Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 4

by Shvonne Latrice

  “I’m going to start lunch.”

  “Aye.” I gripped her wrist with my free hand. “Next time we have a conversation, watch yo’ fucking mouth. I’ll rough yo’ little ass the fuck up, painted nails and all.” Blaise nodded. “Let me get a kiss though.”

  She smiled, leaning down to give me a slow peck.

  “Kiss is just as good, even though you have on polish.”

  “I knew yo’ ass was a lesbian.”

  Blaise began cackling heartily, before leaving the three of us in the den to go cook.

  “Other one!” Island shouted, so I gave her my other fucking hand.

  Hold up, I can slip and slide, or I can dive in it… We can 69, or we can 96…

  I was currently having a party with some close homies, plus some of the females they invited, at Henry’s beach house. I made sure to keep an eye on all these muthafuckas, making sure nobody seemed suspicious.

  I knew I would have to go into training mode soon for the fight with Jaylend, so this was my last turn up.

  As I bobbed my head to Lil’ Wayne’s verse on “Yuso” by Kid Ink, I checked the time on my phone. Blaise would be coming through as soon as she finished shooting some night scene she had.

  “Why so lonely over here?” A bitch came and stood over me. I ignored her, downing the Hennessy in my cup.

  “I ain’t lonely. Go back to the fucking party.”

  Of course, she instead sat next to me on the couch, watching me as she sipped whatever was in her red cup.

  “Whoo!” Rocko breathed heavily, sitting on the recliner nearby.

  “Nigga, what the fuck I tell you about breathing out all hard when it’s people around! You about to air this muthafucka out. Now it’s pure ass in the air.” I turned my lip up. His funky ass breath always ruined my mood.

  “My bad, homie.” His drunk ass chuckled as some girl who clearly must’ve lost her sense of smell slid into his lap.

  “I came here just to meet you.” The female who I forgot was next to me, fixed her bra.

  “You know the climate is still warm, right?” I quizzed.

  “Yes.” She giggled, but I could tell she was confused. “What’s that mean?”

  “It means you need to swipe some fucking Secret between yo’ musty ass titties. Moving them muthafuckas around all by my fucking nose. I don’ already had to smell his breath, then you bring yo’ ass over here, letting out whiffs of chili beans on niggas.”

  “I—”

  “Nah, move. And keep ya breasts together until you get further away from me.” I nudged her.

  She eventually got her funky ass up.

  I was getting tagged a lot on Instagram, which was never good, so when I went to see what the fuck had happened, the shit shocked me.

  I assumed someone had gotten video of me clocking that Mason Strauss fan, but instead, it was one of the gossip blogs saying Cadence and I were together at the moment. They had a side-by-side picture, both from our stories, showing the background was the same. I’d just taken the shit like thirty minutes ago, here at the beach house. The place was made of windows with white barriers, so I recognized it instantly.

  I stared at the photo, confused as fuck, before looking around the living room to see if Cadence had gotten into the party without my knowledge. She was known for shit like that.

  “Aye, aye, Siggy!” I waved him to me.

  “’Sup.” He walked over.

  “Cadence come here?”

  “Nah, nigga. We know not to let them hoes in. Ain’t nobody trying to get fucked up by Blaise.”

  I laughed, but I was puzzled as fuck. Finally, it hit me; that thirsty ass bitch was the one who’d broken in a while back. She held onto the photo until I came here and posted so that it would look like we were together. Unstable creature was low-key smart.

  Going into my iPhone, I dialed Cadence’s ass up. Stupidly, she answered.

  “He—”

  “Come through.” I spoke before she could finish her greeting.

  “Uh, where?”

  “You know where the fuck I am. I saw what you did to get my attention, and now you got it.”

  “Are you mad? Don’t be mad, baby. I had to do something. We haven’t talked or seen one another in a while.”

  “You coming? Blaise ain’t gon’ be here for a while, but I wanna make sure we get enough alone time before you have to dip the fuck out.”

  “On my way now! I’m already out, so I’ll be there in like ten minutes tops!”

