by Nique Luarks
“She did. He’s adorable. You sure know how to leave your mark on your kids.”
“That’s because they mamas hate a nigga the entire pregnancy.”
Chance laughed before taking off. “That’s ’cause your ass don’t know how to act.”
I followed after her. “You probably right.”
“No, I am.”
We walked in silence for a minute.
“What you doing when you leave here?” I asked, stopping her.
“I’m going home. I’ve been up literally all day. Piper, the new baker, she’s been going through a lot, missing a lot of work,” Chance sighed. “I don’t want to fire her because I know she needs the money, but I can’t keep doing her job and mine. Melissa comes from the other shop occasionally, but it’s not her job to bake for two buildings so far away from one another.”
I frowned. “Stop being so nice. If the bitch ain’t capable of doing her job, then you need to end her employment.”
Chance looked off. “I know.”
“You want me to do it?”
She giggled. “No, True.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “You should come home with me tonight. I wanna go to sleep rubbing your stomach.”
“I’m sure you want to do more than just rub my stomach.” Her eyes roamed my face as she smirked.
I chuckled. “Not if you don’t want me to.”
“Set again!” Ava yelled loud as fuck.
We all ended up at her and Roman’s spot. Well, everybody except Chance.
“Y’all cheating like a muthafucka.” Roman laughed as she and Erin slapped fives.
Tone only shook his head.
Leaving the room, I headed outside. Once I hit the porch, I sat down on the steps. Grabbing my phone from my pocket, I took a sip of lean. Pulling up Chance’s number, I FaceTimed her. As I waited for her to answer, I pulled the blunt from behind my ear.
Even though I’d just seen her, I wanted to spend the rest of my night talking to her. I checked the time and assumed she was asleep, but then she answered, stuffing popcorn into her mouth.
“Hey.” She stared back at me.
“Wassup. What you doing?”
“Watching TV. What are you doing?”
I shook my head. “Chillin’.”
“You still at Roman’s?”
“Yeah. Erin and Ava in there cheating at spades.”
Chance giggled. “Men can never take a loss from a woman without saying she’s cheating.”
I chuckled. “You look wide awake. You should’ve come.”
“I am wide awake, but I wanted to get in my bed and kick my feet up. I know you saw my ankles.”
“Yeah, I saw ’em.”
“I get pedicures even when I don’t need them just to soak my feet and get them massaged.”
I frowned. “Why do all that when you can just call me?” It wasn’t like I’d never rubbed her feet before. I loved Chance’s toes. How she had me feeling, I’d fuck around and suck them if she asked me to.
“I know how busy you are.”
“I ain’t never too busy for you or my jellybean.”
She stuffed her mouth again. “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.” I licked my lips.
“Do you still sleep with Nisha?”
Her question made me stare at her hard. I wanted to lie and say no, but Chance had let it be known she wasn’t with the bullshit anymore. She’d boss up on a nigga real quick if she felt like I wasn’t being honest, and since she knew me better than I knew myself, I wasn’t even about to try her.
“From time to time.”
She nodded, chomping down. “So, why are you acting like you want to be with me?”
“’Cause I do.”
“Since when? When I stopped being your personal doormat?” She mugged me. “You think you’re just going to be bouncing from baby mama to baby mama?”
“Nah.”
“Then what? You had a change of heart? I’m good enough now?”
“Them hormones got yo’ ass bipolar.” I shook my head.
“Whatever,” she said with an attitude. “I’m not going to be a part of your little rotation.”
“I ain’t got no rotation,” I corrected her. “I don’t fuck with Quin like that no more ’cause of that park incident and her threatening to take Chasity to D.C. in the fall. And I ain’t rockin’ wit’ Jaliyah like that, either. Her ass can’t seem to stay out of fuckin’ jail.”
I ran my hand down my face.
“And I only smashed Nisha on some drunk shit.”
“Right.”
I chuckled. “Let me get this straight, shorty. You can fuck on me when you feel like it, but when I wanna taste the pussy, it’s a problem?”
Chance looked away.
“Nah, talk that hot shit now, baby. You took the dick.”
She smacked her lips. “I did not take anything,” Chance smirked. “You gave it to me.”
“This nigga out here cakin’.” Roman stood in the door. “Ole sensitive-ass nigga,” he laughed. “Wassup, Channy. I know that’s who you talkin’ to.”
Chance smiled. “Hey, Ro.”
Roman laughed again. “We bouta fuck around and ride down on some suckas. That nigga Drake on the north side starting shit as usual.”
I shook my head as he went back into the house. Drake was worse than me. Nigga went around picking fights. At least I waited for the fonk to come to me. Now we had to go make sure we had his follow up in case of a possible shootout.
When I looked back at Chance, she was frowning.
“What’s your problem now?”
“It’s the middle of the night, True. Go home.” I knew she only worried about me.
“My phone would’ve been on silent if I was over there wit’ you,” I informed her. “I’d be in for the night if you would’ve just come back to the crib.”
She smacked her lips. “I’m being serious, True.”
“I am, too. You see what you did. Sent me right into the streets to risk my life ’cause you wouldn’t let me fall asleep, eating the pussy.”
