When I heard the locks being taken off, my dick started to rise at the mere thought of fucking Jasmine. Yeah, she was a hoe, but her pussy was fire. She was sexy as hell too, minus the wigs she chose to wear.
“What?” She left the screen door closed, peering at me through it.
“What you mean, what? Let me in.”
Jasmine just stared at me for a little longer, before opening the door and allowing me in. As soon as I locked both doors behind me, I rushed her, catching up in the hallway. Slipping my arms around her waist from behind, I started kissing on her neck.
“No, move, Manny. You can’t answer texts, but you can come through here late at night trying to fuck?”
“What you text me about?” I asked as if I hadn’t ignored the shit.
“Your son’s birthday tomorrow, fool. I know you got it. There are some extra things I need for the setup, so I want you to bring them to the party.”
“How many people gon’ be there, and who gon’ be there?” I watched Jasmine brush her real hair, which was a nice length, so I didn’t understand why she wore wigs. Her ass claimed it was because she liked to change up her look, but that made no sense to my ass.
Pausing and turning to face me, she replied, “No, Manny, do not start this. Jasiel is turning four years old, and he notices your absence. He’s been talking about you being at his party every time it’s mentioned.”
“He don’t give a fuck if I’m there. And why he need a party? You should just have us and a cake.”
“No! He has friends from daycare, and I want to give my baby a party. I’m not going to keep him cooped up and away from everybody just because you’re immature.”
“How am I immature? That don’t even make no damn sense! I’m immature because I don’t take him places? I buy him every fucking thing!”
“Yes, but you still have him living in the hood while you’re safe in Torrance! You don’t take him anywhere! Being his father is more than giving him money, Manuel! He needs quality time with you and not inside of the house!”
Jasmine was right; I could see that. I knew what it was like to grow up without a father, but I was doing way more than my pops had ever done, so I deserved some credit. I wanted to be at my son’s party, but the thought of people figuring out he was mine made my stomach flip. LA was huge but not huge enough. Everybody knew everybody somehow, someway.
“Look, aight. I will come to the party. But only his little friends better be there and nobody else.”
“Just two of the boys’ moms are coming. It’s going to be seven kids in total, and at Chuck E. Cheese off La Tijera.”
“Not in the backyard?”
Jasmine sucked her teeth, waving me off as she removed her robe. She had on these little ass shorts and a bra. I was about to continue to quiz her ass, but seeing her body had my mind elsewhere. So as soon as she got into the bed, I went to use her shower, then returned to her room with just my towel. Climbing in behind her, I started to kiss on her neck and shoulders before turning her onto her back to get her collarbone.
“Manny.” She grabbed my face, making me look down at her. “You better be there tomorrow. Bring the stuff I’ve asked for, and be there by 11 a.m. The party starts at 12:30 p.m.”
“I will.”
She gazed up me for a couple seconds then let me proceed to kiss all over her and smash.
Birthday party…
It was about 9 a.m. when I woke up, and I was still tired as fuck since I didn’t get home from Jasmine’s until 2 a.m. I did not feel like hitting this party up, but I knew Jasmine would have a fit if I didn’t. Plus, every time she got mad at me, she withheld the pussy, despite her track record in the hood.
Turning onto my back, I covered my face with my hands and wiped down, exhaling heavily. Getting up, I went to brush my teeth, and as I swished the mouthwash around, I looked through my phone.
While on Instagram, I ran across a party flyer Alivia had posted, telling people to come through to this day party she was deejaying this afternoon. The shit started at 10 a.m., so I immediately looked at the top of my phone to see it was 9:16.
“Shit.” I quickly locked my shit and rushed out of the bathroom to get towels for my shower.
I’d initially said fuck it when it came to Alivia, but she was too fine for me to not continue to try. And the fact that she was slightly weird had me even more interested in her ass. It was funny though how she pretended not to like me.
By the time I was out of the shower and dressed, it was 9:54 a.m., and I had a text from Jasmine, making sure I was going to be at Chuck E. Cheese by 11 a.m. Ignoring her, I pocketed my shit along with my keys and wallet, then dipped out to this day party.
My son would be perfectly fine without me there. He had games, his friends, and his mama, so I highly doubted he’d be worried about me. By saying that, I was gon’ spend my morning with Alivia’s fine ass.
I made it to the party, and after shaking some hands and making conversation, I was let in for free with no problem. Being Belly’s corner man was definitely a luxury.
As I slithered through, I spotted Alivia at her booth, sipping on a drink. She had on a bathing suit that hugged her curvy body just right. Her short hair was sweeping the top of her shoulders every time she moved.
“Surprise, surprise.” I walked right up, and she rolled her eyes so damn hard I thought she was about to have a seizure.
“What are you doing here? Do I need a restraining order?”
Chuckling, even though she wasn’t, I shook my head and said, “Nah. I just happened to be here and saw you.”
“Yeah right, Manny. I’m sure you only came here for one reason.”
“Aight, I did. So maybe we can chill once the party is over, go get some food. Or you can come to my crib.”
“I’m not going to your house. Plus, this party is over at 3 p.m., and I have to get home right after to handle some business.”
