The Wrong Side Of Love 3: A Hood Love Story

by Charmanie Saquea

  Making it to Troy, Michigan in record breaking time, Zeek pulled into the Bentley dealer where Tariq and Jayliah were waiting on him. When he walked over to them, Jayliah looked like she had an attitude.

  “What's wrong?” Zeek asked, looking from her to his cousin.

  “You had me bring her ass with me so she thought she was about to get a Bentley but I quickly shut that shit down. I told her she already took my ass back so I don’t have to buy her shit to kiss her ass,” Tariq told Zeek. Jayliah sucked her teeth as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other.

  Zeek shook his head at them. “I'm not fucking with y'all today,” he let them know.

  “Mr. Clay! Good morning, it's good to see you again,” a short, pudgy man said as he quickly made his way over to Zeek.

  “I bet it is,” Zeek mumbled, knowing the only reason he was extra giddy was because of all the money he dropped.

  “Your baby is waiting for you. You can see her then we have some final paperwork for you to sign then you're free to go,” the man explained as he took him to the car.

  Zeek grinned from ear to ear as he took a picture on his phone before sending it to Coco asking her if she liked her new gift. After he was done, he followed the man into the building to sign the papers so he could go.

  “Don't be getting no ideas,” Tariq told Jayliah as he saw her eyeing a Bentley truck.

  “Why you messing with me? I'm over here minding my business and you wanna be childish,” Jayliah said while rolling her eyes. She was feeling some type of way and she wasn't about to hide it either. If she knew that being mad and staying mad got bitches a Bentley, she wouldn't have been so quick to take Tariq back. Tariq laughed at her because he knew she was pissed but was trying to keep calm at the same time.

  “Yo, Jay,” Zeek said as he walked out. “Can you drive the Bentley to my house? The big house,” he asked.

  “Sure. What, you don't want wifey to know?” she joked as she took the keys from him, eager to get behind the wheel.

  “I honestly don’t give a flying fuck if she find out or not,” Zeek spat as he hit ignore on another one of Coco's calls. “I just don't want her thinking it's hers or fucking it up when she finds out it’s not.”

  “I hear that shit,” Jayliah said as she made her way to the car.

  Zeek, Tariq and Jayliah all pulled out of the lot, one behind the other as they made their way to Zeek's house. When they made it to the house, Sophia was in the kitchen cooking. It had been a total of two days since she’d killed Elias’ slimy ass and surprisingly, she felt no way about the situation except relieved and had been in a good mood ever since.

  “Why you always in the kitchen?” Zeek asked her as he kissed her cheek.

  “I could be relaxing with my grandson but you won't cooperate,” she said as she cut her eyes at Zeek.

  “I told you I been calling her, Mamita. She won't answer for a nigga. She wants me to fly out there and fuck her up and I'm this close to doing it,” Zeek said as he held his hand up.

  “That's because you don’t know how to talk to that girl! When you were over here the other day, you was talking to her like she didn't mean shit to you,” Sophia chastised Zeek.

  “You only heard what I was saying but you didn't hear the shit she was spitting at me. That girl got a lethal ass mouthpiece on her. With her evil ass.”

  “Let me ask you something, hijo,” Sophia said as she stopped cooking and leaned against the counter to talk to him. “You're not tired yet? I'm not understanding how you can lay with a woman every night knowing that your heart belongs to someone else. I told you not to make a deal with José, that man is the devil and now you'll never be able to get rid of his daughter. Now let me ask you something else, was it worth it?”

  Zeek stood there rubbing his goatee in deep thought. Sophia always hit him with some heavy shit to really make him think. The only good thing about him agreeing to marry Nina was he wasn't spending the rest of his life behind bars for some bullshit. Everything else had been bad. Him not being able to be with Coco and his son, he and Coco constantly at each other’s throats and her not wanting anything to do with him. All of that shit was stressing him out to the fullest on top not being able to get rid of Nina the way he wanted without having José come after him.

  “Honestly, Mamita, no. It wasn't worth the bullshit but I'm working on it to fix it,” Zeek told her.

