“Yeah, I got them.” I sat down and hooked my Bluetooth speaker up to my iPhone before hitting the first song on the playlist I’d created.
Greezy gave each song about a minute before asking me to change it; something he always did since he said he didn’t need much time to be able to tell if a song was good or not. By the time we got through all fifty songs, an hour had passed, and I was just waiting to hear which sixteen he’d picked out.
“Those sound like a bunch of leftover tracks, MG,” he said, lighting his cigar. That statement caught me off guard.
“Huh? I didn’t hear any leftover tracks, G, I heard good shit.”
“Then put it out as a free mixtape and promote it yourself. But if you want Bankroll to back you, you need to bring me some hits and not a bunch of damn fillers. Nothing I heard stood out to me.”
“Nah, this is a good album.” I stood my ground. I wasn’t budging on this shit. I’d worked my ass off, and I was tired as hell, ready to get this shit out and be done with it.
“Okay, so you have two options. You can take the self-promotion route, in which Bankroll won’t fund anything. Or, we can put the album out, funding included, but when you don’t recoup our funds because the album tanked, then you can pay us out of pocket.” He puffed on the cigar after speaking. “It’s up to you.”
I sat there contemplating because I wasn’t too sure what the hell I wanted to do. Self-promoting it sounded whack as fuck, especially because I needed a damn break for a couple weeks. If I had to do my own promotion, there would be no stopping for me. But if I let Bankroll fund this shit and it tanked, I damn sure wasn’t trying to pay out of pocket. And if you couldn’t pay an advance back, that meant yo’ ass was basically forbidden from recording and releasing shit else until you could. That’s why a lot of artists were here one day and gone the damn next.
Exhaling heavily, I said, “Look, G, I’m dealing with a lot right now, and I think I just need to take some time off. I need to get my mind right, and then I can maybe get back into the studio to record something we both can agree on.”
I’d recorded one hundred damn songs for this album, so I was exhausted as fuck. Never again was I taking the Ricky AK approach. That OCD ass nigga would have 150 songs recorded just to pick eighteen. I admit it gave you variety, but I was spent.
“I honestly don’t care about what you have going on personally, MG. You need to put that shit out of ya mind and get to work. Now I’ve been patient with you, using up all my damn money for wasted studio time just so you could chase after that pass around you called a girlfriend.”
“Fuck you talking to?” I snatched Greezy’s collar, and when he gave me a look, I immediately regretted it. I had more than a little bit of problems, so there was no room for Greezy and his wrath. Letting him go right away, I said, “My bad, G. This is what I mean, I need a break.”
Straightening his suit coat, he replied, “Bring me something better and bring it to me promptly.”
I sighed before standing up, frustrated that his bitch ass didn’t understand. But Greezy was about his money at all times, and I got that, but in this state of mind I was in, there was no way I could really bring that heat.
I left the Bankroll building feeling even more exhausted than before at the simple thought of having to record again. Getting into my whip, I pulled my iPhone from my pocket and dialed Isla up.
“Are you crazy?” she answered with too much attitude.
“Let me see Michael.”
I missed my little nigga, and even though, biologically, he wasn’t my son, it wasn’t so easy for me to just let him go. I didn’t understand how Qamar could wish for his unborn to be gone, who was actually his, while I was here wishing this little boy that I’d raised was truly mine.
“What do you want to see him for, Micah?”
“Why you think, Isla? I’ve been his father his whole damn life, and you think because you tell me he ain’t mine, I’m just gon’ be able to keep it pushing?” I frowned.
I swear I hated this bitch. I knew Kattlyn said hating her meant I cared, but I couldn’t help how I felt. I’d been with this bitch for years, and she dogged me the fuck out on some snake shit. Had babies on me, stole from me, cheated, just had me looking dumb and oblivious as hell. I knew for a fact the rest of these niggas were laughing at me; I mean, who wouldn’t? I looked like a fucking fool!
“Fine, you can see him for one hour, Micah, but that is it.”
