“I gotta do what I gotta do,” she said to herself as she prepared to call her mom.
“You gotta do what?” Mark asked as he stepped into the living room.
“When did you come in?” she asked, surprised to see him.
“A few minutes ago. Now, what you gotta do?”
“You are so nosy.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. What you gotta do?” he pressed.
She sucked her teeth. “I need to call my mom.”
“For what?”
“To let her know that I have to stay with her for a little while.”
“I take it that it ain’t what you really want to do.”
“It’s not, but I have to go somewhere. Besides, she’s my mom. She can’t turn me away.”
He chuckled. “You’re right about that, but uh…I make you that uncomfortable?”
“Why you say that?”
“I mean…you’re in a hurry to leave.”
“I’m just trying to be mindful of your space. I know how you do you and I’m not trying to interfere with that.”
“How I do me? What is that supposed to mean?”
“I know that you have a lot of friends and you can’t even bring them over while I’m here…”
He halted her. “Stop right there. First off, you are the second chick to ever step foot in my house. Those bitches ain’t getting my time like you think. I’m on a paper chase. I ain’t got time to chase pussy. I get it when I need it.”
“If you say so.”
“No, that’s real. But on some other shit, you can stay here for a little while. Get your shit together. Don’t worry about bothering your mama. You a big girl now. You can’t run to her forever.”
“Who says that I run to her now?” she snapped.
He held his hands up in surrender. “Aye, don’t shoot me. I was just saying, but like I said…you ain’t gotta go nowhere. The choice is yours, though.”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t know. I’m not trying to impose.”
“Necole,” he stared at her. “Stop it, okay. If I wanted you to leave, I’d let you know.”
“I hear you.”
“Cool, cool,” he nodded as he pulled out a knot. He counted out some bills. “Here you go. Go get something. I don’t care what it is. Buy something that will stop you from moping around here,” He handed her two stacks.
Necole hadn’t had extra money in a minute. She started to pretend that she didn’t need it, but who would she be fooling? She could now get her things out her apartment and place it all in storage.
“Thank you,” she smiled.
“You welcome, mama,” he said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blunt. “You smoking?” he asked her.
She nodded.
“Maybe this’ll calm your nerves,” he laughed as he sat next to her and lit up.
“I hope so,” she laughed as he passed the purp. She hit it. “Damn, this is some good.”
“Shit, mama…if it’s in the air then it’s the best,” he let her know.
“I heard that,” she grinned.
“So…where your kids at?” he asked just to make conversation.
“They’re sleep, thankfully. I needed a break. They’ve been driving me up the wall. Usually, I’d have Carmelo’s mom babysit. I guess I never realized how big of help she is.”
He nodded. “I feel you. I know that if you brought them over there now, that nigga would probably kick up some dust.”
“Exactly. Until he understands that it’s over between us, I can’t be around him.”
“Yeah, I know, but uh…do you ever think that he might seriously hurt you one day?”
She thought for a second. “Sometimes. I mean…when he’s sober I know that he’d never really hurt me, but he’s a different person when he’s high. When he’s high, I don’t know what he’s capable of.”
“So are you really done with him?”
“Yes,” she said with no hesitation.
“I hear you, mama,” he nodded. “I hear you.”
* * * * *
Carmelo was blowing Necole’s phone up after he’d discovered that she’d moved all of her belongings out of the apartment. She refused to answer his calls. She was serious about closing that chapter in her life and she didn’t need anyone standing in her way.
She’d taken a semester off to have her baby, so she couldn’t wait until the next semester came. The student loans had been keeping her afloat and without it, her resources were limited. If it wasn’t for Mark, she didn’t know where she’d be. He’d been doing so much for her, including paying for her kids to attend daycare. She was actively looking for a job, but she hadn’t found anything.
Although Mark was good to her, she didn’t know where she stood with him. They never discussed exactly what it was that they were doing. She still slept in the guest’s bedroom, but he fucked her anytime he felt like it. He would sleep there every other night and lay her down and then leave with no explanation.
Necole didn’t want to pressure him into a relationship. She knew that she came equipped with plenty of baggage and most dudes their age weren’t ready for that. Mark wasn’t ready to be a family man. He may have financially looked out for her and the kids, but that was as far as it went. He never spent any real time. Necole had done enough lying to herself while with Carmelo. She refused to do that a second time around. Mark liked having her around. She was accessible pussy and nothing more as far as she was concerned. Sooner or later, he was going to get tired of her and she swore to have her shit together when the time came.
Necole hit the ignore button on Carmelo as she hopped out of her car. She was at a Shell gas station getting gas. She strutted inside of the store as a young dude held the door open for her. Her black Gucci tube dress fit her like a glove while embellishing her round ass. The dude salivated as her hips swayed.
“Let me get twenty on pump three,” she told the cashier as she tried to hand him a bill.
“No, you gotta keep that, baby,” the dude said as he pulled out his money to pay for her gas.
