by Shontaiye
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The next morning Eve walked out of the court room smiling like a Cheshire cat. Her lawyer had beat her case arguing that there was no proof that she and her “Tricks” had actually exchanged any money. Because of this, they couldn’t prove she was there for the purpose of prostitution. Bianca had also beaten her case, and they were now headed out to celebrate, acknowledging their newfound appreciation of freedom. They even got back the cash the cops took from them that night.
For hours Eve and Bianca sat in their dimly lit motel room drinking vodka and smoking weed. They were feeling good and emotions were starting to get the best of Eve. After calling Noah multiple times, she grew frustrated with not being able to reach him. She didn’t even waste her time calling Shaleea since she really had no desire to talk to her. It was Noah she wanted. Let the games begin, she thought, as she headed out the door to start some bullshit.
TWENTY-ONE
Shaleea
Since she had been working home lately, Shaleea usually didn’t find herself at the laundromat this late. However, the supply truck had been running significantly late. Duty called and she had to go to each of the four laundromats and put up the supplies. She wouldn’t be surprised if she was out until after midnight.
Luckily, her sisters Shyanne and Shanita were close by, and decided to pop in to help her out and bring her dinner. Shameka had went out to party with her girlfriends. All the kids were with their mother Gina, and were probably tucked in bed since it was now nearing 10pm.
“Damn, this chicken is bangin. Who made it, Mommy?” Shaleea asked, while digging into the crunchy, moist chicken wings. She shoved her fork into a side of sautéed spinach and followed up with some buttered rice to quiet her hunger.
“Yeah, she let them marinate overnight. Layla was killing it with her lil fat self,” Shanita joked.
“Hey, lay off my baby. You know she love her food, especially mommy’s cooking. I am going to have to put her on a diet though. She getting a little big.”
“A little?” Shyanne joked.
“Fuck yall bitches.”
“So wassup with you and Noah?” Shanita asked. “He still keep calling everybody, especially Mommy. Getting on her damn nerves. She told him, when you ready to talk to his ass you’ll call or come around.”
“Girl nothing,” Shaleea responded, with her face frowned. “He still calling me too of course. I ain’t answering, but he leaving voicemails. Same ol sorry’s.
“Yo ass gon be right back over there,” Shanita said, talking shit. She was always the one that spoke the blunt truth.
“Bitch…I don’t know. I told you the hoe was at the funeral talking shit. Her and her home-girl tried to jump me after I hit her. That situation definitely didn’t help. It put us in an even worse place.”
“Yeah you told us. I wish we were there so we could’ve fucked dem bitch’s up. I don’t play that shit bout my sisters,” Shanita stated.
“Yeah I know, I should’ve took yall wit me. I wasn’t thinking. I should’ve known he met the hoe through Hakim.”
“Well you know Noah loves you. He take care of yall. He probably going crazy right now,” Shyanne said. She was the quieter one, but she was definitely team Noah.
“Yeah…You hear that?” Shaleea asked her sisters frowning, before turning her ear to the door.
“Na..” they both responded.
“The yelling. Hold up,” Shaleea said. She put down her chicken and wiped her hands on a nearby napkin, before leaving out of the office and heading into the main part of the laundromat.
“Beatch come out of that office, I know you in dere,” someone said in a heavy accent.
The voice was unmistakable, and Shaleea knew exactly who it was.
Shaleea’s heart pounded in her chest when she looked out of her office and saw Eve, along with her friend from the funeral. I can’t believe the nerve of this bitch, she thought. And how the hell does she know about our business. This shit never fucking ends.
Walking back into her office, she stood in front of her sisters with a strange look.
“What’s the matter?” Shanita asked.
“This hoe ass Island bitch is here,” she whispered.
“What! That bitch is here?! And why the fuck is you whispering?! This ya shit, and that bitch is about to get what she came for,” Shanita snapped.
Shanita jumped up and quickly walked out the door. Shyanne and Shaleea quickly followed behind her.
“Wassup?” Shanita asked Eve, when she got out the door. “You lookin for my sister right? Wassup?” she reinstated, making it clear she was asking a question.
