The Wild Child

by Nicole Jackson

  Without replying, I pulled into the gas station.

  “Ooh, yeah, pull up next to the Porsche, right there,” she instructed.

  I obliged her request, pulling up on ole boy. Admittedly, he was kind of cute, but something told me that it was his money and swagger that hooked girls. From his whip, jewelry, to his Louie clothes, I could tell that he had a little change. He seemed like a better looking version of the rapper Money Bagg Yo, with the diamond incrusted grill to match.

  “Bam, I know you seen me calling you earlier,” Roxy blurted, as ole boy pumped his gas.

  He lifted his head. “Who dat?”

  Roxy’s jaw dropped. “It’s Roxy, nigga. Don’t play with me.”

  He smiled, as he stepped around his car. “Oh, I aint know who you was, girl. What’s good with you?”

  “Nothing much,” Roxy flirted, as she ran her fingers through her weave. “I’m trying to see what you got going on. You fucking with me tonight?”

  He was smiling hard, as his eyes wandered to the backseat, before they landed on me. “Oh, my bad. How are you, lil’ mama?”

  I smiled politely. “I’m fine.”

  “How about you?” he asked Cavalli.

  “I’m good,” she replied dryly.

  “That’s what’s up?” he nodded, before focusing on me again. “This your man care or something?”

  I glanced around mocking confusion. “You’re talking to me?”

  He grinned. “Yeah, you, with ya cute ass. Nah…you aint cute. I’ma correct myself. With ya pretty ass.”

  I was taken aback, as the nigga boldly flirted with me, right in Roxy’s face.

  Cavalli sucked her teeth. “Man, didn’t Roxy call you over here?”

  He furrowed his brows. “What that gotta do with anything?”

  “So, you’re just gonna flirt with her home girl, right in her face?”

  He opened his arms. “Aye, I’m single, and the last time I checked, she had a nigga at home. So, everybody’s fair game.”

  I shook my head, expecting Roxy to go off or something. Instead, she just shook her head. “Let’s just go, Jhyrah. This nigga is a real-life clown,” she grumbled.

  I pulled off, leaving ole boy standing there.

  “Did yall see that shit? That nigga is super lame for that one,” Cavalli commented.

  Roxy rolled her eyes. “He was just trying to get under my skin, because I’m still with Mitchel. Trust me. He’ll be texting my ass in a few.”

  Cavalli lifted both brows. “Oh, so, that makes what he did cool? That nigga played you to the left, but you’re alright with still talking to him after this?”

  Roxy tilted her head sideways. “Just like you said to me a few minutes ago. Who asked you?”

  I glanced into the backseat, before me and Cavalli exploded with laughter.

  “Okay, yall wanna laugh, but I don’t think we’re too different. I’m willing to bet my last that the niggas yall deal with be on their own bullshit,” Roxy alleged.

  I grinned. “Girl, stop it. Unlike you, I don’t have side niggas and whatnot. So, I can’t vouch for how somebody like that might act. But Jeremy…that nigga there knows not to play with me.”

  Roxy pursed her lips to the side. “So, you know everything your nigga does? Okay. I’ma just say this. I honestly feel like if any broad did a little digging…and I do mean any broad, they’d find something that would hurt their feelings. Your nigga included.”

  “Huh? What you trying to say? What, you know something that I don’t?”

  “My name Bennet and I ain’t in it. Just know that I aint the type to fuck with somebody’s man and smile in their face. That aint my style. However, a nigga will be a nigga. And yourns aint no different.”

  Chapter 23

  Jhyrah

  “So, then the hoe says that her name is Bennet and she aint in it. I’m still trying to figure out what she was trying to say.”

  Jeremy’s back was resting against the tub, and his eyes were closed. We were chilling in the tub, taking a bubble bath. I was telling him about my day, and he was supposed to be listening.

  “Bae,” I tapped his chest. “Did you hear me?”

  His eyes popped open. “Yeah, I heard you. Her name is Bennet, right?”

  I giggled. “Nigga, are you tuning me out?”

  “Nah,” he denied, while lifting to kiss my lips. “Never that.”

