Even When It's Wrong

by Nicole Jackson

  “The other day, while I was supposed to be at school. Cavalli went with me. It was a free clinic. I’m seven weeks.”

  He furrowed his brows. “And who’s the daddy?”

  Reaching over, I whopped him upside his head. “Ask me that again!”

  “Alright,” he chuckled, shielding himself from further blows.

  “That shit aint funny. This aint no fucking joke.”

  He stopped laughing. “I know that, but I had to jug at you. You forgot that I just dragged you out of another nigga’s car?”

  “And? That was your doing. You wouldn’t do right, and I had to show you how this shit can go.”

  “You had to show me?”

  “Hell, yeah.”

  “Girl,” he took a drag off the blunt. “Playing games damn near got your life took.”

  “And that would’ve been the fight of your life.”

  He tilted his lips. “I doubt it.”

  “Whatever.”

  “And you went to the doctor with Cavalli’s messy ass? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We weren’t speaking.”

  He shook his head, as he sat up in his seat. “See, we already starting this shit off wrong. I don’t care what we was going through. I was supposed to be the first person you told. Your cousins and friends…they’re secondary. This shit is between me and you.”

  “That’s what you say,” I mumbled, unsure of everything.

  “Mya,” he called out to me, causing me to look his way. “Don’t do that.”

  “Do what?”

  “Sit there and look all lost, and shit. Like you in this by yourself. Cause that aint the case. On everything I love, you aint gotta be scared of shit. I’ma be here every step of the way. If you don’t believe nothing else, know that I got you.”

  I closed my eyes, hoping that he meant what he was saying, because he was all I had to believe in at the time.

  “Come’ere,” he whispered, pulling me into his arms. “It’s gonna be alright. I promise.” He kissed my forehead. “I got you.”

  I was indulging in his warmth, until he abruptly pushed me back.

  “And Meeka was fighting you, while you pregnant with my baby. Why you aint tell me? What if she fucked around, and made you lose it? Come on,” he threw the car in drive. “We going to the emergency room.”

  “What?” I scowled, thinking that he was overreacting.

  “We going to see a doctor,” he established, as he pulled into the downpour of rain.

  “Oh, God,” I groaned, as I allowed my head to fall into the headrest. If this was how he was going to act, I was in for a bumpy ride. But internally, I was smiling. Perhaps the day that I was about to mark in ink in my memory bank as the worst day of my life, was truly a blessing in disguise. Just maybe. But we’d definitely have to see.

  Omari

  It was fair to say that night had been one of the craziest of my life. From the scene after the concert, then Meeka busting in on us, to me finding out that Mya was pregnant, shit was something straight out of a story book. And to top it all off, we’d just left the hospital, after I’d heard my baby’s heartbeat, while they were examining Mya to ensure that everything was okay. Needless to say, I didn’t know if I was coming or going, and just wanted to close my eyes, and get some much-needed rest.

  “Uh, I don’t feel like talking,” Mya groaned, as her cell rang non-stop.

  “Well, turn that shit off,” I suggested, tired of hearing it ring myself.

  “Wow,” she stressed, gazing down at her phone. “Now, it’s my grandma on my mama’s side. You know it’s some shit, if she’s calling.” She shook her head. “Hello.” She surprised the shit out of me, by picking up on speaker.

  “Mya, what’s going on between you and Meeka? She called me, hollering, and I could barely understand what she was talking about. The only thing I got out of her was that she caught you sleeping with her old man.”

  “Grandma, I don’t know what you expect me to say.”

  “Well, you can start by telling me if it’s true or not.”

  Mya took a long sigh. “It is, grandma.”

  “It is?! But why the hell would you do something like that? We didn’t raise you to go fucking after yo mama. What the hell done got into you, gurl?”

  “Grandma, it’s really too much to explain, but since when did you have a hand in raising me?”

  “What did you say to me?”

  “I asked when did you have a hand in raising me? How many times did I tell you that I was miserable with Meeka, and wanted to stay with you? How many times have you watched her whup me for nothing? Or better yet, why you still let Mon come over there, after he got out of jail for raping me?”