“Aight, that’s fine. You gon’ bring him to my house?”
“Sure. Don’t do anything dumb, because whatever it is won’t work. He is not yours, and I have proof.”
“Just bring him.” I hung up.
Before putting my iPhone in the cup holder, I decided to send Kattlyn a text, just so she’d know a nigga wasn’t out here just having threesomes and shit all damn day.
Me: Let me know if you need anything.
Kattlyn Baby: K.
I stared at that weak ass response for a couple moments and then drove off. When I got to my crib, I saw Qamar in my driveway, leaning on his car. As soon as I pulled in, he shoved his phone into his pocket and waited until I parked.
“What you doing here?” I quizzed as I got out of my whip.
“I went on a date with Bia, nigga, and that shit was horrible as fuck.” He met me at my door. “I can’t figure out this shit for nothing. I don’t know what to say, how to say the shit, or what. I need you to tell me something since Ricky ain’t fucking with me. I know you be on that soft shit though, so I’ll tweak it a little bit but—”
“Qamar! I can’t do this today, aight? I need a break from talking to you about Bia. You love her, I get it, but you gon’ have to read some self-help books or watch The Notebook or something ‘cause I can’t today.”
“I just need you to—”
“Qamar, for once, don’t be a selfish asshole.”
He nodded and turned away to walk to his car. Closing my door behind him, I texted Isla to get an ETA, and she told me she was close by. I went to take a shower, and by the time I was out and dressed in some sweats and a t-shirt, she was ringing my doorbell.
“Daddy!” Michael shouted and rushed me. I picked him up and hugged him tightly as Isla stood there looking like she actually had some damn feelings.
“How you been, man?” I smiled.
“Good, but I missed you! I have new toys, but Mommy wouldn’t let me bring them.”
“Well you still got some of ya old toys in the den, you wanna go play with ‘em?” I smiled and he nodded.
“Is that karate thotty here?” Isla questioned, stopping me in my tracks.
“If you’re referring to my girl, no. And watch what you say about her, aight?” I peeked over my shoulder.
“Whatever. I have a few errands to run, so I will be back shortly.” Isla rubbed her belly and then walked off. I was happy her ass wasn’t staying, so I went and closed the door behind her, then continued to the den with Michael.
“I wanna live here,” he said as I brought his toy bag over.
“I know. I want you to, as well.”
“Why can’t we? I know you want to live alone, Daddy, but I like it here,” he whined.
“What? Who said I wanted to live alone?”
“Mommy. She said that’s why we don’t sleep here anymore.”
Isla was gon’ make me murder her ass.
“Nah, that’s not the case. But look, I’m gon’ try to work something out so you can come spend the night at least half of the week, aight?”
“Okay!” He nodded with a smile, and I just watched him play for a moment before kissing his head.
I’d tried to take the calm route with Isla, but there were just certain females I was realizing I couldn’t be gentle with.
Chapter Eight: Draylah
A few days later …
I was in my office and I heard a little bit of commotion at the front, so I got up to see what was happening. I was due to give birth any day now, and didn’t feel li
ke dealing with whatever the hell was going on up front.
“Just two minutes, Clay, come on!” I heard Qamar yell to Clay. Ricky had been letting Clay stick with me instead of him, so that’s why he was here. Plus, my belly was honestly too large to drive … go figure.
“What is going on?” I frowned.
“I told this nigga he can’t be around you, but he won’t take his ass on somewhere,” Clay replied.
“It’s fine, Clay.”
“But boss said—”
“Clay, it’s okay. Qamar knows which women to hit and which ones will whoop his ass, so trust me, I’m fine,” I spoke, staring right at Qamar. Qamar may have put his hands on women, like the bitch that he was, but he knew who to come for, and he knew I wasn’t the one.
“Thank you.” Qamar slipped past Clay. “Can we talk in the back—”
“No. What do you want?” I folded my arms.
“Well first, I got this for you.” He lifted up a gift bag, smiling hard. He was really a big dummy.
