She Used to Be the Sweetest Girl

by Briann Danae

  Holding her door open, Mel silently praised himself on a job well done. Brix had the biggest grin on her face and her tears were a sign of joy, rather than sadness. Glancing at all the gadgets and touch screen monitor, she gushed over how elegant it was. Her favorite was most definitely the peanut butter seats. Looking up at him, she shook her head.

  “Really?”

  “Really what,” Mel replied smiling.

  “I told you not to get me a car. I was going to handle it this week.”

  “No need to now. One more thing checked off of your to-do list,” he replied, with a shrug of his shoulders. He didn’t care for what she was talking about.

  “You could have just let me drive one of yours. You didn’t have to go all out for me, honestly, Shemel.”

  “Brix, I’m not listening to you alright. Enjoy ya new ride, Ma. It’s the least I could and it didn’t hurt my pockets one bit.”

  Standing from the seat, she wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear.

  “Thank you so much. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay.”

  “Stunt on these hoes baby. That’s all you need to do,” Mel replied gripping her ass. The feeling of her warm breath against his ear, had him ready to christen her back seat real quick.

  Pulling her cell out, Brix called the house phone.

  “Yes honey?” Mrs. Carla answered.

  “Ma! Come outside real quick,” she said, before disconnecting the call.

  Mrs. McQueen stood from the dining room table and walked toward the front door. With the door open and squinted eyes, she looked into the driveway and placed her hand over mouth. Walking down the driveway, she admired the beautiful car in awe. Shemel stood back grinning at her expression.

  “Boy! No you did not,” she said hitting his arm.

  “I had to Mrs. Carla. Couldn’t have her out here catching rides.”

  Peeking inside the car door, Mrs. Carla shook her head. This car was simply beautiful, yet sporty just like Brix. On the outside, it complimented her sleek personality, and on the inside, it made up for her smooth ways. Unknowing to Shemel, this was one of the cars Brix’s father originally looked at for her, but decided not to get it. He thought maybe she was too young and chose the Camry instead. Mrs. Carla was more than pleased with Shemel’s choice.

  Closing the door behind her, she stepped up to him with her arms outstretched.

  “I know Brix already told you, but thank you. This was so sweet of you young man. You’re good with me,” she said, low-key giving him her blessing.

  “Thank you and yes she did. I hope it’s cool that I got her a ride?”

  “Of course. I mean, you did this all on your own. It was either going to be you or the person paying up when we find out who it was,” she said seriously.

  To say pissed when she saw Brix’s car was putting it lightly. In her opinion, whoever the heffa was that had the audacity to damage another person’s vehicle needed their ass beat. Back in her day, that would have never flied. The streets talked and she would surely be pulling up to someone’s place of resident if it were in her days. It wasn’t, though, and she wanted Brix to handle the situation her way. So far, she was handling it like a grown woman should.

  “I’m still working on that,” Shemel lied.

  “Mhm. I hope so. Let me get in here and call your mama. Tell her how good she raised you. You don’t find too many respectable young men who would have done this. Congrats honey! You gone have to take me for a spin,” she said chuckling.

  “You’ll be the first. Well, second. We’re about to go to breakfast,” Brix replied.

  “That’s fine. I’ll be here when you return. Drive safely,” Mrs. Carla said turning to head back in the house.

  Shemel grabbed Brix up in another hug and kissed her forehead. He was so touchy feely with her, it surprised him. It surprised Brix as well. She hadn’t been that receptive to affection since her dad’s funeral. Shemel was slowly healing her wounds, and neither of them knew it.

  Just as they pulled away from each other, Carissa’s car pulled up in front of the house. Brix never replied back to her message, so she drove over ready to go out to eat. Hopping out her car, she walked ever so gracefully toward the new whip in the driveway. Upon first glance, she already knew Mel had did her best friend right. Seeing Pierre leaned up against the truck’s hood, she put an extra sway in her hips because she knew he was looking.

