Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 3

by Shvonne Latrice

  Manuel “Manny” Ortiz

  “Hi, you’ve reached Alivia. I can’t come to the ph—”

  I hung up abruptly after getting Alivia’s voicemail for the hundredth time. I’d been blowing her up in every way that I could since she left my crib the night Jasmine showed up. I was afraid she was completely done with my ass since she hadn’t cursed me out or anything. I hadn’t had many girlfriends, but I knew when shit popped off, you got a tongue-lashing and at least a few slaps, or in Belly’s case, a punch to the face.

  However, not talking to her for the past week gave me time to conjure up something good enough to tell her ass once I caught up to her. And because I’d been practicing nightly in the mirror, I was confident that once I got ahold of her, she’d believe every word I said. Shit, I was starting to believe it.

  “Alright, we need to be back here tomorrow at 5 a.m. Your left side is still a little slower, which is fast for most, but not for you, Khalil,” Victor explained. “We need to go for longer periods.”

  Belly nodded, taking a seat as Victor patted his shoulder before walking to the back. I sat next to him, not knowing what to say since I knew he wasn’t fucking with me outside of work.

  “You going to Siggy’s record deal announcement party, right?” I inquired, trying to test the waters. During these past four hours of training, he hadn’t said much to my ass that wasn’t about the work at hand.

  “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  It got quiet because I didn’t have an answer.

  “Either way, you gon’ fuck that nigga Mason up.” I chuckled, but he kept his attention on removing the wrapping from his left hand. “And shit, you look—”

  “We ain’t cool, Manny. Don’t think you can just let time go by, then act like nothing ever fucking happened.”

  “So you’re about to let lying ass Jasmine come in between us?”

  Wincing a little bit as he pulled his jacket on, he rose up and replied, “If that’s how the fuck you see it, then yeah. I don’t fuck with deadbeat niggas, brother or not.”

  I wanted to tell his ass a deadbeat didn’t provide for their kid financially, and I did. Hell, 80 percent of the shit Jasiel had was because I paid for it. But I knew me saying that would prove Belly right, that I had a son by Jasmine but was too pussy to reveal it.

  “Gotta have a kid to be a deadbeat,” was all I said, and he ignored me as he exited the gym.

  After a couple minutes of me just thinking, I checked the time on my phone and saw it was 9 p.m. I’d been here with Belly and Victor since 4:30 p.m., and I was beyond exhausted. I was surprised Belly’s ass hadn’t passed out from all the vigorous training and shit. But I guess that was why that nigga ate like a fucking horse during fighting season.

  I grabbed up my shit and decided to head home, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Alivia, so I went to the hotel that I believed she was still staying in.

  After giving my keys to valet, I trucked it inside and tried to remember what room number she’d told me she was in when we were still kicking it. I couldn’t, but I checked my texts since I recalled the fact that she’d messaged it to me. Smirking at the sight of it, I hopped on the elevator and rode up, hoping she hadn’t checked out.

  When I got to her room door, I took a deep breath and knocked lightly. I heard someone come to the door, and when I noticed they took forever, staring at me through the peephole, I knew it was her ass.

  “Open the door, Alivia.”

  “Is there something I can help you with?” she called from behind it.

  “Don’t do this shit; we’re too grown for it.”

  She didn’t say anything, but before I could add to what I’d already said, she was pulling the door open. After looking me over, she stepped back some to allow me inside. She was only in a t-shirt, making me lick my lips at the sight of her legs protruding from under.

  “I don’t have long. I have to be up in the morning to meet the U-Haul at my parents’ house.”

  “Oh damn. You finally got a spot?” I smiled, watching her take a seat on the large bed.

  “I did. I didn’t let you in to play catch up, Manny, so say whatever you have to say then go.”

  “Aight. I know what you saw, but it ain’t what it looks like. I don’t have any kids. However, Jasmine was somebody that I was fucking on; all the niggas in the hood fucked with her from time to time, along with a few other females.

