Chi-Town Bosses & the Women That Love Em 2

by Anna Black

  22

  Rel

  I was awakened out of my deep sleep when my cell phone went off in the wee hours of the morning. I didn’t reach for it at first, but since it was a damn text, my smartphone, well stupid ass, fuck with me at that hour phone, kept alerting me that there was a message every few minutes.

  I wanted to throw the phone across the room, but when I heard Chas’ voice murmur, “Baby, your phone.”

  I reached for it to at least silence it. I wasn’t trying to read shit or reply to shit, but when I glanced at Gutta’s name and the word pregnant, I opened both eyelids. I keyed in my code, went for my messages, and read the text from my big brother.

  Gutta: Bro! Gabby is pregnant. Yo’ ass ‘bout 2 b an uncle!

  I read it two more times and then put my phone down.

  “Baby, is everything okay?” My love asked, cuddling against my firm chest.

  “Yeah, baby, everything cool. Gab is pregnant,” I said and then shut my eyes.

  Her head popped up. “Gabby is what?” she questioned as if she hadn’t been sleeping.

  “Pregnant. Gutta just texted me,” I answered.

  “No fucking way. No way you’d know this before me,” she said, getting up.

  “Baby, where are you going?” I asked.

  “To piss and then to call my best friend.”

  “At this hour?”

  “You got the news at this hour, so I’m sure she is up.”

  I jumped up and followed her into the bathroom. “That is just how Gutta and I are, babe. We are tighter than a fat girl in her Spanx. Just let Gab tell you, boo. Gutta and I are close, and I can assure you that no one else knows. Gutta and I are just tight like that, honey. Please, just wait for Gabby to tell you,” I pleaded. I didn’t mean to just say it, but it just came out of my mouth. She was making me soft.

  She snatched a few tissues from the roll and wiped. “Fine. I will wait because I don’t want Gutta to think he can’t tell you shit in the future. You are so lucky that I love ya’ ass because if I didn’t, I’d get dressed and drive to their house to confront Ms. Gabby,” she declared.

  “I know, babe, but I’m sure she’ll tell you soon. You’re her best friend.”

  “She fucking better,” she said as she washed her hands. We got back into our bed and then Chas’ phone chirped.

  “Are you kidding me?” she said and then reached for her phone.

  “I bet it’s your girl,” I said.

  “It is,” she said and then she swiped her screen. “I missed this three minutes ago. She is pregnant,” she said.

  “So, all of the fuss was for nothing.”

  “It was, and I just reacted, babe.”

  “Yeah, ya’ did, now let’s get some sleep.”

  “Okay, okay, okay. I mean, I want to call her, but I’ll wait. I can’t believe that she is pregnant. Both of my best friends are pregnant,” she said, and it sounded like she was sad.

  “Both? Tori too?” I questioned.

  “Yes, Tori is now maybe five months. I mean, it’s like so crazy.”

  “Crazy like you want to be pregnant too, or crazy because both are, baby? Please help me understand.”

  “Crazy good, Rel. Like crazy I’m excited and overjoyed for them both. I want kids, but there is no rush for me, so I’m not feeling any type of way. I’m just thinking that these two bitches’ hormones will be on levels I can’t even manage, that’s all. I can wait for babies. I’m not trying to be in either shoes any time soon.”

  I exhaled. “Oh, thank God. I mean, we are like so new, and a kid is the last thing on my brain.”

  “Same, babe. I have an IUD, plus, we still used condoms. We are good on that,” she assured me.

  “Good, now please, let’s get some sleep. I don’t know about you, but I have an early morning tomorrow. And don’t forget to email me that price list. I’ve been waiting for it for two days now.”

  “I promise I’ll get it to you later today,” she said, and then I kissed her. I pulled the covers up and closed my eyes, hoping I’d get a few more winks.

  “Rel,” she said.

  “Yes, babe,” I answered, hoping she didn’t want more conversation. I was so ready to go back to sleep.

  “I have something that I really need to tell you, baby,” she said.