Chance shook her head. “You can always go home.”
“Nah, I gotta go make sure my guy is straight.” I turned around when the door opened again.
Tone stepped out first, on the phone, and Roman followed.
“I gotta go. I’ll talk to you later, baby.”
Chance sighed. “You are so irresponsible.”
I stood and made my way down the steps.
“I love you, too,” I chuckled, hanging the phone up.
Hopping in the back seat of Roman’s whip, I reached into my pocket for a lighter. Sparking the blunt, I took a few tokes, then passed it to the front.
“Nah, we on the way,” Tone spoke. “Nigga, I already told you them cats over there ain’t feeling you. You always fuckin’ wit’ somebody.”
I chuckled.
“Nigga ain’t been out a year.” He hung up. “Down there bullying niggas for no reason. Just bored.”
I shook my head.
Roman blasted the music at the same time a text message from Chance came through.
Jelly: Please be careful. I want Carlee to meet you at least once.
I chuckled.
Me: I got you.
15
That’s a low blow
Chance
“How is it?”
I nodded. “Great. This is really good.” I grabbed my water. “I didn’t know you could cook.”
“I’m the jack of all trades, ma,” Haze smiled.
After wiping my mouth, I grabbed my fork again. “So, how’s everything with your sister?”
“Better.”
“That’s great. I know how stressed you’ve been dealing with that.”
Haze shrugged. “She really didn’t have nobody to blame but herself.”
Taking a bite of pasta salad, I grabbed my napkin. Holding it over my mouth, I chewed before asking, “How so?”
“She knew
what kind of nigga she got pregnant by and married. He a wannabe gangster. I told her ass not to fuck with him in the first place.”
I cut my fried fish in half with my fork. “That’s not fair to her, though, Haze. She probably saw something in him nobody else could see.”
He frowned. “Nah, her ass be making dumb decisions.”
I forked a piece of fish and put it in my mouth. “That’s a little mean, don’t you think?”
Haze shook his head no. “Nope.”
“You are something else.”
“And you ain’t?”
My eyebrow rose.
“You cut me off one day, and the next, you letting me cook for you. I feel like a sucker lowkey,” he chuckled, picking his beer up. “Wassup? I feel like I’m doing too much.”
Wiping my mouth again, I grabbed my glass of juice. “I can admit I’ve been kind of distant and sometimey.”
“Why?”
“Well, for starters, like I told you when it happened, I didn’t appreciate you going to True’s bar.”
He nodded.
Haze going there was the reason True had come to my loft and apologized, which was why I didn’t stay mad at him for long.
“And like I told you, I don’t like seeing you upset.”
“And I appreciate your concern, but if our relationship is going to go anywhere, you have to respect my child’s father.”
He leaned back into his seat. “And what about him? You gon’ let him know to respect what we got going on?”
“Of course.”
“A’ight.” Haze grabbed a piece of fish.
“But you can’t do things to purposely make him mad.”
I knew how men operated. I had thirteen brothers. Thirteen. And a male best friend for almost twenty years. Men were just as shady as women, if not more.
“I ain’t tripping off that nigga, I just ain’t trying to be on some serious shit with you, and you end up with that nigga in the long run.”
“I understand,” I said, digging into my pasta salad. “And you know making a pasta salad is not cooking, right?”
Haze laughed. “Damn, you gon’ switch up on me like that?”
I giggled.
“That’s messed up.”
“This is nice, though. I rarely eat at home. And it’s sweet to be catered to.”
Haze leaned forward on his elbows. “You can get this treatment every day if you want.” He licked his lips.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Most definitely.”
“How, when you live in a whole other state?” I inquired.
He stared at me for a while. “Move to Cali wit’ me.”
I grabbed my water. “You know that can’t happen.”
“Why not?”
“Because my life is here. My family, friends, businesses. I can’t just up and leave, Haze,” I informed him.
“You could if you wanted to, you just scared.”
“Of what?” I took a bite of fish, then spooned my green beans.
Haze shrugged. “Shit, I don’t know. Change? Everything that’s here will still be here when you come down to visit. We could open up another donut shop out in Cali. It ain’t shit.”
I stuffed my mouth with green beans.
“I’m not sayin’ you gotta come tomorrow, or even after the baby comes, just consider it, shorty.”
I watched him eat as I sat in thought. California would be a nice change, and Haze lived in the Hills. He owned a successful construction company with his father, and since they had sites in different states, they were always booked and busy.
But what would True think?
If I went to Cali, our daughter would be coming with me.
“You look like you in deep thought over there.” Haze broke the silence. “You good?”
I nodded, reaching for my water again. “So, what you wanna do when we finish eating?”
“I wanna run you a bubble bath.”
I smiled. “Really?”
“Yeah. I had my sister go with me to get some stuff.” He licked his lips. “I mean, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t know if I want you to see me naked,” I chuckled. “Do you see this?” I poked my belly.
“That’s natural, shorty. And to be honest, a turn on.”
Giggling, I shook my head. “Let me find out you got a weird fetish for pregnant chicks.”
