by Mz. Toni
“Does he what?”
“Treat you the way you deserve?”
“Yeah, he treats me good, but I'm taking it slow. Not everyone can just hop into a new relationship,” I said smartly.
“I feel you, but I’mma let you finish getting ready. Have fun, be safe and call when you can,” he said before walking out. When I was done packing, I hopped into the car, while Peter put my luggage into the trunk. Peter and I drove in front, while Shante and Camille drove behind us. Pulling up to the airport, we parked our cars and went to meet up with everyone else. As we got closer and closer to boarding, I got more and more nervous. I had never been out of Jersey, let alone on a plane and out of the country. All I could think about was shit like Final Destination, and that movie where Denzel’s fine ass played a drunk pilot.
“You alright?” Peter asked, rubbing my back.
“Yeah, I'm fine,” I lied.
“Girl, you look like you about to throw up,” Shante said laughing.
“I'm just nervous as hell,” I said with a smile. We waited a few minutes before everyone was there.
“Who’s this?” Kasan asked, looking at Peter.
“This is my friend Peter. Peter, this is Shante’s boyfriend, Kasan,” I said, introducing them.
“What up?” Kasan said, attempting to dap him, only to have Peter reach his hand out to shake Kasan’s.
“I ain't know you liked white boys,” Chris said loudly.
“Don't be rude!” Queesha said, slapping his arm. Embarrassed to the highest power, I was now excited to be boarding the plane.
“I'm so sorry Peter,” I said.
“It’s fine, your friends are a bit rough around the edges though,” he said with a laugh.
“Yeah, they are, but I love them,” I said with a laugh.
Chapter Ten
Mega
“So did you take her the luggage?” Kaliah asked.
“Yeah,” I said.
“Was it just her and Camille that went?” she asked.
“Naw, everyone went, like a couple’s trip.”
“Oh, ok. I wonder why she didn't invite us,” she replied nonchalantly. I was so confused by what the fuck she said, I didn't even respond. Why the fuck would Cherish invite me and my new fiancé on a trip?
“I'm just saying, I don't like being outcasted. They are your friends, just as much as hers.”
“Kaliah, the trip is for her birthday. Do you think she likes you enough to invite you?” I said.
“She said we were cool.”
“No, she said she was over the situation. Would you invite some chick on a trip that was dating your ex?”
“I guess not, but I want to be able to do fun things with your friends like she does.”
“Aight Kaliah,” I said, before getting up and walking out the room. It was now getting to the point where she was obsessed with getting in good with everyone. I needed her to understand that it wouldn't be easy because they are friends with Cherish, and at the end of the day, their loyalty lies with her. Walking upstairs, I went to check on the twins. It still amazed me how much they looked like me and I could also see so many traits of Lil Mama.
“Hey daddy, is Mama Ashley coming to see me today?” Jasmine asked.
“Naw baby, I don't think so.”
“Maybe she doesn't want to see me anymore.”
“Don't think that way, she loves you, something must have come up.”
“Ok, but can you call her for me?”
“Aight,” I said. When she walked out, I grabbed my phone and called Ashley, only for her not to answer. Getting the kids dressed and ready, I loaded them into the car and prepared to head out. After dropping them off at Cherish’s house with the nanny, I headed straight to Ashley’s apartment.
“Who is it?” I heard her say through the door after I knocked.
“It’s Mega, open the door.”
“Can you come back later?”
“Yo, open this fucking door. You were so excited about reconnecting with Jas, only for you not to see her for weeks!” I snapped.
“I’ve been sick, but please don't take her from me.”
“Open the door Ashley!” I snapped again. I could hear her unlock the door and what I saw shocked me.
“Come in,” she said nervously.
“Is that nigga here?” I asked, reaching for my gun.
“No, she isn't here,” she said, moving to the side.
“What happened to your face?” I asked, sitting on the couch.
“Me and Jayda got into a fight,” she said lowly.
“Repeat that shit!”
“We got into a fight Mega, damn!”
“So you lettin that nigga put his hands on you?” I asked in disbelief.
“Friends fight and argue Jason. Don't be making it more than what it is.”
“Fuck that, Ash. That bitch used to be a grown ass nigga. I don't give a fuck if that nigga got boobs, a pussy and a feminine voice, he still a nigga under all that!”
“Look, can you just tell Jas that I'm sick and I will see her soon.”
“Yeah, I’ll let her know. I'm telling you now, as long as you still got this nigga in ya life, you’ll never get to be a mother to Jas. I won't allow her to see this bullshit!” I snapped, before getting up to leave.
“I know it was fucked up for me to do the shit I did, I just want you to know that I'm sorry. Now all I want is to be a part of my daughter’s life.”