  Sophia just nodded her head because she knew he would make good on his word. She hadn't met Coco yet but she knew she liked her already. Any woman that could get her boy to talk about settling down and he really mean it was a good woman in her book.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Welcome to Michigan, baby,” Coco said to Zeeky as she made sure he was bundled up and his car seat was covered up.

  This was the first time Coco had been back to Michigan since Jayliah and Tariq’s engagement party and she was seven months pregnant then. She wouldn't lie and say she didn't miss it but California was her home now.

  “Ahh! Give me my baby,” Jayliah said as she walked over to Coco taking Zeeky’s car seat.

  “Oh, hey, sister. Yes, I'm fine. Yes, we had safe travels. I miss you, too,” Coco said sarcastically as she followed behind her to her car.

  “Girl, boo,” Jayliah laughed. Jayliah strapped her nephew in the car while Coco put her suitcase in the trunk. When they got in the car, Jayliah turned to her sister. “You look cute, I love what you did with your hair,” she told her.

  “Thank you,”

  With that, Jayliah pulled out of her parking spot and they hit the road. Coco couldn't wait to see if Zeek had really bought her a Bentley. She had been trying to call him but he wouldn't answer so she did one of his numbers and came to pop up on him. When they pulled up to Zeek's house, Coco gave Jayliah the code to open his gate and surprisingly, he hadn't changed it.

  “Alright, chick, I have to get back to work so I'll call you later so we can link,” Jayliah told her sister.

  “Okay, I’m about to go in here and freshen up before I take Zeeky to go see Daddy,” Coco let her know.

  Jayliah helped Coco get Zeeky out of the car and watched her walk up to the front door. Coco pulled out her keys to Zeek's house that she’d never gotten rid of or gave back and unlocked the door, letting herself in. When she walked in, a beautiful woman was coming down the stairs. For a minute, Coco thought she was in the wrong house.

  “Oh my gosh, you're here!” Sophia gushed as she made her way to Coco. “I'm Sophia—”

  “Chico’s wife!” Coco said with recognition as she wiped the confused look off her face.

  “He talks about me?” Sophia asked like she was flattered that Zeek would talk about her to Coco. “I've been waiting to meet you since he spoke of you in Cuba. Then, when he showed me the pictures of your handsome son, I was even more eager to meet you but he wouldn't send for you,” Sophia explained.

  “You were in Cuba, too?” Coco asked confused.

  “That's where I live,” Sophia let her know.

  “Oh, okay, he told me you left but never said where to. He definitely didn't talk much about his activities down there either.”

  “Of course not.” Sophia rolled her eyes. “Come on in here so I can meet this handsome one.”

  Coco and Sophia walked to the den where she took Zeeky, who was knocked out, out of his seat. When she placed him in Sophia’s arms, she instantly fell in love. He was so small and precious, looking just his daddy.

  Coco and Sophia sat there and talked. Sophia filled her in on a lot about Zeek. Coco was so happy that she could meet another woman who had made a huge impact in Zeek's life. He always talked highly of Chico and his wife. She could clearly see why. Sophia was such a sweetheart with a good spirit so she could only imagine how Chico was. Sophia watched Zeeky and changed him while Coco freshened up and out of her travel clothes. After assuring Sophia that she was staying at the house so she could spend some more time with Zeeky, the two were on their way.

  ___


  Coco sped down the street in her new Bentley complements of her baby daddy. It was the exact replica of his gold and white one that she fell in love with as soon as she laid eyes on it in his garage. Even though she couldn't stand his black ass with a passion, Coco couldn't deny that there were perks to having Zeek’s baby.

  “Bitch better have my money!” Coco yelled as Rihanna blasted through her speakers.

  She and Rih were on the same page. Coco had just dropped Zeeky off to her dad’s house for them to spend some time while she was in town and she was due for a much needed fill on her nails so she was on her way to shake down her son’s father.

