Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 3

by Shvonne Latrice

  “Mr. Khalil, can I speak with you for just a moment? I promise it won’t take long. I’m Frank Tam with the LA Police Department.”

  I felt Blaise staring with a worried expression as I straightened up to converse with this nigga.

  “In regard to what?” I frowned.

  “I just have some questions about the afternoon you were shot. You wouldn’t allow us to see you while in the hospital, so I thought I’d try now.”

  “Then ask the questions, nigga. I got shit to do as you can fucking see.”

  “Of course. Now an eyewitness explained that you and the shooter exchanged words before he shot you and then himself. Is this true?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Do you mind telling me what he said?”

  “I don’t remember. He was talking all low and shit, and next thing I knew, I was shot the fuck up, so nah, I can’t tell you at the moment.”

  “Do you have any enemies that may have—”

  “Look, right now all I wanna do is continue to train for my next fucking fight. I don’t care about none of this bullshit with you fuck ass police. I don’ been shot plenty of muthafuckin’ times, and this is just another one. And to answer yo’ question, a nigga like me gon’ always have enemies. It’d be quicker for me to give you a list of niggas that ain’t an enemy. You can go ahead and go.”

  He turned away after nodding and then looked to Blaise before saying, “Hi—”

  “Don’t talk to her unless you want ya neck broken, nigga. Bounce.”

  As he was told, he walked his weak ass out so I could get back to training. A few hours later, it was time for a break, so I wiped my sweat off before going right over to Blaise and Island. Island was knocked out on the couch, so when I sat down, Blaise got in my lap to kiss me.

  “You smell good as fuck. And you’re pretty as shit.” I touched her hair, then let my hand drop to caress her hip.

  “Baby, why did you lie to the police guy?” She stared me in the eyes.

  “About what?”

  “You told him you didn’t know what the boy said to you before he shot you?”

  “Because if I tell them, they’re gonna investigate Mason Strauss, find some shit, and possibly arrest his ass.”

  “Okay, that’s kind of the point. He sent someone to kill you so he wouldn’t have to fight you, Cortez. I hate him, and I want him to go to jail or die. He probably did this because he’s big and ugly, and you’re fine.”

  I chuckled, seeing her so mad for me.

  “I love you too, baby.” I pecked her. “But if they arrest his ass, I can’t fight him for that title because they’ll take it from him and throw him in jail. I want that belt fair and square, and the only way I can get that muthafucka is if I beat his ass in that ring. I want shit to go as planned, and after I become the official champ, I’ll handle him myself.”

  “But you’re injured, and what if you get in the ring and something happens?” Her eyes watered.

  “Blaise, I’m from Neighborhood Piru. A nigga can take a bullet or two and keep it pushing. I’m just gon’ work that much harder to be sure I’m A1 once I step in that ring. I don’t lose. I told you that shit, and I need you to know that shit.”

  “I do. I’m sorry. I just love you, and I felt sick when I heard you were shot.”

  “Don’t trip. I’m gon’ be here. For you, Island, and my son.”

  “You don’t even know what it is.” She smiled as I thumbed the two tears that had finally dropped.

  “I got a feeling it’s a boy.”

  “I hope so since I have a girl already. You’ll be a good dad.” She surveyed me for a moment. “Thank you for being so good with Island; she’s not used to it. Her father spends so little time with her, that she doesn’t really know what it’s like to have a father figure.”

  “Yeah, I love her. That’s my daughter too. And if old boy got a problem with it, he can come see me.”

  “I doubt he will since the last two encounters he ended up taking a nap unwillingly.”

  “Then shit is all good.”

  We both grinned before she locked her arms around my neck to kiss me.

  2

  Priscilla Dimitri

  Same day… a few hours later…

  “Same time tomorrow?” Brittany wanted to confirm, and I nodded as I sat on the floor against the mirror.

  We’d been rehearsing for hours on end for Reddi’s next show, and today was horrible for me. I’d never danced so badly in my life, but it was because I couldn’t concentrate.