“Damn what kind of business?”
“Work.”
“You’re just a deejay. Throw some damn songs on a playlist and you’re done. So chill with me and then you can handle that shit another time.”
“Just a deejay? Well, all you do is yell out dumb shit in the middle of Belly’s fights. No wonder you have all this free time to chase behind women who don’t want you.”
“My bad. I didn’t mean to say that ‘you’re just’ part. I just wanna chill. I got some wine, food, everything at my crib.”
“I can’t, Manny.” She looked down at her laptop keyboard after changing songs.
“Look, I’m sorry for how I came off before, but I promise I’m getting it together. And I’ll continue to get better as time goes on. So just—”
“No, it’s not you. I mean, it is you, but that’s only a small percentage. I have things going on in my life right now, and trust me, you don’t want any parts of it.”
“How you know?”
“Because I do.” She cocked her head. She was so pretty.
“Try me. I’m into a lot of shit people aren’t into.” I smiled, and she chuckled softly.
“I appreciate that, but I can’t go with you after the party. I’m sorry. It’s a must I go home.”
“Aight then.” I sat in the free chair by her booth. “We can chill while you’re at work. Is that cool?”
“I guess. But don’t touch anything.”
“I won’t.”
For the next few hours and some change, I sat up there with Alivia watching her work and occasionally getting some conversation in when she could. I even stayed once the party was over, watching her pack up until she scolded me about not offering to help.
“So when can we hang out again then?” I asked her as she sat in the driver’s seat of her car with her window down.
“In the daytime, right?”
“Of course.” I sighed in my head because I really needed to see her at night. How you get pussy in the daytime? I didn’t know.
“I’ll text you to let you know.”
I nodded, backing away so she could reverse, and reached into my pocket to grab my buzzing phone. Jasmine had been blowing me up twice every hour. It was now 5:30 p.m., and I knew the party was over, so I wasn’t sure why she was hitting me up. Opening my iPhone, I went into my texts since she’d sent yet another one because I hadn’t answered her call.
Friend: He was crying for you. I hope wherever you are, it was worth it.
I just told myself she was lying and went on about my day. I would drop his gift off sometime later.
3
Priscilla Dimitri
The next afternoon…
Today I was having lunch with Dionne because we’d been getting to know each other better, having to work together a lot. I was kind of leery of hanging out with her simply because of the things that happened between Will and me. I felt like such a horrible person, which contrarily was the reason I was even going. I somehow thought me befriending her would make up for the things I’d done.
Once I was dressed, I went to let my aunt know I was leaving and to give my kids kisses.
“I’ll only be gone for like a couple hours, not long at all,” I let my Aunt Vivian know.
“No worries, sweetheart. Enjoy yourself.”
Kissing her cheek, I adjusted my Chanel purse then headed out.
Dionne and I were meeting at the L’Opera, this Italian place in Long Beach. When I got there, I let the host know my party was already sitting down, so once she located Dionne, she walked me over.
“Hey!” Dionne shot up from her seat and hugged me tightly as if we hadn’t spent all day yesterday together, practicing.
“How are you?” I sat down across from her.
“Well, not too well.”
The waiter came over just as she replied to me, so I gave him my drink order which was just champagne.
“Why not too well? You did great yesterday, and we’re about to start the shows up soon.”
“No, it’s not that. My career is fine. I mean, I’m still not getting booked like you, but I’m content for now. My issue is my personal life.”
“Champagne, Miss. Did you ladies need more time to order?” The waiter set my glass down, and I immediately took a sip. I assumed my lunch with Dionne would be chill, but she was talking like she was about to lay some heavy shit on me.
We both ordered from Menu #2, and handed the waiter our menus so he could put them in.
“I’m sure whatever issues you’re having personally, you will get over. I mean, unless you’re sick,” I joked. I really didn’t want her to spill to me, and I was hoping she caught the hint.
“No, I’m healthy. It’s just, I think my boyfriend is cheating on me.”
I swallowed the biggest lump.
“Wi-Will? No, no way. He’s all about you.”
“I know, but still.” She gulped down some of her vodka martini. “I’ve frequently smelled women’s perfume on him.”
“I mean… well…” I too took a sip of my drink. I immediately thought back to the night at that house we stayed in, where he came in reeking of floral arrangements and frosting. “He does work with female clients, so maybe—”
“No, Priscilla. I’ve been with Will for a year and a half, and he’s always been a photographer whose worked with women. Why is it now that he’s coming home smelling like he works at a perfume parlor?”
Truthfully, she had me wondering too. I assumed Will was all about her and had only slipped up with me, but clearly, he was in the streets doing him.
“I don’t know, honey. I’m sorry.”
“Then,” she lowered her voice, “he wanted to role play one night, with me as a hooker, and he was way too serious about it.”
I burst into laughter, but it ceased once I realized Dionne was dead serious and bothered.
“I mean, role play can be weird.”
“No, it’s like he really wanted me to be a hooker. It was overboard. Do you think maybe he’s sleeping with prostitutes?”
“Hell no. Will? Come on now. I don’t know him well, hell, at all really, but he’s way too preachy and power to the people like to be messing with street walkers, Dionne.”