  “Okay, so what do you think that she was trying to say?” I pressed.

  He narrowed his eyes. “I mean, what do you want me to say?”

  I sighed, growing frustrated. “I’m saying, is there some shit going on that I need to know about?”

  He grimaced. “Jhyrah, are you serious, right now? I gotta focus on my career and shit. You think that I got time to fuck around?”

  I scowled. “Why are you getting so defensive? Don’t try to play me crazy. I never asked if you cheated, because I don’t believe that you have. So, I’m asking if there’s some shit that you do that I don’t know about?”

  “Mannnn,” he stressed. “Watch out. Let me get up.”

  I scooted back, he stood up, before stepping out of the tub, splashing water all over the floor in the process.

  I watched him walk away. “Oh, so, now you’re mad?”

  He grabbed a towel and stared at himself in the mirror. “Hell, yeah. A nigga just got home from a long ass practice, and you wanna talk my ear off about what some non-factor ass bitch is saying. I mean, I seen the broad on a few occasions and probably could barely pick her out of a crowd. What the fuck could she possibly know about me, beyond what she’s read in a blog somewhere?”

  “I don’t know,” I bucked my eyes. “That’s why I’m asking!”

  He glared at me. “Well, that was one fucking question you should’ve kept to yourself. Do you know how stupid you sound?”

  “Stupid?” I gasped, as I stood up. “Nigga, you got me fucked up! I was basically about to tell your dumb ass that if there was something that I didn’t know, now is the perfect time to own up. Because any other time I’m not gonna wanna hear it. I’m going straight in your fucking grill.”

  He snidely laughed. “Girl, who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?”

  “I’m talking to your ass!” I lashed.

  “Say, shut the fuck up talking to me. That’s what you better do,” he spewed, before stomping out of the bathroom.

  Furiously, I hopped out of the tub. After grabbing a towel, I dried off, while he re-entered the bathroom.

  “I can’t believe this dumb ass shit. We’re actually in here arguing behind some drama between you and some lame ass broad. The fuck is up with that?”

  “It really wasn’t that serious, until you made it that way. If there’s nothing to hide, you could’ve easily said so.”

  “What I’m not understanding is why do you feel that I have to defend myself against some outside bitch’s word? Who the fuck is she?”

  I scrunched my face up. “Jeremy, cut the bullshit. Its funny how you respond when the tables are turned. You’ve called yourself checking me several times over he-say she-say. And what I do every time? I explain myself, right? Anything to ease your fucking mind, although I know that I haven’t done shit. But when I ask you something, it’s World War III in this bitch. The fuck?”

  He nodded. “Alright, since you put it like that; the answer is no, Jhyrah. I aint got shit to hide, but you already knew that. You go through my phone whenever you feel like it, and have you ever found me doing anything?”

  “Jeremy, don’t think you’re slick, okay? Now, I usually don’t trip with you because you don’t give me much to question. But don’t ever think that I’m sleep on you. I’ve seen DM notifications pop up on your phone several times, only for me to go look later and there’s no recent message, period. Especially around the time you received the notification. That tells me that you delete shit and you think that I don’t know, just because I never say shit.”

  I could tell by the look on his
face that this was news to him. Little did he know, I kept shit like that in my back pocket, waiting on the truth to reveal itself. I hadn’t said anything because I wanted him to get relaxed and then I’d catch him slipping. But I’d fucked all that up, getting caught in the heat of the moment.

  “Man, fuck this shit,” he grunted, before waltzing off. That alone was an admission of guilt to me.

  I could’ve gloated in catching him in his bullshit, but I was honestly in my feelings. A part of me had never gone there with him, because I wanted to believe that he wouldn’t lie to me. Although, I liked to cut up from time to time, I’d never flat out lied to him. No matter who contacted me, I’d leave the messages there for him to read. I was all about transparency, so that he’d know that it was real, but clearly, he couldn’t do the same.

  With a lump in my throat, I switched out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me. Trying to get to the dresser, I attempted to move past him, but he grabbed me.