Haze laughed. “Hell nah. I’m just hella attracted to your pretty ass.”
I grinned.
“So, you gon’ let me fix you a bubble bath?”
Throwing caution to the wind, I smirked. “Only if you get in with me.”
“Close your eyes,” I laughed, peeking my head around the corner.
Haze chuckled. “Man, if you don’t get in here.”
Securing my robe tighter, I entered the bathroom. Haze had the lights dimmed, and candles burning on the sink and stand. I smiled, taking it all in. It was a very romantic and relaxing setting. I bit down on my bottom lip as I inched towards my jacuzzi tub.
“Take that off.” Haze rose from the water. He was covered in bubbles, but my eyes automatically shot to his erect penis.
Untying my robe, I removed it and let it drop to the floor. Self-consciously, I ran both hands across my bump. Haze held his hand out for me. Taking a deep breath, I couldn’t believe I was about to do this, because if True found out... Lord.
But then I remembered True was very much doing him. Hell, he had just had a baby, and he was still sexing her. I was pretty sure I was the last thing on his mind before he slid up in her. So, his ass was about to be the very last thing on mine.
“You good?” Haze helped me into the warm water.
I nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay.”
Once I was in, he helped me sit down. I rested against one end of the tub, and he slid back against the other. The water soothed my body instantly. Laying my head back, I sighed in satisfaction when the jets came on. They massaged my back as Haze grabbed my left foot and began to massage it.
I could get used to this.
I moaned softly.
“How that feel?” he asked. “Is the water okay?”
“Yes,” I sighed. “This is great. Thank you.”
“No problem.” He skillfully massaged my toes. “Chance...”
“Huh?” I lifted my head to look at him.
“Can I feel you?” His heavy eyes were trained on me as he continued rubbing my feet.
I licked my lips. “Haze, that might not be a good idea. I’m pregnant, and it’ll be weird to let you—"
“I ain’t gotta put my dick in you to feel you.” He cut me off.
“What?” I chuckled nervously.
Haze let my foot go. “Come here.”
Swallowing hard, I made my way to him slowly. Haze spun my body around gently so my back was against his chest. I felt his erection on my back. He swept all of my hair to one side and planted a soft kiss on my shoulder. Closing my eyes, I relaxed.
“I wanna fuck you so bad, man,” he groaned into my ear.
I bit down on my bottom lip. “I wish you could.”
Haze’s right hand slid down the front of my stomach. When he got to my vagina, I widened the gap between my legs. Haze rubbed my clit in a slow, circular motion. Sucking down on my neck, he quickened the pace, making me squirm.
“Mmm...” I closed my eyes when he massaged my nipple with his free hand.
“You like that?”
I nodded.
When his finger dipped in my love, my body went stiff.
“Relax,” he whispered. “I just wanna feel you.”
I laid back into his chest. One finger turned into two, and before I knew it, I was humping his hand. It wasn’t as good as the real thing, but it felt great to be touched by a man. I knew he most likely wouldn’t make me cum as hard as True did, but I would settle for whatever he could give me with his two fingers. He fingered me as his thumb flicked along my clit, causing me to moan out loud.
“Don’t stop
,” I begged, humping his hand harder.
Haze sucked on my neck, knowing that was my spot.
“Shit...” I bucked a little as I came. “Fuck,” I moaned softly.
“Damn, that shit was sexy,” Haze groaned. “You killing me.”
I chuckled lightly.
He kissed my shoulder. “I can be the man you want me to be, Chance. All you gotta do is say the word.”
Sighing, I reached for the body wash. “Can you give me some time?” I knew it was selfish of me to lead him on because of my uncertainty, but my heart just wasn’t in it.
Haze sucked his teeth. “Yeah, a’ight.”
I turned slightly to look at him. “Don’t be mad at me, okay?”
Resting his head back, he nodded. “I ain’t trippin’.”
Sure looks like you are to me.
I rolled my eyes as I stood up to wash my body off.
True
“True, can you bring me a diaper?!” Nisha yelled from downstairs.
Putting the game on pause, I stood up. As I made my way to Carter and Carlee’s room, my phone sounded off in my basketball shorts. Once I entered the room, I went to the changing station. Grabbing a diaper, the wipes, and the baby powder, l left out.
“True!” Nisha hollered.
Making my way down the stairs, I shook my head. She’d only been here for two days, and her ass was getting on my nerves. The apartment above hers had flooded, and the water had leaked through her ceiling. Nisha hadn’t told me shit about it. I went to spend time with Carter one day, and the ceilings had fucking mold on them. So, until we found something else for her and my son, they were staying with me.
“True!”
“Nisha, man, quit all that fuckin’ screaming, shorty.” I walked into the living room. “I heard you the first time.”
“Damn, my bad.” She rolled her eyes, taking the items from me. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Ain’t shit wrong wit’ me, but all the fuckin’ yelling you be doing is unnecessary.” Nisha had one of the loudest mouths ever.
She laughed, but I didn’t find shit funny. “Your house is big, True. When you didn’t answer me back, I thought you didn’t hear me. You should’ve said something back, crazy.”
