Even When It's Wrong

by Nicole Jackson

  “Come on, kinfolk. Do that for me. I got you next time. I promise.”

  “Huh,” she groaned. “Alright, fuck it, but you owe me, nigga.”

  “I got you,” he claimed, before placing a palm at the small of my back. “Now come on. Let me walk yall to the car.”

  I rolled my eyes, as I drug my feet. Looking at all the surrounding smiling faces, I felt that everybody had a promising night ahead of them, but me. How fucking great?

  Omari

  “Nigga, I just need a hour or two to sleep this shit off,” Melo slurred, as we traveled down the hallway, leading to my crib.

  “Man, I told your ass to let up,” I chuckled.

  “I know, I know, but Senora’s ass kept pumping me up. Had a nigga downing bottle after bottle.”

  I shook my head. “Ion know how she was able to stand up. I aint never seen a bitch drink so much.”

  “Hell, yeah,” he smiled. “And the more she drank the friskier she got. She wants your ass bad, nigga.”

  “Man,” I drawled. “She was tripping, grabbing all on my dick and shit.”

  “I saw her,” he laughed. “And your gal’s lil’ friends saw it too.”

  I sighed. “And they saw me pushing her ass off me too.”

  “Yeah, and Ion know how you was able to do that. If it would’ve been me, I would’ve had her ass bent over in the bathroom somewhere.”

  “Nah,” I shook my head. “That bitch wants it too bad. She wouldn’t be nothing but trouble, and that’s what I don’t need. I’m trying to get money with her. That’s it.”

  “I hear you, nigga. With ya pussy whipped ass. Young Mya gotta have some fire, because she got that ass in line.”

  I yawned, as we stepped to my door. “It aint nothing like that. I just know how it is when women get their emotions involved, and I’m not trying to go down that road again. That shit is nothing but a headache.” Using my key, I let us into the loft.

  As soon as I stepped through the door, I smelled some sizzling bacon.

  “Oh shit, the youngin’ cooking breakfast,” Melo grumbled.

  With the open floorplan, we could clearly see Mya in the kitchen, fixing a plate. I was surprised that she was up so early, because she’d usually sleep in. It was approaching ten, and she would normally be knocked out, until after noon.

  “We just in time, huh?” I called out to her, before going to flop down on the couch.

  “No bullshit,” Melo concurred, as he sat on the other end of the sectional, and sprawled out.

  Without uttering a word, Mya switched over in one of my tees. It was rather long, but I was tempted to tell her to go change, seeing as how she rarely wore panties. Sitting on the couch, she placed her plate in her lap.

  Playfully, I nudged her side, while comfortably reclining back. “Where my plate at?”

  She sucked her teeth, before popping a piece of bacon into her mouth.

  “Say,” I poked her again. “You’on hear me talking to you?”

  “What?” she snapped with a mean snarl.

  I stared her down. “Where my food at, man?”

  “It’s wherever you just fucking came from! Go get you a plate from there!”

  “Oh, shit,” Melo groaned, grabbing his forehead. “I knew it was coming.”

  I tried to remain calm. “So, you telling me that you didn’t cook me no food?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m telling you. I aint cooked you shit. Go let them bitches cook your food. Better yet, get that high yellow hoe you was cheesing with to feed your dog ass!” she spat.

  “My dog ass?” I pointed at my chest. “I’m a dog, now? And I told you that ole girl is a business associate, and we had to do an appearance.”

  “Nigga, I don’t give a fuck about what you saying. You aint just now leaving that damn club, and if you are it’s because you wanted to. Them people pay you to show your face. Not to stay around until the sun is up.”

  “Fuck, I’m glad you know how shit goes. Tell me something, shit. Clearly, Ion know nothing, and you the fucking psychic.”

  “Clearly, you must think that I’m fucking stupid. You doing all this muthafuckin partying, and then convincing Cavalli to sit here with me, while you run around. This shit is getting old, real quick. And don’t be surprised when you come here, and I’m out of this bitch.”

  I grimaced. “Girl, if you don’t shut that stupid ass shit up. Now, I told you what it is, but you talking reckless, right now. Besides, we both know you aint going no fucking where. Either way it goes, your ass is stuck. So, you doing all this bitching for nothing.”