  With my eyes closed, I said, “What is it, honey?” Then I yawned.

  “Chris showed up at Sassy Styles last night,” she said, and then my eyes quickly popped open.

  “Chris came by your damn job?”

  “Yes, and I wasn’t going to say anything, but I can’t keep something like that from you.”

  I sat up. I was no longer sleepy. “What the fuck did he want? What did he say? He didn’t try shit or hurt you?” I said in a panic. I had no idea that he even knew where Chas worked because from what she told me, they hadn’t spoken in quite some time.

  “No, no, no, nothing like that. He just kinda said some stupid shit about he’s been watching me, and there was no over between us. Legacy panicked and called the cops. They didn’t take long to show up, and then he backed off. I got in my car and peeled out of there. When I got home earlier, I was a little shaken up. I mean, baby, I don’t know what he has going on in his head, but I’m not trying to bring no drama your way with Chris. He’s an asshole like to the tenth power, and I have a strong feeling that he is not going to leave me alone. I know the shop will be done soon, but I just don’t trust him. So tomorrow, I’d feel better if you drove me to work if that’s not too much to ask,” she said. Her voice was uneasy, and I knew immediately that this cat had my woman shook.

  I pulled her into my arms. “That won’t be a problem, and if you think you need security with you until you are back at Chasity Rules, I got you on that too. I can’t be with you to protect you every moment, but I’ll call Malice. That shit is easy.”

  “I hate to admit it, but that would make me feel better. I mean, the beatings that man put on me, I don’t trust him not trying something.”

  “It’s handled, and you don’t have to worry about Chris. If he ever puts his muthafuckin’ hands on you again, his ass will be going to the fuckin’ morgue,” I said, holding her close. I had never been in a position where I had to protect my lady or even thought I’d ever kill anyone, but Chris would be the first life I’d take if he fucked with Chas. She snuggled closer to me, and I held her until we both dozed back off to sleep.

  Two hours later, we were up and dressed to leave. In the car, I called Malice, and he said he’d have someone at Sassy Styles by that afternoon. That gave me some relief, but I really wished it could be myself. I hit Gutta up, and he hooked me up with the company he uses all the time for a car. I made sure the car was there for Chas as well as security every day until her last day at Sassy Styles. We were a couple of days from her reveal. She’d be chilling at home, but I’d never leave her alone because she was sure Chris was lurking, and her security knew to use force if that nigga tried anything.

  23

  Gabby

  Finally, after a week of waiting, I was at my doctor’s appointment. I was sitting in the waiting room looking at all the other pregnant women who were way further along than I was. I couldn’t wait to look pregnant and not just feel pregnant. I was always sick, throwing up. I was glad school had finally ended because blowing chunks in the school bathroom were so embarrassing. It was mid-May, and I couldn’t keep lying that I was coming down with something. I knew the other teachers knew my ass was lying, but none of them had earned the girlfriend status, so I didn’t give a fuck what they thought.

  By the time school started back in the fall, I’d be married since Gutta and I were going to be married the second weekend of July. Depending on how far along I was, I could be showing, but that was all good for me.

  “Miss. Jackson.” I heard someone call my name.

  I looked at the nurse standing in the doorway with a file in her hand. I stood, tossed the magazine that I was reading back onto the table, and the
n followed the plump woman in scrubs to the back. The vitals and all of that good stuff were first and then she put me in a room. I sat there, hoping that the doctor would hurry because I was anxious to know how far along I was and how my little fetus was doing. Finally, after twenty minutes, she was there to examine me. After I answered all of her questions, I was told to undress from the waist down. She stepped out to give me privacy, and after twenty more minutes, I learned that I was approximately twelve weeks and would be due mid-November. I was excited and couldn’t wait to tell Gutta. I was further along than I thought. And when she told me that within the next four weeks it was possible I’d feel movement, I wanted to jump up and down.

  I thanked her, dressed, and stopped at the desk to schedule my next appointment. I was due to come back in one month. The clerk congratulated me again on the baby and assured my prenatal pills would be ready for pick-up within a couple of hours at the Walgreens on the way to our place. I turned to leave and bumped into the absolute last bitch I ever wanted to see again.