  She hadn’t texted or called him in almost three weeks, and she was damn proud of herself. No lie, she missed his ass, but he needed to realize that she was more than a booty call. Her feelings had gotten involved and they weren’t reciprocated, so of course she withdrew some. It was in her natural woman instinct to do so. Plus, she would never let Pierre see her sweat. He lived for that shit.

  “Girl! Look at you. I’m so happy right now,” she said, clapping her hands for Brix.

  Moving Shemel out the way, the two hugged before Carissa took a seat on the driver’s side.

  “It’s nice isn’t it?” Brix asked.

  “Nice? Girl, this car is the shit. You tryna show my little baby up back there,” Carissa laughed.

  “Shit, you’d get a car too if you knew how to act,” Pierre said, walking up.

  Looking over her shoulder, Carissa mugged him and flipped her curls.

  “This nigga,” she said rolling her eyes, before getting out the car.

  “I’m saying, you that mad at me Ri?” Pierre asked.

  “I’m good on you my nigga. You don’t have to buy me shit. Hey Shemel. You really stepped up to the plate with this one. I thought Brix was lying when she mentioned you offering to buy her a ride,” she said, ignoring Pierre’s question completely.

  “Don’t make me snatch yo ass up out here,” Pierre hissed.

  Looking around like she was confused, Carissa broke out laughing.

  “Boy please. I don’t see no kids out here, and the last time I checked, I had one daddy. Put your hands on me if you want to.”

  “Y’all chill. Let my girl enjoy her new ride in peace. Gone somewhere with all that,” Mel told them.

  “I’m out man for I be done showed my ass. Treat my mans right, Brix. You never know when another female might try and take your spot,” Pierre said throwing shade, before slapping hands with Shemel.

  “Girl, You hear this nigga? You mad P? You upset cause I’m not fucking with you?” Carissa taunted laughing. Today was her “I don’t give a fuck about him” day. Tomorrow would be a whole different story, but until then, she was enjoying her day of no feelings.

  “Nah you the one mad, but it’s good. You can run ya mouth all you want till I put this dick up in you.”

  Clamping her mouth shut, Carissa grew quiet. It was all jokes and giggles until he said that, and she knew he wasn’t playing either.

  “Whatever,” she replied, dismissingly.

  Pierre and Shemel dapped fists before grinning at each other.

  “Exactly. I’ll catch up with you later, Mel. Safe travels my nigga; let’s’ get this money,” Pierre said, before heading to the end of the driveway, where a candy red BMW with tinted windows was waiting. If Carissa wasn’t pissed off before, she sure as hell was now.

  “How he gone have some bitch pull up to yo spot to get him? I swear he knows how to piss me off,” she said rolling her eyes.

  “We still going to breakfast or what?” Shemel asked, not even about to get into his boys business. What he did in his free time and who he did it with was none of his concern.

  Holding her finger up, Brix told Shemel to give her a minute. Grabbing Carissa by the hand, she pulled her up the driveway. Knowing she’d be too stubborn to willingly come by herself.

  “What’s going on with you Rissa?” Brix asked, concerned.

  Shaking her head and huffing out a hard breath, Carissa just stood there. She knew Pierre had some issues, but to blatantly disrespect her was new. He had never flaunted anyone else around her, or even mentioned another female. He didn’t ri
de passenger to too many people and it was clear that, whoever was pushing the BMW, was not a male.

  “I’m just really in my feelings right now. No biggie though,” she shrugged honestly.

  “Why do you let him have that much control over you? I hate to remind you again, but you-”

  “I know, I know. I cut him off, but still,” she replied, cutting Brix off.

  “Still what? You are not in a relationship. What are you expecting him to do? Wait around for you to decide what you want?”

  “You have no room to talk B. What is this you have going on with Shemel?” Carissa asked in a hush tone.

  Smiling, Brix replied honestly. “We’re friends. Our relationship is solely a friendship. Nothing more, nothing less as you can tell.”

  “Seems like something more to me. Anyway, I don’t know what I expect him to do. I mean, I didn’t think he wouldn’t reach out to me either. I guess I was wrong,” she said sadly.

  Her feelings were more involved than she wanted to admit. The days without talking to Pierre made her realize she enjoyed his company way more than his absence.

