6. Durk
Durk
T wo Weeks Later
Say You Won’t Let Go
“Mama Jo! Open the door!” I yelled as I carried three cases of water up her stairs.
She cut her eyes at me as she pulled the screen door open. “Don’t rush me, Buttah. I was in the kitchen. Take the water in there, and sit them next to the washer.”
The aroma of biscuits and bacon caused my mouth to water. “I guess I showed up right on time. Is breakfast ready?”
“It is, but you’re too excited about a basic meal. If you get with a woman who’s worth more than what’s between her legs, you wouldn’t have to come over here to get a good meal.”
I grabbed a stack of mail from the counter and looked through the envelopes instead of responding to her statement. If anyone wanted me to settle down, it was my grandmother. She often expressed how she was getting older and wanted to be around to raise her great grandkids. Though I understood where she was coming from, she would have to rely on Mercy to fulfill that dream.
“Good morning, good people!” Mercy exclaimed while speeding to the refrigerator.
“You’ve been here all this time?” I wondered aloud. “I know you saw me calling you.”
“I also knew you didn’t want anything. Your greedy ass only comes over here to eat.”
“Whatever. Where are you going all suited and booted?”
“I have a second interview at Ryker’s recording studio.”
My brows climbed up my forehead. “Oh, shit. That’s what I’m talking about! You put on your good shit and let your twists loose, so I know you’re serious.”
She plopped down in the chair beside me. “I have to be. The world is spinning while I’m at a standstill. Even you’re moving on. I don’t want to be left behind.”
“I respect you finding your own path, but I would never leave you behind. Wherever I go, you’re welcome to ride. I just want you to want to be there.”
She nodded. “I get it. That’s why I’m making moves.”
“You look pretty while doing it. You should keep this look.”
“On my soul!” Mama Jo interjected.
“Oh, hell nah!” I groaned. “Mercy, you got my granny sounding like the hos in this book Clover read to me the other night.”
“Clover?” Mama Jo repeated her name.
Mercy’s brows met on the ends. “I’m stuck on the reading part.”
I knew I fucked up by dropping her name, yet Clover stayed on my mind so much I couldn’t help but mention her. We had been on two dates since we settled the debt with The Pablos, and I was starting to get used to having her around.
“We’ve been kicking it. Dating,” I clarified. “Mama Jo, why didn’t you introduce us? Clover’s family has been going to your church for years. You know hips and dimples are my kryptonite.”
“I also knew you two weren’t ready for each other. Clover isn’t at church often, but people talk. She had a lot on her plate. Her baby daddy was locked up for years. Then he was killed after being home for a hot second. I never met him, but I heard he was a gangbanger.”
“A banger?” I chuckled. “Is that why you didn’t want me to have her? I’m a gangsta too.”
“No, it’s because you were heartbroken and bitter. I didn’t want you to take your anger toward Kehlani out on Clover.”
I glanced up from the mail. “You think things are different now?”
“The Lord brought y’all together, so I’d say so. Be sure to bring her to my party.”
“I wouldn’t come without her.”
With a hefty plate in hand, Mama Jo walked over and rubbed the top of my head.
“How have things been at the shop, Buttah?”
“Business has been good. Last night, I finished a leg piece I’ve been working on for a month. My client tipped me damn near as much as I charged him for the tattoo.”
“That’s right, baby. Make that money!”
“If not me, then who?” I boasted while dusting off my shoulders. “Where is my mama? I want to go over the extra names she added to the guest list for your party.”
“They’re my guests. You can talk to me about it.”
I went to the text message my mama sent me the night before. “What’s up with adding Ryker and her sisters to the list? I already had to pay your neighbors to let us use their driveways for parking. Now, you want me to find the patience to deal with my boujie cousins.”
“Buttah, get over it. If Mercy gets the job at her studio, you’ll be seeing them more often.”
The only time I used the private room in my shop was when I tattooed a celebrity or an intimate body part, and anytime Drea showed up, I had to put it to use. The redbone was a classmate who used to be a fly on a wall then turned into a sex worker after we graduated. She had been my client since I started branding skin.
“Drea, if you don’t sit still, the daisy around your areola is going to look like shorthand.”
She giggled. “It’s your fault. If you stop making me laugh, I may stop moving.”