  “I swear the last thing I thought that we’d be doing right now is arguing. This aint even us,” he spoke into my ear. “I don’t know why that girl tried to imply that she knows something about me. I honestly can’t call it. All I can gather is that she was in her feelings about her side nigga flirting with you. Maybe she wanted you to feel shitty, because that’s the way he made her feel. I don’t know. But you can’t allow that bullshit to spill over into us.”

  I sighed heavily. “Yeah, I hear you.”

  “I’m for real, Jhyrah. I’ll say this shit for the millionth time. I aint sweating these hoes. None of ‘em. It’s me and you. Period.”

  I slowly nodded my head. “I know.”

  He gradually smiled. “Alright, then. Act like you know.” He dropped my towel.

  Hooking an arm around his neck, I kissed his lips, while he groped my ass.

  “Oh, and if I was you, I’d keep my distance from ole girl.”

  I sucked my teeth. “I don’t fuck with her like that now. She’s an associate. I don’t let her into my personal business. None of that.”

  “Yeah, alright. I aint about to go down that road with you. I’m just telling you to be careful, but I know that you got a mind of your own, and gone do shit however you see fit. I get it. Just don’t take your eyes off that bitch.”

  I nodded. “Please believe that you don’t have to worry. I got this.”

  ***

  “Ewe, why are you acting all stuffy tonight?”

  I frowned, as I had my arms folded underneath my breasts. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m saying. We’re in the middle of the club, and you’re yawning and shit. What’s up with that?” Roxy questioned.

  Right then, I knew that I shouldn’t have gone against my better judgement. I was at home, bored out of my mind, but I’d planned to stay in. The NFL’s football season had officially begun, and Jeremy was away at a game. I would’ve gone with him, but I had meetings scheduled during the same time. Therefore, I was at home alone with nothing to do. I’d hung out at my parents’ earlier, before heading home. I was watching Netflix when Roxy called me, inviting me to the club, and I’d reluctantly accepted the invite.

  Although, I still felt that Roxy was on the messy side, I had no real issues with partying with her. Hell, I’d done it several times before without incident. Therefore, I was comfortable enough to club with her. However, this time was different. The girl had heard me mention several times that Jeremy really didn’t like to see me hanging with niggas in the club, especially ones I didn’t know. So, imagine my surprise when we arrive at the club, and I realize that she’s planning on chilling in some big d-boy’s section. Latrell’s fat ass was getting to the money, and that was cool, but he seemed determined to holler at me, which was fucking blowing me. I didn’t want to be bothered and the nigga couldn’t take a hint, while Roxy wanted to keke like she didn’t realize what the hell was going on.

  “I know, huh,” Latrell’s big black ass co-signed. I could barely see his face, but the gold teeth of his were surly moving, as his smiled in my grill. “She’s standing there all standoffish and shit. Sit down. I won’t bite.”

  “You might not,” I responded. “But I do.”

  “Your lil’ pretty ass is funny,” he chuckled. “But it’s a nigga’s b-day. Turn up with me, man,” he pleaded.

  “Here,” Roxy handed me a cup of liquor.

  I took a sip from the cup, before addressing him. “Look, I don’t mind chilling, but let’s get one thing straight. Aint shit happening. I got a boyfriend. I’m faithful. And it’s gonna stay that way.”

  He placed up his hands in surrender. “Hey, and it’s understood. Believe that.”

  “Cool,” I nodded, before taking another sip from the cup.

  Thankfully, Latrell seemingly got the memo, and left me the hell alone. I stood around, watching everybody partying, while I decided that I wouldn’t be there much longer. After I was done sipping the cup filled with Cîroc, I grabbed another one. By the time I’d finished off that cup, I felt a strong urge to sit down. So, I copped a squat on the sofa in the section.

  “Damn, that first cup must’ve been potent,” I mumbled to myself, as I noticed that some dude was pouring up cups for most of the people and then handing them out. “Did he fix my drink for you?” I asked Roxy.

  She nodded. “That shit is potent, huh? It got my ass leaning.”

  “Hell, yeah,” I agreed, as I heard myself slurring. “After two cups I already feel fucked up.”

  I felt the sofa shift, as Latrell sat next to me. “Damn, lil baby, you looked twisted. How many drinks did you have?”