  Because I had a soft spot for her son, I did extra shit here and there, like paid for his meals, his clothes, and just shit I knew Jasmine was struggling to keep up with. I’ve been doing that for a long ass time, so naturally, he grew to believe I was his father.” I swallowed the lump in my throat, because contrary to popular belief, the shit I was saying was hard to spew.

  “Why did she say he was your baby? And that you often lie about having a son?”

  “That’s what hoes do, Alivia. You ain’t used to being in the hood and around these types of females.” I went and squatted down in front of her, taking her hands in mine. “They’ll say and do whatever the fuck they need to in order to ruin some real shit like what we got. Shit, look at that bitch Megyn claiming she was once pregnant by my brother. That shit ain’t true.”

  “Yeah, but he… that little boy really believed you were his father. And she didn’t seem like she was lying.”

  “She’s been doing the shit for a while, Alivia; she has her bullshit antics down pat.” I kissed her hand then added, “Look, me being me, there is always gon’ be a bitch trying to break shit up out of jealousy. We can’t let people just run up and pull us apart. You’re telling me anytime a bitch rolls up, shouting some craziness, you gon’ leave?”

  “No, I just… I guess it’s true. I’m not used to this type of drama. I mean, I read about it on the blogs and see it on Maury, but I’ve never been right in the thick of it. I’m used to church boys who haven’t even slept with a woman, let alone could have possibly gotten her pregnant.”

  “I know, and that’s why I don’t fault you for getting the fuck out of there. But see, Jasmine messed her shit up because I ain’t helping her or her son no more. You mean a lot to me, and the shit she pulled ain’t gon’ fly.”

  “I mean, I don’t want you to hang him out to dry because of her, especially if she has no money.”

  I stared up at Alivia, feeling a tiny bit like shit for lying. She was a good girl, and it was obvious by what she’d just said. I wanted to be honest with her, but I knew if I admitted to Jasiel being mine, she would dip on me. I just needed time to figure out how to break this shit to her.

  “Right, well yeah, maybe I can figure out a way to still do for him without giving Jasmine any room to act up.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So, are we good? Or you still mad at me for hiding my unofficial stepson?” I laughed, and so did she.

  “We’re good, but next time, Manuel, tell me things like this. I didn’t like the fact that she just pulled up, telling me things about you that I wasn’t aware of. Anything someone knows about my man, I need to already be privy to. Understood?”

  “Understood.” I leaned up to kiss her, as she caressed the sides of my face. “So you got a drawer for me to use at the new spot, right?”

  “Maybe. It depends on how you act.”

  I smirked before slipping my tongue into her mouth, while running my hands up her t-shirt. I pulled away only to take the shit off, before climbing onto her and in between her legs. Since she was half naked already, she helped me out of my clothes, and once I was down to my boxers, I removed her panties, kissing her stomach.

  “Manny,” she moaned once I started to suck on her pussy.

  She got comfortable, letting her legs rest on my shoulders as I toyed with her bud, using my tongue. Moments later, she was tensing up, then releasing. I gripped her waist tightly in my hands, burying my face further and continuing to feast on her pussy. Her moans got high pitched, and before I knew it, a gush of nectar was again flowing from her body.

  �
��Don’t ever try to diss me again,” I whispered before kissing her hungrily. Once my dick was so hard it became painful, I stood up to remove my boxers and slip a condom on.

  Alivia and I got under the covers, with me back between her legs, tonguing her down. I wasted no time sliding inside, enjoying the sound of her soft voice whimpering in my ear.

  I moved slowly, gliding in and out of her as I sucked on her neck and caressed her thick frame. After I felt her juices seep out and onto the sheets in abundance, I sped up, pulverizing her pussy as she cried out. Licking my lips, I basked in the sight of her pretty ass face twisted up as she dug her nails into my shoulders while whimpering.

  “Oh… my gosh,” she called out, eyes almost rolling into the back of her head.

  I felt my nut rising rapidly, so I hugged her body as tightly as I could, to hammer between her legs until we both climaxed, and loudly as fuck. My body gyrated as I attempted to catch my breath while attacking her collarbone with pecks.

  “You got some good shit.” I breathed heavily.

