by Nique Luarks
Shaking my head at her, I drank from my water again. “I can’t.”
Morgan sucked her teeth. “It’s almost five, you don’t have to go back to work.” She looked up at the waiter. “Let us get four Patrón margaritas and—”
“I can’t.” I cut her request short. “Morg… I don’t feel good.”
Rolling her eyes, she smacked her red lips. “Fine, then let me get a shot of tequila and a margarita.”
The waitress nodded. “And you’re fine with your water?”
“Yes. Can you give us a minute to go over the menu?”
“Sure,” she smiled politely. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
“Thank you, Summer.” I skimmed the menu. “I’ma probably just get a salad.” According to the scale at the doctor’s office, I was 168 pounds. I was mostly carrying the weight in my booty and thighs, but the small pudge in my tummy that I’d always had was only going to grow once my baby did.
“Here you go.” Morgan shook her head. “I keep tellin’ you ain’t shit wrong with your body.”
“I told you the same thing, and you went and got a tummy tuck and butt work done,” I reminded her.
“That’s different,” she chuckled. “Everybody wasn’t blessed with the kind of ass you got.”
I rolled my eyes.
“So, what’s new?” Morgan looked over her menu. “I feel like I haven’t talked to you all week.”
“’Cause you haven’t,” I answered, mentally deciding on a Caesar salad, hot wings, and an order of mozzarella sticks.
So much for eating healthier…
“Can I ask why?” she asked, sitting her menu down. After she removed her jean jacket, Morgan laid it next to her. She then leaned forward on the table with her arms crossed.
“I’ve been busy going back and forth between both shops.” Surprisingly, it was a lot more difficult to run two shops than I thought it would be. Another shop meant more employees, and more employees meant more time spent on schedule changes, payroll, and everything in between.
Morgan nodded as Summer returned with her drinks. “Tell me why Silas called me crying, though.”
I ran my order down to Summer, then gave my attention back to Morg. “I’m not surprised.”
“Me neither,” she mumbled. “Let me get the chicken alfredo and a Caesar salad.”
Summer jotted our order down before switching away again.
“So, you’re letting him come back?” When she looked off, I sighed. “Morg… after he did that to your face?”
“Chance… you don’t understand. All the shit you let True get away with, I thought you of all people would understand.”
Wow, Morg…
I gave her a hard stare.
“Me and Sy been together since we were in middle school. We can’t just get rid of each other that easily. We have a thirteen-year-old son.” She glanced at me quickly before taking her shot. “Stop looking at me like that.”
“I have no room to judge,” I mumbled, staring down at my nails. “Me and True aren’t even talking right now.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
She gave me the side-eye. “Why? What he do now?”
“Nothing,” I lied. “We just need some time away from one another.”
“Good.” She sipped from her straw. “That nigga ain’t been nothing but a headache for you and me.”
“Morgan…” I sighed.
She downed more of her margarita, then wiped her mouth with a napkin.
Her beef with True was why I hadn’t told her I was pregnant by him. I hated keeping such a big secret from someone I had a sisterly bond with.
“Speaking of the Devil…” Morgan sucked her teeth again. “There go yo’ hoe-ass best friend and his ratchet sidekick.”
My eyes shot up from my hands and landed on the entrance of the restaurant. There stood Nisha next to True, cheesing. My stomach churned as I watched the hostess lead them to a table not too far away from ours.
“Chance… you good?” The concern in Morgan’s voice and the racing of my heart had me on the brink of an emotional breakdown.
“I’m fine,” I managed to croak out. My eyes shot back in True’s direction, only to be met with his sympathetic gaze.
True
“I am so hungry.” Nisha surfed the menu. “I’ma probably get something to go, too.”
“You might have to get everything to go.” Being in the same room as Chance was fucking up my mood. She was sitting with that whore, Morgan, and even though she was trying to play it cool, I saw the discomfort on her face.
