“He said to the hospital right now, then after that to his condo,” Leese replied.
“Aight,” I nodded.
I was still low-key tripping out about how Hugo and I went from like father and son, to enemies. I never thought in a million years that I would’ve been pumping bullets into the very nigga that put me on. I hated that it had to end this way but clearly, there was only room for one of us here and it was me.
***
“Lucy is alive and well,” I smiled and hugged Natalia from behind. She was putting Jackson in his onesie on the changing table.
“I love you Julius!” she beamed and hugged me tight.
“I’m sorry she got caught up in this babe,” I said as I followed her to the living room area.
“I know, but let’s not sulk. We need to celebrate,” she said bringing some champagne from the kitchen.
“You only nineteen, ma, I shouldn’t even let you drink,” I smiled and pulled off my sweatshirt.
“Let me? I’m your wife. We’re equals,” she smirked.
“You the best fucking wife a nigga could have too,” I replied in a low tone, as I pulled her close to me. “Why are you tensing up?” I quizzed.
“Because you still make me nervous,” she blushed.
I took the bottle out of her hands and dipped my tongue into her mouth. I ran my fingers through her hair as we sucked each other’s lips. As I was leading her to the couch to make love, she stopped me.
“What ma?” I frowned. My dick was rock fucking hard.
“I want to drink some champagne first,” she giggled.
I playfully smacked my lips and then plopped down on the couch. For the rest of the night, we watched movies and downed the whole bottle of champagne.
Chapter 29: Lucy
Back in South Carolina
The crew finally returned to Charleston and I was just getting over what happened to me. After Hugo raped me, he tied me to a chair and just left me there to starve. I was only there for two days, so the most that happened was I peed on myself. I held everything else in. Team no anal sex, kept it tight enough to do that. I thought I was gonna die there, but somehow Julius and his brother found me. In my eyes, it was nobody but God that got me out of there.
I had just gotten home from having dinner with Natalia, and I was so happy to have my best friend back. Especially now that she said she didn’t really hang out with Paula anymore. I never really cared for Paula, as I’m sure you guys could tell. She thought she was better than every damn body and that was not cool. It’s nothing wrong with feeling yourself but damn girl, be humble. I hated chicks like her that had something to say about everybody else, like she was perfect. She thought because she snagged Rashad that she was big shit, but home girl was far from it in my eyes.
KNOCK!
KNOCK!
“Who is it?” I frowned. I wasn’t expecting anybody and Natalia had just texted me that she was home.
“Rashad.”
“Hey Rashad,” I said opening the door. “What’s up?” I quizzed, cocking my head to the side. I was definitely confused to say the least.
“I just came to check on you,” he smiled. “Can I come in?” he asked and I nodded.
When Rashad rescued me, he was really good to me. He took me to the hospital to get checked out and stayed there with me the whole time. At first, I thought he was just doing it because Julius told him to, but I realized he was just being nice. Paula crossed my mind at times because I knew she hated me. It made it weird that her man was looking after me. I wanted to rub it in her stuck up ass face, but I decided to leave the petty Lucy in the past.
“Would you like a drink or something?” I offered as he sat down on my couch.
“You have drinks in here? How old are you again?” he frowned and laughed.
“Freshly nineteen, nigga,” I smiled and rolled my eyes playfully.
“Young ass, but yeah, I will take whatever you got,” he smiled.
Rashad was sexy as hell. He was tall, dark skinned, muscular and always rocked a fresh fade and goatee. The old Lucy would’ve fucked him in Paula’s bed, but I was a new woman now. However, if she fucked with me, I would return to my old ways one time just for her.
“Here you are,” I said handing him a Smirnoff ice in the Raspberry flavor.
“Thanks beautiful,” he replied.
“You know, it’s kind of weird that you’re so nice to me when your girlfriend hates me,” I laughed.
“She hates everyone and every damn thing,” he scoffed. “Plus, that ain’t my girlfriend anymore. I’m trying to move on from that.” He shook his head and took a swig of the Smirnoff.