She turned to look at him. “Excuse me?”
“You’re excused,” he said as he handed the cashier the money.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she waved him off.
“I know, but I wanted to.”
Necole looked him over. He didn’t look any older than twenty-one. He was about six feet tall and had a dark brown complexion. He had curly hair and cute dimples. He was wearing a white tee, denim shorts and white Forces. He was definitely fine.
“Well, thank you,” she smiled as she walked around him.
“Wait, baby,” he gently grabbed her arm. “I just want a minute of your time.”
She gave him a smile, enjoying his persistence. “Okay, I’ll give you that.”
A few minutes later, Necole drove away with free gas and a date for later that night. She told her new friend, Nikee, that she wouldn’t have a babysitter and he swore that he didn’t mind if she brought the kids along. They were going to meet up, go out to eat and get to know each other.
For the first time in long time, she felt happy. She hadn’t done anything other than take care of her kids. So she excitedly got her kids together before making herself fabulous. As soon as she was finished dressing, she heard Mark come through the door.
“Say, Necole,” he said as he walked up the stairs. He stepped into her room. He lost his train of thought when he saw how she was dressed. “Where are you going?”
She turned to face him. “Oh, I’m about to step out for a second.”
He looked at her suspiciously. “And do what?”
“Get something to eat.”
“You and the babies?”
“Yeah.”
“Just ya’ll?”
“Well…us and a friend.”
“A friend? Who is this friend?”
She shrugged. “Just some dude. He wanted to take us out to eat.”
Mark stared at her. W
as she for real? There she was wearing a Bebe dress that she’d purchased with his money and she was preparing to go out with some other nigga. “You joking, right?”
“No,” she shook her head.
“So, you gon stand there and tell me that you’re about to leave my house to go on a date with some nigga?”
“Yeah. Is that a problem?”
“Wow,” he frowned. “The fact that you had to ask is what bothers me the most.”
“So…let me get this right. You can kick it with me whenever you feel like it. You can see multiple women, but I can’t go on a date?”
“What women? the only chick in here is you.”
“Oh, come on, Mark. I know that I’m not the only one.”
He squinted. “How would you know? Like I told you, I got to get my money. I ain’t worried about no bitch.”
“Including me, right?”
He stepped closer. “Are you a bitch, cause that ain’t what I see you as.”
“That’s just it. I don’t know how you see me,” she let out, frustrated.
He looked at her sideways. “I thought that we were kicking it.”
“Okay, if we’re just kicking it, as you say, then why can’t I date other people?”
Mark had to think for a second. He liked coming home to Necole. She gave that big house life. Before she came around, he hardly ever slept there. He was used to being in and out. He was making moves. He hadn’t sat down to really access what was happening between them. Really, he didn’t want to think about that. He wasn’t quite sure if she was done with her baby’s daddy. He knew how shit like that could go. He’d seen it too many times before. Yeah, Necole was saying that it was over now, but how would she feel a few months from now? It might be a little different if it was just about her, but she had two small kids. He had to admit that her children were adorable, but he’d purposely kept his distance. He didn’t want to get attached to the next man’s kids. He wasn’t completely against being somebody’s step daddy, but it wasn’t something that he’d rush into. The last thing he needed was to fall for someone else’s family only for her to go back to her man. Hell, he didn’t even know if the situation was for him.
“At the end of the day, Necole, you know that I’m digging you. I really can’t see myself having a talk with you about anything serious until I’m sure that you are done with that nigga. Still, I ain’t trying to see you with the next man.”
Necole flopped down on the bed. “So you don’t want me to go, huh?”
“Naw,” he shook his head as he eyed her.
“Okay,” she sighed, giving in.
Necole was more confused than ever. She had to respect Mark in his own home, but she wasn’t sure if she should believe him. More than likely, he had some other chicks somewhere else. He stayed gone too much for her to believe anything else.
“Mommy,” Little Carmelo whined as he sat on the bed.
“What’s up, baby?” she asked as she picked him up.
“I hungry,”
“You’re hungry, huh?”
Mark stood watching them. He respected how Necole cared for her kids. Although he hadn’t spent much time with them, he’d noticed how she handled them. They were always well groomed and she damn near broke her neck to get to them when they cried. He could tell that she’d always put their needs before hers. That meant that if they ever got serious, he’d have to fully accept her children. That was the biggest reason to pause, but something was pulling at his heartstrings.
“Aye, you still want to go get something to eat? I mean…since you already dressed and all.”
She looked up at him. This was his first time offering to take her somewhere since she’d been at his home. “Umm…yeah.”
“Alright, well come on,” he motioned with his head as he headed downstairs.
“Mark,” she called out to him.
“Huh?” he asked as he stepped back into the room.
“Could you help me with them?”
“Oh…yeah, okay.”
“Just grab him while I get her and their bag.”
“Alright.”