  Chuckling, Alivia replied, “You have me thinking about sex randomly now.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” I kissed her slowly.

  “Nothing. I’m just not used to it. Sex was never on my mind like that, but now I wake up and I’m like, I need Manny to be over here.” We laughed together as I finally pulled out of her. “This is probably nothing for you, I’m sure.”

  “Not true. Believe it or not, this is the first time I’ve had sex with a female I had actual feelings for.”

  “Really?”

  “I mean, I’ve thought other bitches were cute, but this is different. The nut is better this way too.” I smirked, watching her blush lightly.

  “Well, I’m happy this can be a first-time thing in some way for us both.”

  “Likewise. You wanna shower with me?”

  “Yes.”

  I tossed the covers off to get out of the bed, and after I removed the condom then flushed it, I turned the shower on. I went to scoop Alivia up bridal style, and then proceeded to put her in before I joined.

  “Just these two drinks?” the Asian man behind the liquor store counter and glass asked. The fact that the stores in the hood kept glass up around the cashiers always blew my mind. But whatever it took for safety, I guess.

  “Yeah, man.”

  I paid him the money and then left out, taking some of the Arizona tea to the head.

  Hopping in my whip, I turned my music up, feeling pretty good. I had my girl back, and it seemed like we were better than before. I still had my good ass paying job; now all I needed was to convince my brother to get over the bullshit. How he forgave Will before he forgave me? Now that was some wack shit.

  As I drove, I passed one of the parks and noticed a familiar person on the basketball courts. Recognizing the sneakers I’d purchased, I slowed down, confirming that my son was indeed in the park playing basketball with another nigga. He was too small to be actually playing for real, but the random nigga was doing enough to make him laugh and shit. I’d never been so angry in my fucking life.

  HONK!

  “Fuck you!” I barked at the honking car behind me, before swooping over to park against the sidewalk.

  I climbed out before I even shut the damn engine off all the way, storming through the rickety ass gates. As I got closer, I realized I knew the nigga he was playing with. Siggy.

  “I got it!” Jasiel shouted, tossing his small arms up in the air. Siggy scooped him up, cheesing and shit like he was his damn daddy.

  “Fuck is going on here?” I frowned as I got closer.

  “Daddy!” Jasiel hollered, but I ignored him, keeping eye contact with Siggy.

  Licking his lips and shaking his head, he replied, “Look, man, I’m just playing a game with him.”

  It hit me that I was revealing the fact that I was Jasiel’s father, so I had to play it off the best way that I could.

  “Nah, I’m asking because you got this big ass record deal now. Nigga, you know once you become successful, you can’t be out here in these streets.”

  “Right.” Siggy gave me a strange look. “You trying to play? I ain’t attempting to step on yo’ toes. I just took him out for Jasmine. She said he needed some fresh air.”

  “Step on my toes? How? And you’re fucking with Jasmine?” I chuckled through the irritation.

  “Because this is yo’ kid, Manny.” He gestured down toward Jasiel, who was in his own world, playing with the basketball that was almost as big as him. “And me and Jasmine are working on some shit.”

  “Ain’t my fucking kid. I don’t know what Jasmine told you.”

  “She showed me the DNA test because I didn’t believe her either when we first started fucking with one another heavily. And because yo’ brother is like family to me, I felt it’d be fucked up for me to expose yo’ secret, so I haven’t said shit. But—”

  “Keep it that way. And don’t say shit to me now either. I don’t care what Jasmine showed you, I don’t have any kids.” This nigga was fake as fuck. He’d been fucking my baby mama this whole time. This was her so-called friend.

  Siggy nodded with a chuckle, before turning away from me to tend back to Jasiel. Since I couldn’t beat his ass right here because it’d blow my cover, I rushed back to my car and sped to Jasmine’s spot close by.

  I wanted to be in and out before Siggy got here so he wouldn’t suspect shit. I admit it bothered me that he knew the truth, with supporting facts, because I ain’t want him saying shit to Belly.