Eve and Bianca were still inebriated, and dismissed the fact that Shaleea had two girls with her. They were from the streets and probably could handle a couple bitches a piece, so small numbers didn’t intimidate them. What they didn’t know is that while Shaleea was the quiet bookworm, her sisters were the exact opposite. Shanita welcomed the drama, while baby sister Shyanne did not, but would check a bitch without so much as saying a word.
“This ain’t got shit to do with you. I want that hoe Shaleea,” she said pointing around Shanita, where Shaleea was standing.
“You got her. And you got her two sisters also. If you want to address some shit, then please do so, if not then you and the raggedy bitch you got with you can get the fuck out. This is a place of business, and I be damned if I let you two wack jump-off bitches, bring that hood shit up in here.”
Finally chiming in, Shaleea spoke addressing Eve. “What you want with me. If you looking for Noah, then good luck. He don’t want you hoe. He obviously not picking up, cuz you here looking for me. I guess you know that he gon always make sure he not too far.” Shaleea didn’t really want to fight. She just wanted to cut Eve where it hurt; her heart.
Shaleea knew that Noah probably wasn’t picking up Eve’s phone calls; he was too busy blowing her cell phone up.
“Yeah whateva beatch. I’m still fuckin ya man. He love all of this,” Eve said, rubbing her body with her hands.
“Girl bye, you making a fool of yaself in here. You want Noah? Call him,” Shaleea laughed. “Matter fact I’ll call him for you.”
She whipped out her phone, dialed Noah’s number and put it on speakerphone.
“Hello?” he answered on the second ring. The tone of his voice indicated his surprise. “Shaleea baby?” he asked.
“Noah, ya sidepiece is in our fucking laundromat with the bullshit. I suggest you bring ya ass down here and check this hoe,” Shaleea barked into the phone enraged.
“What?! How the fuck? I swear I didn’t tell her where the laundromats were. Which one you at? I’m about to come down there.”
“I’m at Broad and Girard. You wanna talk to ya hoe?” she asked, knowing what his response would be. She wanted to thoroughly rub it in Eve’s face.
“Fuck her. I’m on my way,” he said, hanging up.
Looking up at Eve, Shaleea said, “Oh I’m sorry. He didn’t wanna talk to you.”
Feeling the sharp sting of rejection, Eve suddenly charged at Shaleea with the fury of a pit-bull. Before she could even get to Shaleea, Shyanne hit her with a right hook that stumbled her into a nearby dryer.
Bianca went to help her friend and the brawl began. The three sisters pounced on the two and quickly overpowered them. Shaleea didn’t want to really hurt them but Shanita and Shyanne showed no mercy for the two. Shyanne slung Bianca to the ground by her hair and began punching her repeatedly, while Shaleea and Eve fought close by.
Shanita helped Shaleea get Eve on the ground and then proceeded to kick her in her sides and head. The three beat the two until they were tired. By the time they were finished, multiple pieces of weave were scattered on the floor along with bus tokens from Eve and Bianca’s pockets.
Five minutes later, Noah showed up. He hadn’t been far and had sped to the laundromat because he thought Shaleea was alone. He had come prepared to smack Eve and anyone she had with her. His life was unraveling and he was
getting fed up and desperate. He wanted to put a stop to the madness.
Damn, he thought, when he entered the laundromat. He saw Eve and Bianca getting up off the floor and scrounging for their belonging. He shook his head in disgust and walked into the office where he saw Shaleea and her two sisters worked up and angry. He was relieved they were there, but knew he would instantly become public enemy number one.
“Noah you might as well carry ya ass back to wherever the fuck you came from,” Shaleea said while grabbing her keys to leave. She was still breathing heavily and was furious from the fight. She didn’t want to talk.
“Shaleea please baby, just talk to me,” Noah pleaded, following behind her. She was headed out to her car, and prepared to do what she always did; walk out.
“Didn’t she say she don’t want to talk to you. Damn. Let it go and leave her alone,” Shanita snapped, following behind Noah as he followed Shaleea.
