Deceit, Lies, & Alibi's Trilogy Books 1-3

by Shontaiye

  “Everything is funny.” She put her hands on her wide hips and shifted her weight on her blue, round toed wedges.

  “Ok. Enlighten me?...Matter of fact come here. Come over here and talk to me,” Noah insisted, trying to take Shaleea’s hand.

  “I don’t wanna talk right now,” she responded, snatching her hand back. She looked to Naomi who was now standing beside her and asked, “How long they say ya food gon be. I’m ready to go.”

  “Five minutes. You ok?” Naomi asked, sensing Shaleea’s uneasiness.

  “Yeah I’m going back to my car,” she said walking off. Noah followed right behind her. He was tired of her walking off.

  “Shaleea hold up.” They were now at the car and Shaleea had opened the door ready to get in.

  “Yeah wassup?” she asked, rolling her eyes.

  “Why you doing this? You been gone for over two months. I learned my lesson. When you gon come home?”

  Smacking her teeth, Shaleea responded, “Noah I heard this same shit before. I’m good.”

  “You good? What that mean?” Noah looked at her with his brows raised, puzzled. She was really starting to push his buttons.

  “I’m good. I don’t know what else you want me to say. I’m not ready to go back into that bullshit and frankly I don’t know if I ever will.”

  “What? Where the fuck this shit come from Shaleea?”

  “I’m not doing this with you right now Noah.”

  “You been drinking?” he asked curiously.

  “What does it matter,” Shaleea responded, confirming his suspicions.

  “So you been drinking and you think you supposed to run out with that shit on?” he asked, looking her up and down.

  Shaleea ignored him and got in her Camaro. Noah stood in the door keeping her from closing it.

  “Move Noah. We out. Naomi just got her food and we about to leave.” Naomi walked up to the car and got in, leaving Noah no choice but to move or look like a nut.

  “Well can we meet up later? You can come to the house or I can come to where you staying.”

  “Aight Noah. I’ll think about it. I’ll call you.”

  She wasn’t really going to call him. She didn’t want to hear shit he had to say tonight. He had already said everything possible. She was going to do things on her own time.

  “Aight, don’t forget ok?”

  The time apart from her was getting under his skin and he was starting to think she was seeing someone else. The outfit she was wearing didn’t make it any better on him. She was a good women, and if he lost her to someone else he wouldn’t know what do; he wouldn’t be able to handle it.

  TWENTY-THREE

  Shaleea

  The lounge they ended up at was packed. The attention Shaleea was receiving was phenomenal. Naomi was no slouch with the compliments and head turns either, but the overall attention they received confirmed that they were definite eye candy.

  Shaleea did her best to enjoy herself and actually wound up having fun, but her thoughts were still on Noah. She needed to figure out what she was going to do soon. She couldn’t keep staying at the hotel. Not only was it expensive but it was becoming cramped. Heaven was calling her grandmother Gina to pick her up every day. When Gina couldn’t come, Heaven wouldn’t hesitate to dial up one of her aunts. Her baby was getting tired of being cooped up in the cramped suite.

  Shaleea and Naomi danced to several songs while taking turns hitting the bar. After two Long Island Iced Teas and a shot, Shaleea was nearly drunk. She could still function but she was becoming very hot and bothered and any nigga in the club was looking appealing. She figured that was her cue to leave.

  After searching around the lounge for Naomi she finally found her at the bar. Surprisingly she was seated right beside Mann.

  “Hey Hoe, what you doing over here,” Shaleea said, smiling curiously before taking a seat.

  “Hey Mann. You look nice.” Mann had on a black Polo button up, khakis and black Timberland boots. He still looked hood, but nevertheless he did look good.

  “Thanks. You look like you feeling real nice,” he laughed.

  Shaleea smiled. “Yeah. I do,” she said taking a seat beside Mann. Naomi glanced over at her since there was a seat next to her, further from Mann.

  “So how you end up here on girls night?” She glanced over at Naomi.

  “I invited him back at the truck. I figured you wouldn’t mind,” Naomi said, answering for him.