“You’re supposed to be listening to whatever’s playing in your headphones. You hear me talking because you’re being nosy.”
“Can you blame me? I’ve told you your voice reminds me of Nipsey Hussle.”
“Rest in peace to him, but that nigga ain't ever sounded this smooth.”
Once I was done, I covered Drea’s new ink with protective film then stretched out the cramp in my back.
“Are you ready for me to settle my bill? Are you willing to accept my deep throat as payment?” Drea let her crop top linger above her pierced nipples before pulling it down.
I rolled back on my stool and removed my gloves. All it would take was a head nod, and I could have Drea bent over a chair, but I knew better. Ten minutes inside of her wouldn’t be worth the trouble it would cause. Drea opened her mouth to speak, but a knock on the door interrupted her.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“It’s me, Durk. Open the door, bro!”
A grin cut across my face. “Come in, kid. The door is unlocked.”
Tatum marched into the room like he owned the spot. His brother was two steps behind, matching his energy.
“What’s up, Snoop and Dre?” I clowned as they got comfortable on a loveseat in the corner.
They ignored me and stared at Drea, who smiled at them like they were puppies. Tatum wore a goofy grin that mirrored hers, but Pierce frowned.
“Durk. Are these your sons?”
“Hell no!” Tatum laughed. “That’s the homie.”
I hated to laugh at his response, but it reminded me of something I would say.
“Tatum and Pierce are my girlfriend’s kids,” I answered.
Drea squared her posture. “Oh. I didn’t know...Who’s the lucky lady?”
“That would be me.” Clover’s fine ass stepped through the door. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same.” Drea blurted out. “Durk, I’ll take care of my balance at the front desk.”
“Please do.” I chuckled, seeing her confidence escape her.
Clover’s smile remained in place, but I could tell she wanted to question me by the way she kept looking at me then in the direction Drea had gone.
“Trust me, none of these bitches can touch what we got going on.” I approached her and wrapped my arm around her waist. I didn’t think before I placed kisses on her forehead then let my lips linger on her nose.
“Eww! That’s nasty!” Pierce yelled, forcing me and Clover to separate.
I laughed at his mean mug. “Don’t be a hater. Just take notes on how to treat a lady.”
Clover grabbed my shoulder, making me face her. “Are you all done with work? If you’re busy, I can—”
“What I tell you about doing that?” I nipped her chin. “I said I got the knuckleheads. I scheduled an appointment with my barber for three o’clock.”
“Okay. I won’t nag.” She turned to the twins. “I’m going to meet with Essen, Blaze, and Stevie for lunch. Can I get a hug before I leave?”
I cleaned up my station while they said their goodbyes. On the surface, I was cool, but on the inside, my gut was doing backflips. I offered to take the boys to get their hair cut when Clover mentioned it was on her to-do list. The words rolled off my tongue with so much ease I didn’t question myself after I opened my mouth. I had spent enough time with the duo to know their likes and dislikes, and though they picked at me, they stayed in my face.
The second Clover walked out the door, Tatum was out of his seat and rolling around the room on my stool.
“Durk, can I ask you a question?”
“I’m listening.”
“Have you tattooed someone’s butt before?”
“I mean...” I hesitated. “Just like a doctor operates on every part of the body, I tattoo all body parts.”
Pierce shook his head. “You aren’t a doctor.”
“Hater,” I replied, while grabbing my keys. “Let’s go so we can get that McDonald’s hairline fixed.”
Tatum threw a punch at me. “At least he has hair. You’re going bald, Lebron.”
On the road, I noticed Pierce had been quiet since we got in the car. I adjusted my rearview mirror so I could see him clearly and lifted my head when we made eye contact.
“What’s the problem, kid?”
“Nothing. I’m straight.”
Tatum smacked his lips. “He’s mad because the girl—”
“Let him speak, T,” I suggested.
“It’s not a big deal,” Pierce replied. “This girl I used to like played me. She pretended she liked me just so I would buy her lunch.”
“Damn, that’s foul,” slipped from my lips. “Be grateful you figured it out before she drained your pockets. One meal ain’t a big deal.”
“Yeah, but I just wish she had been honest. My mama always says all a person has is their word.”
I nodded, though my own dishonesty came to mind. “I feel you. I just don’t want it to ruin your day. If ol’ girl was on some bullshit, you don’t want her around anyway. Pick your head up. You too player to let anybody see you sweat.”