  “Stuck?” she sat up, dropping her plate on the rug. “Who the fuck do you think you are? You aint the end all be all, and I can definitely move around.”

  “Alright, Mya,” I breathed, studying my phone.

  “Alight nothing,” she fumed, slapping my phone out of my hand, before scooting off the couch. “I’ma show you what it is. This baby aint finna stop nothing.”

  I sat up. “And what the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  She smirked. “You’ll see. Just keep playing with me. All those bitches can fuck around and have you.”

  “What bitches?!” I exploded. “Got damn. I’m getting tired of saying that shit. I aint worried about no fucking hoes, but you gon push a nigga into another bitch’s arms.”

  “That’s probably what you doing, anyway, so fuck it.”

  I smiled despite myself. “You real fucking ignorant, main. I’m out there chasing a check, and you complaining. I’m finally getting some bread the legal way, doing what I been wanting to do my whole fucking life, and you gotta throw some bullshit in it. Like this aint what I asked for. The fuck do you expect from me? Huh? I can’t get no money laying up under you. That’s not how this shit is.”

  “Yeah, well, Ion know if this is what I want, then,” she claimed, crushing my spirit. She of all people knew how much I wanted this, and now she was talking about not being able to deal with it? The fuck was that supposed to mean?

  Melo shook his head, while letting out a chuckle.

  “You know what? You aint got no choice but to deal with it,” I snarled. “The fuck are you gonna go? Who the fuck do you got, other than me?”

  She nodded. “And that’s how you like it, huh? I burned bridges fucking with you, and now you throw it in my face.”

  “Nah,” I denied. “I’m just telling it like it is.”

  “You know what? Fuck you.” She stomped out of the room. “I can’t wait to have this fucking baby!” she blurted.

  “Aint shit gonna change! Your ass is still gonna be stuck right here! Like I said, your ass aint going nowhere!” I shouted. “And come pick up this food off the floor!”

  “Fuck you!” she spewed, before slamming the bedroom door shut.

  “Stupid ass,” I mumbled to myself, as I picked my phone up.

  “This shit funny,” Melo laughed, and I glared at him.

  “That’s how you feeling, nigga?”

  He glanced my way. “Don’t get mad at me. I aint did shit to you. You need to be figuring out a way to handle this situation.”

  “Handle what? I aint about to stop doing what I gotta do to make my money.”

  “I never said that you should, but you gotta get some kind of understanding. Otherwise, it’s gonna be plenty of mornings just like this one.”

  I rubbed my head with both hands, releasing an exasperated sigh. “Fuck! Who you telling?”

  Chapter 29

  Mya

  “So, I guess you aint gonna answer that?” Taraj probed, as we strolled through the Galleria mall.

  I rolled my eyes. “Fuck him.”

  “Well, I’ma tell you like everybody told me, you are pregnant with that man’s baby. So, the last thing you need to do is have him worried.”

  “I really don’t care what he’s worried about. He’s been staying out, until it’s damn near lunch time, but now he wants to call? Nah, fuck him.”

  “Yeah.” She bucked h
er eyes. “That is a bit much.”

  “Exactly.”

  “But let me ask you this?”

  “What’s up?”

  “Do you think he’s cheating?”

  I frowned. “What would you think if your nigga was staying out all night?”

  “I don’t know. It depends.”

  “Depends on what?”

  “Depends on what he got going. Taz has stayed out late at times, when he’s hustling. Then there’s times where I’ve done it too, if I got a appearance or something.”

  “And yall never bump heads about it?”

  “I didn’t say that, but looking at your situation, I can see how we both be overreacting. Sometimes when you earn your money unconventionally, you gotta toss out the normal rules. Omari’s rapping, and everybody knows that those types keep late hours. It’s the sacrifice he has to make in order to get where he’s trying to go. Then the more successful he becomes, probably the more he’ll be gone. It’s the cost of following your dreams.”

  “I hear you,” I sighed heavily. “Maybe it’s the hormones, and I’m just in my feelings.”

  “True, but I would be mad about those comments he made. I hate when a nigga acts like you can’t survive without them. Taz used to talk that same shit. You gotta be careful with that, because where would you be if he ever decided that he didn’t want to be with you no more?”