“Shanita chill,” Shaleea turned around and replied, still agitated. She did her best to smooth her hair down, before continuing her walk to her car.
“No fuck that Shaleea. He got you in here looking like a cold nut. Bird bitches coming to ya workplace. Straight outta line. No fucking respect. He didn’t even say shit to her.”
“Yo, why don’t you mind ya fucking business,” Noah said, turning to Shanita. The situation was bad already and her ranting wasn’t making it any better.
“I didn’t say shit to the bitch because she’s irrelevant. Yawl clearly fucked them up, so my focus is not on them. My focus is on fixing this shit wit Shaleea.”
Shanita smacked her teeth while simultaneously rolling her eyes. “Whatever nigga,” she replied.
She knew Noah would be as respectful as possible, but he would draw the line after a while. She didn’t want to get into a verbal spat with him.
“We get what you saying Noah, but this isn’t the right time to try to talk to her—-” Shyanne tried to add.
Cutting her off, Noah replied, “Don’t tell me when the right time is. I need to talk to my chick!”
Trying to diffuse the situation and calm love sick Noah, Shyanne went on.
“Noah, now you know I am ya biggest fan. I watched you support her and her dreams. I know you a good dude deep down despite ya shortcoming, but do you really think that you running her down and forcing her to talk is going to help the situation. A bitch you was fucking just came up to her and rushed her in her place of business. She doesn’t want to talk. She’s pissed, she’s hurt, and that hoe keep dragging the situation on to hurt her more. Whatever she’s trying to do is working. That’s what you need to fix first. Then, you can fix it with Shaleea. As much as you want to think you done with that hoe, reality is, she’s not done with you.”
Shyanne had just dropped some knowledge on Noah. He had to admit she was right, and he had to give her space. Just for tonight, he thought.
He decided to just leave. He hugged Shyanne, and told her to tell Shaleea he loved her. He also needlessly thanked the two of them for riding for her. He knew that was a given though. They were raised with loyalty where they wouldn’t hesitate to catch a case for one another. Shanita rolled her eyes in return. She wasn’t impressed and dismissed Noah without a thought. Noah wasn’t worried about it, knowing that was her personality and she would come around eventually. Shanita was fiercely loyal to her sisters, but she was also stubborn as hell and could hold a grudge for a little while.
After closing up the laundromat early, the sisters headed out for a drink. Shaleea would finish putting up materials tomorrow. The whole way to the lounge, Shanita expressed her concern over the situation. She felt like Noah controlled Shaleea with money and materials. Shyanne on the other hand knew the love they had.
Shaleea didn’t even bother to respond. She didn’t have to explain shit to anyone. She was far from stupid and could run their laundromats in her sleep. They were her businesses and Noah let her run them as she saw fit, as well as handle the money. She had her own damn money and didn’t need anyone telling her what they thought. She knew Shanita wanted what was best for her, but she drew the line when it came to people giving her advice on her relationship.
For now she would stay at her hotel suite and wait for shit to play out, however it played out.
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It was now December and a month had passed. Shaleea was tired of wallowing in self-pity. She thought that by now she would feel better, but that wasn’t the case. She missed Noah more than ever, and she was tired of being cooped up in the hotel. I’ma call Naomi and see was sup with her, Shaleea thought. I gotta get out of this damn hotel.
After calling Naomi, Shaleea agreed to drive over to her place so they could have a girl’s night out. Naomi wanted her to get out and have fun instead of moping around. Since she hadn’t been out in months, Shaleea was excited and hopped up to look for something fly to wear. She wanted to look good. Maybe she would find a new man tonight.
<><><>
Shaleea honked the horn for Naomi to hurry up. She had been waiting outside her apartment for over five minutes. This shit is unacceptable. Her ass ain’t never ready for shit, she thought. After another couple of minutes Naomi finally came out in a black wrap around dress and thigh boots. She definitely knew how to dress her plus-size frame and Shaleea had to admit that she was definitely killing it.
“Ok ok. I see you boo. You look good girl,” Shaleea said, complimenting Naomi.
“Thanks boo. Always do,” Naomi joked arrogantly.