“Uh, sorry, didn’t mean to hit a nerve,” I responded.
“Nah, you good ma,” he said licking his lips, as he stared at my body.
I had on an off-the-shoulder crop top and sweat shorts. My toned flat stomach was showing and my belly button was pierced. My short bob was now grown out a little past my shoulders and bone straight.
“I never got to thank you for taking care of me,” I said and sipped my Smirnoff. I was trying to divert his attention away from my physique.
“You’re welcome,” he said and scooted closer to me. “Let me take you out Lucy,” he added as he stared into my eyes.
“What about Paula, Rashad?” I frowned in confusion.
“Man, that ain’t even a factor,” he jerked his neck back.
“It is a factor for me. I’m not gonna go out with you when you have a girlfriend. I’m not some rebound that you can use when your main chick is tripping,” I spat and pointed my finger in his face. I was serious too; I was done with coming second or being a nigga’s little secret.
“You too good to be a rebound,” he replied and took my finger into his mouth. All I could think about was how those lips would feel against mine. “Now is that a yes or no?” he questioned, biting his full bottom lip.
“Prove to me that you’re single,” I smiled, enjoying his aggressiveness.
“How?” he smiled back.
“Let’s post a picture on your Instagram,” I snickered because I knew that was petty as fuck. I didn’t care though. Being the old Lucy was fun sometimes.
“You’re a fucking trip,” he smirked and held his iPhone up so that we could take a picture together. He draped his arm around me and kissed my cheek while I poked my lips out. I made that face just for Paula’s ass. “What should I caption it?” he chuckled.
On to better things, I replied and we laughed. Well I’ll be damned, that nigga posted it too.
“What’s your IG name? I wanna follow you,” he inquired.
“You Love Lucy,” I told him and ran my tongue over my top row of perfect teeth.
“I just may start to,” he winked and I blushed.
Rashad stayed over my house all damn night and had the nerve to try and spend the night. I respectfully declined, because I didn’t want to tempt myself. On top of that, Lumar had a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, and I didn’t feel like having to get Rashad out of my house in time to take my son. I did see Paula blowing his phone more than a couple times though, and it made me laugh to myself. He made sure to ignore every attempt she made to contact him though. If he kept this up, he and I may have something here.
Chapter 30: Natalia
2 Weeks Later
Things were back to normal around here and I was happy. For once in my life, Julius was on the straight and narrow. He wasn’t in jail, cheating, hitting me, and no outside niggas were trying to break us up. I was enjoying the normal married life a lot. All I was focused on these days were my kids and trying out new cupcake recipes for my bakery.
Today, Lucy and I were going on a little shopping trip. I hadn’t been shopping in forever, and I was definitely in need of some retail therapy. I wished Paula could come, but she had been on one ever since that conversation we had when I was back in Indiana. I tried apologizing to her, but she just ignored my texts. I was sad about it at first but then again, I star
ted out with only Lucy and I had no problem ending up with only Lucy. Paula was too irritable for my taste and I had no interest in dealing with her when my life was finally peaches and cream.
“Ms. Lucy is here,” Winnie said peeking into my bedroom, as I spread lotion onto my legs.
I wore a simple canary yellow dress that hugged my small yet shapely frame. I wore brown sandals, gold jewelry and my hair in a single braid down my back.
“Okay, thank you,” I smiled at Winnie as I stood up and gave myself the once over.
“Should I make extra for dinner tonight?” Winnie asked before leaving my bedroom.
“Umm, yeah, why not,” I replied and grabbed my purse to leave.
“Bye honey,” she said and lightly rubbed my back as I walked past her.
I kissed Winnie on the cheek and then went downstairs. Winnie had become like my mother over the years. I loved her like one and she treated me more like a daughter than my own mom did. My kids didn’t even know Dalia, my mother, so I’m sure they’d think Winnie was their grandmother anyway. Honestly, I preferred it that way. I’d tried calling my mom but she never answered. When she did answer, she only wanted money or she would rush me off the phone.