  “Don’t be so down on yourself. Like any male, his ego is probably a little bruised and you didn’t make it any better by blasting him out in front of us,” Brix chuckled.

  “I did, didn’t I?” Carissa laughed with her.

  “Yeah, he deserved it though. So what’s that move? You coming with us?” Brix asked.

  Busting out in a full blown laugh, Carissa slapped her knee like she had heard the funniest thing in the world. Brix looked on in confusion, not knowing what she said wrong.

  “What’s the move, Brix? Oh my God! Shemel has turned your ass out already.”

  Hitting her arm, Brix laughed with her.

  “Girl, if you only knew. You know what they say when you start talking like them.”

  “Mhm, ain’t no going back after that. I’m gonna pass on breakfast though boo. You enjoy your morning with Shemel before he leaves.”

  “Are you sure?” Brix asked, as they walked back down the driveway.

  “Yes. He deserves some quality time after this little purchase. Ain’t that right?” She questioned Mel, who was all into his phone.

  “What you say?” he asked, looking up.

  “Just say yes.”

  “Nah. I never been a yes man,” he replied chuckling.

  “You’re no fun. Y’all have a good time at breakfast and have a safe trip Shemel. Congrats,” Carissa said, giving Brix a hug bye.

  “ ‘Preciate that. You be safe out here,” Mel told her.

  Brix and Mel both watched as Carissa hopped in her car and sped off. Both in their own thoughts for a few seconds, they finally turned and looked at one another.

  “You good?” Mel asked her.

  “I’m better than good. A little hungry, but what’s new,” Brix laughed.

  “Well, let’s get you fed then. You want me to drive?”

  Drawing her head back, Brix looked at him with a glare.

  “Aye, I was just asking with yo little feisty self,” Mel replied, brushing her chin lightly.

  Smiling, Brix took a seat behind the wheel, and before doing anything else, she buckled her seatbelt. That was rule number one in her book of driving skills. Next, came adjusting the seat. While she got situated, Mel leaned his seat back and buckled up as well. He had never rode with Brix, but if she could trust him enough to drive her around, he could do the same. Surely, she wasn’t a bad driver. So he hoped.

  “Thank you again. I don’t know how to really accept gifts, so sorry if I don’t seem super excited. I just don’t want to weird you out by crying again,” she said softly.

  Placing his hand on her thigh and rubbing gently, Mel leaned over and kissed her cheek.

  “It’s all good. I know you appreciate it. Them tears ain’t gone hurt nobody,” he said leaning back over.

  Blushing, Brix pressed her foot on the brake and hit the start button. Hearing the engine purr, was one the sweetest sounds.

  “You ready?” she asked.

  “Ready whenever you are,” Mel replied. He thought of turning on some music, but honestly, he wanted to engage in some conversation. He wanted to tell Brix all about his plans for his trip.

  Brix backed out of the driveway and silently thanked the man above for placing someone so caring in her life. Besides her parents, Carissa, and Lexi, no one had ever gone to extreme lengths to make sure she was taken care of. Not even Drew. With the wheel in her head already turning, Brix was plotting on a way to show Shemel she truly appreciated him. She had two weeks to formulate the perfect thank you gift and perfect it would be.

  Ten

  Reilyn bounced her leg impatiently, as she waited for Vino. They had been texting ever since that day at the mall and had even went out a few times. It was nothing special though. Vino had taken her to a little chicken spot in the city and called it a night once they were done eating. He wanted to check out her vibe in a public place away from her friends before taking anything further.

  Although she was at his crib, or what she assumed was his place, there were other people there. Reilyn thought he could have at least invited her somewhere where it would be just the two. Knowing this wasn’t considered a date, she dressed comfortably in a pair of jeans, a deep cut V-neck tee that had her c-cup boobs on display, and a pair of heels. She didn’t want to overdo it, but still wanted her presence to be known and remembered once she exited the premises.