  “It’s cool. So wassup? What we bout to do?” Shaleea glanced at her watch and saw that it was 1am.

  “I’m ready to go. My head is spinning a little and Mann and I was thinking about getting some food,” Naomi replied.

  “Girl you bout to eat—”Shaleea stopped herself. Naomi’s weight was a sensitive subject and she didn’t want to embarrass her in front of Mann.

  “Well listen, yall have fun. I’m out, bye boo boo,” Shaleea said referring to Naomi. She reached over and gave her a hug. She also gave Mann a hug. Damn he smell good. Wonder what they gon get into tonight, she thought. She definitely needed to go home before she started being bad.

  If she wasn’t so stubborn she would call Noah over to the room, but she wasn’t ready just yet.

  Deciding they were too ready to go, Mann and Naomi followed behind her.

  As they walked outside, Naomi suddenly jerked away to the side of the street and threw up all over the sidewalk. Shaleea heard the sounds and quickly turned around and went to comfort her friend. Naomi began to cry as she emptied the contents of her stomach on the ground. Shaleea rubbed her back and held her hair back to keep her from making a mess.

  Naomi was more embarrassed than anything. She hadn’t drank as much as Shaleea, but all the extra food she had eaten caused turmoil in her stomach. She didn’t even want to look up at Mann who was now standing close by.

  “Listen, I’ma take both yall home. You drunk and she throwing up. I would hate for anything to happen to yall. Where ya keys,” Mann asked, taking charge.

  “Ima park ya car in the garage up the street. You can come back for it tomorrow.”

  Shaleea reached into her bag and retrieved her keys. Handing them to Mann she asked, “You not gon tell Noah about this are you? Not that I care, but I don’t want him thinking we got some kind of drinking problem. And I’m not quite ready for him to know where I’m staying.”

  “I gotchu. You have my word I won’t tell him anything.”

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Mann

  Although she was slightly drunk, Naomi still noticed the fact that Mann was taking her home first. I guess he figured their late night meal was done. She was still curious as to why he would take Shaleea home last, however, she didn’t say a word about it.

  Before exiting Mann’s Charger, she gave Shaleea a quick hug and told her to text her when she got in. Something seemed odd to her about Mann but she couldn’t place it. She would talk to Shaleea about it later, but she knew for sure she was done pursuing him. His interest seemed to be on someone else.

  “So how you feeling?” Mann asked Shaleea on the drive back to her hotel in Chestnut Hill.

  “I’m okay, just a little fucked up,” she said smiling. “How come you didn’t chill with Naomi? You know she would’ve loved the company.”

  Mann laughed. “She was drunk as fuck. Throwing up and shit. That ain’t classy.”

  “So what you trying to say, I ain’t classy either?” Shaleea asked, faking an attitude.

  “That’s not what I’m saying. You weren’t throwing up. I’m just saying that’s not the way a lady should conduct herself. At least you know ya limit.”

  “Yeah, well it’s kind of my fault. I asked her to come.”

  “Naa. That ain’t ya fault. That big ass platter she had is the problem,” he laughed. “You can’t eat that heavy when you been drinking.” He shook his head.

  “True,” Shaleea laughed in agreement.

  “So wassup wit you and Noah?” Mann asked, turning the conversation mo
re serious.

  Shaleea sighed. She knew the question was coming. “I don’t know. I love him. I tell myself he loves me…I just don’t know why he keeps fucking up. A lot of people see us and envy Noah and I, but they have no idea what I had to deal with in the past. The cheating, the whores, the lies. I’m tired. I’m a good woman. A lot of niggas would love to come home to a bitch like me. He just makes me feel like I’m not good enough.” She looked out the window into the sky.

  “Sometimes I just wish he could feel what I feel. I love him but I wish I could just hurt him the way he hurts me sometimes. Maybe if he knew the feeling he would be hesitant to keep putting that on me.” The liquor was talking for her now.

  “What you mean?” Mann asked, already knowing exactly what she meant.

  “I don’t know…I mean, do you know how devastated he would feel if I was with another nigga?” She stared at Mann, waiting for his response.