Lucy and I were gonna go to the Towne Centre in Mount Pleasant, because they had the most stores that we wanted to go to. I mainly wanted to get some new tube dresses, my favorite, and some new outfits for Jackson. He was almost two so it was more fun to dress him now. He was growing out of his old stuff anyway. My baby boy was gonna be tall just like his daddy.
“So I have to tell you something,” Lucy smiled, as we sifted through the clothes in a store named Francesca’s. How ironic.
“What?” I cheesed when I realized she was blushing.
“Rashad and I went out on a date,” she grinned and paused to see my reaction.
“Lucy, that’s Paula’s boyfriend,” I frowned.
I was a little upset because I thought she had changed. Although I would rather Rashad be with Lucy since she was my best friend, wrong was wrong.
“Not anymore Nat. I made sure of it before I even went out with him. Plus, we ain’t do nothing. We went to dinner, watched a movie at his crib and then I went home,” she shrugged.
“You like him?” I asked even though her demeanor said it all.
“Yeah, I do. It feels grown up though. Not like with Menzo, or even Marlon. With them, I felt like it was so triflin’ and juvenile,” she wrinkled her nose. “I know what I'm trying to say, but it's not coming out right,” she chuckled.
“No, I get it. It was the same with Ju until he started to mature. Rashad is older than Julius, so I’m sure it does feel grown up,” I laughed. “Grandpa Rashad and Lucy,” I joked and we cackled.
“He’s only two years older. And twenty-four is not too old for us, we’re nineteen,” she smacked her lips and smiled.
“That would be tight if y’all had a baby together. Our kids would be cousins,” I said placing a hand on my hip.
“Damn, I ain’t even had sex with him yet and you’re talking about kids,” she smiled. “Lumar is enough for me right now,” she nodded her head yes.
Rashad was a nice guy and I had never known him to be shady to anybody. He was good to Paula, but I was starting to wonder what happened to them. Rashad was so into her and hounded Julius and I for weeks to hook them up. Whatever it was, it must’ve been bad because he basically worshipped the ground she walked on.
“Are you worried about Paula?” I finally asked Lucy, as we headed to Gymboree.
“Hell no, never was and never will be,” she frowned up as if I insulted her.
“Don’t you wonder what happened between them?” I asked her and she shook her head no, making me laugh.
After we finished shopping, we went to Longhorn Steakhouse to have dinner. We talked for a little bit more and she showed me some of the texts that Rashad had been sending her. He was definitely not playing any games when it came to pursuing Lucy, and I just had to know what happened between him and Paula.
***
“Julius,” I said as he kissed down my stomach. We were lying in bed, preparing to make love.
“Yes babe?” he asked still kissing down my stomach.
“What happened between Paula and Rashad?” I inquired.
“I’m about to eat your pussy and you thinking about my brother and his ex?” He sounded like he was frowning. He went back to kissing and biting my inner thighs, almost making me forget my question.
“Julius.”
“Yes, Natalia?” he exhaled in frustration.
“Can you please just tell me?” I quizzed.
“She was nagging or some shit like that,” he appeared to shrug his shoulders. It was kind of dark so I couldn’t really tell.
“He wants to break up with her over that one thing?” I turned my lip up.
Julius exhaled and brought his head up from between my legs. He positioned the head of his dick at my opening and thrust into me before I could even protest.
“Ahh, Juuu. Why did you-uhhh,” I cried out in pain and pleasure. He usually went in inch by inch, but I guess he wanted to shut me up.
“I knew that would get you quiet,” he whispered as he lowered himself closer to me. He dipped his tongue into my mouth and pumped me at a medium pace.
I was gonna find out what happened, one way or the other. However, it looks like tonight wasn’t gone be the night.
Chapter 31: Rashad Tate
One Month Later
“Rashad!” Paula yelled standing over me.
“The fuck you yelling for?” I frowned sitting up.
I was so damn tired of Paula. The love I had for her had died months ago. When we first got together, I thought for sure we were gonna be married, but that changed after a couple years together. I told my brother she nagged me too much, but really it was because I found out she was grimy and sneaky.