  From Rafi claiming Yesenia all over social media, to me finding out that Will had been fucking prostitutes while fucking me, I was losing it.

  And to think I’d actually thought I’d found something in Will. It was like he was a totally different person than the man I’d been spending time with. The Will I’d grown to like was sweet, caring, sure of himself, and had standards. The man they posted on the blogs was some weird, sex-crazed creep.

  I shook my head at my thoughts before downing my water. I needed to pull it together before I lost my damn job.

  “I still can’t believe him.” Dionne threw her bag over her shoulder.

  “Huh?”

  “Will fucking those hookers. I called it, remember? I’ve reached out to him to talk about it, but he won’t return my calls.”

  “Oh well. Maybe he needs time.” I shrugged.

  Like Rafi, Dionne was still in the dark on Will’s and my relationship. She was hurt by the prostitute news just like I was, which made this feeling even worse.

  How had my life gone to shit so quickly? Right now, I would give anything to be back in that secret relationship with Rafi; hell, at least I was somewhat content.

  Will however had been doing the opposite of what he was doing with Dionne. He’d been blowing my phone and Instagram up, trying to talk to me. Initially, he’d asked me to come over prior to me seeing anything, but Dionne had messaged me the link to the article. So before he could break the news to me, I’d found out. When I didn’t show up to his home as planned, he knew I’d caught wind of the scandal and hadn’t stopped trying to see me since.

  “Did you want to go get a drink?” Dionne broke me from my thoughts.

  “No, I’m not really in the mood. And I want to tuck my babies in.”

  “Right. I just assumed since we were both having nigga issues, we could use some alcohol. Maybe tomorrow night?”

  “Maybe.” I gave her the only smile I could muster up.

  After Dionne left, I stayed put, just thinking. About ten minutes later, my phone rang, and I looked down to see it was Will. Irritated, I snatched my iPhone up and tapped the green button.

  “Please stop calling me.”

  “Priscilla, let me talk to you. All I’m asking is that you give me your ear for a little bit.”

  “No. Why should I?”

  “We’ve been getting close as fuck, and now I can’t even get a chance to explain myself? You’re just gon’ stop fucking with me like that? I thought shit was deeper than that between us.”

  Sighing and dropping my head, I tousled my curly hair to think a little bit. I did want to talk to him, but it was because I still liked him. And I didn’t understand how I could still be into someone like him. I wanted the Will I thought I had, not this man.

  “We can talk tomorrow afternoon.”

  “I’m outside the dance studio now though. I just pulled up.”

  “Dionne is here! No!”

  “Nah, she pulled off a minute ago, and that’s when I called you. She ain’t see me, and so what if she did.”

  I just shook my head and replied, “Come inside, Will.”

  I hung up before he could say anything and then turned to the mirror to make sure I looked presentable. I didn’t want to be looking fucked up when I went off on him. I wanted him to understand what he was losing and regret it.

  “Hey.” I heard his soothing voice. I stared at him through the mirror, sucking my teeth at the flowers in his hand. I
could tell they cost some change.

  “Hi. I’m not moving from this position.” I turned my body to face him.

  “Least of my worries.” He started toward me and dropped down to sit on the shiny wood floors along with me. “You smell nice.”

  “I smell like sweat.”

  “Good sweat though.” He smirked.

  He was so good looking, confusing me on why he even felt the need to sleep with women who’d charge him for it. Hell, I was fucking him for free.

  “Talk, Will.”

  He placed the flowers down and said, “Priscilla, this shit isn’t like what you think. I wasn’t just out here fucking hoes because I was horny; it’s an illness, an addiction.”

  “An addiction? What, you’re a sex addict?” I rolled my eyes. How many niggas have used that excuse?

  “No, I’m not a sex addict.” He shook his head. “I enjoy having sex with women who make me pay for it. I’m not quite sure why, but the thought of exchanging bread for pussy does it for me.”