  “I mean, I got a little money. Ever since I told him that I was pregnant, he’s been giving me money to put up. You know, like for emergencies. I opened up a bank account, and I got right at thirty thousand in it.”

  “Shit, that’s more than a little money, but that’s good. That’s enough to get on your feet, if you had to.”

  “I know,” I agreed, while silently hoping that it never came down to that. “But I gotta keep it real.”

  “What’s that?”

  I gulped. “With everything Omari has going on, I’m not confident that we’ll be together in the long haul. I mean, there’s gonna be so many other girls to choose from. Ones that are prettier or finer. And I’m not sure that he’s gonna be able to resist all that temptation.”

  Taraj nodded. “I can understand why you feel like that, and all I can tell you is that it depends on what type of nigga you got. If Omari is moved completely by the physical, then yall might be in trouble. But if he really loves you inside out, then Ion care how bad the next bitch is. That shit won’t matter. Not saying that he won’t be attracted, but he’ll know where home is at.”

  “Right.” I nodded. “But I don’t know. I guess I just gotta sit back, and see what he’s made of. I tell you what, though. I can’t wait to have this baby. Cause I aint finna be sitting at home, looking crazy while he’s out in them clubs. My ass is gonna be right there.”

  “Aye, aint nothing wrong with that. Taz used to try to leave my ass at home too, but I been cut that shit short. And now a bitch gets paid to go out. Hell, if you want to, I can see about you getting some gigs. Raven been finding the easiest money to make.”

  I squinted. “Doing videos, and all that? Hmm, I don’t know. Omari will probably cuss my ass out, especially with a new baby.”

  “So,” Taraj shrugged. “Having a baby aint gonna make you handicap. That’s what they got daycares for.”

  I high-fived her. “Hey, I feel you. I feel you.”

  “I know you ready to go,” she acknowledged, which was true. Although, the baby had everything he needed, I still found myself buying him a few outfits that I couldn’t resist. So, I had bags from every damn where, and I couldn’t wait to get back to Taraj’s Porsche. “So, let me make one final stop. It’s a watch in Tiffany’s that I been dying to get.”

  “Okay,” I dragged out, because I really wanted to sit my ass down somewhere.

  Being a good friend, I walked with her down to Tiffany’s, and decided to window shop, while she grabbed her watch. So, I placed my bags on the floor, before looking over the necklaces. Eventually, there was one that caught my eyes, and although I had no intentions on buying it, I had the saleslady remove it from the case, and allow me to try it on.

  I admired the thin platinum chain and diamond pendant in the mirror, thinking that it looked cute on me.

  “Yeah, that’s you,” someone said from behind, scaring the shit out of me.

  Whirling around, I realized that it was Flame. “You always sneaking up on me.”

  He smiled brightly, looking chocolaty delicious. “You scare too easy. You must not be living right.”

  I smirked. “Is that what it is?”

  “More than likely.” He looked me up and down. “You look like you ready to pop.”

  I tucked my lips into my mouth. “Not quite. I still have over a month in a half left.”

  He nodded. “You look good, though. Still pretty, and,” he grabbed my hand, twirling me around. “That ass is still sitting right.”

  I playfully shoved him, but I knew that he wasn’t lying. Once again, I wore a fitted dress that hugged my belly and ass, because I refused to wear anything loose. Anybody looking my way would know immediately that I was carrying a baby, and wasn’t just a round butterball.

  “Stop it,” I giggled. “And you look good yourself,” I complimented. He was wearing a simple green and white Lacoste ensemble, but he looked exquisite in it.

  He nodded. “I try, I try. You still with that nigga, huh?”

  I sighed, “Yeah.”

  “Uh huh, I heard his ass on the radio. Nigga can’t rap,” he grumbled.

  I roared with laughter. “Damn, you salty.”

  “I’m just saying.” He grinned.

  “Uh, ma’am, are you going to purchase the necklace?” the white saleslady questioned, probably thinking that I was trying to steal.

  I sucked my teeth. “No, I’m not. Will you take this off for me, Flame?” I gave him my back.

  Carefully, he removed the necklace, before inspecting it. “This is nice. How much is it?”