“I don’t wanna get my food to go. I’m hungry now, True,” Nisha whined. “I haven’t ate all day.”
“I got shit to do, Ni, so you gon’ have to order that shit to go and eat it in the car.” I glanced back at Chance.
“Why you keep lookin—” Nisha spun around. “See… I swear you got me fucked up.”
“Don’t start no shit, Nisha.”
She frowned. “I’m telling you I’m hungry now, but you want me to wait and eat because Chance is here?”
I sighed.
“My name is Harlow. Can I start you guys with a drink?” the waitress asked, standing next to the table with a notepad.
“Let me get a uhh…” Nisha hummed lowly. “Let me do the shrimp fettuccine, lobster and rice.”
“Good choice.” Harlow smiled. “And to drink?”
“Iced tea.”
“Kay…” She faced me. “And for you?”
“I’m straight.”
Nisha smacked her shiny lips.
“And can you box her shit up to go?”
Harlow nodded. “Sure.” She then switched off.
“Are we leaving because Chance is behind me?”
“Nah…”
“Then why can’t we stay and eat?” Nisha asked with her nose all scrunched up and shit. “You promised we could chill for a minute. You ain’t gon’ do shit but drop me off when we leave here.”
Not bothering to repeat myself, I went into my pocket for my ringing phone.
“True, I’m hungry now,” Nisha continued. “Like, I’m literally starving.”
“Wassup?” I answered the phone for Ro.
“Aye, you in traffic?” he asked, then told Ava to stop tripping.
“Yeah, wassup?”
“Meet me at the bar.”
“Yep.” I ended the call.
“Who was that? One of your bitches?” Nisha popped off. “Tell them hoes this is my time. They’ll get theirs after I’m done.”
My eyes shot in Chance’s direction again. Her pretty face was now contorted into a mean mug.
“True.” Nisha kept on fucking whining.
Running my hand across the top of my head, I sighed. Nisha had been crying and shit all day. It didn’t help that I was late to her appointment. Even though we found out she was having a boy like she wanted, her ungrateful ass still found room to cry. The only reason I’d agreed to take her to get food was because I had heard her stomach growling. Nigga couldn’t even be nice to the bitch.
“Can I at least spend the rest of the day with you?”
“You can ride wit’ me to the bar, then I’ma drop you off.”
“Ugh…” She rolled her neck. “You should’ve just dropped me off right after the appointment.”
I nodded in agreement. “I should’ve.”
“Shit like this is why I can’t stand True’s ass!”
Hearing my name made me look back at Chance’s table.
Morgan mugged me. “He don’t see you over here?” She shook her head. “I’m glad you done fuckin’ wit’ his inconsiderate ass.”
I chuckled.
“Umm…is there an issue?” Nisha tilted her head.
Morgan started scooting out of the booth. “I been wanting to smack this bitch.”
“Morg…” Chance followed after her. “Is she even worth you getting this upset?”
“Chance, I’m sick of this bitch
’s mouth, so yes, it’s definitely worth it.”
Nisha hopped up.
Chance slid completely out of her seat. “Wait…”
“Man, you bitches are hot.” I got up. “Nisha, sit the fuck down. Chance, you too, man.”
“Right, ’cause bitch, I will slap your funny lookin’ ass!” Nisha yelled. “I’m not in the mood for your shit today!”
“Slap me!” Chance jumped in her face. “Give me a reason to shoot you, bitch.”
Whoa.
My eyes bounced towards my Jelly.
“Aye…” I snatched Nisha back when her hand rose. “Go wait in the whip.”
“Ugh!” She snatched my keys out of my hand. “I swear I hate this fat hoe.”
“Trust, the feeling is mutual,” Chance shot back.
“Aye, be quiet,” I frowned.
“Nigga, you be quiet!” Morgan hollered.
Sidestepping her dumb ass, I stood in front of Chance. “Quit letting Nisha get you and my baby worked up.” Chance already knew what type of time Nisha’s messy ass was on.