  I frowned, baffled, floored, astonished, just all of the above. Will ran his hand down his face, exhaling.

  “That makes no sense!”

  “I know it sounds stupid and like some bullshit, but I promise to God it’s real. It’s the same as a drug addiction or drinking problem.”

  “Whatever. What am I supposed to do with that, Will? Be with you while you fuck random women? And it’s nasty as hell! How could you jeopardize my health like that! You don’t care about me!”

  “Baby.” He scooted closer to me. “I do. I do care about you a lot. If I could snap my fingers and have this shit out of my system, I swear to God I would. And I’m always safe when it comes to hookers and with you, so you ain’t gotta worry about me giving you shit.”

  “You kiss them?”

  “I’ve kissed one and only her. But it doesn’t mean that I like her or anything like that. I’ve just been umm,” he wiped his mouth, “intimate with her for a minute now, so kissing wasn’t a big thing. But she’s the only one.”

  “What’s her name?”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to know her fucking name.”

  “Swan.” He looked off for a second before regaining eye contact with me.

  I scoffed, shaking my head in disgust. I didn’t know why I wanted to know her name; I guess because I was jealous. What kind of name was Swan anyway? Bitch.

  “So go be with Swan.”

  “I wanna be with you, Priscilla. I don’t want a fucking hoe as my girl. I want you.”

  “Well you can’t have me. I won’t deal with that bullshit you have going on. You’re crazy if you think I will.” I picked imaginary lint off of my leggings.

  “I don’t expect you to. I’m gonna stop this shit, but I need you by my side when I do.” He took my hand into his.

  I kept my attention on my leggings for a little longer before lifting my head to look into his eyes.

  “I have kids, Will. I—”

  “You ain’t gotta worry about that, baby. I’m good with kids, and like I said, I’m not gon’ keep doing this shit. I’m gon’ get some help.”

  “Help how?” I inquired, and he shrugged. “You have to look into how you’re going to get help.”

  “I am. The shit just got exposed, and I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it. I’ve been feeling like my fucking life is over. Between this possibly ruining my career and reputation, then you not wanting to fuck with me, things have been hard to face.”

  “Will, I just got out of an unhappy relationship, and I don’t want to be in another one.”

  “You’ve been unhappy?”

  “I’m saying that because of—”

  “Have you been unhappy? It’s a simple question, Priscilla. Since you’ve been fucking with me, have you been discontented?”

  “No.”

  “Exactly.” He pulled me over to him so that I was in between his legs. “I’m gon’ fix this shit, separately from what we got going on so nothing will change between us. I promise. I’m done with that foul shit. I just have to get the help to keep it that way. But in the meantime, I wanna be with you.”

  “Be with me or date me?” I turned to look at him, so he kissed me.

  “I wanna be with you. The only time I’m not itching to be in a brothel somewhere is when I’m with you. You’re the only female who’s been able to keep my mind off of it. Dionne could never do that shit.

  The fact that I could spend a whole day with you and not be bugging the fuck out for a fix says a lot. I need a woman like you, and I understand that I’m not on yo’ level at the moment, but I’m promising you that I’ll get there very soon. We can move as fast or as slow as you’d like, as long as we’re together.”

  “I wanna know everything, all the details on your process of fixing this.”

  “No problem. So is that a yes?” he spoke against my lips, kissing me slowly and deeply.

  I didn’t know what it was about Will, but I wanted to be with him. Excluding his weird addiction, he was everything I’d tried to make Rafi be: attentive, a good listener, didn’t hide his emotions, and let me think and make decisions on my own. I felt like I actually had some sort of say-so when with Will, versus feeling completely helpless and controlled with Rafi. It was almost as if I were finally experiencing being a grown woman in a relationship.

  “Yes,” I finally replied, just before he slipped his tongue into my mouth.

  “Ah!” I screamed when I stepped out of the shower to see Rafi leaning up against the double sink. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “I live here. You were right there when I bought this crib. Fuck you mean what am I doing here?”