  “Hell, with the shit you doing now, maybe that boy was telling the truth. You probably came on to him too.”

  “What?” I spoke up, with a scowl on my face. “Did she really just say that? Man, hang up on that old hoe. Now.”

  Sucking her teeth, Mya ended the call.

  “Man, all the women in your family are sad, man,” I commented. “I know I aint no saint by a long shot, but they got a lot of damn nerve. If I was you I would’ve been moved around, and threw away my whole family. What type of shit is that to say to somebody?”

  She shook her head with the saddest eyes I’d ever seen. “After a while I guess I just got used to it.”

  “Nah, man, fuck that. Aint no getting used to that bullshit. On the cool, we fucked up and all, but this might be exactly what you needed to completely break free of them fucking parasites. You don’t have no reason to fuck with none of them.”

  She sighed, holding her head. “I hear you. Where are we going?” she questioned, as I cautiously drove through the rain, which had slowed down considerably, but several streets were flooded by now.

  I yawned. “Kells just texted me. I’m headed over there.”

  She whipped her head around. “Kells…and Daynah? Ewe. Why are we going over there?”

  “Shit, they offered, and I’m ready to crash. They got the space, and he said that we could be there, until we got our own spot.” I thought about it. “Wait, what’s your beef with them, all of a sudden? You and Daynah was just acting like besties, but now you don’t fuck with her?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I thought we were cool too, until I realized that she was two-faced.”

  “Two-faced?” I grimaced. “What are you talking about?”

  She cut her eyes at me. “I know that she came to celebrate that bitch’s Skyy birthday.”

  I shook my head, reminding me of why I didn’t too much care for social media on a personal level. “You saw it on Facebook, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Man,” I drawled. “That shit is not as it appears. Well, you know Kells gone rock with me, regardless, but Daynah aint with it. So, while you was on your bullshit, I was hanging with Skyy. And honestly,” I chuckled, because I knew that she was about to get riled up. “I bought her a few gifts for her birthday, being spiteful. I was mad at you, so I called myself doing a little extra. I don’t know, maybe I wanted you to see.”

  “That was so petty of you,” she snarled.

  “I know, I know, but anyway, Kells was the only person who showed up with me to that party. Now, I don’t know what him and Daynah got going, or if she thought that he was on some bullshit, but she pops up at the club. Her, Josairah, and Keyasia. And of course, she trying to see who we up there with. So, when she realized that I was kicking it with Skyy, she was going in, cussing me out. You know, because she don’t know about none of that extra shit, and as far she knows you my gal. So, she pulled me aside, and told that I was wrong, and that she was telling on me. Then Skyy comes barging over, being pushy, and insisting that we take pictures with her. Then she basically started taking selfies, putting us in them. It took Keyasia to cuss her out.

  She was like, ‘Uh uh, bitch, don’t be putting me in your bullshit ass pictures. Ion rock with side hoes, and you’on look nothing like Mya.’�
��

  Mya kneeled over with laughter. “See, that’s why I fuck with Key.”

  “Yeah, I’m surprised Daynah didn’t tell you herself.”

  Mya scratched the back of her neck. “Uh, maybe that’s why she keeps trying to call, but,” she squinted one eye. “I might have blocked her.”

  My head fell back with laughter. “Boy, that’s cold. Yall broads don’t be playing.”

  “Whatever,” she sneered, elbowing me. “While you talking all that shit, I aint playing with you,” she stressed. “Try me with that Skyy shit now.”

  “Girl, I keep telling you that I’ma chill.”

  She pursed her lips. “If you know like it like, you better.”

  Chapter 24

  Mya

  Slowly, I lifted my eyes realizing that I was still wrapped in Omari’s arms. I could also feel his semen seeping out of me, causing me to cringe. Going to sleep after a long fuck session always left me feeling nasty the next day. And the night before…we’d gone in, as Omari seemingly couldn’t get enough.