My encouragement seemed to release his tight posture, though my limbs grew tense. I squeezed the steering wheel as my deceit weighed on my conscious. I was six weeks away from the three-month deadline my folks gave me, and the more time I spent with Clover, the more guilt crept in. The nights we slept together, I would lay up watching her sleep, thinking about how she would react to the truth.
“Are y’all hyped about going to the game tomorrow?” I asked, switching the subject.
“I am!” Tatum clapped then rubbed his hands together. “I bet one of my friends The Silk Hills Spacers are going to lose.”
I smacked my lips. “What the hell? You’re supposed to put your money on the home team.”
“Nah, I cheer for the winning team. I’m trying to save up to buy a chain like yours.”
A belly shaking laugh slipped from my body. “You’re going to be betting until you’re thirty. If you want to earn your own money, I’m sure I can find something for you to do around the shop. Legit money always feels better than bread you have to clean up.”
Hand in hand, Clover and I walked up to my grandmother’s front door with the sunshine lightening our path. The scent of barbecue was strong in the air, and the music was so loud I was certain people on the next block could hear it. Most guests entered through the side gate, but I wanted to introduce Clover to whoever was in the house before we entered the backyard full of wolves.
“There goes my baby and his lady!” Mama Jo danced over, snapping her fingers and carrying a cocktail glass in her other hand.
“What’s good, Mama Jo. You started turning up without me?”
“Buttah, I’ve been sipping since this morning. You better catch up!” She placed her glass on the kitchen island. “Give me some love, Clover! It’s good to see you. You’re wearing those boots, girl!”
It was a coincidence, but Clover and I ended up wearing royal blue and orange for the party. I thought I looked fly in my Knicks jersey and custom kicks, but she looked better dressed in a denim dress and sporting boots that added a few inches to her short frame.
“Thank you for inviting me. It feels good to be seen, Mother Jo.” Clover handed her a bag from Tiffany & Co after they shared an embrace.
“No need to thank me. You’re family. You’re always welcome here.” Mama Jo waved my Auntie Lisa into the kitchen. “Put that bottle down, and come meet Durk’s girlfriend.”
I sat back and let the ladies pick Clover’s brain for a bit before I saw her reaching for an apron.
“Nah, they don’t need your help,” I declared. “I want you to meet a few more folks.”
“Don’t be like that.” Clover reached up and played with the hair covering my chin. “I don’t mind helping the ladies.”
“I’ve dished out bread so that no one works today. Come on.”
We entered the backyard, and the view of at least sixty people brought a smile to my face. Some were playing cards, and others relaxed at the picnic tables we rented for the day.
“You have a huge family,” Clover muttered as she squeezed my hand.
“You nervous?”
She shook her head. “I know you got me.”
“And don’t you ever forget it.”
The second we ventured into the yard, Essen and Mercy rushed over to us. I tried to lead my date in the opposite direction, but she wouldn’t budge.
“Clover!” Essen cheered, pulling her in for a hug like I wasn’t attached to her hip. “I’m so happy you came. Let’s go—”
I shoved her back. “Damn, Ethel! You don’t see me standing here?”
Clover tugged on the hem of my jersey. “Bae, be nice.”
“My bad, Lucky.”
Mercy and Essen looked at each other. Both wore a confused expression.
“What’s the problem?” I quizzed.
Mercy placed her hand over my forehead. “Are you okay? You never apologize for talking shit.”
“Back the hell up. I’m fine.” I placed my hand on the small of Clover’s back. “Clover, this is my twin sister, Mercy. Mercy, this is the lady I’ve been spending all my time with.”
My twin waved at her like a hyper kid. “It’s nice to meet you! I’ve heard a lot about you. You didn’t bring the boys?”
“Not this time. They went to a football game with their grandparents.”
“Good!” Essen blurted out. “Mama deserves a break too. Durk, let me steal Clover for a second. I’ll even introduce her to the aunties, so you don’t have to.”
I faced Clover and checked her body language. “Are you okay with that?”
“Yes! I don’t need you to babysit me. Go find your cousins and speak to the rest of your family.”
She moved to walk away, but I pulled her back before she could get too far away. Clover’s glossy lips bent at the corners when I lifted her chin and sucked on her lips. Everything around us was invisible when she clung to my waist.