  “I call the shot, shot, shots!” Coco sang. “I know that's right,” she laughed as she pulled into Zeek’s driveway. Hitting the lock on her new baby, she strutted up to his front door. Coco let out a little chuckle as she used her key to let herself in. If only this Spanish speaking bitch knew, she thought to herself. Zeek had Nina living in his house in Royal Oak that was known to be his jump off house. Nina didn't even know that Zeek had a whole mansion somewhere else.

  “Ezekiel!” Coco yelled as she slammed the door.

  Zeek came down the stairs looking crazy.

  “What you doing in Michigan? Where my son?” he asked.

  “He's with his grandpa. I need some money,” she said with her hand out.

  Zeek let his eyes roam over her body as she stood there. Since having Zeeky, she had put on a little weight but it was in all the right places. He hadn't seen her in a few weeks and she had changed her appearance since then. Her once black hair was now a honey blonde and it went well with her complexion.

  “Why is it the only time you wanna speak to me is when you got your hand out?” Zeek laughed.

  “We don't have nothing else to talk about. Can I get my money or not?”

  “Didn't we just give you some money?” Nina asked from the top of the stairs.

  Coco shot her eyes in her direction with a snarl on her face. “Correction, bitch. My son’s father just sent me some money but that was for his child. This here is for me. Why you all up in my fucking business?”

  “Here, man,” Zeek said, handing Coco two bank rolls.

  “Check your bitch, Ezekiel,” she said as she took the money from him, tossing it in her Birkin bag. Another gift from him. “It’s not going to be too many more times I'm going to spare that bitch.”

  “Just chill out and let me talk to you outside,” Zeek said.

  Coco huffed as she followed him outside. She really didn't have anything to say to Zeek. She’d gotten what she came here for. As long as he sent money to take care of his son, they were alright. Zeek really had no problems throwing Coco money when she needed it and even when she didn't. She had brought his son in the world so it was only right that he took care of her.

  “When you coming home?” he asked, licking his lips.

  “I’m here now or nah?” Coco asked like he was stupid.

  “Don't play with me, Jacole. I mean home…with me, for good. You live all the way across the country with my son and got a nigga that I don't care for around him playing house and shit. It's time out for all that. You need to bring your ass home. I miss you,” Zeek told her as he pulled her in closer like he was about to kiss her.

  Coco put her hand up and swerved him as she moved out of his arms, leaving him looking stupid. “Zeek, please. I told you as long as you're married to that enchilada eating bitch, I don't have shit to say to you. You FaceTime me every day to see Zeeky and I'm here in Michigan for two weeks. You don't miss me, nigga.”

  “Listen to the shit you just said. I have to video chat with you to see my son but lately you been on some bullshit so I haven't seen him in damn near a week. That's some bullshit and you know it.”

  “Well, you should've thought about that before you did what the fuck you did. This conversation is over. If you want to see Zeeky, you know where to find me.” Coco smirked as she walked back to her car. “By the way, thank you for my car. I love it.” She smiled before getting in and driving off.

  Imma end up choking my baby mama, Zeek thought as he walked back in the house.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Uhh, Riq, you gonna get me fired,” Jayliah moaned.

  “Fuck that job and slow down!” Tariq growled as he slapped her ass.

  Here it was the middle of the day and Jayliah was sitting outside her job fucking her man in the car. Ever since they had been back together, the two had been going at it like crazy to make up for the time they’d been without each other. Jayliah ignored Tariq as she continued to bounce up and down on his dick. This was supposed to be a quickie but Tariq was trying to turn it into a full out fuck session and she didn't have time for all that. Tariq let out a low growl and bit Jayliah’s neck as they both came at the same time.

  “You so fucking hardheaded,” Tariq said.

  Jayliah's head laid on his chest as she tried to get her bearings and catch her breath. When her breathing returned to normal, she climbed off his lap and sat in the passenger’s seat. She went into her purse and pulled out her feminine wipes to clean herself up.

  “Next time I try to wake you up in the morning, you better get your ass up instead of talking about let you get some sleep. The next time you pop your ass up at my job asking for some pussy, I'm going to ignore you,” Jayliah told him as she put her pants back on.