  I hung up then rose to pocket my phone.

  “Aye bruh, I want you to know that even though Ozzy set you up, I had nothing to do with that shit. I wasn’t with his ass, he ain’t mention it to me, nothing.” Cole stopped me.

  “I already know. I would’ve been shot you.”

  Cole nodded with a smirk as we slapped hands.

  “You right.”

  “I told his ass the same thing,” Siggy added, taking a seat next to deep-thought having ass Will. Manny was too busy texting with fucking Alivia like he didn’t damn near live with her.

  I went to the kitchen to grab three of the fudgesicles that Henry’s wife made a lot, and then took them to the bathroom downstairs. Dumping it into the toilet, I used the plunger to mash them a little bit then closed the top.

  Making sure my heat was on me, I checked my phone to see Blaise said she was coming in forty-five minutes. Cadence also hit me saying she was outside.

  “’Sup?” I greeted Cadence with a smirk, and she blushed. “Come here.” I took her hand to lead her through the house.

  “The bathroom? That’s fine.” She happily walked in. “I’ve missed you and that dick so much. I’m so wet right now.”

  “Get on yo’ knees.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Cadence got down, grinning, as I lifted the top on the toilet. Gripping the back of her neck, I forced her face in as she hollered.

  “Listen, bitch. I told yo’ stupid ass that what we had was over. But nah, you wanna keep playing these fuck ass games, thinking I won’t break yo’ fucking neck.”

  I admit the shit was low-key hilarious because I knew she thought it was shit in the toilet.

  “Belly, please!” she screamed when I lifted her slightly. I dunked her ass back in, enjoying myself as I flushed.

  “You gon’ leave me the fuck alone?”

  Once she was lifted, she replied, “Yes, yes, please, just stop.”

  “Maybe I should just drown yo’ ass and be safe.”

  “No! No, just let me leave!” She sobbed hysterically. The front of her hair was drenched as fuck.

  Closing the toilet top, I removed my gun from my waist and pressed it against her temple. She began shivering out of fear. Cadence wasn’t into hood shit outside of fighting here and there, so I knew having a gun to her head would shake her hoe ass the fuck up.

  “This is the last chance yo’ ass is gon’ get, Cadence. One more strategic move to try to break up my relationship or get my attention, and I will split yo’ shit. I don’t love you, and I don’t care about you. I don’t even want you to lick my balls while another bitch sucks my dick. All the pussy I wanted from yo’ ass, I got, and now I’m done with you. Ain’t one pony trick you could pull out that would make me want anything to do with you. Clear?”

  I watched as tears streamed her face.

  “Yes,” she whispered, staring straight ahead.

  “Get out.”

  I stepped back, and Cadence hopped up to run out of the bathroom like her ass was on fire.

  She wasn’t gone for ten minutes before Blaise showed up, but it was still perfect ass timing.

  “Have a seat, fine ass.” I gestured toward the couch, and Blaise sat down with her sexy ass.

  Right when I was about to kiss her, she said, “I saw what was posted, and I need you to go on your story and fix it.”

  “Fix it? They don’t believe that shit. Bitch broke in then saved the picture for the right time.”

  “They do believe i
t, Cortez. Just post on your story, saying that bitch is not here with you.”

  Because I wanted some pussy tonight, I pulled my iPhone out and went onto the Instagram app. Going to my story, I held it up to record a video including Blaise.

  “Don’t believe nothing these crazy pigeon-toed hoes post.” I then turned to kiss Blaise on the corner of her mouth. Her ass was cheesing like a fucking Cheshire cat. Making a second video, I added, “A nigga only loves and spends time with my wife. Y’all muthafuckas stop trying to get me in trouble with her. You know she holds the pussy strings, and I be needing to fuck—”

  “Okay, Cortez.” Blaise snatched the phone so the recording would stop as I laughed, kissing her neck.

  Taking my phone back, I posted the shit.

  So I just wanna let you know, girl, I just wanna let you know that I notice…

  Eric Bellinger’s “Notice” was playing, so I started singing some of the words to Blaise until her frown turned into a smile. She loved the song. It was aight, but she played it so much despite it being old, that I knew the words.