  “Two,” I answered in what sounded like a mumble. “What the fuck?” I asked, seemingly in slow motion.

  He frowned. “What wrong?”

  I rubbed my eyes. “I…I…I don’t know.”

  Unfortunately, that was the last thing I remembered for a while. It was like I was in some sort of dream state. In and out of consciousness. The party was raging on around me, but I didn’t feel in control of my own body. People were talking, and I felt like I was under a pool of water. They sounded far away, and their words were inaudible.

  I thought that I was dreaming when I faintly heard Keyasia’s voice, but then it became louder.

  “Jhyrah!” she shouted. “Jhyrah, can you hear me?”

  “Y…yeah,” I stuttered.

  “Hell, nah! Get up. Let’s get the fuck outta here.”

  Jeremy

  Playing in the NFL was supposed to be the time of my life. When I was a little boy it was all that I’d dreamt about, but this shit was quickly turning sour. I couldn’t even bask in my win for the night before, because I had to deal with some bullshit.

  The whole way home I fought to keep my composure. The flight back to Houston seemed to take forever, as I prayed that I didn’t snap on the person next to me. Pissed wasn’t even the word to describe what I felt right then. Not being able to help myself, I kept glancing at the picture circulating around on the Gram. Each time I would become more heated than the last. And I needed to see Jhyrah’s ass like yesterday.

  What was really fucked up was that the bitch wasn’t even at the crib but wasn’t answering her phone. So, I had to call around, until Keyasia was able to tell me that she’d crashed at her and Wale’s spot. Therefore, after leaving the airport, I headed straight over to Key’s and was now standing outside of their door.

  Taking a deep breath, I knocked. After a few seconds, the door creaked open.

  “Hey, I didn’t think that you’d make it here that quick,” Keyasia commented, as she pulled the door open, allowing me to step inside.

  “Is she still here?” I questioned, ignoring her remarks.

  “Yeah,” Key sighed. “But try to keep a level head, Jeremy, please. I know that you’re pissed, and you have every right to feel however you want, but don’t lose your cool.”

  I nodded. “It’s cool if I go back there, huh?”

  “Yeah, go ahead. It’s the secon
d door to your left.”

  Needing to hear nothing else, I stomped down the hallway. Spotting the second door, I pushed it open, before tipping inside. I then locked the door behind me, ensuring that I wouldn’t be interrupted.

  I couldn’t disguise the look of disgust on my face if I’d tried. Jhyrah was knocked out, sleeping peacefully like nothing had happened. Right then, I questioned if I ever even knew that broad, if she could actually do the shit she’d done. Then just take her ass to bed like its nothing.

  “Say,” I lightly slapped her face. “Get up.”

  She merely stirred a bit but remained asleep.

  “Jhyrah.” I shook her shoulder.

  Gradually, her eyes opened.

  “Get the fuck up,” I seethed.

  She rolled over onto her back and stared at up at me. “You’re back already?”

  I scowled. “Yeah, I am.”

  Her eyes wandered around the room. “The fuck? How did I end up here? Where are we?”

  My nostrils flared. “You can’t be fucking serious, right now.”

  She sat up, holding her forehead. “I’m serious. I can hardly remember anything from last night and my head is throbbing.”

  I examined her in an oversized t-shirt, knowing that she was full of shit. She hadn’t been too fucked up, if she’d managed to change her fucking clothes.

  “Jhyrah, don’t sit there and play stupid. You know exactly where the fuck you are.”

  She tilted her head. “Jeremy, what the hell is wrong with you? Why the hell are you hovering over me like you wanna bite my face off?”

  I laughed cynically as I licked my lips. “Bitch, are you serious, right now?”

  She gasped, as she held her chest. “Bitch?!”

  “Yeah, you fucking heard me!” I barked. “Don’t try that stupid shit today. It aint gonna change shit. You know exactly what the fuck is up!”

  “No, the fuck I don’t!” she shouted. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  I threw my phone at her, and it hit her chest. “Look at that shit.”

  She snarled. “Did you just fucking throw this phone at me?”