“Actions speak louder than words. I remember you being the sassy girl that had a mind of her own and didn't give a fuck about what people had to say about her, and you damn sure didn't do shit you didn't want to do,” I said, shaking my head.
“Well, that’s the girl I'm trying to find again.”
“I hope so, but let me head back home,” I said, before walking out the door. Sitting in my car, all I could think about was the bruises on her face. I don't give a fuck how I feel about her, she’s still my daughter's mother regardless. As I sat in my car, contemplating whether or not I should leave, my answer fell right in my fucking lap. I watched as Jayden came out the house, with Ashley close behind.
“I didn't tell him anything!”
“I don't give a fuck, why you let him in our apartment?”
“What was I supposed to do?”
“Tell that nigga to leave!”
“Why you being like this? I didn't do anything wrong, you heard the whole conversation!” Ashley pleaded. I didn't know what to think as they made a fool out of themselves, right outside their apartment. What I was watching didn't look like two friends arguing, it looked like they were in a full blown fucking relationship. As I continued to watch them argue, I watched as that nigga/bitch Jayden took things to the next level, by slapping the shit out of Ashley. Hopping out my car, I ran up to them and punched that nigga Jayden so hard, I heard his jaw crack.
“Jason, why the fuck would you do that!” Ashley snapped at me, while still on the ground from the slap this nigga landed across her face.
“Fuck you mean why I do that? You just gonna let this bitch beat on you!” I screamed in disbelief.
“She was just upset that I let you into our apartment,” she explained, while trying to help him off the ground.
“Yo, stop saying she. This is a nigga who once had a dick between his leg!”
“Fuck you Mega!” Jayden screamed.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what you want, but I wouldn't fuck you with the next nigga’s dick, bitch!” I said with a smirk.
“I ain't did shit but try and love you, but now that love is gone!”
“I don't give a fuck about that shit. Ashley, come home with me and I’ll help you,” I said.
“Nigga, she ain't going with you because she’s in love with me. She don't care how many times I beat her ass, she ain't never leaving me,” he said laughing. Looking into Ashley’s eyes, I could see her embarrassment, but I could also see that everything this nigga said was true. Giving her one last look, I turned around an
d walked away. I didn't have time to be dealing with her bullshit with that crazy nigga. If she wanted to stay with that he/she and continue to get her ass beat, that was her business. Pulling up to my house, I watched as Kaliah peeked through the window. I knew she was probably worried because I’d been gone longer than I expected. Walking up to my door, I used my key and unlocked it. When I walked into my house, I looked at the window that I saw her looking through, but Kaliah was nowhere to be found. Walking upstairs, I found her in bed reading a book. It was shit like this that made me feel like she wasn't built for a nigga like me. If you worried about a nigga, then say that, ain't no need to hide it and act like you don't care.
“What’s up?” I asked. Walking into the bedroom, I started to undress, but from the corner of my eyes, I could see her watching my every move.
“Nothing, been reading, and did a little cleaning. Oh, and your dinner is in the oven,” she said nonchalantly.
“Thanks babe,” I said, before walking into the bathroom to take a shower. If she wasn't gonna ask me what happened or where I had been, then I ain't gonna tell her. I didn't have time to play these fucking games with her, I had too much on my mind. After showering and throwing on some basketball shorts and a wife beater, I went downstairs to take my food out the oven. I knew she didn't cook, but each and every time I opened the oven, I said a silent prayer in hopes that it was some real food. A nigga was again let down as I pulled the oven door open, only to be met with some Chinese food. As I sat at the table eating, Kaliah walked into the kitchen and sat in the chair directly across from me.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“How was your day?”
“It was straight.”
“Oh ok, everything alright?” she asked nervously.
“Yeah, everything good. I went by Ashley’s crib and some shit popped off with me and that bitch Jayden.”
“What happened?”
“Man, that nigga beating on her. I told her to come home with me, but she didn't want to,” I explained.
“You told her to come here?” she said, looking mad as hell.
“Yeah, I did. I know the way I punched that nigga he was gonna be mad as hell and take that shit out on her.”
“You hit him?”
“That nigga slapped her hard as hell.”
“I understand, but she’s grown and we’re dealing with enough shit from them, so why involve yourself?”
“That's my daughter’s mom, regardless of the fucked up shit she’s done. I ain't gonna let no one cause harm to the people I care about.”
“Oh… I see,” she said before getting up and walking out. I didn't know what her problem was or what she expected me to say, but obviously I didn't tell her what she wanted to hear.
Chapter Eleven
Cherish
“Welcome to Ocean Club Resorts!” a beautiful woman greeted us.
“Thank you!” we all said at once. As I looked at my surroundings, it was breathtaking and I was excited. I had never been out of Jersey, so to be here in the Bahamas was huge for me.