They ended up at Pappa’s restaurant eating seafood. Carma sat in her car seat in the booth with them while Little Carmelo sat in a high chair.
“Little boy, you are making a mess,” Necole complained as she fed him.
“Stop,” Junior shook his head as he pushed the spoon away.
Mark smiled. “I don’t think he wants anymore.”
“I don’t care what he wants. He needs to eat a little more.”
“No,” Little Carmelo pouted.
“Boy…”
Mark chuckled. “I see you hard headed. Leave little man alone.”
She gave him the finger.
“You promise?” he teased.
She looked at him with a grin. “Don’t be funny.”
“I’m serious.”
“Yeah, okay.”
“Is that my nigga?” a voice said in the distance.
Mark looked up. He spotted Big Jonathan. “Aye, what’s up, boi?” he spoke.
“Shit, nigga,” Big Jonathan walked over and gave him dap.
Necole squirmed in her seat a bit.
Big Jonathan focused on her. “What’s up, Necole?”
“Hey,” she smiled nervously.
“Girl, where you been at? Everybody’s been saying that you been missing in action.”
She cleared her throat. “Yeah…I’m just trying to get myself together.”
“I feel that,” he nodded. “Well, ya’ll be good. I’m about to go over here and get my eat on, know what I’m saying.”
“Alright, see ya, dog,” Mark said as Big Jonathan walked away.
Necole sucked her teeth. “Damn. Why did he have to be here?
“What?” he shrugged. “You talking like you owe anybody an explanation.”
“I know I don’t, I just don’t want Carmelo trippin’.”
“Shit, ain’t he trippin’ anyway?”
“Yeah but…”
“But what? You care what he thinks?” he unknowingly snapped.
She shook her head. “No, I just don’t need the added drama.”
He frowned. “You ain’t making sense to me,” he shook his head. “It seems like you’re worried about him, when you swear that you don’t even talk to the man.”
“Mark…” she didn’t know what to say. The subject was touchy and she didn’t want to say the wrong thing. “Let’s just leave it alone. I’m not thinking about Carmelo, okay?”
He nodded. “Alright, I’ma take your word for it. For now.”
Chapter 18
“Move.”
“Um um,” he shook his head as he planted another kiss on her lips.
“Mark,” she whined. “Stop.”
“Okay, just give me a minute.”
“A minute? Oh, nigga, get off of me, for real,” Necole laughed as she pushed him off of her.
He climbed right back on top. “Stop, girl. Let me give you something.”
“No,” she said like a two year old, but by then, he was already sliding inside of her.
They feverishly kissed as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Their hands were all over each other as he grinded into her. “Umm,” he moaned against her mouth. The pussy became better and better with each passing day.
Three months had flown by and they were becoming inseparable. Mark never pictured himself with a chick with kids, but what they had fitted him quite well.
Necole wasn’t the type of girl to pressure a man. She wanted it to be his decision and he appreciated that. His walls had slowly fallen and she had him completely open.
They rolled over so that she was now on top. Necole lifted off of him and slowly kissed his chest. Mark looked down at her about to bust from the anticipation. She eased down until she reached his dick. She took him into her mouth.
“Fuck,” he let out as he leaned his head back while biting his bottom lip. “Damn, mama,” he gritted as he gripp
ed her hair.
She rapidly bobbed her head up and down. The suction she created with her jaws was like nothing he’d ever experienced. She was the first girl to ever make him cum in less than three minutes. As he watched her damn near suck the skin off his dick, he realized that he had himself a personal Super Head. It wasn’t long before he busted into her mouth. She then rolled onto her back before he pulled her up into his arms. Seconds later, they had both fallen asleep.
Necole’s cell phone rang waking them both. She reached for it and answered. “Hello.”
“Hey, Necole were you sleep?”
“Ms. Brenda?”
“Yeah, I was calling because we want to see the kids. It’s been months, Necole.”
“I know, but Carmelo still calls with that bull crap. He’s threatening to take them and I don’t feel comfortable leaving them there.”
“Well, just bring them out here for a little while. You can stay too so that we can see them.”
Necole took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll try. I’ll call you if I decide to come.”
“Okay, baby. Please try to come.”
“Okay,” Necole said before hanging up.
“If you decide to come where?” Mark asked now fully awake.
She turned to face him. “To Carmelo’s mom’s house.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “Do you think that that would be smart?”
She hunched her shoulders. “I don’t know.”
“Well…I think that you shouldn’t go.”
“I don’t want to, but his family wants to see the kids.”
“Okay, drop them off for a little while.”
“I can’t see leaving my kids.”
“So what’s the other option? What, kicking with the nigga and his people?”
“Why are you including him? He might not be there.”
“Come on, man. You know his bitch ass gon be right there.”
“Mark, I don’t know what you expect. There’s going to come a time where I’ll have to be around him. It’s inevitable.”
He pulled away from her. “Alright, mama. Do what you want to do.”
Love is Blind (G Street Chronicles Presents) Page 22