“True, you can’t seem to control these bitches, and I’m tired of them disrespecting me!” she screamed in my face.
“Didn’t nobody tell you to get yo’ ass up,” I flexed. “You pregnant.”
“Hol’ up… What?” Morgan crossed her arms.
“So, because I’m pregnant, I have to let Nisha and whoever else talk down to me?” Tears of frustration streamed down Chance’s face. “Why do you always come to her rescue?”
“Jelly…” I inched closer. “Why you cryin’, man?”
“Because you keep letting your baby mamas come at me sideways. I do everything in my power to keep the peace,” she sniffled. “If it’s not Quindelle, it’s Nisha. If it’s not Nisha, then it’s Jaliyah sneak dissing me.”
I wiped the tears off her cheeks with my thumbs. “Calm down.”
“No, because you—”
“Chance, fuck him. Let’s go.” Morgan grabbed her arm. “Fuck you, True.”
I mushed the bitch in her forehead, and she stumbled back. I was getting tired of Morgan testing my gangster. She got away with a lot of shit off the strength of Chance, but the bitch was getting beside herself. I wasn’t into hitting bitches, but I didn’t discriminate.
“True!” Chance shrieked.
“Umm…excuse me. I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” Who I assumed to be the manager walked up. “You guys are disturbing the peace.”
Chance snatched her purse off the table before storming past me. Morgan grabbed her shit and followed after cursing lowly.
“Sir, someone is going to have to pay for these meals.” She crossed her arms against her chest.
I ran my hands down my face in aggravation before going into my pocket for a bankroll.
Fuck!
4
Anybody wanna buy a heart?
Chance
“So, we gon’ act like True didn’t say you were pregnant?” Morgan paced back and forth in front of my bed.
Grabbing my decorative pillow, I laid on my side. “Morg, not right now. I don’t feel good.”
“Umm… I don’t care, heffa. What’s goin’ on? You’re pregnant? And by True? You weren’t going to tell me?”
I closed my eyes.
“Wow, that’s messed up, Chance. I tell you everything.”
I sighed.
“What else are you not telling me?”
“Morgan, I really don’t feel good.” My phone rung, and Ava’s name flashed across the screen. “Hello?” I answered, eyes still closed.
“Chance, yo, where you at?”
“Home, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You know True just pulled up, arguing wit’ Nisha’s ugly ass.”
I opened my eyes and stared up at the ceiling.
“We at the bar, and she wildin’, talkin’ shit. What you want me to do?” Ava was like a rowdy little sister. She was only twenty-five and her age shined bright a lot of the time. When she felt someone was disrespecting anybody she cared for, her first reaction was to get violent.
“Ava, I’m not worried about Nisha. If True likes it, then I love it.” I was officially tired of True Jones.
“A’ight…what you doin’?”
“Talking to Morg, let me call you back.” I hurriedly ended the call.
“So, what’s up?” Morgan crossed her arms against her chest. “You pregnant by True?”
“Yes.” I closed my eyes again. “And I don’t feel like going into detail about why I didn’t tell you.”
“Uhh… are you for real right now?” she asked in disbelief. “I tell you everything.”
“Do you?” I smirked. “Because I sure don’t remember you telling me about Drew and True.”
“I…what…th-they…” she stuttered.
I chuckled. “Morgan, I’m not tripping off that.” Opening my eyes, I sat up straight. “I was only trying to make a point.”
Love had True’s phone one day when Drew texted him. Love couldn’t wait to call me and gossip because she thought I knew. I wasn’t sure if Morgan knew at the time, so I gave her the benefit of the doubt. When True came to my house the day Silas punched her, she gave it away unknowingly. However, every action didn’t need a reaction.
I’d hoped she’d tell me on her own, and I wouldn’t front and act like my feelings weren’t hurt, but what could I do?
“Yeah, but that’s different.” Morgan finally found her voice.