“What you got on?” she asked. Shaleea had on her coat so her outfit wasn’t visible. Dying to show Naomi her newest ensemble, Shaleea hopped out the car.
“Remember that gold bodysuit I was telling you about that I wanted. Well, I found it online in my size,” Shaleea said cheesing. Taking off her jacket, she briefly stepped out of the car in the cold to show off the fit.
The gold stretchy fabric looked like it was painted onto Shaleea’s voluptuous frame. She didn’t even bother to add any accessories since the bodysuit spoke for itself.
“Wow,” was all Naomi could say in response. “That shit is crazy. You definitely gon turn heads.”
“Shit…Bitch we both are. I’m excited. I haven’t been out in God knows how long and I’m tryin turn up.”
“Girl bye,” Naomi laughed.
“Real shit. And what you been drinking on? You over there looking faded. I’m trying to get like that.”
“I got some Goose in my bag, and you can definitely get some….After you park ya damn car. Ya ass ain’t gon kill me up in here drunk driving.”
“Whatever hoe,” Shaleea responded, smacking her teeth. “If you don’t give me that damn bottle, so I can get a few swigs of that shit. I won’t even feel it until we get to the lounge.” Naomi reluctantly agreed and then handed over the small bottle.
The ladies had decided to go to a nice lounge on South Street for the grown and sexy. After more than a few drinks on the way to the lounge, Naomi found herself hungry and requesting to make a pit stop in North Philly for some good food.
“Come on bitch, go to that food truck Noah had with Hakim. It’s right off Broad Street near Allegheny.”
“Girl I know where it is but I ain’t feeling that Naomi. What if Noah out there. I ain’t trying to hear that shit he spitting tonight. And why the fuck you trying to be chomping down on some damn crab cakes before you go to a damn lounge? Ya ass gon smell just like fucking crabs,” Shaleea frowned. Naomi could be greedy as hell at times.
“I don’t give a damn. I’m hungry. And anyway I have some gum with me…Just stop over there so I can get my food.”
Ya ass gon eat it with the window rolled down. I ain’t going up in no lounge smelling like crab meat,” Shaleea said, seriously.
She was growing irritated. Naomi could be real simple and silly when she was drunk. She knew she had her own shortcomings when she was drinking but she did her best not to come across looking stupid.
Shaleea bent the block and just like she exp
ected, there he was.
TWENTY-TWO
Noah
Noah wasn’t sure whether to jump for joy or get angry at the sight of Shaleea. He hadn’t seen her in a month, however he had been communicating with her via text.
The gold bodysuit Shaleea had on looked stunning against her chocolate skin, but it also caused every nigga within eyesight of her to stop and stare. She commanded attention with her thick body owning the fabric. Her weave was bone straight and flowed down to her ass. Noah instantly became jealous but did his best to conceal it. His dear friend Mann however, didn’t miss a beat and picked up every sign of Noah’s discomfort and jealousy.
Exiting the car, Naomi walked up to the window of the truck and ordered her food. Shaleea came and stood beside her, not bothering to speak to anyone. She simply flashed a large smile at the two men.
Noah walked over to greet her. He did his best to maintain his composure with a smile.
“Hey bae, wassup?” he asked, leaning in to hug her.
“Hey. Wassup with you? Hey Mann.”
“Wassup. Yall look nice,” Mann added, while walking up.
“Yeah. Where you going?” Noah asked, not beating around the bush.
“Out,” Shaleea replied coolly, matching Noah’s gaze.
“Yeah? Out where?” he asked again.
“Not sure yet. Naomi wanted to stop and get some food though so that’s how we ended up here,” she said, smiling again. She knew she was taunting Noah. The alcohol had started to set in and she was getting in her feelings. Here he was standing in front of her and kicking himself in the ass because she was standing before him, with no rap. And she knew she looked good. The stares around her confirmed it. This was all yours nigga, but you fucked it up. Now you worried about the next nigga chopping it down.
Shaleea smirked to herself while she thought.
“What’s funny Shaleea?” Noah asked, growing angry. He knew she was playing games and it was starting to piss him off.