  “I get what you saying.” He turned away from her gaze. He was growing uncomfortable, and once again the bulge in his pants was not helping.

  “Make that right. I’ll go in through the side door,” Shaleea said. He had just pulled up to her hotel. Even though it was two she wasn’t ready for bed just yet. She figured she would watch some T.V for a little while.

  “You good?” Mann asked.

  “Yeah I’m fine. Thanks Mann.”

  “No problem. Look I’m gon hop out and take a piss on the side of the building.”

  “Boy, no you not. All these damn white people that be coming in and out on a Saturday. You can come up and use the bathroom.”

  “You sure?”

  “Of course,” she insisted.

  <><><>

  Shaleea kicked off her heels and plopped down on the couch to get comfortable. Mann was in the bathroom. She walked into her kitchenette and pulled herself another small shot.

  “Mann you want something to drink?” she yelled. Even though she knew Noah would flip if he found out Mann was over there without him, she didn’t care. She was just happy to have some company; even if it was for only five minutes.

  “Just a little,” he replied coming out of the bathroom.

  “Good! Hang out and chat with me for a few. It’s still kind of early.” Mann agreed and took a seat at a stool at the counter top.

  “So how’s everything going at the businesses,” he asked, making small talk before quickly throwing back his drink.

  “They’re going ok. I’m bored really. I need a new project. Noah and I were just talking about that before shit went left. I wanted to open up some new spots and maybe look into some low cost investment properties.”

  “That’s definitely wassup. So you gon still do it?” he asked.

  “I don’t know. I have some money, but not the kind of money to use for real estate.”

  “So if you and Noah ever part, you gon need a nigga with some bread,” he asked, jokingly.

  “Yessss! You know any,” she laughed, tapping Mann.

  “Yeah…I do actually,” he said, almost flirtatiously. Shaleea was still tipsy but she didn’t miss the comment. She figured she’d change the subject.

  “Well look, I’m about to change. This suit is killing me,” she laughed.

  Walking into the room, Shaleea peeled off the body suit and went to take a quick shower. She figured Mann would be gone when she got out.

  <><><>

  Shaleea

  Shaleea got out of the shower feeling refreshed. She went over to check her phone and saw that she had ten missed calls from Noah. She didn’t bother to check them since she knew what he wanted. She also saw that she had a few text messages from Eve. This bitch is still playing on my phone. She read the comments and her blood began to instantly boil.

  It was hard getting over Noah’s deceit when she had a hoe throwing it in her face every day. She was seriously contemplating changing her number. The text messages along with the liquor immediately put Shaleea in a spiteful mood.

  After quickly slathering lotion on her body, she went back into the living room of the suite and saw Mann now sitting on the sofa.

  “You still here?” she asked surprised.

  “Yeah, I’m bout to go tho since you bout to go to sleep.”

  Mann admired Shaleea, who was wearing an oversized t-shirt. She looked simple, yet beautiful.

  “You aight,” she said plopping down beside him on the couch. The alcohol along with her anger from the texts was giving her bad thoughts. What better way than to get back at him, she thought, looking at Mann. He damn sure was easy on the eyes. In another life, he definitely could get it.

  “Have you ever met Noah’s hoe before?” she asked, out of the blue.

  “What you mean,” Mann asked uncomfortably.

  “I mean, have you ever met her? Yall know how yall do…”

  “No, I never met her.”

  “You think Noah’s crazy?” she asked, referring to his cheating.

  “Yeah a little,” he replied honestly.

  “Yeah why so?”

  “I mean hands down you bad as shit. You smart. You bout ya paper. You are an asset. Any nigga would love to have you by his side.”

  “Yeah?...Including you?” she asked, flirtatiously?

  Mann paused. He wasn’t sure how to answer, but decided to answer honestly.

  “Yeah, including me,” he said, meeting her gaze.

  Shaleea smiled, turned her head, and then outright laughed.

  “What’s funny?” Mann asked. He figured he had gotten this far in conversation so there was no reason to continue to beat around the bush.

