she said leaning her back against the table.
Her eyes were closed and her mouth was in the form of an “O” as she enjoyed one of my magical foot rubs. We hired the park to do the cleaning up for us so there wasn’t much to do but load up the kids’ gifts in the truck and head home.
Since the twins were coming home with me, I loaded all the gifts in her trunk and followed her home. After helping Lala unload the gifts from the car and put them up in the kid’s play room, I headed home. I was so sick and tired of us living in separate homes. I was so ready for Lala to get her mind right because I wanted my family all under one roof.
Chapter 13
Lala
This belly was becoming heavier and harder to deal with. I wobbled around the house preparing my things for work. Today would be my last day of physically coming into the clinic to work, so I had to make sure everything was made mobile so that I could work from home.
I loved my job with a passion. Stacks presented the idea of me staying home and raising the kids, and I declined. Don’t get me wrong I loved being a mother more than anything in the world, but I also love my independence. All my mother did while she was with my father was go to brunch with her girlfriends at the country club, and spend up all of his money. In return, she had to endure a lot of shit. I wasn’t going to allow myself to be put in that situation. That is why I punched a clock every day.
Bumping my bob, I lightly brushed my face with makeup and was out the door. The kids were with Stacks and Anna was enjoying her day off. Easing my way onto I-95, I bobbed my head to Travis Porter “Ayy Ladies” as I weaved through traffic.
I had just exited the ramp and was five minutes away from work when a car flipped over twice. The person that was in the driver’s side, body ejected out of the car and landed in front of me. Slamming hard on the brakes, I gave myself whiplash. I jerked my car in park and got out.
Once my nerves were calm, I walked over to the guy whom I almost ran over. He was lying on the ground, eyes wide open but it looked like he dislocated his shoulder.
“It’s you,” he faintly said.
“Huh?” I asked confused.
“You’re the pretty girl whose friend bumped into me,” he replied.
“Sexy white chocolate,” I accidentally blurted out loud.
“Thank you,” he smiled showing off those dimples.
Bending down to examine his injuries, he seemed fine. Besides the dislocated shoulder and the scratch on his face, he was blessed. With an accident like that, he could have been dead, but God is able and he showed up and spared this man’s life.
I watched as the ambulance came and whisked him away to the hospital. Getting back in my car, I decided to stop at a Dunkin Donuts for a few breakfast chicken sandwiches before heading to my clinic. I had to make a stop at Broward General Medical Center for a seminar.
I tried my best to stay awake as I listen to different doctors go over medical procedures. I was supposed to be taking notes in my notepad, but instead I was doodling baby names. One of the doctors gave us a forty minute lunch break, and I couldn’t have gotten out of that cold ass room fast enough.
Not paying attention, I bumped into a guy who was wearing a sling.
“You know they say the third time is a charm,” he said smiling.
“Are you stalking me?” I asked returning the smile.
“Not yet,” he said. “Have lunch with me.”
“I’m working.”
“You’re not now. There’s a cozy Cuban sandwich shop downstairs with the best subs. I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“Mm… okay, I am hungry,” I said looking down at my belly.
“How far along are you?” he asked following me eyes.
“Seven months.”
“Boy or girl?”
“Girl.
“Is this your first?” he asked opening the door for me.
“No, I have twins. Do you have any kids?”
“No. Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“I want to have kids with the woman worth spending the rest of my life with.”
“Have you found her?”
“I think so,” he said winking at me.
The family owned restaurant was nice and cozy. The Cuban music played softly in the background as the place began to fill up with people who were now on lunch. Reading the menu board, I decided on ordering a twelve-inch Italian sub. I watched as the middle-age Hispanic woman made my sandwich to my liking. When she was done she bagged it then handed it off to the lady that was working the cash register.
“Velda, mira esta mujer negro con este hombre blanco, se ven tan sily juntos (Velda look at this black woman with this white man, they look so silly together),” she laughed, talking to the lady that was now making sexy chocolate’s food.
“Me veo bien con nadie que estoy con . Apuesto a que me veo mejor con su marido (I look good with anyone I’m with. I bet I look even better with your husband),” I replied shocking the heck out of them.
“Cierra la boca. Te ves muy gracioso (Close your mouth. You look very silly),” I said grabbing the food and walking to a table.
“I didn’t know you spoke Spanish?” White chocolate said taking a seat across from me.
“There are a lot of things you don’t know about me,” I replied.
“Like?”
“My name.”
“Lala. Am I right?” he asked with a chuckle.
“How did you know that?”
“I overheard you girlfriend say your name, plus it’s hard to forget the name of a beautiful girl.”
“I don’t know your name,” I said clearing my throat.
“Jacob.”
“Nice to officially meet you Jacob,” I said, extending my hand out to him. He grabbed it then brought it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss on it which caused me to tingle all over.
We sat and ate lunch engaged in conversation until time ran past us.
“OMG, I am thirty-five minutes late. I have to get back to this boring ass seminar,” I said getting out of my seat. “Thank for lunch. You were right, Publix Subs doesn’t stand a chance,” I laughed.
“I would like to see you again.”
“I don’t think…”
“Uh uh, before you break my heart here’s my card.”
Picking up the card I slid it in my purse and prepared to leave. He walked me to where the seminar was being held and then reached out for a hug. Being mindful of his injured arm, I gave him a hug that caused electric currents to shoot through my body.
“I hope to hear from you soon,” he said kissing my hand again and walking off.
Ohhh Lord Jesus, please help me, I silently prayed before walking back into the boring ass ice box that I had to be in for the next two hours.
When the seminar was finally over, I headed over to my clinic to wrap things up for my maternity leave.
“Where your pregnant ass been?” Lisa asked sitting at my desk
“I’m starting to think that this is your office as much as you be in here,” I said hanging my purse on the rack by the door.
“Shut up,” she said getting up so that I could take a seat.
“You won’t believe what just happened to me.”
“What bitch?”
“I ran into Jacob again.”
“Jacob? Who is Jacob.”
“Dude you bumped into when we were going to Sweet Licks.”
“Oh white dude.”
“Yeah him. Like I was saying, I bumped into him and we had lunch.”
“Get the fuck out of here,” she said.
“On everything I love.”
“How did that happen?”
“Well, I almost ran into his ass. His car flipped over and his body landed right in front of my car. Good thing I was actually paying attention to the road or I would have used his ass as a road.”
“Uh huh…and?” Lisa asked, all into my story.
“We spoke briefly then I went about my business. When I was at the seminar I ran into him again. I guess that’s where he went to get treated. Any who, I bumped into him again and long story short, we had lunch.”
“Um um um, you pregnant thot!” Lisa laughed.
“What? It was only an innocent lunch.”
“Did you get his number?” she asked.
“Well…”
“Did you?”
“Yeah, but….”
“Thot! Thot! Thot! Thot!” she sang getting up to shake her ass.
“I’m not even going to call him,” I said pulling some charts.
“Mm, I wonder what Stacks gon’ think.”
“Think about what?” Stacks answered scaring the fuck out of me. My heart sank wondering how much of our conversation he actually heard.
“That’s my cue to leave, Lala. Baby, I’ll get up with you later,” Lisa said getting up and walking out the door.