  “You know you a damn lie. I wish the fuck you would,” Tariq said like she was crazy.

  “Give me a kiss,” Jayliah said as she leaned over towards him. “I gotta get back to work.” Tariq shoved his tongue down her throat and kissed her like he was trying to get a round two started. Jayliah had to pull back from the kiss because she knew what he was up to. “Bye, baby, I love you,” Jayliah said as she got out of his truck.

  “I love you, too.”

  When Jayliah got back in the nursing home she worked in, she noticed one of her new coworkers staring her up and down while talking on the phone. In the past month that the girl had been employed there, they’d never really talked so she was wondering what the girl’s problem was.

  “I'm positive that was him but I'm about to go ask now,” the girl said as she followed behind Jayliah. “Uhh, your name Jayliah or whatever, right?” The girl asked Jayliah.

  Instantly, Jayliah’s bullshit detector went off. She knew good and damn well that this bitch knew her name so she didn't even bother to answer her.

  “Well, was that Tariq’s truck you just got out of?”

  Hearing her man’s name being brought up made Jayliah stop walking and turn around. It's was a few things in this world that Jayliah didn't play about and anyone who really knew her, knew that Tariq was one of them. “Why?” Jayliah asked with lots of attitude.

  “I'm just asking.”

  “Look, Leka, is it? Don't bullshit with me, alright? If you got some shit that you feel you need to get off your chest then say the shit and stop playing,” Jayliah spat.

  “Well, he got my sister Laina pregnant. Two months to be exact, and she's been trying to get in touch with the nigga,” Leka said.

  Jayliah just sucked her teeth and turned back around to continue walking to her destination. This shit was so comical to her that she actually laughed. If it wasn't one thing trying to come between her and Tariq’s relationship, it was definitely another.

  “You can't be mad at her, be mad at your nigga,” Leka said.

  Jayliah took a deep breath before she turned around to address this peasant that was talking to her. She had to remember that she was working on her anger and that she was at work to keep herself calm. “Look, honey, I'm far from mad. Shit like this doesn't even faze me, I know my husband so I would never trip over the words of a bitch when it comes to him. Even if he did fuck the bitch, I'm so positive he didn't run up in her ass raw. Your sister should be mad at herself for putting her life in danger. Now you have a good day and stay the fuck away from me before we both lose our job today,” Jayliah said before walking
off.

  Jayliah wasn't going to act a fool for the simple fact that she didn't know what Tariq had going on when they were supposedly broken up. Hell, she did walk in on him fucking a bitch, for crying out loud. One thing she did know for sure though is that Tariq would never run up in a random ho raw. It took him forever to stop using condoms with her. What she was going to do was go home and talk to him so they could get to the bottom of this situation.

  ___

  Zeek walked into his house and headed straight for the nursery he had for his son to check on him. Seeing that he wasn't in his crib, he went to his room. There, sprawled out in his bed, was a sleeping Coco with Zeeky snuggled up to her side. Zeek shook his head at them before kicking his shoes off and climbing in bed with them.

  He slapped Coco on her ass before reaching for his son. Coco peeled her eyes open and looked at him like he was crazy. “Do not wake him up, Zeek. I just got him to sleep. He's very cranky today for some reason,” Coco let him know.

  “What's wrong with him?” Zeek asked as he laid him on his chest.

  “I don't know, probably nothing besides the fact that he's acting like his daddy,” Coco said.

  “Don't be funny, Co,” he said as he grabbed a handful of her booty cheek. “Damn, that ass got fat as fuck.”

  “Stop, you play too much,” Coco said as she moved away from him.

  “I’m not playing though,” Zeek told her.

  Coco just rolled her eyes at him as she got out of the bed. She wasn’t about to play with Zeek’s crazy ass today.

  “Where you going?” he asked her.

  “Why?” she retorted as she walked to the bathroom.

  With his son in his arms, Zeek got up and followed Coco to the bathroom. She was standing in the mirror taking a picture like she used to do when they were living together. Zeek walked up behind her and photobombed her.