  As soon as Kells directed us to their spare bedroom in their new loft, we went at it. Over and over. Then once we were finally done, Omari whispered some of the most comforting words into my ear, insuring me that although we had a tumultuous start, he was turning over a new leaf for me, and now the baby as well. We even discussed how we might be persecuted on social media by relatives, which pushed me to do away with Facebook, and Instagram for a while, completely deleting my pages, and removing the apps off my phone.

  It was weird waking up to Omari in a different climate. He was no longer Meeka’s live-in boyfriend or anything else, but my man. And although, our actions had left Meeka devastated, I felt like a load had been lifted off my shoulders, and was relieved to no longer be around her. Sadly, I didn’t care for that to change, and I was doubtful that it would.

  Slipping out of his embrace, I eased out of bed. Quietly, I pulled one of his long tees over my head, before tipping out of the room, headed to the bathroom. With my phone in hand, I closed up in the bathroom, before sitting on the toilet. There I took the time to comb through my call log, noticing that Cavalli, Nerie, and Flame had all called me several times. Before I could read through the texts thoroughly, Cavalli was calling.

  “Yeah,” I answered.

  “Biiiiitch,” she stressed dramatically. “So, the shit done hit the fan, huh?”

  I held my forehead. “Yeah, who told you?”

  “My mama called me, questioning me about it. She was asking if I knew anything about it, and of course I lied. She said that she was shocked, and didn’t know what to make of it. But for some reason, she didn’t go in, on some judgmental shit, and mumbled something about Meeka doing that to her before.”

  “What? No, shit?” I laughed. “I’m not surprised.”

  “Me either. But grandma been on a rampage, talking about Meeka need to drag your ass back home. Everybody else is saying to let you be, and finally a few people was saying how they didn’t blame you for your actions, after the way Meeka be handling you. That started a whole new argument. So, I’m keeping my distance, cause I know if I’m asked I’ma keep it real, and piss everybody off. Grandma be talking all that shit, but her and a whole lot of women in our family are weak behind niggas. It’s been talk of her old boyfriend doing something to my mama and Meeka when they were young, and she stayed with him too, until he left her for another woman. Just a bunch of desperate muthafuckas with the worst taste in niggas. And I guess that’s why grandma was okay with that pedophile Mon coming over her house, after what he did to you.”

  “Shit, basically. They’re all fucked up, and that’s why I’ma just take Omari’s advice on this one, and keep my distance from all of them,” I admitted.

  “Hey, I aint mad at ya. Do what you gotta do. Just don’t forget about me. I’m still your cousin, and I’m fucking with you, regardless.”

  “Aww, that’s what’s up, and you know that I could never forget about your ole messy ass.”

  “Whatever, hoe,” she giggled. “But what are you gonna do now? Do Omari know about the baby, yet?”

  “Yeah, I told him last night.”

  “Wait, how did you end up with him last night, anyway? I thought that Flame was taking you to see Gucci?”

  I exhaled loudly. “He did, girl, but Omari showed his ass last night.”

  “How? What happened?” she spoke anxiously, clearly wanting all the tea.

  “Bitch, me and Flame were leaving the concert, after he parked in the garage. Out of nowhere, Omari came snatching the door open, and dragging me out of the truck.”

  “Nooo. And Flame just let him?”

  “Hell, it happened so fast, and then Omari pulled a gun on him.”

  “Now see, that nigga is crazy. How the hell did he get away with that without the laws getting involved?”

  “Girl, his ass drove over cones, and everything. On some ignorant shit.”

  She giggled. “And that’s your baby daddy. That’s what you wanted. That nigga gone give your ass the blues.”

  “Nah, he got me fucked up. Please believe we addressed a whole lot of shit last night, and aint I having none of that going forward. It’s me and him, or nothing. I put that on something.”

  “Alright, then, bitch. I can’t do nothing but be with it, if you with it. But if he fucks up, I’m down to jump him. Just say the word.”

  I snickered. “I already know.”

  Just then my line clicked.

  “But let me call you back. Flame calling on the other line,” I whispered, before clicking over. “Hello.”