  “Nothing…It’s just that I always sensed you had a thing for me.” She stared intently at Mann. Her eyelids were low and so were his.

  “Something like that,” he replied, uncomfortably.

  Sensing his uneasiness, Shaleea rubbed his arm. “You don’t have to be so uptight,” she laughed.

  Grabbing her by her arm unexpectedly, he pulled her into him. He actually surprised himself as well.

  “Why you playing games Shaleea,” Mann asked her firmly. He was still holding her, and she was now the one who felt uncomfortable. The tables had quickly turned.

  “I’m not playing games Mann. And you can let me go now,” she replied, nervously. She was no longer giggling.

  “I think you are. You trying to make Noah jealous?” he asked. “Because if that’s the case, then you may not wanna play that game with me.”

  Breaking his grip, Shaleea got up and stood in front Mann. She definitely had too much to drink and needed to go lay down.

  “I’m not trying to do anything. And as you can see I’m a big girl, and I can handle whatever consequences come with what I do.”

  Her intention was to say that and walk away, but for some reason her body wouldn’t budge from the spot she was in. Mann stood up and put his arm around her waist. He buried his head into the side of her neck and smelled her deeply. She smelled sweet like berries.

  He unwrapped one of his arms from around her waist and grabbed her face with his hand to kiss her. The alcohol mixed with emotion wouldn’t allow her to turn away. This is wrong. Shit what am I doing, she thought. She broke free from Mann’s kiss and tried to speak.

  “Mann—this ain’t right. We can’t do this,” Shaleea pleaded, no longer finding amusement in the game she had started.

  “Yeah we can.” She had started it with her drunken flirting many months ago. This was his opportunity. His heart pounded in his chest with excitement. He kissed her again and pulled her on the couch. Shaleea began to panic. He was aggressive. Lust had overpowered him and he knew there was no sense in turning back. The line had been crossed already and he wanted her badly.

  “No Mann…I’m sorry we can’t.” When she spoke, it came out in a whisper. Her brain said stop, her body had other plans.

  Mann didn’t respond. He climbed on top of her with his chiseled body and began to kiss her all over. At that moment Shaleea’s body took over completely and her b
rain became mute. Mann felt so good to her and the liquor she had consumed helped allow her to enjoy every moment. At that moment her thoughts stopped and her anxiety soon faded, along with her feelings of guilt and betrayal.

  Mann pulled up her t-shirt and went right for her center. She didn’t have on any panties so he dove right in. After eating her for several minutes, he was eager to get some of her sweet wet treat. I can’t believe this shit is really happening, he thought. He always fantasized about it but never thought it would actually happen.

  Kicking off his pants, he eased every inch of himself inside of her. She never even noticed he didn’t wear a condom. She had zoned out.

  When it was over, Mann felt more of a connection with Shaleea than ever before. As she lay silent on the couch against him, he kissed her head and brushed her hair out of her face. He marveled at her beauty. Your mine now, he thought. He knew it would take some work to get her from Noah, but he was willing to do whatever it took.

  TWENTY-FIVE

  Noah

  Noah checked his phone multiple times for any missed calls or text messages from Shaleea. She still wasn’t picking up or responding to him. He tried not to think about it too much since he was starting to stress. He took a pull from his lit Backwood and absorbed the thick smoke into his lungs. That would calm him for now.

  He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Hennessey. He drank it right from the top. Shit had been sour with Shaleea for several months and he was starting to grow angry. Either she was going to come home or not. Well, there was no not, because he wasn’t going to allow her to stay gone much longer.

  She had to come home; there was no other way. Lately he had been talking to Mann about it, and he was saying that Noah should prepare himself with the possibility that she may not come back. He couldn’t imagine his life without Shaleea; he wouldn’t accept a life without Shaleea.

  Looking back down at his phone, there were still no missed calls from her. Of course he had a million from Eve. Even though she was part of the reason why Shaleea had been gone so long, he still communicated with her. It had never dawned on him Eve still had her number and was taunting her daily with text messages. Shaleea never mentioned it to him, but of course Shanita opened up her mouth to tell him the night of the laundromat brawl.