  Crossing her legs, she tugged at the fringes on her Manolo Blahnik heel. They were one of her favorite pair out of the tons she had. Vino had taken a call from someone on his management team about working with Shemel, and he’d be damned if he missed out on the opportunity because Reilyn was there. He was no groupie nigga to Mel or nothing; he simply respected the man’s grind and the moves he was making. Doing a collaboration, hell even a phone call was good enough for him. He planned on making his name well-known one way or another and the perfect timing was now.

  Scrolling through her phone, Rei sent a text to Neka and Raven. She only included Raven in the message so she wouldn’t feel left out, but little did she know, Raven couldn’t care less. Neka, on the other hand, was hype about her spending time with him. She was secretly hoping she fucked Vino, so Rei could tell her all about it. She lived for that shit. The first time Rei and Shemel had sex, she told Neka and that was the wrong thing to do. It was one thing to give a nigga a little praise for the dick down and slap hands with your girls, but to go into full detail? Never. Neka had been plotting on Shemel ever since. Granted, not all “best friends” were conniving such as Neka, but Reilyn would never know. They were one in the same to be honest. Both sneaky and always scheming.

  Laughing at something Neka said, Rei’s voice came to a halt when she heard his deep voice.

  “What you in here laughing bout?” Bones, Vino’s friend asked.

  Looking up into his dreamy eyes, Rei squeezed her legs tightly. There was something about his eyes that made her cream. His face was so gentle, but his eyes looked as if he could snatch your soul in one blink. She wanted him to do just that and more. His dark chocolate skin glistened as he stood back admiring her beauty. He stood a little over six feet, a head full of curls, and luscious lips that were used to entice a woman’s most intimate parts. Those parts belonging to his victim sitting directly in front of him.

  Bones got his nickname as a child from being so skinny. It didn’t matter how much he ate; he never grew more than eighty to ninety pounds as a kid. At twenty-seven, the times had definitely changed. He was no longer the skinny kid who his siblings teased with a head too big for his body. Gone was his bird chest and fragile limbs. His workout regimen was no longer as jam packed as it used to be, but he still possessed a body women drooled over. Reilyn being one of them.

  “I didn’t know you were here?” Rei replied, grinning.

  “You don’t need to know everything. I gotta pop up on yo ass from time to time,” Bones said, taking a seat n
ext to her.

  “Mhm. I hear you. I miss you though,” she whispered, while leaning over to hug him.

  Placing her hand on his cheek, she brought her lips to his neck and gave a gentle peck. The Dove body wash for men he recently used, filled her nostrils making her take a huge inhale. She had put him on to it and was glad he still used it. Knowing her words were somewhat true, Bones allowed her to get that out the way. He missed her too, but was low-key pissed off this is how he had to see her.

  “You can’t miss me too much. You over here for this nigga,” he replied back.

  “You know why I’m here. Don’t start that shit,” Reilyn hissed.

  “Yeah okay. So what’s up with ya boy? Everything looking like a go?” he asked, referring to Shemel.

  “I guess so. I think that’s who he’s in there on the phone with now.”

  Reilyn had put a little bug in Shemel’s ear about Vino, even though it wasn’t needed. He had already peeped the young cat out. She simply wanted the two to get acquainted and sit back and watch her plan unfold.

  “We still going through with this right? I don’t need you punking out,” Bones asked.

  “I never punk out of anything. Don’t try to play me,” Rei laughed, but was dead serious. Anything involving the words money, scheming, or Bones, she was down for. No second-guessing was needed.

  “Just checking. I hope you don’t plan on fucking him,” he hissed, pulling her in by the neck.

  Biting her lip, Rei shook her head no and pecked his lips. Not giving two fucks about who was around or who could see them, she had to taste his lips. It had been two weeks and she was craving for his touch. Slipping her tongue in his mouth, the two engaged in a steamy kiss. Bones slid his hand between her thighs and massaged her meaty flesh through her jeans. Hearing Vino close in range, concluding his conversation, the two quickly withdrew and Rei scooted to the far left side of the couch. Wiping the corners of her mouth, she sat with a grin on her face. The thought of getting caught excited her, but she knew she had to stick the plan.