“Don’t be gone too long,” she whispered, breaking our connection.
“I got you, pretty.”
I waited until the ladies were on the other side of the yard before I searched for my squad. They weren’t hard to find, considering the group was posted up under a tree, staring in my direction. Although they weren’t related to Mama Jo, they were the first to confirm their attendance at her party. They loved her as much as I did, and you couldn’t tell them or her they didn’t share the same blood.
Only inches away, I noticed the scowl on Shiloh’s face. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“We need to talk,” he replied as he took off toward the garage. Back in the day, I would know what I did to piss my big cousin off, but today, I was clueless. Tattoos, Clover, and tattoos had been my focus. Aside from what happened at the marijuana cafe, I hadn’t been in any shit.
“All right, man. Spit it out,” I griped once Shiloh, Ishmael, O’Cyrus, and Loso were in the room.
Loso’s bald-headed ass stepped forward like he was about to press me. “Little muthafucka! You owe us some money.”
I grinned, realizing what the issue was. “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t owe you nothing.”
“The hell you don’t. We’ve been watching you and Clover since y’all got here. There’s no way you haven’t fucked her.”
“I mean…I didn’t fuck her. She fucked me. At least, that’s how it went the first time,” I gloated, recalling the way Clover rode my dick.
Prepared for the moment, I dug in my pocket and grabbed the knots of cash I separated before I arrived. “I could’ve played y’all.”
Shiloh chuckled. “No the hell you couldn’t have. It was obvious y’all been doing more than going on dates and dancing on TikTok for the world to see.”
I shrugged. “I’m not ashamed. Clover saved my life then saved my heart. I’m not worried about what people I don’t know think about me.”
Shiloh thumbed through the stack of bills I handed him. “I guess the bet did some good. You found your lady, and I won a bag. A win is a win.”
“I would say so.”
All eyes raced to the door where Barbara stood with her arms crossed. The sight of the seasoned stallion made my heart race. She called me a few times after I ignored her during Fellowship Day, but I declined the calls.
“What can we do for you, Ms. Barbara? The ladies are inside the house taking shots,” Shiloh explained.
“I’m not looking for the ladies. I’m here for Durk. I didn’t mean to interrupt. The conversation was getting good.”
My top lip reached for my nostrils. “I don’t know what you think you heard, but it’s none of your business.”
“Maybe not mine, but your little girlfriend would probably want to know your relationship is based on a bet.”
I bolted in Barbara’s direction faster than anyone could stop me. I yanked her into the room then pressed her back against the door.
“Durk, chill out!”
I ignored the warning and slapped the space inches from her face.
“I don’t give a fuck what your birth certificate says. I will send you to Jesus before I let you run your dentures.” I growled.
“That’s enough, Durk. Give her room to breathe.” I heard one of my folks walk up behind me, but I didn’t acknowledge them. Air shot through my nose as I sized up the threat.
“You heard what I said,” I warned.
“I’m not afraid of you, Durk. You thought it was okay to threaten to tell people my business. It doesn’t feel good now, does it?” Barbara boasted.
Despite the bass in her voice, Barbara scurried away when I stepped back.
“Fuck!” I groaned, slamming my fist into my palm.
“Don’t let that shit knock you off your square. She won’t say anything.” Ishmael tried to convince me.
“But what if she does?”
“Then handle the situation like a man.”
O’Cyrus shrugged. “You could tell Clover yourself. Get ahead of the drama before it gets out of control.”
“Right,” was the only thing I said when leaving the garage.
I didn’t have an appetite, but I wanted to make sure Clover ate. I spoke to a few of my granny’s friends then stumbled on Clover, sitting at a card table across from Church. Her smile was in place, yet she taunted the players like everyone else at the table.
“Nephew! Come get your lady! She pretended to be innocent but whupped us bad!”
I laughed at my uncle while helping Clover to her feet. “It looks like you’re enjoying yourself. Are you ready to eat?”
“Yep! My mouth has been watering since we got here.”
“Good because there is plenty of food. Mama Jo couldn’t decide what she wanted, so I told her to get everything.”
Clover removed her sunglasses and glanced up at me. “The way you love your family will make a lady fall in love.”
“Oh, yeah. Are you that lady?”