  “I love you.” She gripped my chin to press her lips against mine.

  Alivia

  “Thanks for coming over.” I opened the door for Yono.

  He’d stayed in Florida for longer than expected, but now that he was back, I guess he wanted to talk. I agreed not because I wanted him, but because we would have a business relationship and needed to be cordial.

  “Yep.” He walked in and sat down on my couch. I joined him.

  “Troy, I’m sorry for how things went, but I didn’t want you to come back expecting to be together with me. Especially because I’m moving in with Manny next month.”

  Yono scoffed and shook his head.

  “You led me on.”

  “I didn’t lead you on. Everything I told you was true, but at the end of the day, I’m in love with Manny. I want to be a family with him. That doesn’t mean I don’t like you, and didn’t like being with you, but I just—”

  “I get it, aight. As long as you know that you and I will never happen again, Alivia. Ever. I don’t care how many nights we spend practicing, I will never fuck with you.”

  “I don’t want you to. Plus, I’m pretty sure Manny and I will be in it for the long haul.” I gave him back his promise ring.

  “Pretty sure?” He toyed with it.

  “Very sure. Positive.”

  “Well was that it? Ain’t like I can fire you.” Yono rose up, so I did the same, watching him shove the ring into his pocket. I was smiling on the inside at the fact that he couldn’t fire me, because having to be in a relationship with him wasn’t a part of the contract.

  “Yep, that’s it. Can we shake hands? Might as well be cool, right?”

  I contemplated mentioning that his tour manager Jillian had posted little cryptic pictures and messages, so I knew he was fucking her now. Hell, he may have been all along. Thank God, because that bitch was annoying.

  Yono hesitated on my offer, but then reached his hand out to shake mine. He quickly pulled away then left without saying goodbye.

  I hated having people dislike me, but I wasn’t about to be without Manny to keep it from happening, so oh well.

  “How does Alivia look, Jasiel?” Manny asked his son. We were out to dinner, and I was seated across from them both.

  “Fine!” He nodded his small head, shoving a French fry into his mouth. He was super cute.

  “Thank you, Jasiel. You look nice too.”

  “Jasiel, what do you think about having a little brother or sister?” Manny drank some of the beer he’d ordered.

  I watched him for a little bit, admiring the man he’d become. I remember when he was an annoying loser, who I thought didn’t even know how to spell man let alone be one. But he’d come so far, and I was thankful that he’d kept chasing me, even when I’d purposely made myself hard to catch.

  “Ohh yes! I want one! Mommy is gonna have a baby?”

  “No, Alivia is gonna have a baby. And since the baby is mine too, that means it’s gonna be your brother or sister.”

  “Thanks, Alivia!” Jasiel smiled. “You guys get married now?”

  “You think we should?”

  I chuckled, eating my food as the two of them talked. Jasiel nodded to answer his father’s question.

  “I knew I liked you, Jasiel.”

  “I like you too, ’specially when we watch movies.”

  “Yep, and since you’re spending the night with us for the weekend, I will watch movies with you every night.”

  “Yay!”

  Manny chuckled before leaning back in his chair to reach down into his pocket. He pulled out a small velvet material box before scooting his chair out and standing.

  “Since he thinks we should get married, I guess I should make that happen.”

  “What?” I dropped my fork, looking him up and down as he lowered onto one knee.

  Everyone in the restaurant began clapping, but then it ceased to allow Manny to speak, I guess.

  “I love you, Alivia, and even though trying to be with you was the most stressful, unpredictable time of my life, I’m happy as hell that I was as thirsty as I was for you, because that kept me from giving up. Fast forward to today, you’re having my baby, and out to dinner with me willingly.”

  The patrons in the restaurant laughed along with me as I wiped my eyes.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “So before you change your mind, I wanna lock you down.” He smiled. “Will you marry me?”

  “I will. Definitely.” I nodded in case he didn’t hear me, although I knew he did. I didn’t want there to be any miscommunication.