She was trying to purposely get pregnant, thinking it was gonna make me marry her. She brought up marriage constantly and when she saw that I had no interest in doing it anytime soon, she tried to get pregnant. She had a weird obsession with being like Natalia. Everything that happened to Natalia, she wanted the same to occur in her life. Every decision she made was based off what Natalia did in the same situation. She already had a daughter, Gabby, so I didn’t understand the rush to make a new baby.
The first sign that she was on some bullshit, was when I caught her running a sewing needle threw my condoms, while they were still in the wrapper. The holes were so small that if I didn’t catch her doing it, I wouldn’t have known it was tampered with. When I caught her, she acted like she was just drunk and didn’t know what she was doing. I tried to let that go and decided just to have a fresh pack stashed somewhere safe. Then she tried to tell me she was on birth control and we didn’t need condoms. When I asked to see the pills, she couldn’t provide the proof. What kind of shit is that? Even if she had a baby, we would not be getting married. This was not the Paula I met a year ago.
At this point, I was no longer interested in being her boyfriend, friend, associate, nothing. I wasn’t lying to Lucy when I told her Paula and I were no longer. I knew Lucy before Paula, but never paid attention to her. When I spent that time with her back in Indiana helping her get better, I realized how sexy and beautiful she was. Her personality was so refreshing, and it was a nice break from crazy ass Paula.
I usually preferred brown to dark-skinned girls, but I would make the exception for Lucy. Lucy had a smooth toasted vanilla complexion and a sexy ass body. Good Lord, my dick was getting hard just thinking about it. She also had a perfectly round ass, small waist, nice size titties and toned sexy legs. I loved when she wore crop tops and shorts because it was like pure artwork with legs.
“So you got a new bitch already?” she frowned down at me, pulling me from my fantasies about Lucy.
“Man, you and I are not in a relationship anymore ma. You’re in no place to question me,” I said standing to get ready to show
er. I was kicking myself for not taking the key she had to my crib.
“So that’s it? We been together for almost two years and now it’s just over?” she yelled at my back.
“You tryna trap me ma! I ain’t with that shit. Go be with a nigga that wanna get trapped,” I shrugged. It’d be different if she just ended up pregnant but trying to trick me? That’s some foul shit.
“Nah, I’ma be with you,” she replied calmly and chuckled nervously. I’m telling y’all she was off her rocker.
“Okay,” was all I said before going to the bathroom to shower.
I dressed and grabbed my phone and keys before heading out the door. As I walked through my living room, I saw Paula sitting on the couch bouncing her leg.
“Yo, you gotta go. I’m about to leave,” I said frustrated.
I was over our arguments and debates we had all damn day. Paula showing up to my crib and yelling over me to wake me up, was routine for the past month. She would drop Gabby off at Kindergarten, then shoot over here to go off.
“Not until you sit and talk to me Shad,” she replied folding her arms over her chest.
I threw my head back so far in irritation, you would’ve thought I was about to do a damn back bend. I sat down on the couch with her but much further away. I don’t know why I was surprised; we did this shit every morning unless I spent the night with Lucy.
“Talk,” I said dryly as I dropped my face in my hands.
“I wanna fix this babe. We’ve been together too damn long to just throw it away. I know I was wrong for trying to trick you into getting me pregnant, and I’m sorry. I love you so much Rashad, and I know you still love me,” she pleaded trying to take my hand into hers. I snatched it away to run it over my face, and then paused to gather my thoughts.
I scooted closer to her and took her hands into mine before speaking. “Paula, I love you, but I’m not in love with you anymore. I haven’t been happy for a while, and then you trying to trap me was just the icing on the cake. I’ve been feeling trapped with you and I don’t want to feel like that anymore ma. I care about you, but I don’t want this,” I replied honestly. It felt good to finally say how I had been feeling for the last eight months. I never wanted to be that guy that chased a woman just to break her heart, so I’d held it in all this time.
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