  “Quit beating on my door! I told you it’s a doorbell for you to use!” Jasmine yelled, unlocking the screen door. “What do you want? Jasiel isn’t here, and you can’t come in.”

  “Why you got that nigga around my son?”

  “Because last time I checked, he wasn’t yours. He’s only mine, and since I made him alone, I do whatever the fuck I want with him.”

  “You knew Siggy and I were homies.”

  “No, Siggy is Belly’s homie. Y’all just roll together occasionally. He’s a real man.”

  “Oh yeah?” I laughed. “He just fucked another bitch the other night when we went to the strip club.”

  “We’re not exclusive yet, and he’s honest with me. He’s ready to be in a relationship. I’m the one who is unsure. So nice try, hater.”

  Don’t slap her, Manny.

  “Get my son back here, or I won’t pay for shit else that he needs, and I mean that shit, Jasmine,” I spoke through clenched teeth.

  “Manny, you cannot control me!” she whined.

  “Yeah, I can! If you want Jasiel to be well taken care of, you’ll make sure my son ain’t out with another nigga. I don’t care if he wants to take y’all out, you can’t go unless Jasiel is at school.”

  “You know I work when he’s at school. And you would never take him for me so I could go out.”

  “Then looks like you can’t have a man.” I turned around and headed to my car as she slammed the door.

  Jasmine had better listen to what the fuck I said. I wasn’t gon’ tolerate her building a family with a new nigga, especially Siggy. She had me fucked up.

  Blaise

  “Cookie Belly!” Island pointed to her doll lying on the floor of her bedroom. I tried to get her to leave it on purpose, but I should’ve known my baby wouldn’t fall for it.

  I loved that she loved the doll Belly gave her, but she was about to go to her grandma Karen’s home, Five-Star’s mother, and he was going to be there. I didn’t want her saying the name of the doll in front of him, especially because he was already pissed with me. He saw the blog post about me being allegedly pregnant, and he’d been blowing me up, furious about it.

  “Mommy will buy you a new doll, okay?” I kissed her face as I walked out of the room.

  “Cookie Belly!” She burst into tears, and even though I wanted to keep walking right out of the door, I couldn’t. She looked so sad with tears rolling down her cheeks. Plus, I knew she was attached to the
doll, so it was surely devastating to leave it.

  “Okay, Island, okay.” I placed her on the couch as she continued to sob hysterically, then I rushed to the back to grab her doll. Once it was in her small hands, she relaxed while I cleaned her face.

  Grabbing her small bag, I left out to the car so we could head to Karen’s place. When I pulled up, I saw Five-Star’s Phantom and rolled my eyes. Even though I knew he’d be there, I was hoping he’d be at the store or something when I dropped my baby off.

  I took my time getting Island and her things from the car because I was dreading seeing her father. Before I could even make it to the door all the way, Karen had opened it, grinning and reaching for Island.

  “You look pretty, Blaise. You going somewhere?”

  “No, just to work after this.” I followed Karen inside and to the room where Island stayed in. I always wanted to check it out, even though I trusted Karen. As a mother, she was an enabler, but she was a great grandma.

  I noticed she closed the door after placing Island to her feet.

  “Do you have a little time to talk? Or must you leave right away? I don’t want to hold you up.”

  “Uh, sure. I can spare a few.” I wanted to hurry up and get the fuck out of here before I ran into Five-Star, but Karen gave me the impression that what she had to say was important.

  “Okay. Have a seat.” We both sat down on the two-seater couch that was a similar color to Pepto Bismol. It matched the girly aesthetic of Island’s room. “Sweetheart, I know it’s been a while since you’ve been with Jelani, as far as a relationship, but I really want to know if you’d consider giving the two of you another try.”

  “Karen, no.”

  “Could you at least think about it?”

  I tittered before replying, “Why do you want us together? You know how badly he treated me.”

  “Yes, I do, but he’s changed, honey. He really misses you, and I miss you. I don’t want him with Tahani, Liza, or some new woman I believe he’s into. You were the only one of his girls that I liked, Blaise. You were the only one who felt it was important to get along with me as his mother.”