She twisted her body from side to side. “Maybe. Too soon?”
“Hell nah. It could be two months or two years. If it’s real, I don’t think the timeline matters.”
Before we made it to the trays of food, “Cupid Shuffle” blasted from the speakers, summoning the birthday girl and her guests to a temporary dance floor near the DJ. I tried to guide Clover toward the grill, yet she danced to a spot by my cousins. Shiloh waved his winnings in the air when he two-stepped to the music, but I flipped him off while laughing at his goofy ass.
“You know I’m only out here because you’re here, right?” I whispered in Clover’s ear as we stepped to the beat. “You better quit grinding on me in front of my granny.”
My sweet lady squealed and pushed me away, but I didn’t let her get far. The song was upbeat, but I held her in my arms like we were grooving to a slow jam. I could sense eyes on us, and it made me squeeze her tighter. I wanted anyone watching us to know she belonged to me.
We stayed on the dance floor for another song before I fed Clover. She feasted on a little of everything, and even though I said I wasn’t hungry, I gobbled down every piece of food she shoved in my mouth. Once she was done, she asked to see my old bedroom. I hadn’t chilled in there in forever, but every time I did, a sense of euphoria flowed through my bones.
“Oh, my God, Durk. This room is huge! Mother Jo is sweet for leaving everything the way you left it. The day the twins move out, I’m converting their room into something for me.”
I headed straight for the bed, needing somewhere to rest my heavy head.
“She has too many rooms to care about this one. I think she secretly hopes I will move back in one day.”
“Judging by the way she was doing ‘da butt’ with Mr. Edwards, I don’t know about that.”
My upper body shot up from the bed. “What the hell does that mean? You think they’re fucking around?”
“Calm down, Buttah. I didn’t say all of that.” She waved me off and went back to inspecting my room. “Judging by the posters, I can tell you’ve always loved music.”
“Believe it or not, playing background noise helped me focus when I had trouble reading. I viewed the words I had to read like lyrics and paired them with the beat.”
“That’s actually a brilliant way to remember things.”
She eyed the pictures tacked to a bulletin board near a long window. Every image carried an experience that shaped me. There were pictures from my hood days and images of cars I aspired to purchase before I actually did. Some photos were illustrations of The Sons of Eshu logo, which had changed over the years. As Clover’s gaze traveled over the board, I didn’t recognize a bit of judgment on her face. Her orbs sprinkled as if she enjoyed the preview of my past.
“Take off your shoes, and come lay down with me for a minute.”
“Ha! You think you’re slick.”
“Nah, I know it.” I scooted over and made room for Clover in the full-size bed.
She took her time finding her way to me, but once we got comfortable, I forgot where I was and only concentrated on who I was with.
One minute, I was rubbing her thigh, and the next, Clover was on my dick. The music from the party poured through the window and our praise for each other served as alibis. I gave Clover slow strokes like a nigga working at the Right Track, not giving a damn about where we were while also hoping we didn’t get caught. Each time a new song came on, I twisted Clover’s curves into a different position. By the time we made it to the third, I had her in a bear hug, fucking her sideways.
“Baby, I can’t take anymore,” she cried out. “You feel so...I’m about to cum.”
“Hold it! You wanted this, so take it.” I bit down on the side of her neck. “I’m going to give you the world. I swear on everything I love I’m going to give you the world, Lucky.”
She reached back and dug her nails into my thigh. “Right now, I just want you to go deeper!”
I pinched one of her nipples, triggering Clover’s walls to grow tighter around my shaft. The sensation of my nut rushing to the head of my dick made me lift her leg and gave her the deep strokes she begged for.
“Yes, Durk! It’s yours, baby.”
I buried my nose in her hair and got high off the smell of peppermint oil. “This fat ass pussy feels so good. You know that?”
She bobbed her head up and down.
“Let me hear you say it, Lucky!”
“I have...some good pussy. I’m cumming!”
“Fuck!” I flipped Clover onto her stomach, never leaving my happy place, and grinded into her body until my dick jerked off inside of her.
We lay stiff for at least a minute, cursing and panting, before Clover started snickering.
“What’s so funny, Lucky?”
“I cannot believe I just had sex in Mother Jo’s house.”
“Believe it, baby. Love making that feels that good has to be real.”