  “Fifteen hundred dollars,” the saleslady answered.

  He poked out his bottom lip. “That aint bad. You ought to get it.”

  I lifted a brow. “I aint trying to spend that right now. I just came in here with my friend.” I pointed over at Taraj, who was getting her watch wrapped up.

  “Yeah?” he eyed me. “Well, where you going after this? Let me treat you to dinner.”

  As soon as he made the offer, my phone buzzed in my purse. Figuring that it was Omari, I decided not to answer. “I don’t know, Flame. Are you trying to take me to dinner as a friend, or as something else?”

  He slid his tongue across his teeth. “As something else.”

  “Now, see, why you had to say that? Now you know that I can’t go.”

  He shook his head. “I aint know nothing. You must want me to bullshit you. I don’t see your fine ass as just a friend. I probably never will, and that’s just the way it is. And I still say that my door is always open to you. I don’t care what’s going on, or who I’m dealing with. I fucks with you. And if that nigga ever breaks your heart, I’ma be right there to pick up the pieces.”

  “Aww,” I cooed. “Flame got a soft spot for me?”

  He gazed into my eyes. “Hell, yeah.”

  My heart skipped a beat, before Taraj stepped over. “Mya, you ready?”

  “Yeah,” I breathed.

  “Hello, how are you?” Flame asked, sticking his hand out for a shake.

  “Fine.” Taraj quickly shook his hand.

  “Okay, let’s go,” I insisted, grabbing my bags off the floor without properly telling Flame goodbye.

  As we made our way out of the store, Taraj pinched me. “Bitch, who the hell is that?”

  “My friend.”

  “Your friend?” she frowned. “Well, is his name Trouble?”

  I laughed. “Why?”

  “Because that’s what his ass looks like. Just like trouble that’ll have your nigga chocking you to death.”

  “Well, what he don’t know won’t hurt him,
right?”

  “Nah, it won’t.”

  “Mya,” I heard Flame’s voice from a distance.

  We both stopped to turn around, finding him jogging over.

  “Good thing you walk slow,” he tittered, as he stepped up to me.

  “What’s up.”

  “I wanted to give you this.” He revealed the necklace I’d just tried on.

  My eyes brightened. “You bought that for me?”

  “Yeah.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”

  “Cause I want you to put it on, and think of me every time,” he claimed. “Now, turn around. Let me put it on you.”

  “Flame…”

  “Turn around,” he insisted.

  “Okay,” I gave in.

  Holding my hair up for him, I felt him gently place the necklace around my neck, before softly kissing me. I whirled around. “Flame!”

  He threw his hands. “My bad. I couldn’t help myself.”

  “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes, before giving him a warm hug. “Thank you.”

  “No problem.” He squeezed me tightly, before I pulled away.

  “Okay, I gotta go.”

  “Alright. Yall drive safely.”

  I nodded, before grabbing my bags again.

  We once again headed back to the front where Taraj had valet parked. However, before I could get far, he called out to me again. “Mya.”

  I glanced back at him. “Yes?”

  He smiled, before blowing me a kiss, and mouthing, “Call me.”

  I nodded, thinking that there was a huge possibility that I’d do just that.

  Omari

  Mya was really begging me to go off on her ass. For the past week, she’d been acting funny, burning off without telling me where she’s going, and then refusing to answer her phone. I wanted to believe that she wasn’t doing anything since she was very much pregnant at the time, but I was beginning to have my suspicions.

  I didn’t like the space we were in, and after thinking about it, I’d decided that I needed to do something about it. Did I think that I was wrong for seizing the moment, and capitalizing on my growing popularity? Hell, nah. But I also had to be mindful that I was dealing with an eighteen year old girl, who was having her first baby. I’m sure that her being left alone didn’t feel good, so I wanted to ease her mind. At the end of the day, I loved her, and we were riding this shit out. No and’s if’s or but’s about it. So, as a peace offering, I’d ditched a recording session to come home, and give her my undivided attention. Then I’d gone out, and grabbed her the Gucci diaper bag she been begging for, along with three bouquets of professionally dyed tropical looking roses, some balloons saying ‘I miss you’, and an edible arrangement made of all her favorite fruits. The only thing missing from this scenario was her.