“That’s different?” I stared at her. “Can you honestly look me in my eyes and expect me to accept that?” Morgan’s loyalty was to her sister, and I respected that, but her attempt at downplaying the situation was a no-go.
“True fucks everybody,” was her response.
I had to clench my jaw tight.
“So, it wasn’t a big deal that he fucked Drew.”
“Morgan, can I get with you later?” Pushing off my bed, I calmly stretched my arms over my head.
“So, let me get this straight. You mad at me and not True? Typical…”
I pulled my hair up into a bun. “I’m not mad at you, Morgan.”
I wasn’t , we just didn’t need to be around one another at the moment. I was in my feelings, and she felt I was questioning her loyalty.
“See…you bouta start acting funny.”
I frowned. “I could’ve been acting funny. Regardless of your relation to Drew, I’m your best friend, and you know how I feel about True.”
Morgan sucked her teeth. “Girl, bye. One day, you swear y’all just friends, then the next, you fuckin’ him. Stop.”
I continued to my en suite bathroom. “Lock my door when you go, and leave the key under the doormat.” Even if she did leave her copy of my house key, I was changing the locks. Both she and True had a key to my sanctuary, and unfortunately, I was done fucking with them.
Tears burned in my eyes as I entered the bathroom, slamming the door behind me.
Haze: Wassup baby
Tossing a handful of popcorn into my mouth, I texted back.
Me: Not a good time
My phone started ringing. Getting comfortable against my pillows, I answered. “Yes, Haze?” Once he came into view, I smiled a little.
“What’s the matter?” His tongue swiped along his bottom lip quickly. “Why you frownin’ and shit?”
“It’s been a long day.” I continued stuffing my face.
“Baby blues?”
“No.”
“Then what is it?” Haze chuckled. “You can’t be hungry, ’cause you over there smashin’ that popcorn.”
I giggled.
“You know if you want some real food, I can bring you some.”
Shaking my head no, I shoved more popcorn into my mouth. “It’s too late to be eating anything heavy.”
Haze ran his hand across the top of his head. “Well…what you want me to do?”
“Nothing,” I chewed.
“I ain’t used to seeing you like this. Mean…snappy.”
I shrugged.
“That nigga True must’ve did it.” Haze chuckled lightly. “You gon’ make me have a talk wit’ that nigga.”
What?
The last person Haze wanted problems with was True Kendric Jones.
“He know it’s not cool to stress you out while you carrying the little one?”
My other line clicked, and Rel’s name flashed across the screen.
“Haze, let me call you back.”
“A’ight. Let me treat you to lunch tomorrow. I wanna hug you.”
A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Haze definitely got an A for effort.
“I’ll pick you up around twelve, a’ight?”
I nodded. “Sounds like a date.”
“A’ight.”
“Later.” I answered for Rel. “Hey…”
“Hey, beautiful. Can I come see you? I’m in your area.”
I shook my head, no. “Not tonight. Tomorrow maybe.”
Yeah right…
Rel hadn’t done anything, but I was a little turned off by him. Whenever he got liquor in his system, he changed into a completely different person. Like now, his pupils were dilated, and his words were dragging. He could barely even keep his head from falling in his chest.
“C’mon, Chance. I need to see you tonight. I got something important to tell you.”
“No, Rel.”
“Man…” he drawled. “I’m on my way.”
“No, you’re not.” I gave him the hardest look I could muster up. “Take your drunk ass home.”
“I’ll call you when I get outside,” he slurred.
Quickly hanging up, I called my daddy. After a few rings, and just when I was about to hang up and call one of my brothers, my mom answered.
“Chance, is everything okay? It’s late. You and the baby all right?”
“Hey, Mommy. Everything is fine. Is Daddy around you?” I didn’t want to worry my mother. If I told her Rel was drunk tripping, she’d call the police, blow every one of my brothers up, and rush over.
“You sure?”
“Yes…”
“Okay, hold on. Here, honey…”
“Baby girl?” My dad’s deep voice blared through the speaker. “You okay?”