  “You haven’t spent the night here in weeks. I assumed you bought a new place for you and your new girl.” I wrapped my body in the towel and then went to use some toner on my face in front of the mirror. I felt him staring.

  “Yeah, well I came to holla at you.”

  “About?”

  My breath got caught in my chest when he moved closer to me, tucking some stray strands of hair behind my ear.

  “I wanna apologize for what I did.”

  “Which part? The—”

  “Everything, Prissy. I’ve never cheated on you, and this was the first time. The publicity stunt led to more one night. After that, on a few occasions when I toured out of town, I fucked her.”

  “You gave me a disease, Rafi.”

  “I did, but there’s worse shit out there that I could’ve given you but didn’t. You ain’t got AIDS, Herpes, or no shit like that.” He kissed my shoulder, so I moved over some. “This shit between Yesenia and I ain’t even real. I want my family back, but this time, no funny shit.”

  “No, Rafi, no.” I stared down into the porcelain sink bowl. I couldn’t believe I was conflicted.

  “Prissy, this ain’t something you can just throw away, baby. We got two kids, a house, a joint bank account; shit, we’re damn near married. You can’t just toss all the shit we built into the dumpster. What you gon’ tell Penni and Baby Rafi?”

  Tears began to pool in my eyes. I knew he was manipulating me, and it was working.

  “I’ll tell them that their father cheated on me, humiliated me, broke my heart, and put my health in danger.” I finally gave him eye contact.

  “I didn’t mean to do any of that shit, Prissy. You know I love you. It’s just being me, I get caught up in shit sometimes. But in all the years we’ve been together, I’ve cheated once; that has to mean something. Just one more chance.”

  “No, Rafi.”

  “Think about our babies, Prissy, and how much we love each other. At least give me a fucking chance to convince you to take me back.”

  “I need to think.”

  “Fair enough. We can start with me moving back in.” He kissed the corner of my mouth and then left the bathroom.

  Once I saw he was out of the bedroom as well, I rushed to change into some panties, a bra, and then my silk robe. Grabbing
my iPhone, I dialed up Blaise.

  “Hey g—”

  “Rafi wants to reconcile.” I cut her off because I couldn’t wait for all the salutations to pass.

  “And you told him to go suck a fat one, right?”

  “Not exactly.” I sighed. “I told him I needed to think. I mean, he made some valid points. We’ve been together for years, and he’s never cheated but this once. Not to mention we have a family, Blaise.”

  “Priscilla, he’s just saying that to make you stay with him.”

  “That may very well be the case, but it doesn’t change the fact that what he’s saying is true.”

  “Priscilla, don’t do this, babe.”

  “Don’t do what?” I frowned. “He made a mistake, just like Belly made a mistake, or should I say mistakes!”

  “This has nothing to do with Belly.”

  “It kind of does. You’re trying to tell me to leave my man, while you lay up with yours, who is no better! He’s a liar and a cheater. The only reason he’s even acting right currently is because you’re pregnant. But how long will that last, Blaise? Once your belly is full or when the baby arrives, he’ll be right back in the mix with his harem!”

  I was panting heavily after my rant, as Blaise stayed silent for a little bit.

  “It’s unfortunate that you feel that way, Priscilla, but the only thing that matters in my relationship is that I trust my nigga. You don’t believe the bullshit Rafi is feeding you for a second, yet you’re still choosing to settle and be with him. That’s the difference between our situations. I’m not stupidly deciding to stick by Belly, knowing he will betray me again. If others feel he will, that’s their right to believe it; however, I don’t. But for you to be with a man that you don’t even trust yourself, is foolish, and you know it.

  I know you’re sad right now because of the shit with Will and Rafi, but make this the last time you insult me because of your baby daddy’s indiscretions.”

  “Blaise—”

  Click.

  I never thought I’d see the day where I wished to have my old life back. You never really knew what you had until it was gone.