“Yeah, true.” She sat back.
“Maybe just ask him. I’m sure he has an explanation. You guys love each other, so don’t let something like this rip you apart. It’s all about communication.”
Dionne stared down into her lap before taking down the rest of her martini. She waved the waiter down, and when he arrived, she put in an order for another.
“I have to tell you something.” She sighed once the waiter floated off.
Lord, no.
“You do?”
“So, yes, I love Will, but there is someone else I’ve been dealing with. I want to be with him, but he’s not exactly available.”
“He has a girlfriend? Or a wife?” My eyes were wide as I sipped my champagne.
“He has a girlfriend… but he has others too… He’s just not really the type you can hold down. He’s emotionally and physically unavailable, but we’ve been messing around since before I met Will.”
“Wait, so you’re currently dealing with him? You haven’t stopped since you got with Will?”
“Well we stopped because we were never in the same circle, then when I got with Will, we rekindled.”
“Are you telling me that Will knows this man?” I leaned in to keep my voice down yet allow her to hear me.
She nodded slowly and with her eyes closed. Her light skin was flushed as she tossed her hair constantly.
“Do I know him?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone. He’s low key and doesn’t like when his women brag.”
“Okay, please tell me, because he must be one hell of a man for you to be willing to deal with him when he’s unavailable emotionally and physically, plus has other women and a girlfriend.”
“Belly.” She instantly covered her mouth, but I could tell she was smiling by how squinted her eyes were and the height of her cheekbones.
“Dionne.”
“I know, I know… and I get that you’re friends with his girl or his flavor of the year.” She rolled her eyes. “But I love him, and I will wait it out.”
“I am best friends with her! And she’s not some fucking flavor of the year! He loves her!”
“No he doesn’t! He probably likes her; likes her enough to fuck her just like the rest of his hoes, but he does not fall in love. If he could, it would be with me. Hell, even maybe Maia or Kharla, but not… her.”
“You know what, I’m going to go.” I reached down into my purse to retrieve some cash to pay for my food and champagne.
“Priscilla, don’t go. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off harshly, but I’m just being honest. She knew what she was getting into, and if she thought she could get a husband or something out of Cortez, then I feel sorry for her.”
Without another word, I stood up and started out of the restaurant. Dionne called my name a few times, but I paid her no mind. I was furious, but I didn’t know who to be angrier with, her or Belly. Then again, how could I be mad with Dionne? She’d been fucking with him well before Blaise came along. I just hated him for what he’d done and what he was doing to my friend. And to make matters worse, she was pregnant by his ass.
As soon as I got into my Mercedes, I hit Blaise up to see where she was. She told me she’d just finished an audition for this TV show on HBO named Streets. I was so proud of her for booking the audition that I almost got sidetracked.
We agreed to meet at her condo, so I headed over there. I was only in the lobby for about ten minutes before I saw her come in, holding hands with Island’s cute self.
“Hi.” Blaise beamed. She was glowing already, despite showing no physical signs of pregnancy. “Say hi, Island!”
“Hiii!” Island waved her small hand, making me chuckle.
We headed up to her condo and went straight to Island’s room to set her up with her toys. Once she was pre
occupied, I took a deep breath so I could tell Blaise what Dionne had spilled on me.
“So I have something to tell you,” I came right out. Blaise stopped toying with one of Island’s dolls and looked to me.
“You okay?” She touched my knee as we sat on the floor of Island’s big, colorful room.
My eyes landed on that Rolex Belly had gifted her. Blaise had plenty of Rolexes in different colors, Pateks too, but she’d been wearing this one constantly. It was obvious she was still quite attached to Belly.
“Yeah, I’m fine. So I went to lunch today with Dionne, and we got to talking about her and Will. Anyway, I pretty much told her to try and work things out with him because she loves him and vice versa.” I paused, taking a deep breath.
“Okay?”
“Yeah so… umm… then she tells me that yes, she does love Will, but there is someone else that she loves more and wants to be with.”
“Priscilla.”
“She told me it was… Belly.”
For what seemed like forever, Blaise just stared into my face without saying anything.
“Oh… okay.”
“She told me she’s been dealing with him for a while, right along with all those other girls; Maia, Sienna—”
“I know who they are, Priscilla, but thank you.” As she talked, she stared at Island, playing with her toys. “Do you want something to drink? I’m going to get her some juice.”
I watched her stand up, and since I was caught off guard, I didn’t respond for a little bit.
“No, I’m okay.”
Pushing her long dark hair behind her ears, she left the bedroom, and I just sat there not knowing what to think. She was taking a while, so I got up after making sure Island was fine and walked through her mansion sized condo until I got to the kitchen. I heard light sniffles, and when I entered, I saw Blaise was teary eyed whilst twisting the cap back on the juice bottle.
“Blaise.”
“No, no, I’m fine. I promise.” She stopped me when I tried to hug her. Slipping around me, she put the juice back into the fridge then made her way back to grab Island’s sippy cup from the granite countertop. “I don’t even care anymore. Whatever he does or whatever he did while we were together, is the past and has nothing to do with me now.”
Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 2 Page 7