“I don’t want your gifts. I want to know what the hell you’re doing at my damn shop like my man won’t kill you.”
“Right. Well, I came to give you these shoes as an apology first.” He was still holding them up.
“You honestly believe I can walk into my home wearing some shoes you bought me? Do you want Ricky to murder you?” I frowned up at him.
“I ain’t think about that, you right.” He nodded. “Okay, so the second thing is, I need you to tell me something to help me get Bia and get the upper hand on this other nigga.”
“Why?”
“Huh?”
“Why would I do that? For me to help you, I’d have to believe that you’re the best thing for Bia. So tell me something; convince me why she should be with you and not Kito.” I cocked my head and waited because I was sure he had nothing.
Shrugging, he laughed and said, “Because, I mean, I love her.”
“Well that’s good to know. I’m happy that you love her.” I nodded. “But I need a little something more. She told me all about that date, so I’m not too convinced that you love her.”
“Why is she giving me such a hard fucking time? I mean, yeah, I messed up and, yeah, I got some growing to do, but she needs to ride it out for me.”
“She does?” I laughed. “Qamar, leave my shop please and do not come back. If you do, I will call Ricky down here and it won’t be pretty.”
“Dray—”
“Oh, and I know all about your little threat, nigga. I better not ever find out you threatened me again, or I’ll beat your ass better than Ricky did,” I warned him. “And I don’t give a fuck about you, so I’ll kill you. Clown.”
I turned away and left him standing there. I heard Clay tell him he had to go just before I closed my office door. That boy had a whole kid on the way, lawsuits up to his nose, and a failing career, but all he could think about was Bia. He needed to get his shit together first, make himself look like something worth having, and maybe she’d look at him differently. But right now, he was simply a walking, talking, and breathing burden.
I was swamped with appointments for the rest of the day, so by the time I was off, I felt like shit. I went straight home because I knew Ricky would be there to give me a foot and back massage, which was much needed. I just wanted these babies out of my body, and right fucking now!
When I got home, I realized Ricky wasn’t there yet, and I was so damn pissed. Getting up into the bedroom, I sat on his side of the bed, and I noticed he’d left one of his phones when it started to ring. Usually, I didn’t answer his phones because he didn’t play that, but the number wasn’t stored, which piqued my interest.
“Hello?” I answered softly.
“Hey, baby,” a girl cooed, catching me off guard.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, who is this? I’m looking for Ricky,” she said with venom dripping from her voice.
“No, who the fuck is this? If you know Ricky, I’m sure you know who the fuck I am.” I shot up from the bed, furious as hell.
“No, I don’t. I also don’t appreciate you answering my nigga’s phone like you’re crazy,” she snapped.
“Your nigga?” I began laughing so hard it hurt. “Well, baby girl, if Ricky AK is your man I feel bad for you because I’ve been fucking your nigga every single night, I got an engagement ring, I’m about to have his babies, so you know, child support! I’ve been spending his money, living in his house, traveling, shit … the list goes on. Where you been at?” There was silence so I said, “Hello? I mean, if I’m getting all of that, what you getting? How do you go so long without seeing your nigga? ‘Cause I clock his moves 24/7 and he’s never with you.”
“Don’t worry about what I’m getting or when I see him!”
“Exactly, hoe. Try this game with another bitch. I bet not find out who the fuck you are because I slice bitches who even speak my nigga’s name, let alone try to fake claim him.”
“Just like a side chick to get bold.”
“Yep, I’ll be a side chick all day, baby. You got a good nigga on your hands, so I ain’t going nowhere. Good luck getting a peep at the dick, bitch.”
I hit the end button just as Ricky walked into the bedroom, causing his cologne to permeate the air. He looked confused when he saw his iPhone in my hand.
“How are you arguing with somebody on my damn phone?” he asked.
“Because some hoe called you trying to act like she’d been fucking you. She better hope I don’t find her ass.”
“Must have been the person behind them random ass phone calls from numbers all over the fucking U.S.” He plopped down on the bed and carefully removed his Jordans. “Come here.” He pulled me closer to him and rubbed my belly before kissing it. “Let’s shower.”