“Yo, this shit nice as hell!” Chris said.
“Hell yeah, I'm tryna swim with some fish!” Camille said excitedly.
“Fuck that, I'm tryna see what they smoke be like out here,” Kasan said seriously.
“Well, I’ve been here quite a few times. I could show you guys around, do a few activities,” Peter said.
“Thanks,” I said, kissing his cheek.
“So you know where they got that good good at?” Kasan asked.
“That good good?” Peter said, confused.
“Yeah, that smoke.”
“What smoke? They do have an awesome party at night, with a bonfire and performances,” he said, causing us all to laugh. I felt a little bad because he laughed right along with us, not knowing that the joke was on him.
“Naw, that kush, trees, reefer, weed…”
“Oh no, I will not assist in helping you obtain drugs,” he responded, sounding appalled.
“Next time, we need to come alone,” Peter whispered. Ignoring him, I just followed behind the man who would be showing us to our rooms. I made sure to book a room with two bedrooms, just in case things didn't physically work out between me and Peter. I was glad that I did because he was working my nerves. I never noticed how bougie he was, even after spending so much time with him, but it definitely showed when he came around my friends.
“This is your room,” I said when we walked into our room.
“My room?”
“Yeah… Is that a problem?”
“No, I just assumed we would share the same room,” he said with a disappointed face.
“You know I'm trying to take things slow. I thought us sharing a room would be rushing things a bit.”
“That’s fine,” he said, before taking his luggage to the bedroom. Walking into my bedroom, I walked out on my balcony and was taken aback at how beautiful the view was. The water was crisp and blue. It damn sure didn't look like any water I’d ever seen. As I took in the view, I was interrupted by my ringing phone.
“Hey boo,” I answered.
“Girl, this shit is so beautiful!” Camille screamed into the phone.
“I know right; I was just looking at the water.”
“You wanna go to the beach?” she asked.
“Hell yeah, I’mma hop in the shower and then I’ll be down.”
“Aight, and see if Peter wants to come,” she said, before hanging up. Walking into Peter’s room, I noticed that he was already unpacked and about to hit the shower. As I stared at his body, I couldn't help but notice his imprint in the towel. I guess the saying wasn't true that white boys weren’t packing, because from the looks of it, he was packing something heavy.
“Everything ok?” he asked. Snapping me out of my thoughts, I slowly nodded my head, but didn't once take my eyes off his body.
“Well are you gonna say something?” he asked with a smirk.
“Uhhhhh yeah, we’re all going to the beach, do you want to go?”
“Yes, I would love to go for a swim in something warm,” he said, licking his lips.
“Oh well…ok just…ummm yeah... I’mma… yeah I’mma go,” I said, tongue tied like a muthafucka. Backing out of the room while still staring at him, I didn't notice his empty suitcase. As if I wasn’t already embarrassed enough, I tripped over the suitcase and fell ass first onto the floor.
“Are you ok?” he asked as he reached to help me up, but before he could, he tripped and fell right along with me. As we both laid on the floor, we were cracking up laughing at how nervous and crazy we were acting, as if we didn't know each other.
“I’mma go get washed and dressed, I’ll see you in a little bit,” I said, once I was up. I wasted no time making a run for it. Opening my suitcase, I searched for the perfect outfit to wear with my bathing suit. I decided that I would be extra sexy this whole trip. I mean, a girl only turns eighteen once, so why not go all out? Pulling out my bikini and a pair of short jean shorts, I placed them on the bed. Walking into the bathroom, I ran a bath and was very excited to see the Jacuzzi tub that was calling my name. After spending almost an hour in the tub, I got out and wrapped a fluffy oversized towel around my body. When I was dressed and ready to go, I walked out of my room, only to find Peter waiting for me outside of my door.
“Wow!” he said when he saw me.
“Is that a good wow?” I asked sexily.
“Hell yeah it is!”
“Thank you,” I said, blushing.
“No thank you, are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, I'm ready,” I said. Throwing my hair into a ponytail and adding some lip gloss, my look was complete and I was ready to go. When we got downstairs, everyone was already there, except the person who planned it. I'm almost certain that Camille and Mark were somewhere being nasty, I could bet my life on that.
“So we just waiting for Camille and Mark?” I asked, shaking my head.
“Yeah, you know that bitch
is always late, but stop tryna take the focus off ya sexy ass,” Shante said.
“I don't know what you talkin bout,” I said with a laugh.
“Uh huh girl, I see you working with a little stuffy back there,” Shante said, looking at my ass.
“Yassssss bitch, where that ass come from?” Shana said.
“Come here babe, look at this shit,” Queesha said to Chris. Ignoring her, he shook his head and walked away.