  “I’m so sorry,” I said and then looked at the bitch that was standing within inches of me.

  “Oh, my goodness, Gabrielle,” she said as if she was surprised to see me.

  “Really, Trina? You still stalking me?” I spat.

  She chuckled. “Stalking you? I’m here for an appointment,” she said.

  “I bet,” I said and moved to pass her stupid ass.

  “It’s true, and congrats on the baby. Is it Gutta’s?” she asked sarcastically.

  “Nah, bitch, it’s the baby you wish you were carrying from Gutta,” I spat. I knew she had to be following me. No way we’d coincidentally just have an appointment at the same doctor's office, the same day, around the same time. Yes, Tori had referred me to her doctor because she was further along and adored her doctor, but Trina standing in front of me was just too big of a fucking coincidence.

  “Sorry, but in six-plus years, I could have if I wanted to,” she spat and then leaned in closer. “He fucked me raw, you know,” she said, lowering her voice. “But I’m not into trappin’ niggas,” she smirked.

  “I suggest you sign in for your appointment so they can hurry to give you yo’ shot for whatever your nasty ass got. You can say whatever you like, but I’d bet my life that Gutta never touched your nasty ass without the plastic. The shit he told me yo’ ho’ ass would do with him and whoever assured him that yo’ dirty ass wasn’t safe enough to fuck raw,” I spat back at her. Gutta and I had talked about Trina on several occasions, and although he never dogged her for the things, she did for him, she didn’t have to know that shit.

  “Whatever I got, I got from yo’ man, bitch! Keep thinking that he went cold turkey for your fat ass. Whenever he wants this good pussy right here,” she said with a finger pointed towards the floor, and a mean mug with the right corner of her lip lifted like she was hard. “I open up wide as fuck for him,” she finished.

  If I were a weak bitch or insecure, I’d believe that whore because she sounded so convincing. However, I knew my man, and I knew what we had. And I knew for me, that bitch would come up missing. I didn’t even have to wipe that smile off her face by telling her that I knew Gutta choked her ass up against the wall the last time he saw her. I just laughed, shook my head at her pathetic ass, and turned on my heels to leave the doctor’s office. I was sure some of the patients overheard us talking, but again, I knew none of them, so I didn’t give a fuck.

  I hurried to my car and then left the lot. I rolled down the street and decided to park a little ways down from the office. If Trina had an actual appointment, she’d be there for a while, so I sat there to see just how long it would take her since it took them damn near thirty minutes to call me back. And that was just for my vitals. Then it took the doctor almost a full twenty more minutes to come in just to do my damn exam. If she had an appointment, I’d know she’d be in there for at least an hour, but as I figured, that bitch walked out of that building less than five minutes after I turned off my ignition.

  I shook my head. “Still fucking stalking me, with yo’ crazy ass,” I said as I watched her walk to the lot. I didn't wait to see what car she got into because I already knew her car was four cars down from mine when I headed to the lot after seeing her bitch ass. I cranked my engine, pulled away, then called my man to bring him up to date on the situation we both thought was dead but still in full effect. This dizzy ho’ had a serious problem, and we had to put our heads together to come up with a legal way to handle it. Now that I was pregnant, there was no playing with her ass. I had more than myself to take care of. I had my bundle to protect. Gutta and I had to come up with a way to get rid of this bitch once and for all.

  24

  Chas

  It was just an evening for my girls and me, and we decided to get pretty and step out. Grace wanted to go to Passion’s because I knew she was trying to run into Malice, but we wanted to get away from the guys that night and just have a girl’s night. Tori had the pregnancy blues, so she decided she’d stay in. And since Gemma had the night shift at the hospital, it was just Gabby, Grace and me. We decided to meet up at Cooper’s Hawk, and when we arrived, Gabby had to remind us that she was now pregnant and couldn’t go crazy. Her doctor told her an occasional glass was okay, but I suggested she only take one swallow of each flavor during our tasting. We calculated that it would total up to one glass, and we took our place at the bar to get started.