“No, baby, my back hurts, and my feet too! Everything hurts!” I whined as tears welled up in my eyes.
“Aight, sit ya crybaby ass down.” He gently brought me down onto his lap and began massaging my back with those large strong hands. It felt so good.
“I look so ugly,” I commented, and he began chortling before he kissed my lips.
“What I tell you about saying that shit? You sexy as fuck.” He looked me up and down as I stayed seated in his lap. “I told you I got a thing for cute bitches with bellies.”
“Shut up.” I giggled before our lips came together again. “You don’t see girls out and think they look better?”
“No woman could look better than the woman I love, who is also carrying my kids, Draylah. You know that. You know yo’ ass is fine, you just like hearing me say that shit, huh?”
“It helps.” I smirked. “Oh,” I squealed and grabbed my side. When I got up slowly, I saw Ricky’s jeans were wet, and so were my panties. “Baby, we have to go.” I panicked a little.
“Aight, come on.” He grabbed my hand in his, and helped me out of the room and down the stairs.
We made it to the car where we already had the baby bag in the trunk. As I sat back in the passenger seat, I just silently prayed that God protected these new babies about to enter the world.
***
A little over a week later …
Camellia and Frederick Jr. were finally here, and despite Frederick being smaller at first, he was definitely bigger upon birth. Camellia was a breeze coming out, but her brother was the worst pain in the world.
They didn’t really have too many distinct features yet, but I didn’t see much of myself in either of them. And when Ricky’s grandmother brought Ricky’s baby picture from when he was new, it definitely looked like them. I didn’t care though; as long as they were healthy, which thank God they were, it didn’t matter to me which parent they looked like. But of course, Ricky’s ass had to brag to everyone in the damn room, doctors, nurses, and his grandmother included, that his nut was strong.
Ricky had rooms set up for each twin, and he really went all out. One room was painted a soft green, and the other was a baby pink. He had everything done, but l
et me pick the furniture because that was something I really wanted to do.
I loved how excited he was, and this was the first time that I’d had a baby father that was as in love with our babies as I was. With North, I thought he felt the same, but I was young and stupid, thinking words meant more than actions. Yeah, North said he was happy, but his moves showed different.
As I rocked Camellia, the doorbell sounded off.
“That must be Antonia, you wanna go?” Ricky asked.
“You sure you can take her?” I smiled up at him. I was seated in the rocking chair in Camellia’s room. Frederick Jr. slept all day and was usually easy, but Camellia was a little bit more work. She already had Ricky wrapped around her little finger.
“Yeah, I can take her. She came from my nuts, so technically, she’s more of my kid than yours.”
“You wish.” I giggled as I placed her gently in his arms.
He sat down with her, and as I walked out, I heard him say, “You know ya name was supposed to be Rickeisha, but ya mama is a hater and only likes flower names.”
I laughed as I made my way down the stairs to get the door. When I opened it, I was happy as hell to see Lily with her suitcase because it reminded me that she was spending the night. Antonia had to go out of town, and somehow, Ricky was able to convince her to let Lily sleep over. I wasn’t sure how he did it since Antonia was stingy with Lily’s time, but I was thankful.
“Hey, Lily!” I grinned. It was crazy how happy I was to see her. “You ready to see the babies?”
“Yep! And Ricky!” She hugged my waist tightly. She loved her some Ricky because he was so damn brash. I guess like her mother, she gravitated to that. Also, Lily was pretty rough for a girl, and Ricky play wrestled with her, which was her favorite thing besides video games.
“Lily, my hug?” Antonia called after Lily who started to run up the stairs.
“Oh, sorry, Mommy.” Lily rushed back and hugged Antonia.
“Go to the den, Lily, we have a surprise for you. But you have to wait, okay?” I said with a smile.
“Okay!” She ran off towards the den instead of upstairs, and I turned my attention back onto Antonia.
She Got It Bad for a Heartless Gangsta Page 24