  “What’s up? What’s going on? You good?” he immediately asked. “That nigga didn’t fuck you up, did he?”

  “No, I’m good.”

  “Good,” he sighed with relief. “I was worried out of my mind, and been calling you since last night. On God, that nigga better be thankful that my pistol was in my glove compartment, and I didn’t have enough time to get to it.”

  I gulped. “Well, I don’t know what to say to that, other than I’m sorry for having you in the middle of that.”

  “Say, you aint gotta apologize for shit. You didn’t aim no gun at me, but that nigga? I got him. Nigga pulling guns on me better use it, cause I aint gon show no mercy, when I get to my shit.”

  “I hear you, Flame. He was totally out of line, but I really hope that both of yall let this beef shit go.”

  “Yeah, uh huh,” he sputtered, sounding like he was doing anything but letting it go. “But man, I just left your crib, and your mama was on some other shit.”

  My heart dropped down to my stomach. “You went to my house? How do you know what apartment number I live in?”

  “Come on, man. You think I aint know that shit? That aint nothing to figure out, Mya.”

  “Okay, so what happened?”

  “Shit, basically your mama answered the door damn near biting my head off. I only popped up, because you wasn’t answering the phone, and I aint know if that nigga had put his hands on you, or what. So, I asked ya mama if you was around, and she got to talking crazy, going in about you fucking her man. On some crazy shit.”

  “Wow,” I uttered, pretending to be shocked. “She really told you that?”

  “Hell, yeah. That shit threw me all the way off, and I honestly wasn’t trying to hear it. So, I left her right there, while she was still talking. Ion know what the fuck she talking about, and don’t want to know.”

  I breathed. “It’s a bunch of bullshit, really, that I’d rather not get into, right now.”

  “Then say no more. I definitely aint trying to get into that, and I’m not believing nothing, unless I see it for myself. From the beginning, you aint did shit, but carry yourself with respect, so what the next muthafucka gotta say matters none to me. Hell, I haven’t hit it, yet, so I know you aint loose.”

  I laughed. “Right.”

  “But fuck all that. Where you at, right now? Can I come scoop you up? What’s up?”

&nbs
p; “Umm,” I bit my bottom lip. “I’m out of pocket.”

  “Oh so, you with that nigga somewhere, huh?”

  “Basically.”

  “Should’ve fucking known,” he grumbled. “I knew that you was gonna go running back to that nigga.”

  “It’s not like that, Flame. I really like you, but I got a lot going on, right now. And if you knew everything, I’m sure you’d be cool on me, anyway.”

  “A lot like what, Mya?”

  “Well…for one: I’m pregnant.”

  “You pregnant? Aw, man. I be having the worst fucking luck,” he vented. “That nigga did that, boy. He locked that ass down by any means necessary.”

  “Ion know about all that.”

  “Shit, that’s how I see it. Girl, you just don’t know. I was gonna make you my lil’ girlfriend, and when I would’ve finally got that pussy, I promise he would’ve been a distant memory.”

  “Maybe. Maybe not.”

  “Yeah, but fuck it. It is what it is, man.”

  “Yeah.”

  “And I’m guessing you told me all this, because you gon try and work it out, huh?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, I aint giving up on you that easy. I mean, if you trying the family shit first, then cool. I can respect that, but the moment he fucks up, I’m here. Straight up.”

  “Okay, I appreciate that, but I gotta go.”

  “Yeah, go ahead, before that crazy ass nigga kill you.”

  “Boy, bye,” I snickered, before ending the call. Right after, the door snapped open.

  “Who was you talking to?” Omari questioned with sleep still evident in his voice, while scratching the top of his head.

  I stood up. “That was…Flame.”

  He frowned. “The fuck did he want?”

  “He was checking on me. You know after you snatched me out of his truck, practically at gunpoint?”

  “There you go,” he groaned. “But did you tell that nigga to stop calling?”

  “I told him that I was gonna be with you.”

  He gave me a skeptical look. “Alright, I’ma take your word for now. Cause I aint trying to argue. It’s a new day, and I’m ready to put the bullshit behind us.”