  Manny slid the beautiful diamond down onto my finger, and I couldn’t believe it. I never thought I’d be engaged this soon. My life a year ago wasn’t even on this track, so to see how far I’d come personally was amazing.

  “I love you,” Manny whispered before coming up a little bit to kiss my lips.

  “I love you too.” I cupped his face.

  Today, Manny would be meeting my parents for the first time, and we would also be letting them know about the engagement and unborn child. I was hoping they’d be happy that even though I didn’t go about my life the way they’d wanted, that it still ended up how they wanted.

  “Nervous?” I asked Manny as I rang the doorbell.

  I let my parents know that I was coming over, but I didn’t say I was bringing Manny. I feared they would tell me not to show up, so I’d rather surprise them.

  “Nope, I’m good.” He looked around the front of the house. “Neat freaks?”

  “Yes.” I nodded, butterflies taking over my stomach as I listened to someone open the door.

  “Alivia, come in.” My dad waved for me, not seeing Manny yet since the other side of the double door was blocking him. My dad’s eyes bounced all around when Manny’s tall ass stepped in behind me.

  “Dad, this is my boyfriend, Manuel.”

  “Manuel? Are you Afro-Latin?” My father begrudgingly shook his hand.

  “Nah, my mother is a non-Black from Puerto Rico. My dad is Black though.”

  My father just nodded before waving for us to follow him to the den where I saw my mother already was. Like my dad, when she saw Manny, she wore a confused look.

  “Says this is her boyfriend.” My dad pointed over his shoulder with his thumb before sitting.

  Manny and I took a seat on the opposite couch.

  “You brought a boyfriend to meet your parents, Alivia?” My mom frowned.

  “Not quite. See, Manny and I are engaged.”

  “Engaged?” My dad’s voice got a little louder than usual. “How the hell are you engaged? He didn’t ask me to marry you.”

  “I would have, sir, but you and Alivia weren’t on good terms, so—”

  “I don’t care. A real man asks the woman he wants to marry, father, for her hand!”

  “Daddy, calm down.”

  “Don’t tell your father to calm down, A
livia. He has every right to be upset.” My mom shook her head at me.

  “Well I guess you guys should know that I’m pregnant as well.”

  The blood from my parents’ faces seemed to drain out instantly.

  “Alivia, you need to go.” My mother glared at me as my father stormed out of the room. This was not going how I wanted, but definitely as I expected.

  “Gladly.” I stood up. “I will send invites to both the wedding and baby shower. Some gifts would be nice if you decide to show up. I suggest you two both learn to accept what’s happening here, or you won’t see your grandchild.” I got up and quickly left with Manny right on my heels.

  “Damn, baby. I like that.” Manny caught up to me once we were outside, hugging me from behind. “They’ll come around. It may take for the baby to get here, but they will.”

  Turning in his arms, I replied, “Thank you, but I don’t think I care as much as I thought I would.”

  “No?”

  “No.” I looked off for a second then back up into his eyes. “I’m happy, my career is flourishing, and I’m with you, so I’m fine.” I paused, then added, “Really happy now that you filed for a restraining order against Nandy.”

  “I tried to keep shit hood, but her running up on my mama was the last straw.”

  “I think her shooting you in the ass did it.”

  We chortled as we started toward the car.

  I loved my parents, and hopefully, Manny was right about them soon coming around. But right now, I wasn’t going to worry about it. I was going to enjoy my life, which I couldn’t complain about.

  Nichole

  I waited impatiently, hoping Blaise hadn’t stood me up. I’d been trying to hang out with her for a while now, and she either never answered my calls, barely texted back, or told me she was too busy, just for me to see her on her Instagram story laid up with her children or Belly.

  I didn’t give a fuck about a bitch being my friend, but I guess that was because I’d always had Blaise. Helen and Mindy were cool, but if they stopped talking to me tomorrow, I really wouldn’t lose any sleep.

  I’d come to face the reality of the fact that I loved Blaise. I actually cared about someone outside of my man or myself. Of course I loved Iliana, but that was a given. And I didn’t care what Blaise offered me, I would take it.