  “First, please get me two of them CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES,” Gabby ordered as we all handed over our membership cards.

  “Really, Gab, before dinner?”

  “Yes, have you tried their strawberries, bitch? And I plan to trade at least four of my choices for the Nightjar,” she said.

  “Well, sis, since you with child now, I’ll be glad to finish what you can’t,” Grace added.

  “Ummm, calm down, Ms. Grace. I am drinking overflow too,” I protested.

  The server came back, handed us our cards, and then a mixed paper checklist. He placed our glasses down onto the counter in front of us and then went for Gabby’s strawberries I figured because he was off within a matter of seconds after he put the pita basket down. When he came back, we were ready to get started. We were chatting, laughing, and talking about the three men that we said we wouldn’t, Gutta, Rel, and Malice. Grace was so damn shy with hers that she just didn’t flat out tell him she was interested. She just took a laid back approach. I guessed because she never led with sex like me, and Malice wasn’t falling at her feet like Gutta had done Gabby. I guess she knew what she was doing to reel him in. Hell, only time would tell. We were on our second glass, and I saw my best friend’s smile fade. I wonder what changed her mood.

  “Gab, what is it?”

  “You gotta be fucking kidding me,” she said.

  “What is it, sis?” Grace asked.

  “Muthafuckin’ bitch ass Trina and her clan,” she snorted with irritation in her tone.

  “Where?” I quizzed.

  “Directly across from us. Now, this bitch is trying to get fucked up,” Gabby said and threw back the entire glass when she was only supposed to be taking a tiny taste.

  “Gab, sis, calm down now. First, you are pregnant, remember? If she needs her ass beat, I’ll be happy to do that shit for you,” Grace spat. I grabbed her and pulled her back.

  “Hey, hey, wait now. Y’all know this place is popular, it could just be coincidental.”

  “Like my doctor’s appointment the other day, right?” Gabby said.

  “What, what are you talking about?” I asked.

  “The other day when I was at my appointment, she was at the doctor's office pretending she had an appointment. When I got outside, not even a good ten minutes later, she came out of the door, so I knew she was fucking lying.”

  “So, what the fuck did Gutta say when you told him?” I quizzed.

  “He says as long as she doesn’t put her hands on me, let that crazy bitch stalk.”

  “Really?” Gr
ace said. “I guess he didn’t believe that she was actually stalking you. FaceTime his ass and show him that she is for real, for real stalking because she gon’ end up getting jumped if she keeps on playing,” Grace said. She was the shy and quiet one, but she was protective of her sister.

  “Nope, ain’t nobody jumping her. I ain’t calling Gutta. He’ll know when I get home. I’m not going to even look that ho’s way. I’m not going to give that bitch any satisfaction to even think I am worried or even give a fuck about her dumb ass being in the same room. If she wanna watch me enjoy my life from the crowd, I’ll let that bitch be a fan.”

  “I’ll drink to that shit,” I said and held up my glass. We all clinked glasses, and even though Gabby dismissed Trina’s ass and decided to act like she wasn’t in the building, I couldn’t stop looking at that stupid bitch. It burned my insides, so I texted Rel.

  Me: U busy Babe?

  Magic: Nah, at the pool hall with my brothers

  Me: Gutta too?

  Magic: Yeah, wat up?

  Me: Cooper’s in Oak Park. Can y’all meet us?

  I stared at my phone, and after about three minutes, he finally answered.

  Magic: Give us twenty, we’ll come thru

  Me: Thanks Babe

  I put my phone down and then rolled my eyes at Trina’s stupid ass. I didn’t tell the girls that the men were coming. I just slid over when the people to the right of me left.

  “Can we get four more sets ups right here?” I asked. It had been close to twenty minutes, so I knew they’d walk in soon.

  “What the hell? Are you planning on us carrying yo’ ass out of here?” Gabby asked.

  “Nah, I’m just making room for them,” I said when I saw all four Wilkerson men walk in.